OKX Appoints Linda Lacewell for Compliance Expansion
By Hamza Ahmed profile image Hamza Ahmed
3 min read

OKX Appoints Linda Lacewell For Regulated Expansion

OKX appoints Linda Lacewell as Chief Legal Officer to strengthen regulatory compliance and support the exchange's global expansion.

Leading cryptocurrency exchange, OKX, announces the appointment of Linda Lacewell as its new Chief Legal Officer to enhance its legal and regulatory compliance strategy.

OKX has demonstrated its commitment to addressing complex regulatory challenges in Europe and the UAE by appointing a new Chief Legal Officer to replace Mauricio Beugelmans.

Former NYDFS Superintendent Assumes Command

Linda Lacewell joined the OKX board earlier this year, bringing with her significant experience gained in her previous role as Superintendent of the New York Department of Financial Services (NYDFS).

During his tenure at the NYDFS, he modernised the licensing system for cryptocurrencies in New York State and led pioneering initiatives in cybersecurity and financial crime investigations.

The exchange believes his specialist skills will be essential to understanding the complex regulations of the digital asset industry.

The exchange announced her appointment on its official page, stating:
"Linda's extensive experience is invaluable to us as we embark on a new journey, enabling us to meet the highest compliance standards globally."
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The announcement demonstrates OKX's strategy to expand globally by acquiring the necessary licences and entering highly regulated markets. In November 2024, the exchange added Singapore dollar deposit and withdrawal services (SGD) and obtained a licence in Dubai in 2022 to strengthen its position in the Asia-Pacific market.

OKX achieved a significant milestone in early 2025 by obtaining a MiCA licence, thus becoming one of the first licensed cryptocurrency platforms in Europe.

Through this achievement, the exchange demonstrated its forward-looking approach to regulatory compliance, aiming to dominate the European digital asset market.

In spite of its successes, OKX has encountered regulatory challenges in important market areas. Compliance regulations prevent the exchange from operating in North America and the United Kingdom, as well as other restricted areas.

OKX withdrew its application for a licence as a Virtual Asset Service Provider from Hong Kong in 2023, demonstrating the operational difficulties associated with different regulatory frameworks.

Top 5 Crypto Exchanges: Source CoinMarketCap
Top 5 Crypto Exchanges: Source CoinMarketCap

However, OKX's growth path remains impressive. According to CoinMarketCap, the exchange operates as the fifth largest entity based on daily trading volume, exceeding $2.3 billion in valuation. OKX has seen an expansion in users from 20 million to 50 million in the space of a year, showing exponential growth of 150%.

OKX has selected Linda Lacewell as Chief Legal Officer to strengthen its legal and compliance department, preparing it to deal with changing regulations and pursue global expansion. With her extensive experience in regulatory oversight and financial services, OKX will consolidate its position at the top of the international cryptocurrency markets.

By Hamza Ahmed profile image Hamza Ahmed
Updated on
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