Crypto lobbyist Blockchain Australia loses CEO Laura Mercurio
The association also represents local exchanges such as Swyftx and BTC Markets, as well as traditional financial and professional services, including KMPG, Deloitte, PwC, BDO, Mastercard and the Australian Securities Exchange.
In a written statement, lawyer and Australian Blockchain Chairman Michael Bacina said: “2022 has been a particularly turbulent year for blockchain and crypto, from incredible announcements such as the Australian Open Art Ball and ANZ Stablecoin at the start of the year, through the turmoil of Terra/Luna -, Three Arrows Capital and FTX collapses, Blockchain Australia has continued to lead as the peak trade body for the Blockchain industry.
“Like many organisations, we have faced a very challenging labor market. Blockchain Australia’s focus remains on key priorities for regulatory reform, membership engagement and advancement and education around blockchain.
Exchange confirmation
It is understood the association is searching for a full-time chief executive, but has also split the functions previously carried out by former chief executive Steve Vallas. Former chief operating officer Amy-Rose Goodey was promoted to chief operating officer while former Deutsche Asset Management chief Gordon Little was appointed to lead government relations.
The board will on Wednesday continue the process of leadership renewal when it votes for a new chairman and deputy chairman at a meeting ahead of the annual Blockies awards in Sydney. It is not clear whether current chairman Adam Poulton will stand for re-election.
In November, the association negotiated a new transparency “affirmation” signed by its exchange members, agreeing to hold customer balances in full reserve and provide ongoing evidence to avoid the alleged mismanagement and “commingling” of funds at FTX.
Mercurio was recruited to join the industry body following the departure of Vallas, who led the body through the pandemic and its engagement with the federal parliament’s Australia as a Technology and Finance Center (ATFC) committee chaired by Coalition senator Andrew Bragg.
Vallas was considered one of Australia’s most effective crypto advocates. He joined London-based lobby group GBBC Digital Finance as a policy adviser this month.
Mercurio could not immediately be reached for comment. In a LinkedIn post at the time of her appointment, she said: “I look forward to working with the blockchain community to be the leading voice to drive innovation and change for Australian businesses in the blockchain space.”
The leadership changes come as the Albanian government prepares to introduce legislation next year regulating crypto exchanges and introducing custody rules.
“We are closely monitoring the fallout from the FTX collapse, including further volatility in cryptoasset markets and any spillovers to financial markets more broadly,” a spokesman for Treasurer Jim Chalmers said in November.
On Tuesday, disgraced former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried was reportedly arrested in the Bahamas, where the mega exchange was headquartered.
The charges against him include wire fraud, wire fraud conspiracy, securities fraud, securities fraud conspiracy and money laundering, according to reports from New York Times. Before his arrest, Bankman-Fried was expected to testify before the House Financial Services Committee of the US Congress in Washington, DC on Wednesday.
