Former PayPal executive joins Tether as Head of Government Affairs

Mila September 13, 2024

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Key Takeaways

Tether hires Jesse Spiro, an industry leader with over six years of blockchain government relations experience, as Head of Government Affairs.
Spiro aims to drive collaboration between the public and private sectors to advance Tether and the digital asset ecosystem.

Tether has appointed Jesse Spiro as its Head of Government Affairs. Spiro previously held key roles in the financial sector, including being the Head of Regulatory Relations for PayPal’s blockchain and digital currency business, and the Head of Policy and Regulatory Affairs at Chainalysis.

The appointment is part of Tether’s strategy to strengthen its government relations efforts. Spiro will oversee policy and engagement efforts with lawmakers, regulators, and key stakeholders, which he said is critical given Tether’s leading role in the “current and future development of the digital economy and US dollar hegemony.”

The company behind the world’s largest stablecoin by market cap has recently teamed up with TRON and TRM Labs to form the T3 Financial Crime Unit, an initiative to combat financial crimes in the crypto sector, particularly targeting illicit activities related to USDT on the TRON blockchain.

“The ever-evolving legislative and regulatory landscape will continue to require strong collaboration between the public and private sectors,” Spiro shared in a statement. “Through education and engagement, I look forward to working with industry, lawmakers, and government agencies as we continue to grow Tether and the ecosystem together.”

Spiro is expected to bring a wealth of experience to Tether, having spent over six years working in government and regulatory relations within the blockchain industry. As Tether expands its operations and influence in the digital asset space, his ability could effectively help Tether build and maintain relationships with policymakers.

“We are excited to welcome Jesse to the Tether team,” Paolo Ardoino, CEO of Tether, commented on Spiro’s appointment.

“His deep expertise in government relations and blockchain technology will be invaluable as we continue to navigate the complex and rapidly changing regulatory environment. Jesse’s appointment reinforces Tether’s commitment to responsible innovation and leadership in the digital asset space,” Ardoino added.