MoonPay, a prominent player in the global crypto payments landscape, has announced the recruitment of Caroline D. Pham as its new Chief Legal Officer and Chief Administrative Officer. Pham’s appointment comes after her impactful tenure as Acting Chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), where she played a crucial role in modernizing market regulations and pioneering digital asset policy.
An accomplished figure in the financial regulatory landscape, Pham was unanimously elected Acting Chairman in January 2025, following her initial appointment as a Commissioner in 2022. Throughout her tenure, she advocated for groundbreaking advancements in the oversight of digital assets in the U.S., including the introduction of the CFTC Digital Asset Markets Pilot Program—a regulatory sandbox aimed at promoting responsible innovation in the sector.
Reflecting on her new role at MoonPay, Pham expressed enthusiasm for joining the company at such a pivotal time, stating that she looks forward to overseeing its global legal and administrative functions while steering policy and regulatory strategies in Washington, D.C.
Ivan Soto-Wright, co-founder and CEO of MoonPay, lauded Pham’s extensive expertise in financial regulation and traditional finance, highlighting her vital role in shaping the future of digital assets. He emphasized that her experience makes her an ideal leader to navigate MoonPay through its next growth phase and uphold compliance excellence.
During her first 100 days at the CFTC, Pham rolled out a modernization agenda that included innovations such as perpetual-style futures and 24/7 trading, along with the launch of the CFTC’s 12-month Crypto Sprint. Additionally, she released guidance on tokenized collateral, laying the foundation for safer clearing and settlement in digital markets. A highlight of her tenure was the announcement that federally regulated markets in the U.S. would allow trading of listed spot crypto products for the first time, marking a significant milestone in America’s commitment to becoming the “crypto capital of the world.”
Prior to her regulatory work, Pham served as Managing Director at Citigroup, where she held several leadership positions, including heading Market Structure for Strategic Initiatives.
MoonPay continues to lead in compliance, regulation, and governance within the digital asset space. The company was an early participant in the CFTC’s CEO Forum, initiated discussions on the Digital Asset Markets Pilot Program, and achieved notable regulatory milestones in 2025, securing its New York BitLicense as well as a Limited Purpose Trust Charter.
Founded in 2019, MoonPay has established itself as a global financial technology company facilitating seamless value transfers between fiat and digital assets. It currently serves over 30 million customers across 180 countries and supports more than 500 enterprise clients across the crypto and fintech sectors, offering a comprehensive suite of services to connect traditional payment methods with blockchain technology. MoonPay’s regulatory footprint includes licenses in various jurisdictions, underscoring its commitment to compliance in the evolving landscape of digital finance.
