MoonPay, a leading crypto payments network, has made significant strides in its growth and influence within regulated financial infrastructure by announcing key appointments to its Board of Directors and advisory team. Amy Butte, Mike Hayes, and Jonathan Auerbach have joined the Board of Directors of MoonPay Inc., while Tad Smith will serve as a strategic advisor.
The new members bring a wealth of diverse experiences from various industries, including national security, global payments, capital markets, and media. Their collective backgrounds showcase a proven track record of leadership and the ability to scale organizations in high-pressure environments.
Auerbach, who directed strategy, M&A, and growth at PayPal, played a vital role in launching PayPal USD, the company’s stablecoin. Butte, with her experience as CFO, has taken three companies public, including Navan. Hayes, a former U.S. Navy SEAL and Commanding Officer, transitioned into the corporate sector by leading VMware’s worldwide operations through its massive acquisition by Broadcom. Smith, who has held executive roles at Sotheby’s and Madison Square Garden, has actively invested in the digital asset economy through his firm, 50T Funds.
These appointments come on the heels of numerous achievements for MoonPay, including the strategic hiring of former CFTC Acting Chairman Caroline D. Pham as Chief Legal Officer. Additionally, the company recently acquired Sodot and DFlow, launched MoonPay Trade, secured a New York BitLicense, and became integrated as the first crypto onramp in ChatGPT. Currently, MoonPay serves over 30 million customers globally, encompassing 180 countries and more than 500 enterprise clients.
The Board of Directors will now include two White House Fellows with the addition of Hayes, highlighting the rarity of such a distinction within a single corporate board. This prestigious program, founded in 1964, has seen fewer than 900 alumni throughout its history, underlining the caliber of leadership represented at MoonPay.
CEO Ivan Soto-Wright expressed enthusiasm regarding the new appointments. He stated, “The people who choose to join you say as much about your company as anything on your balance sheet,” emphasizing the significance of their experiences as the company navigates a rapidly evolving landscape in the financial sector.
Auerbach expressed his excitement about MoonPay’s potential, noting the impressive traction the company has gained and the tremendous opportunities lying ahead. Butte echoed these sentiments, highlighting the importance of combining bold vision with disciplined execution in transformative companies. Hayes remarked that technology serves as a powerful tool for societal elevation and commended MoonPay’s infrastructure and operational speed.
As for Smith, he emphasized the need for a reliable ledger for ownership, a concept he feels MoonPay is revolutionizing by creating the necessary infrastructure for the future of digital value transactions.
Founded in 2019, MoonPay focuses on enabling businesses and consumers to transfer value seamlessly across fiat and digital assets, making it a pivotal player in the intersection of traditional finance and emerging crypto technologies. The company holds numerous regulatory approvals, including a New York BitLicense and a Limited Purpose Trust Charter, and is poised for further growth in the evolving landscape of financial technology.
