Crypto Exchange Coinme Taps Ex-MoneyGram Executive for Compliance Role

On Wednesday, June 26, 2024, crypto exchange and kiosk operator Coinme announced the appointment of Robert Villaseñor as their new Chief Legal and Compliance Officer.

Villaseñor brings over 25 years of experience working in the legal and compliance fields for major public companies and law firms. Most recently, he served as General Counsel, Corporate Secretary, and Chief Administrative Officer for MoneyGram International, managing their global legal, compliance, human resources, government relations, internal audit, sourcing, and corporate affairs divisions. Prior to that, he held chief corporate and securities attorney roles for two other publicly traded corporations.

In making the hire, Coinme cited Villaseñor’s deep understanding of the complex legal and regulatory landscape surrounding cryptocurrency, money transmission, and consumer protection regulations at both the state and federal levels. As a company celebrating its 10-year anniversary and over $1 billion in retail crypto sales, Coinme sees Villaseñor as an important resource to help guide its continued strategic growth and expansion plans.

Villaseñor also spent time advising government leaders on cryptocurrency issues, having been appointed to Texas’ 16-member Blockchain Matters Workgroup in 2021. This group was tasked with developing a master plan to expand the blockchain industry in Texas and make policy recommendations regarding blockchain technology investment.

Coinme CEO Neil Bergquist welcomed Villaseñor, saying his expertise across legal, compliance, and regulatory fields would be invaluable as the company navigates increasing regulation and navigates new frontiers. Villaseñor commented that ensuring compliance and minimizing risk while supporting growth would be his top priorities in the role.

Looking ahead, Coinme plans to partner with new organizations as part of its cryptocurrency-as-a-service offerings. It also aims to grow its network of over 40,000 cash exchange locations to make cryptocurrency more accessible for everyday use. The hire of Villaseñor signals Coinme’s maturity and commitment to building strategic capabilities needed to responsibly scale its impact and better serve customers within an evolving policy landscape.