OKX, one of the world’s leading cryptocurrency exchanges, has appointed Linda Lacewell as its new Chief Legal Officer (CLO). This decision aligns with the company’s strategy to accelerate its global expansion.
This appointment replaces Mauricio Beugelmans and strengthens OKX’s commitment to improving its legal presence and regulatory compliance in key markets, including Europe and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
OKX Names Linda Lacewell as Its New CLO
Linda Lacewell joined OKX’s board in 2024. She previously served as Superintendent of the New York Department of Financial Services (NYDFS), where she modernized the cryptocurrency licensing framework and led groundbreaking initiatives in cybersecurity and financial crime investigations.
This strategic move comes as OKX expands into highly regulated regions. It highlights the critical role of the new CLO in shaping OKX’s future on the global stage.
“Linda’s deep regulatory expertise will be invaluable as we take these next steps, ensuring that we meet and exceed the highest compliance standards worldwide,” OKX announed.
In recent years, OKX has achieved significant success in expanding its market presence. The company secured licenses in key jurisdictions, including Dubai in 2022 and Singapore, where it introduced Singapore dollar (SGD) deposit and withdrawal services in November 2024.
In early 2025, OKX obtained a MiCA (Markets in Crypto-Assets) license. This made it one of the first cryptocurrency exchanges authorized to offer services across Europe.
Despite its success, OKX faces regulatory challenges in some major markets. Due to stringent compliance requirements, it has yet to gain entry into the US, UK, Canada, and other restricted regions. In 2023, OKX withdrew its Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) license application in Hong Kong. This setback highlighted the difficulties of meeting regulatory demands in certain jurisdictions.
Top Cryptocurrency Spot Exchanges. Source: CoinMarketCap.
CoinMarketCap ranks OKX as the fifth-largest exchange globally, with a daily trading volume exceeding $2.3 billion. OKX’s user base has also surged, growing from 20 million in 2023 to 50 million in 2024—an impressive 150% increase.
