Welcoming Marcus Hughes as VP of Global Government Affairs

By Haider Rafique, Managing Partner, OKX

I am very pleased to announce that Marcus Hughes has joined OKX as our new Vice President of Global Government Relations. Marcus has spent his career at the intersection of finance, law, and innovation, and his expertise will help us deepen our engagement with governments and public institutions around the world.

Marcus brings a wealth of experience that few in our industry can match. He spent almost a decade of his career as an international electronic trading lawyer at Morgan Stanley, where he developed a strong understanding of how global markets function and how governments and regulators approach complex financial instruments and emerging technologies. In 2018, he transitioned into the digital asset space, taking on senior business and regulatory roles at leading crypto firms. In those capacities, he worked directly with lawmakers and senior regulators across Europe and beyond, playing an important role in the dialogue around how emerging technologies could be integrated into traditional financial frameworks. His experience in both traditional finance and crypto gives him a unique perspective on how governments think about risk, innovation, and modernization.

At OKX, Marcus will draw on this background to lead our global engagement strategy with governments, lawmakers, and regulators. He will be responsible for ensuring that our voice and the voice of our customers is heard as governments everywhere evaluate the role of crypto and blockchain in the future of financial systems. His mission is not just to represent OKX, but to educate senior officials about how this technology can make finance safer, more transparent, and more inclusive. By combining his expertise with his first-hand experience in shaping crypto discussions at the highest levels, Marcus will help position OKX as a trusted partner to governments that are exploring how to regulate and embrace digital assets.

The timing could not be more important. Around the world, governments are taking a closer look at crypto. Some are designing new frameworks to modernize financial services, while others are still building familiarity and understanding. Our role is to meet them where they are, to listen closely, and to provide clarity on how blockchain can solve real-world challenges. Marcus will lead that effort for OKX. He will also work closely with our teams in Legal, Compliance, and Risk to ensure that the insights and expertise across our company are shared with policymakers in a way that is constructive, transparent, and forward-looking.

Our mission at OKX has always been about more than products and technology. We are here to help modernize global finance and ensure that crypto evolves in ways that serve society as a whole. By welcoming Marcus Hughes as our VP of Global Government Relations, we are reinforcing our commitment to building long-term partnerships with governments worldwide and to playing a proactive role in shaping how the future of finance unfolds.

“I’m thrilled to be joining OKX at such a critical moment in the evolution of global finance. Governments everywhere are beginning to understand both the opportunities and responsibilities that come with blockchain and digital assets. OKX has the vision, the people, and the commitment to play a leading role in that journey, and I’m excited to be part of it.” Marcus Hughes, VP of Global Government Relations, OKX

Please join me in welcoming Marcus to OKX.