OKX Australia leadership changes hands

After nearly two years at the helm, OKX Australia chief executive Kate Cooper is stepping down from the top job.

Making the announcement on LinkedIn, Cooper said she will formally transition out of the role on June 26.

Cooper was the first appointed chief executive for OKX Australia since the crypto giant marked its expansion to the local market and was instrumental in the introduction of the self-managed superannuation fund (SMSF) offering on the platform in September last year.

"Over the past few years, we've built a licensed business, launched regulated products, earned the trust of clients and stakeholders, and established a strong foundation for the future," she said.

"For more than 25 years, I've worked at the edge of technology-driven change. Today, the intersection of digital assets, artificial intelligence and financial infrastructure is creating profound opportunities and challenges, particularly for sovereign finance.

"I believe these questions will shape the future of economies, markets and institutions, and I'm looking forward to contributing more to that conversation."

Shane Chandra, the current deputy general counsel, has been named the new chief executive for the crypto platform.

Prior to OKX, Chandra was the head of legal and public policy at Swyftx and brings over six years of experience in legal at Allens before that.

"I would like to thank our outgoing chief executive Kate Cooper for her leadership and the strong foundation she has helped build," Chandra said.

"As a day-one employee at OKX Australia, I have seen first-hand the opportunities ahead for digital assets, tokenisation and financial innovation. Australia has the talent, institutions and regulatory foundations to play a leading role in that future, and I am excited about the role OKX can play in supporting its development."

Cooper also congratulated Chandra on his appointment.

"I'm pleased to be succeeded by Shane Chandra who has been at the centre of OKX Australia's journey since launch and has played a leading role in many of our most important milestones," Cooper said.

"He brings deep knowledge of the business, our clients and the regulatory environment, and is well positioned to lead the next phase of growth."