A former top UK government official brings his financial policy experience to the cryptocurrency world. George Osborne, the previous Chancellor of the Exchequer, has joined the advisory council of Coinbase.

The company announced the appointment today (Wednesday) as the latest high-profile figure to align with Coinbase amid the growing mainstream adoption of digital assets. Osborne will advise the exchange on regulatory affairs and global expansion at a crucial juncture, with Coinbase battling US regulators while accelerating its push into European markets.

Former UK Finance Minister Joins Coinbase as Advisor

Osborne served as Chancellor from 2010 to 2016 under the former Prime Minister David Cameron. He was responsible for the nation's finances and economic policy in this role. Since leaving government, Osborne has worked in investment banking and media.

According to a statement from Coinbase's Chief Policy Officer, Faryar Shirzad, the company brought Osborne onto its advisory council "at an exciting time" as it looks to expand its global reach. Shirzad said that Osborne "brings a wealth of experience in business, journalism and government" and that Coinbase expects to rely on his insights as it grows.

In an advisory capacity, Osborne will aim to connect Coinbase with politicians and regulators as the company seeks to advance crypto-friendly policies worldwide.

"Blockchains are transforming financial markets and online transactions. Coinbase is at the frontier of these developments," commented Osborne. "I look forward to working with the team there as they build a new future in financial services."

Crypto Firms Hire Top Regulators

While George Osborne's transition from the former UK Chancellor to a role at Coinbase marks a significant move, it is not unique in the industry. Recently, there have been several notable shifts, particularly involving figures from US financial regulatory bodies.

For instance, Peter Marton, who once served as the Deputy Superintendent of Virtual Currency at the New York Department of Financial Services, has now taken up the position of Director of Digital Identity at Fireblocks.

Similarly, Brian Brookes, previously the Senior Deputy Comptroller at the Comptroller of the Currency within the US Treasury Department, has recently joined the Board of Directors at Hashdex. His focus there is on advising global regulation to attract institutional investors and strategically collaborate with public policymakers.

Furthermore, Circle, the issuer of USDC, appointed Heath Tarbert earlier this year as their Chief Legal Officer and Head of Corporate Affairs. Tarbert was the Chairman and Chief Executive of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. He served as the Chief Legal Officer at Citadel Securities before joining Circle.

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Important Move amid Coinbase Regulatory Pressure

The move comes amid increased regulatory pressure on Coinbase in its home country, the United States. Last year, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC ) filed a lawsuit against the exchange, alleging securities law violations, which Coinbase denies.

The cryptocurrency industry is watching this legal dispute, as it may shed light on the extent of the SEC's regulatory power over the digital asset space. Coinbase's central contention is that the SEC is exceeding its regulatory bounds, arguing that the assets on its exchange do not constitute securities, setting them apart from conventional stocks or bonds.

The company has recently secured licenses to expand its services in several European countries, including France and Spain. Last year, Coinbase's CEO, Brian Armstrong, suggested that the firm could consider moving overseas if the US regulatory climate and SEC do not improve for crypto companies. However, Armstrong later clarified that Coinbase has no formal plans to leave the country.