OKX Appoints Ex-NYDFS Superintendent as Chief Legal Officer

The leading crypto exchange, OKX, has revealed the appointment of Linda Lacewell, ex-NYDFS head, as its new Chief Legal Officer. Lacewell, who has been an OKX board member since 2024, will now take the helm of the company’s global regulatory and compliance efforts.

Notably, Lacewell’s appointment comes alongside news of Mauricio Beugelmans’ exit, who had held the Chief Legal Officer role at the exchange for nearly two years.

OKX Appoints Ex-NYDFS Chief as CLO

In a recent development, OKX, a top crypto exchange, has appointed Linda Lacewell, the former Superintendent of the New York Department of Financial Services (NYDFS), as the company’s Chief Legal Officer. In an official blog post, OKX stated,

We’ve appointed Linda Lacewell as our new Chief Legal Officer to bolster our global regulatory presence and reinforce OKX’s position as a licensing juggernaut…Her leadership comes at a pivotal time as we expand into key markets such as Europe and UAE.

New CLO’s Roles, OKX Explains

Having joined OKX’s board in 2024, Lacewell has been instrumental in providing guidance to both the board and the company’s legal department. As per the exchange’s official announcement, Lacewell’s new role includes leading OKX’s global regulatory and compliance efforts.

As the head of NYDFS, Lacewell had oversight over banking, insurance, and financial institutions in New York. Her initiatives also focused on bolstering cybersecurity measures and combating financial crimes.

Now, her new position is poised to play a significant role in the company’s vision of further growth and expansion. The company cited,

Linda brings a wealth of experience that uniquely positions her for this role… With her at the helm of our legal team, we’re poised to navigate the complexities of the global regulatory landscape with a fresh perspective—one that balances compliance with innovation.

Mauricio Beugelmans Steps Down as CLO

Significantly, Lacewell’s appointment as OKX’s new CLO coincides with the former CLO Mauricio Beugelmans’ departure. According to Beugelmans’ LinkedIn profile, he stepped down as the CLO in March 2025 after serving the platform for three years and eight months.

As both the exchange and Beugelmans decline to comment on the matter, further details remain unclear.

This development comes following the Thai SEC’s increased scrutiny over OKX. Recently, the SEC filed a lawsuit against the exchange, alleging that it offered services to clients without a proper license.