Blockchain.com Makes Power Move: Ex-KPMG CEO Timothy Flynn Joins Board as IPO Heats Up
Crypto giant Blockchain.com just played its wildcard—hiring ex-KPMG global chairman Timothy Flynn to its board. The move screams 'IPO prep' as the exchange positions itself as Wall Street’s unlikely crypto gateway.
Flynn’s 30+ years auditing Fortune 500 companies brings sorely needed 'respectability glitter' to an industry still haunted by FTX’s ghost. His Rolodex could fast-track meetings with institutional investors—assuming they’ve forgiven crypto’s 2022 sins.
The timing’s no accident. With Bitcoin clawing back toward all-time highs and BlackRock’s ETF sucking in billions, Blockchain.com clearly aims to ride the wave. Will traditional finance bite? Or is this just another 'compliance hire' to check boxes before dumping shares on retail?
One thing’s certain: When auditors start joining crypto boards, either the revolution’s over—or it’s finally getting a seat at the adults’ table.
Blockchain.com Adds Flynn, Klaviyo’s Chief Legal Officer to Board
The company also appointed Landon Edmond, Chief Legal Officer of e-commerce platform Klaviyo, to its board.
With these appointments, Blockchain.com’s board now stands at nine members, which President Lane Kasselman said reflects experience “spanning from Wall Street to Web3.”
The expansion comes as crypto firms see renewed investor appetite, with industry heavyweights Circle and Bullish recently going public, and Kraken also rumored to be exploring an IPO.
Founded in 2015, Blockchain.com was among the first companies to provide widely distributed crypto wallets, alongside its popular Blockchain Explorer, a tool used globally to track transactions across Bitcoin and other blockchains.
The firm later diversified into exchange services and crypto payments. Today, its operations are divided into three main areas: retail wallets, institutional services for hedge funds and asset managers, and an asset management arm that includes venture capital, high-frequency trading, and digital treasury services.
Blockchain.com was last valued at $7 billion in 2023. While the firm declined to comment on IPO timelines, the recent hiring of a CFO and COO earlier this year, coupled with the board additions, underscores its readiness to tap public markets.
Kasselman emphasized that the company’s strategy is to build credibility across both traditional finance and digital assets.
Blockchain.com’s IPO plans come amid heightened investor interest in crypto listings. Circle’s June debut saw shares surge nearly 10x from the $31 offering price before settling at $149.
BREAKING:@Gemini has filed to go public on Nasdaq under the ticker $GEMI.
They’ve also entered into a credit agreement with Ripple to help raise funds for the IPO.
Crypto IPOs are officially taking over. pic.twitter.com/mC7JKyiJMn
Last week, institutional exchange Bullish more than tripled from its $37 IPO price on its first trading day, closing NEAR $70 on Friday.
Several other crypto firms, including OKX, Grayscale, and Kraken, have either hinted at or initiated plans to go public. Meanwhile, listed industry leaders like Coinbase and MicroStrategy have recently hit multi-year highs.
Tether Taps Ex-White House Crypto Official Bo Hines to Lead U.S. Strategy
Meanwhile, Tether has appointed Bo Hines, former Executive Director of the White House Crypto Council under President Donald Trump, as its new Strategic Advisor for Digital Assets and U.S. Strategy.
Hines will work directly with Tether’s leadership on regulatory engagement and policy initiatives as the company ramps up its U.S. expansion.
Hines, who played a key role in digital asset initiatives at the WHITE House, said stablecoins can improve financial inclusion and modernize payments.
His appointment reflects a wider trend of crypto firms hiring former government officials to strengthen policy engagement and bridge the gap between blockchain innovation and U.S. regulation.
