BitMEX Operator HDR Global Hires Former BNP Paribas Exec

BitMEX parent firm HDR Global Trading has hired a former executive of French banking group BNP Paribas as the group’s general counsel.

28 years of legal expertise

Derek Gobel, who served at BNP Paribas for more than 19 years, will now oversee HDR Global’s legal function and help the company move forward in a constantly evolving regulatory environment, according to a blog post on BitMEX on Sept. 11.

A member of the Legal 500’s 2017 GC Powerlist in China and Hong Kong, Derek will bring 28 years of experience working on a multitude of legal issues, including his most recent position as regional general counsel for Asia Pacific at BNP Paribas.

BitMEX COO recently stepped down

The news comes amid a report claiming that BitMEX’s chief operating officer and veteran Hong Kong regulator Angelina Kwan left the company. 

Kwan is known for covering enforcement and market supervision as part of her roles as director of Hong Kong’s Securities and Futures Commission as well as managing director and head of regulatory compliance for Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing.

Meanwhile, HDR Global Trading, the operator of the world’s single biggest Bitcoin (BTC) derivatives provider BitMEX, has been actively encouraging initiatives in crypto space. In mid-July 2019, the firm granted $60,000 to Bitcoin Core contributor Michael Ford after previously donating to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to carry out crypto-related research in late May.