OKX has officially appointed Linda Lacewell, former Superintendent of the New York Department of Financial Services (NYDFS), as its new Chief Legal Officer (CLO). Lacewell, who joined OKX’s board in 2024, will now lead the company’s global regulatory and compliance efforts at a time of increasing global scrutiny and rapid expansion.
Her appointment follows the quiet exit of Mauricio Beugelmans, who had served as CLO for nearly four years.
The exchange confirmed the leadership change in a recent blog post, stating:
“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.”
Lacewell previously served as head of the NYDFS, where she oversaw the regulation of banking, insurance, and fintech companies across New York. During her tenure, she emphasized cybersecurity, anti-money laundering, and consumer protection—issues that now intersect directly with the challenges faced by global crypto exchanges.
Lacewell had already been contributing to OKX’s regulatory vision as a board member, but in her new role as CLO, she will now take on broader responsibilities in steering the company’s compliance frameworks worldwide.
“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,” OKX said in its official statement.
Her experience is expected to be critical as OKX intensifies its efforts to secure licenses in jurisdictions such as the European Union and the United Arab Emirates.
Lacewell’s appointment also marks the end of Mauricio Beugelmans’ nearly four-year tenure as OKX’s Chief Legal Officer. According to his LinkedIn profile, Beugelmans stepped down in March 2025, after serving three years and eight months with the company.
Neither OKX nor Beugelmans have commented on the reason behind the transition, and further details remain undisclosed.
Leadership Change Follows Regulatory Pressure in Thailand
This leadership transition comes at a critical moment for OKX, as the exchange faces growing regulatory pressure across multiple jurisdictions. Just recently, the Thai Securities and Exchange Commission filed a lawsuit against the company, alleging it had provided services to Thai users without securing the necessary licenses, a serious charge that could carry implications for OKX’s broader operations in the region.
With regulatory scrutiny tightening around the globe, OKX’s move to appoint Linda Lacewell as its Chief Legal Officer appears both timely and strategic. Lacewell’s background, marked by years of overseeing financial institutions and enforcing compliance standards at one of the most powerful state regulators in the U.S.—suggests that OKX is not just reacting to pressure, but repositioning itself for long-term legitimacy in an evolving legal landscape.
