Today, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (“FinCEN”) issued a press release, announcing additional leadership positions to work within the digital currency ecosystem.
(FinCEN) Acting Director Michael Mosier announced the leadership additions of the bureau to the public in a written statement. First, Michele Korver, who led a distinguished career at the United States Department of Justice, now serves as FinCEN’s first-ever Chief Digital Currency Advisor. Secondly, Jayna Desai, formerly of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, now serves as FinCEN’s first Director of Strategic Communications.
Korver in particular confirms that FinCEN and other regulators are taking digital assets and their regulation very seriously. They are implicitly acknowledging that digital currencies are a fact of life for the U.S. and all other global financial systems. Given the many demands placed upon FinCEN by the AML Act and other developments, this announcement presumably will not be the last regarding important staffing changes for FinCEN.
Ms. Korver will advance FinCEN’s leadership role in the digital currency space by working across internal and external partners toward strategic and innovative solutions to prevent and mitigate illicit financial practices and exploitation. Ms. Korver most recently served as Digital Currency Counsel for the United States Department of Justice’s Criminal Division, where she advised government attorneys and federal agents nationwide on digital currency matters to assist charging decisions and other prosecutorial strategies.
Ms. Desai will formulate FinCEN’s internal and external communications, and oversee media engagement on behalf of the bureau. Ms. Desai most recently served as Senior Policy Advisor to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP’s) Office of Operations Support, where she oversaw all communications, including social and digital media, and developed and delivered legislative engagement.
