Crypto Council for Innovation Appoints Ji Hun Kim as CEO Following Leadership Transition

The Crypto Council for Innovation (CCI) has confirmed the permanent appointment of Ji Hun Kim as its chief executive officer, concluding a leadership transition that began in December 2024 when he assumed the role of interim CEO. Kim, a former executive at Gemini and Kraken, succeeds Sheila Warren, who left the organization to pursue other initiatives. His confirmation underscores CCI’s strategic pivot as a key player in shaping global digital asset policy [1].

Kim’s career spans over a decade in legal and regulatory affairs within the crypto sector. Before joining CCI, he held senior roles at Gemini and Kraken, where he managed compliance frameworks across the U.S., U.K., EU, and Asia. His tenure at CCI itself included a stint as chief legal and policy officer, where he advised on legislative strategies and regulatory engagement. Avichal Garg, chair of CCI’s board, highlighted Kim’s ability to “navigate complex regulatory landscapes” and his track record in congressional outreach, framing his appointment as a response to the industry’s need for credible leadership amid heightened regulatory scrutiny [2].

The transition follows Warren’s departure in late 2024, during which she continued to serve as a senior policy advisor until her exit. Kim’s interim leadership, which began in January 2025, demonstrated his capacity to manage the organization’s advocacy efforts while balancing its dual focus on technological innovation and policy alignment. In a July 24 statement, Kim emphasized the importance of bridging the gap between emerging crypto technologies and public policy, calling it a “pivotal moment of evolution” for the industry [3].

Kim’s legal background, including prior work at Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP and the Southern District of New York, adds a traditional financial services perspective to his crypto-focused experience. This hybrid expertise aligns with CCI’s mission to advocate for balanced regulatory approaches as governments worldwide seek to standardize crypto oversight. However, analysts note that the council’s close ties to industry stakeholders—such as its role in advising lawmakers on stablecoin and DeFi frameworks—pose challenges to maintaining neutrality [4].

The appointment comes at a time of significant regulatory uncertainty, with global regulators intensifying scrutiny of cross-border transactions and decentralized finance. CCI’s ability to influence policy outcomes will depend on Kim’s ability to balance innovation-driven priorities with compliance requirements. His emphasis on “facts, trust, and respect” in CCI’s operations may help restore public confidence, but success will require navigating tensions between rapid technological advancement and regulatory caution [5].

Sources:

[1] [Crypto Council for Innovation Appoints Ji Hun Kim as CEO](https://www.ainvest.com/news/crypto-council-innovation-appoints-ji-hun-kim-ceo-sheila-warren-departure-2507/)

[2] [Ji Hun Kim Named Crypto Council CEO](https://cryptorank.io/news/feed/8a225-crypto-council-for-innovation-names-ji-hun-kim-as-ceo-after-sheila-warren-departure)

[3] [Crypto Council For Innovation Names Ji Hun Kim As CEO](https://cryptorank.io/news/feed/8a225-crypto-council-for-innovation-names-ji-hun-kim-as-ceo-after-sheila-warren-departure)

[4] [Ex-Gemini, Kraken Exec Appointed as CEO](https://cointelegraph.com/authors/turner-wright)

[5] [Crypto Council for Innovation Appoints Ji Hun Kim as CEO](https://www.ainvest.com/news/crypto-council-innovation-appoints-ji-hun-kim-permanent-ceo-heightened-regulatory-scrutiny-2507/)