Just one day after announcing the upcoming launch of its crypto exchange, Roger Ver has stepped down as CEO of Bitcoin.com, relinquishing the position to tech entrepreneur Stefan Rust.
Ver, who has helmed the company for the past three years, will now be assuming the mantle of Executive Chairman at Bitcoin.com.
A new sheriff in town
The new CEO, Stefan Rust, is no stranger to innovative technology.
He first became involved in the cryptocurrency ecosystem back in 2012 when he began to pay his developers for their services in Bitcoin as well as hosting the first Bitcoin event in Hong Kong.
Later, Rust founded Exicon, a mobile marketing automation SaaS platform that eventually encompassed a network of 3,000 independent software companies.
Stefan Rust, new CEO of Bitcoin.com
Before joining Bitcoin.com six months ago as its Global Head of Corporate and Business Development, Rust launched eight technology companies and also worked with Siemens, Lucent, and Sun Microsystems.
“I’m hugely excited to take on the role of CEO working alongside Roger. Together we can now turbocharge the awesome team and great brand that is Bitcoin.com,” said Rust.
“We will play an integral part in making money work for everybody as society undergoes such an enormous and pivotal change. It’s going to be a wild ride, so don’t miss it,” he added.
What about Ver?
Don’t worry about Ver – he isn’t going anywhere. As executive chairman, the former Bitcoin bull-turned-Bitcoin-Cash-evangelist will still play a vital role in the company, although it is not yet known what his duties will entail.
Both Ver and Rust will no doubt have their hands full as Bitcoin.com is in the midst of expanding its operations and service offerings.
On June 4, the company launched Local.Bitcoin.com – a global, peer-to-peer marketplace for buying and selling Bitcoin Cash (BCH).
In its first month in operation, more than 22,000 users from 45 countries signed up for accounts on the platform.
The company will also launch a cryptocurrency exchange on September 2nd that will feature more than 50 trading pairs.
Base currencies on the exchange will include as Bitcoin (BTC), Bitcoin Cash (BCH), Ethereum (ETH), and Tether (USDT).
Our mission: empower everyone, everywhere to take control of their own money.
Our next step? Launch a #BitcoinExchange that lets you trade cryptocurrency with confidence. @rogerkver explains what to expect including a #BCH base pair!
Pre-register: https://t.co/bA7JpfbjaV pic.twitter.com/zog0j20qDo
— Bitcoin.com Official (@BitcoinCom) August 1, 2019
“We’re always working to make Bitcoin Cash and other digital assets more accessible to everyone,” said Ver.
“Back in June, we released Local.Bitcoin.com where you can buy and sell Bitcoin Cash specifically. Now, with The Bitcoin.com Exchange, you can diversify your cryptocurrency portfolio, too.”
Once a major Bitcoin advocate, Ver has relentlessly promoted Bitcoin Cash over the last few years.
Ver was originally a citizen of the United States, but he renounced his citizenship after moving to Japan in 2005 after serving 10 months in jail for selling explosives on eBay.
He is now a citizen of Saint Kitts and Nevis, but Ver is currently having trouble gaining a visa to travel to Australia for a Bitcoin Cash conference scheduled for September as his visa request was denied back in March.
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