Coinbase Hires LinkedIn Executive as New Data Chief

Coinbase has brought LinkedIn head of analytics and data science, Michael Li, on as its new vice president of data.

AccessTimeIconSep 18, 2018 at 5:00 p.m. UTC
Updated Aug 18, 2021 at 9:52 p.m. UTC

Presented By Icon

Election 2024 coverage presented by

Stand with crypto

Cryptocurrency exchange startup Coinbase has hired LinkedIn's head of analytics and data science.

Michael Li, a senior LinkedIn executive who spent more than seven years with the professional networking platform, is taking on the role of vice president of data, according to a blog post published Tuesday.

  • Bitcoin Mining in the U.S. Will Become 'a Lot More Decentralized': Core Scientific CEO
    Bitcoin Mining in the U.S. Will Become 'a Lot More Decentralized': Core Scientific CEO
  • Binance to Discontinue Its Nigerian Naira Services After Government Scrutiny
    Binance to Discontinue Its Nigerian Naira Services After Government Scrutiny
  • The first video of the year 2024
    The first video of the year 2024
  • The last regression video of the year 3.67.0
    The last regression video of the year 3.67.0
  • Li's career to date has revolved around incorporating data into financial services, e-commerce and social networks, he wrote in the post. He believes that there are "endless possibilities" for using data in the cryptocurrency and blockchain space.

    "I am thrilled by the opportunity to define and evolve the role data can play in a rapidly emerging space, combining an innovative mindset to solve new challenges with learnings from my past experience," he said in a statement, adding:

    "Data will be essential to empowering Coinbase's mission, and core to company's strategy to deliver the most trusted and easiest-to-use cryptocurrency products and services. I feel privileged to take on this challenging and rewarding new role to start the next chapter of my career."

    This latest hire continues Coinbase's year-long push to expand its leadership team. In the last 10 months, the exchange has hired vice presidents for finance, communications and engineering, along with chief financial and compliance officers.

    Notably, Li isn't the first LinkedIn executive to join Coinbase's ranks. In March, Coinbase announced that Emilie Choi had joined to spearhead its acquisition efforts.

    More recently, the company announced it would look to hire more than 100 new employees over the next year for its recently-opened New York office.

    Coinbase image via Sharaf Maksumov / Shutterstock

    Disclosure

    Please note that our privacy policy, terms of use, cookies, and do not sell my personal information have been updated.

    CoinDesk is an award-winning media outlet that covers the cryptocurrency industry. Its journalists abide by a strict set of editorial policies. CoinDesk has adopted a set of principles aimed at ensuring the integrity, editorial independence and freedom from bias of its publications. CoinDesk is part of the Bullish group, which owns and invests in digital asset businesses and digital assets. CoinDesk employees, including journalists, may receive Bullish group equity-based compensation. Bullish was incubated by technology investor Block.one.


    Learn more about Consensus 2024, CoinDesk's longest-running and most influential event that brings together all sides of crypto, blockchain and Web3. Head to consensus.coindesk.com to register and buy your pass now.