Heath Tarbert Joins Circle as Chief Legal Officer and Head of Corporate Affairs

In an exciting development for the global fintech industry, Circle Internet Financial has appointed Heath Tarbert as its new chief legal officer and head of corporate affairs, effective from July 1, 2023. Tarbert’s appointment is a significant move for Circle, which has been actively pursuing a strategy of global growth.

Tarbert steps into the shoes of Flavia Naves, Circle’s outgoing general counsel, who had announced her plans to leave the company earlier this year. Naves is known for successfully overseeing the company’s expansion and fundraising efforts, as well as establishing a world-class legal organization.

Before accepting the role at Circle, Tarbert held a significant position as the chief legal officer at Citadel Securities. His impressive career spans leadership roles across all three branches of the federal government and several key regulatory bodies. His experience includes serving as the 14th chairman and chief executive of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), vice chairman of the International Organization of Securities Commissions, and assistant secretary of the U.S. Treasury for international markets.

The decision to bring Tarbert onboard underscores Circle’s commitment to integrating traditional finance with Web3, the decentralized web powered by blockchain technology. Circle’s co-founder and CEO, Jeremy Allaire, lauded Tarbert’s appointment, emphasizing that his vast legal expertise and global regulatory experience would be invaluable as the company seeks to enhance the utility value of its stablecoin, USDC, on a global scale.

On his part, Tarbert expressed his excitement to join Circle and contribute to its mission of evolving the global financial system. He stressed the need for sound regulatory rules that provide clarity and protection for individuals and businesses dealing with digital assets.

Circle Internet Financial is a global fintech firm offering businesses the ability to leverage digital currencies and public blockchains for various financial applications. It is well-known as the issuer of USDC and Euro Coin, trusted and interoperable money protocols used across the internet.