Marco Santori

Marco Santori is Chief Legal Officer of Kraken Digital Asset Exchange, one of the world’s longest-standing and most secure crypto platforms, where he oversees legal and regulatory compliance for Kraken's global business operations. 

Santori is a recognised authority in the law and policy of blockchain technologies, known as the "Dean of Digital Currency Lawyers" for his pioneering work in litigating, advising on and
creating new law in the crypto industry. 

Prior to Kraken, he was President and Chief Legal Officer of Blockchain.com, a leading wallet provider and blockchain explorer. Before that, he was a Law Partner at both Cooley LLP and Pillsbury Winthrop, where he counseled banks, broker-dealers, exchanges, digital wallets, payment providers and other companies making new and exciting uses of distributed ledger technology. 

Today, Santori also serves as an advisor to the International Monetary Fund, the Blockchain Ambassador to the State of Delaware, and was the Chairman of the Regulatory Affairs Committee of the Bitcoin Foundation.

As an early adopter and advocate of cryptocurrency and blockchain technology, Marco has been a frequent speaker and commentator on the subject. He has spoken at numerous conferences, including Consensus, the Blockchain Summit, and the MIT Bitcoin Expo. Marco has also been featured in publications such as Forbes, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal, among others.

Marco's career journey began in 2008 when he served as a Commercial Litigator at Olshan Grundman Frome Rosenzweig & Wolosky LLP in New York City. During his two-year tenure, Santori honed his legal skills and gained valuable experience in the field.

In 2010, Santori joined Nesenoff & Miltenberg LLP, where he continued to build his legal expertise, focusing on various commercial law matters. He remained with the firm for four years, establishing himself as a proficient counsel in the legal industry.

In 2014, Santori took on the role of Counsel at Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP in Greater New York City Area, further expanding his knowledge in legal matters. His tenure there lasted for a year and four months before he moved to Cooley LLP, another law firm in the same area, where he served as a Partner. During his time at Cooley, Santori contributed significantly to the firm's success and further solidified his reputation as a capable legal professional.

In 2016, he transitioned to Blockchain, a leading cryptocurrency and blockchain technology company, as President and Chief Legal Officer. In this role, he played a crucial part in shaping the legal landscape of the blockchain industry. His expertise and dedication led to a significant impact on the company's growth and development.

In 2018, Santori's talents caught the attention of Kraken Digital Asset Exchange, a prominent cryptocurrency exchange. He joined Kraken as Chief Legal Officer, assuming a key leadership position in the company. Since then, he has continued to make significant contributions to the cryptocurrency exchange, playing a vital role in navigating the legal and regulatory challenges in the fast-evolving crypto space.

Alongside his work at various firms and companies, Santori has been actively involved with the Bitcoin Foundation since 2013. He currently serves as Chairman of the Regulatory Affairs Committee, showcasing his commitment to shaping regulatory policies in the blockchain and cryptocurrency sector.

Published Work

Marco is an author of the SAFT Project Whitepaper, a self-regulatory effort to curb Initial Coin Offerings, and was instrumental in designing the Simple Agreement for Future Tokens (SAFT) framework. This innovative method of raising capital for centralized companies seeking to design decentralized tokens was the backbone of many of the biggest crypto offerings of 2017 and 2018. In addition, Marco is an advisor to the International Monetary Fund and the Blockchain Ambassador to the State of Delaware.

Marco's extensive experience and knowledge of cryptocurrency law and regulation have earned him a reputation as one of the most influential figures in the industry. His contributions to the development of the SAFT framework and his role in shaping the legal and regulatory landscape of the industry have been instrumental in the growth and adoption of blockchain technology.

Marco Santori's vision revolves around driving the mainstream adoption and acceptance of blockchain and cryptocurrency technologies. He envisions a future where decentralised digital assets become an integral part of everyday life, empowering individuals and businesses with secure, transparent, and efficient financial solutions. Santori believes that blockchain has the potential to revolutionize traditional financial systems and democratise access to financial services on a global scale.

Furthermore, Santori aims to create a regulatory environment that fosters innovation while ensuring consumer protection and market integrity. He envisions a balanced approach to regulation that encourages responsible growth in the blockchain industry, fostering trust among investors, users, and policymakers. Santori is committed to bridging the gap between traditional finance and the world of decentralized digital assets, ultimately paving the way for a more inclusive, transparent, and sustainable financial ecosystem.