Crypto exchange BitMEX removes CEO, CFO and head of growth
CoinDesk 2026-06-29 07:03:51
Context: BitMEX, a cryptocurrency exchange co-founded in 2014 by Arthur Hayes, Ben Delo, and Samuel Reed, has removed its top executives, including CEO Stephan Lutz, CFO Ina Steiner, and head of growth Raphael Polansky. The company's global general counsel, Peter Wilkinson, has taken over as CEO. The leadership changes come as BitMEX is reportedly looking for a buyer amid a downturn in the crypto industry.
Key Facts
- BitMEX CEO Stephan Lutz, chief financial officer Ina Steiner, and chief growth officer Raphael Polansky have all departed the company, with their former global general counsel and chief operating officer, Peter Wilkinson, taking over as CEO.
- The leadership changes were highlighted in recent postings on LinkedIn, although Wilkinson, Lutz, Steiner, and Polansky did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
- BitMEX was co-founded in 2014 by Arthur Hayes, Ben Delo, and Samuel Reed, and in 2020, the company was alleged to have failed to implement adequate anti-money laundering measures, later pleading guilty to the charges.
- The company's co-founders Hayes, Delo, and Reed resigned shortly after the U.S. brought criminal charges, and Lutz took over as CEO from Alexander Hoeptner in 2022, during the last crypto downturn.
- BitMEX is reportedly looking to streamline its costs and appear more attractive to prospective buyers, as the ongoing depression in digital asset prices weighs on the crypto industry.