Binance names Matt Poblocki General Manager for Australia & NZ
Poblocki brings nearly 20 years of experience in fintech, regulatory, and commercial business strategy to the role, having previously held senior executive positions at well-known digital businesses including PayPal, Afterpay, and eBay, as well as working with start-ups and scale-ups in various international markets.
With over one million users in Australia and recent figures suggesting nearly one in three Australians have at some point owned cryptocurrency, the country has established itself as one of the most developed and regulation-forward digital asset markets worldwide. The decision to appoint Poblocki is seen as a step to further Binance's growth ambitions in the region. Few markets are as digitally capable and commercially dynamic as Australia. With a strong ecosystem, a progressive policy environment, and millions of Australians already engaging with crypto, we have a real opportunity to lead responsibly on the global stage," said Mr Poblocki.
Poblocki said that both Australia and New Zealand are globally recognised for their rapid adoption of technological innovation.
"Australia and New Zealand are renowned globally as early and fast adopters of innovative technology. This next wave of Web3 and blockchain is well and truly upon us. I'm excited to help shape the next chapter of growth and innovation for digital assets in Australia and New Zealand, and energised by the opportunity to pair Binance's global expertise with local momentum to build a trusted future for crypto in our region," he said.
Poblocki previously held an executive leadership role with eBay and was influential in PayPal's early development and expansion. At PayPal, he oversaw legal affairs in Australia and New Zealand, later progressing to international regulatory and legal responsibilities across 170 markets from the Singapore headquarters. Poblocki then joined Afterpay, working on expansion plans across Asia, and has since co-founded start-ups and advised on the international growth of Australian and overseas scale-ups.
Throughout his career, Poblocki has worked closely with government and regulatory bodies, including APRA, RBA, AUSTRAC, and ACCC, providing him with both commercial and regulatory expertise.
Addressing Binance's future direction in Australia and New Zealand, Poblocki said: Our next chapter will be about showing what responsible growth really looks like. That means combining commercial strategy and innovative product offerings with proactive engagement with regulators, robust compliance, and supporting everyday Australians with safe access to the digital asset economy. Regulation and innovation don't have to be at odds. In fact, they must go hand in hand if we want to build a future that all Australians want to be part of.
Richard Teng, Chief Executive Officer of Binance, welcomed Poblocki's appointment. "Matt brings an exceptional track record of scaling some of the most recognisable fintech brands across complex, highly regulated markets," Teng said. "He brings a unique ability to connect governance leadership with commercial strategy. His appointment reinforces our commitment to the Australian and New Zealand markets and to building a sustainable digital asset ecosystem for the long term."
Poblocki's combination of legal, regulatory, and commercial acumen is expected to play a role as the digital asset market in Australia and New Zealand continues to evolve and as regulatory standards mature further in the coming years.
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