Securitize Hires Ex-PayPal Exec to Expand US Tokenized Securities

The appointment of Jerome Roche represents a significant coup for Securitize, bringing onboard an executive with deep experience at the intersection of regulated finance and digital innovation. Roche’s tenure at PayPal was marked by his leadership in expanding the payments giant into digital asset projects, most notably including the development and launch of the PayPal USD (PYUSD) stablecoin. This background is directly relevant to Securitize’s core mission of tokenizing real-world assets like equity within a regulated framework. His expertise in navigating the complex legal and compliance landscape for a major financial technology firm is seen as a critical asset for Securitize as it scales its operations.

Roche’s move from a global payments leader to a specialized tokenization platform underscores the growing convergence between traditional financial services and blockchain infrastructure. His hiring is not merely an administrative appointment but a clear statement of intent. Securitize is signaling its commitment to operating at the highest level of regulatory compliance and institutional standards, leveraging Roche’s experience to build trust and operational rigor as it expands its product offerings to a broader investor base.

A central pillar of Securitize’s announcement is its direct challenge to a common industry perception. The platform explicitly stated that its tokenized securities are already available to US investors, countering the notion that most issuers prefer to offer such products abroad due to easier access to local stock markets or perceived regulatory hurdles. This declaration positions Securitize as a pioneer willing to engage directly with the US regulatory environment, rather than circumventing it.

This strategy is significant because the United States represents the world’s largest capital market. By focusing on compliant access for US investors, Securitize is tapping into a vast pool of institutional and accredited investor capital that has often been hesitant to engage with digital assets due to regulatory uncertainty. The company’s push suggests a belief that a clear, regulated pathway for tokenized securities in the US is not only possible but is a prerequisite for mainstream adoption. This move could encourage other platforms to reconsider a US-first or US-inclusive strategy, potentially shifting the geographic focus of the tokenization industry.

Securitize’s expansion is not limited to the United States. The company is building on fresh regulatory approvals it has recently secured in Europe. This dual-track strategy of strengthening its US foothold while capitalizing on European regulatory progress allows Securitize to create a transatlantic bridge for tokenized securities. It enables the platform to serve a global investor base and work with international issuers, all within their respective regulatory perimeters.

The hiring of Jerome Roche fits perfectly into this broader, transatlantic strategy. His experience at a globally regulated entity like PayPal provides a template for operating across multiple jurisdictions. For Securitize, the goal is to establish itself as the leading regulated gateway for tokenized equity and other securities, whether the investors are based in New York or London. By securing top-tier talent with a proven track record in scaling compliant digital asset projects, Securitize is laying the groundwork to capture a first-mover advantage in what it perceives as the imminent growth phase for regulated tokenization in major Western economies.