Ex-FTX Exec Lands at Payments Tech Company Nuvei

Adam Jacobs, who began working at crypto exchange FTX in June 2021, started his role at Nuvei this month

December 6, 2022 06:17 pm

Blockworks exclusive art by Axel Rangel

FTX’s former global head of payments has resurfaced as an executive at payments technology company Nuvei weeks after the crash of his ex-employer.

Adam Jacobs, who began working at crypto exchange FTX in June 2021, began his role as a senior vice president of corporate development for the Montreal-based company this month, according to his LinkedIn page.

Nuvei is a public company that connects businesses to customers via 150 currencies and nearly 600 alternative payment methods. The company acquired crypto payments company Simplex for $250 million last year.

Jacobs declined to comment about the move.

With crypto exchange FTX filing for bankruptcy last month and other large industry players dealing with ripple effects of the collapse, headhunters previously told Blockworks that talented crypto employees are chasing a dwindling number of spots.

A number of former staffers from FTX have expressed an interest in remaining in the Web3 space, WorkInCrypto.Global founder Sam Wellalage said at the time.

While Jacobs was at FTX, the exchange partnered with Visa. The firm said in October that it intended to launch Visa debit cards linked to users’ FTX accounts in 40 countries.

The payments giant terminated its agreements with FTX, a Visa spokesperson told Blockworks after the exchange filed for bankruptcy.

Before joining FTX, Jacobs founded crypto payment provider Spend.com. The company was acquired by cryptocurrency Visa card issuing platform Swipe — ultimately bought by Binance — in March 2021.

Jacobs also was previously an adviser to an Ethereum co-founder from April 2017 to March 2021, his Linkedin profile indicates.

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