Crypto Policy Forum Medici Hires Former Messari Exec as President

Crypto research and policy forum Medici Network has named former Messari executive Maartje Bus as its new president, Decrypt has learned. 

The appointment comes amid rising institutional interest in digital assets—a trend that Bus, whose 25-year career spans both Wall Street and crypto, is well positioned to help Medici capitalize on.

In her new role, Bus, who most recently served as vice president and head of research at crypto research firm Messari, will oversee day-to-day operations and help shape new ventures aimed at scaling Medici’s influence among asset managers, policymakers, and infrastructure providers.

Her appointment comes just days before the start of Medici LA, the network’s flagship annual gathering, which kicks off May 4 in Beverly Hills. The Medici confabs are the brainchild of Adam Winnick, co-founder of the crypto-focused investment firm Finality Capital Partners. Winnick launched Medici LA in 2018 with the goal of helping crypto—then still a relatively nascent industry—gain institutional acceptance.

Federal Reserve Withdraws Crypto Rules for Banks, Ending 'Choke Point' Practices

The Federal Reserve said Thursday evening it will no longer obligate member banks to provide advanced notice of crypto and stablecoin-related ventures, and will instead monitor engagement with digital assets like it would any other banking activities.  The announcement comes weeks after parallel moves by the FDIC and Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, two other key federal banking regulators. Those agencies similarly clarified that banks are legally permitted to engage in crypto-related...

This year’s invite-only summit is expected to feature a curated group of hedge fund managers, venture capitalists, regulators, and institutional allocators for a series of off-the-record discussions on tokenization, U.S. crypto legislation, and the accelerating convergence of AI and finance. 

“Medici fills a critical gap for institutions exploring digital assets," Bus told Decrypt. "I’ve been impressed with how the network seamlessly cuts through the noise to create real connections and trusted insights that guide institutional investors in a fast-moving market."

In addition to expanding Medici’s research capabilities, Winnick told Decrypt that Bus is preparing to lead efforts on policy engagement with U.S. and international regulators. This comes as Washington, under President Donald Trump’s leadership, has increasingly adopted a more open and friendly approach toward the $3 trillion crypto industry and its participants. 

SEC Chair Paul Atkins Slams Gensler Regime for 'Stifling' Crypto Innovation

Newly sworn-in SEC Chair Paul Atkins gave his first full address Friday, praising the Commission’s recent pro-crypto work in his absence, and condemning the agency’s previous moves against the industry under previous Chair Gary Gensler and the Joe Biden administration.  “Market participants engaging with this technology deserve clear regulatory rules of the road,” Atkins said of crypto, from the agency’s Washington headquarters. “Innovation has unfortunately been stifled for the last several yea...

Prior to her career in crypto, Bus held senior roles at Thomson Reuters, Lehman Brothers, and Citigroup, spanning both traditional finance and emerging markets, making her a natural fit to help Medici bridge the worlds of legacy finance and crypto innovation.

"Maartje brings a wealth of experience at the intersection of blockchain and capital markets. She joins at a time of exponential growth for Medici and the broader digital asset industry,” said Winnick. “As the pace of adoption accelerates, we need the most trusted voices at the table. Maartje will be a key partner as we continue to provide world-class insights to our community.”