Crypto.com hires Spotify's former head of global user growth

Crypto exchange platform Crypto.com has hired Spotify's former head of global user growth Henrik Johansson to lead its own growth efforts. His new position will be as global head of growth.

According to a release, the platform has hired 1,500 people in the last 12 months — in line with other major exchanges — bringing its total headcount to 1,800. And the company plans to expand its user base more aggresively, with aims to grow from 10 million to 100 million users within two years.

"Streaming brought the world's music to people's pockets with a price, speed and ease-of-use that had never been possible before. As consumer behaviour and preference changed, so did the music industry," Johansson told The Block. "Cryptocurrency and blockchain technology has the potential to be an equally transformative technology, and the key to step changing its growth is to make the technology more accessible and approachable to a broader group of consumers."

Crypto.com has already been heavily focused on growth. In July, it became the Ultimate Fighting Championship's (UFC) official fight kit partner, a deal set in place for the long term. Its logo is now being shown on fighter kits, such as for the recent Dustin Poirier and Conor McGregor's trilogy fight, which had 1.8 million pay per views.

“Henrik is a rare talent, who has a deep understanding of growth, product and marketing," said Crypto.com CEO Kris Marszalek in the release.

Crypto firms continue to hire aggresively, with a number of key hires made in the last seven months, including many people from traditional finance and tech.