Senior Gemini exec set to leave the crypto exchange firm at the end of the week

Jeanine Hightower-Sellitto, a former executive from the options trading world, is leaving her post at crypto exchange startup Gemini at the end of this week after nearly two years with the New York-based firm. 

As a managing director, Hightower-Sellitto was among the most senior employees at the exchange, responsible for covering its institutional business lines, including custody. Hightower-Sellitto reported directly to Gemini's co-founders Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss. She joined the firm in September 2018. 

"We are thankful for all of Jeanine's hard work and leadership over the past two years and wish her the best in the next phase of her career," Cameron Winklevoss, president of Gemini, told The Block.

Hightower-Sellitto is a well-known name in market structure circles, previously serving as chief operating officer of International Securities Exchange, an options marketplace purchased by Nasdaq in 2016 for $1.1 billion.

Word of the exit comes just days after Gemini revealed its plans for an expansion in the Asia-Pacific part of the world, fueled by the hire of former Goldman Sachs executive Jeremy Ng as managing director of the region. Gemini is also planning to seek formal licensure from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). At the beginning of the year, Gemini tapped former Circle compliance head Blair Halliday as its chief compliance officer.

Last November, The Block reported that Sarah Olsen, Gemini's managing director of corporate development, left the firm. While at Gemini, Olsen was involved in the exchange's efforts to advance its GUSD stablecoin.

Update: This story has been updated to include comment from Gemini president Cameron Winklevoss.