BinanceUS picks CFO to helm exchange after abrupt Brian Brooks exit

After the abrupt exit of CEO Brian Brooks, Binance.US has picked one of its longest-tenured employees to helm the crypto exchange, two people familiar with the decision tell The Block. 

Joshua Sroge — who joined Binance.US in January 2020 as its chief financial officer — was picked by the exchange's board to take over on an interim basis.

Brooks, previously the acting head of the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, announced August 6 that he was leaving Binance.US after three and a half months on the job.

Brooks cited "differences over strategic direction" as the catalyst for his exit. Before the announcement, Brooks spent months declaring Binance.US was a separate operating entity from Binance. Both companies are owned by Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao.

As for Sroge, he was previously a principal at FireStone CFO, a consultancy that provides companies with budgeting, accounting, and financial solutions. Prior to that, he was the chief accounting officer at crypto firm ShapeShift, overseeing the growth of the company from 15 to 115 employees. 

A spokeswoman for Binance.US confirmed the selection. Sroge declined to comment.