Circle, the company behind USDC, has appointed Gillian Darko as vice president, head of Africa. She joins from Yellow Card, where she was group vice president of strategy.

At Yellow Card, Darko worked on commercial partnerships and market expansion. The company was among Africa’s early crypto firms to prioritize regulatory engagement, securing Botswana’s first virtual asset service provider license in 2022.

Darko previously led JUMO’s Ghana business and held senior roles at JPMorgan Chase, PwC and Intercontinental Exchange.

Her appointment reflects a maturing stablecoin industry, where regulatory experience, institutional relationships and local market knowledge are becoming increasingly important.