Dmitry Tokarev is preparing to hand over the reins of Copper: who will take the position of CEO?

Founder and CEO of the cryptocurrency company Copper, Dmitry Tokarev, plans to step down from his executive position to assume the role of founder. According to sources close to the company, this decision is already in the process of implementation — the company is searching for candidates to replace Tokarev.

Reports indicate that the firm, owned and managed by former British Chancellor Philip Hammond as chairman, is already negotiating with potential successors. Tokarev, who helped establish Copper in 2018, is not leaving the company entirely — he will remain a major shareholder and continue to actively influence the company’s development.

Wave of Leadership Changes at Copper

Tokarev’s departure from the CEO position is not the first personnel change in the company in recent months. In December, two top managers left Copper. Boris Borer-Bilovitski, who served as a founding partner and chief commercial officer, left to head the blockchain project Concordium. Similarly, Mike Milner, the global head of business development who worked at Copper for five years before moving to the same Concordium, chose a similar path.

Such a departure of executives to the same competitor raises questions: what makes Concordium so attractive to experienced managers? Clearly, the blockchain company offers them interesting development opportunities or more favorable conditions.

Who is Dmitry Tokarev?

Dmitry Tokarev has a solid background in finance and risk management. He graduated from Imperial College London with a degree in Risk Management and Financial Engineering. Under his leadership, Copper has become one of the leading digital asset custody companies, focused on institutional investors.

An official representative of Copper declined to provide detailed comments, stating only: “We do not comment on market rumors or speculation.” However, information from several independent sources indicates that a management change is only a matter of time.

For the cryptocurrency industry, such CEO-level personnel shifts are quite rare, especially when it involves companies with a clear focus on the institutional segment. Tokarev’s transition to a less active role, maintaining influence through ownership and strategic participation, appears to be a logical step in the evolution of a founder-leader.