Pierre Person is the CEO of Usual, a fintech company involved in stablecoin development. He is a former Deputy of Paris and has held roles within the French government, including Vice-President of the presidential party and political advisor to President Emmanuel Macron during the 2017 presidential campaign. Person has focused on financial regulation and has contributed to policy development on blockchain and crypto-assets to strengthen France and Europe’s position in the global financial sector. ^{[4][5][6][7][8]}

Education

Pierre Person pursued legal studies, beginning with a Licence in Law from the Université de Poitiers (2007–2010), followed by a Master’s degree in Public Law (2010–2011) from the same institution. He continued his studies with a specialization in Urban and Construction Law at Université de Poitiers (2011–2012) and obtained a Master’s in Health Law and Pharmaceutical Enterprise at Université de Lorraine (2012–2013). He completed his education with a Master from the Institut d'Étude Judiciaire at Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne (2013–2014). Additionally, he earned a Corporate Finance International Certificate from HEC Paris in 2015. ^[6]

Career

Pierre Person commenced his professional career as a legal assistant at a Paris-based law firm, serving from January 2013 to June 2015. During this period, he developed practical knowledge in law and regulation, gaining foundational experience in the legal sector. In October 2015, he joined CGI Business Consulting as a consultant on national internal security matters, focusing on public safety strategies until October 2016.

In June 2014, he co-founded "Les Jeunes avec Macron," a youth movement advocating for Emmanuel Macron’s candidacy, where he served as President until June 2017. Subsequently, he advised Macron's 2017 presidential campaign, contributing in various strategic capacities.

In June 2017, Person was elected as a Member of Parliament for Paris’s 6th district, a position he held until 2022. Initially appointed as Secretary of the Finance Committee, he contributed to budgeting for cultural projects, authored finance law reports, and supervised public cultural institutions. His focus on emerging technologies led him to author reports on crypto-assets and blockchain, which contributed to the PSAN regulatory framework. In May 2019, Person transitioned to the Law Committee, concentrating on institutional reform, corporate tax policy, and industrial sovereignty, particularly in the context of hostile takeovers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In October 2019, he assumed the role of Vice President of the Renaissance party, holding the position for one year, and previously served as National Delegate for Territories and Elections from June 2017 to October 2019. Since July 2022, Person has served as CEO at Usual, overseeing the development of the USD0 stablecoin. Additionally, since January 2023, he has been an Associate Professor at Sciences Po in Paris, teaching on subjects related to politics, finance, and emerging technologies.

Pierre Person has been involved in the regulation of blockchain technology and crypto-assets within France and Europe. His work in Parliament included two reports on these technologies, contributing to the establishment of the PSAN framework for crypto service providers. ^[5][6][7][8]

Interviews

Pierre Person on Crypto Regulation #01

In an interview on "The Ben Keady Show*"* YouTube channel, broadcast on June 9, 2024, Pierre Person outlined his political background, views on cryptocurrency regulation, and the launch of Usual, a stablecoin backed by real-world assets.

Person described his early political involvement, beginning at age 15 and progressing to an advisory role to the French President. He noted that his interest in blockchain technology contributed to his work on France’s initial regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies in 2019, which later influenced his approach to Usual, structured as a stablecoin with an emphasis on transparency and decentralization.

In discussing central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), Person expressed concerns about their potential impact on privacy and individual freedoms. He indicated that Usual aims to partner with established fintech firms to enhance accessibility and facilitate integration with traditional financial systems, thereby addressing the transition between Web 2.0 and Web 3.0.

Person also noted the importance of educating both policymakers and the public to support informed adoption and regulation of cryptocurrency. He emphasized the need for regulatory approaches that strike a balance between fostering innovation and maintaining public trust, particularly in the contexts of Europe and the United States. He advocated for a long-term regulatory vision that could adapt to the evolving digital finance landscape, aimed at promoting sustainable growth within the sector. ^[3]

Traditional Finance and DeFi #02

On May 13, 2024, an interview with Pierre Person, CEO & Co-Founder of Usual Labs, was published on the Blockster website. In the interview, Person provided an overview of Usual Labs' initiatives to integrate traditional finance and decentralized finance (DeFi) through the development of the USDO stablecoin, backed by real-world assets.

Person detailed Usual Labs' financial foundation, which comprises $7 million in funding and $75 million in Total Value Locked (TVL). This backing supports the development of a stablecoin protocol that emphasizes transparency, security, and community ownership. The protocol is designed to foster trust and provide DeFi users with a decentralized model for asset management.

Usual Labs focuses on creating a stablecoin that operates differently from traditional fiat-backed models by implementing a decentralized approach. With investors such as IOSG Ventures and Kraken Ventures, the company has resources to address security and usability concerns. Additionally, partnerships with fintech companies are being pursued to enhance compatibility with established financial systems.

In the interview, Person highlighted the protocol's focus on security and community governance, noting that 90% of USUAL tokens are allocated to users, supporting a community-driven ecosystem. Usual Labs plans to launch the USDO stablecoin on Ethereum’s mainnet by June 2024, starting with a private phase for testing in May and a general release intended to facilitate active participation.

Reflecting on Usual Labs’ development during a bear market, Person described the challenges faced in maintaining progress amid shifting economic conditions. Usual Labs' collaboration plans with various DeFi entities are aimed at fostering a transparent and community-oriented financial ecosystem that supports the adoption of stablecoins and synthetic assets within DeFi. ^[1][2]