Joshua Riezman is the Chief Legal and Strategy Officer at GSR, a global crypto trading firm. He is known for his work at the intersection of traditional finance, financial technology, and digital assets. Riezman also serves on the board of directors for the pharmaceutical company MEI Pharma and is the co-chair of a working group for the Blockchain Association. ^{[1] [2]}​

Education

Riezman earned his Juris Doctor, cum laude, from the University of Michigan Law School between 2008 and 2011. During his time there, he was a Contributing Editor for the Michigan Law Review. He received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, with High Honors, from the University of California, Berkeley's Haas School of Business, graduating in 2008. He was also elected to the Phi Beta Kappa honor society. ^[2]

Career

Riezman's career began in corporate law before moving into executive roles within the venture capital and cryptocurrency industries. He joined the law firm Cooley LLP in Palo Alto, California, in November 2011. Over nearly a decade with the firm, he became a partner in its Emerging Companies & Venture Capital and Public Companies practice groups in January 2019. In this role, he advised technology companies and venture capital firms on matters such as mergers and acquisitions, public offerings, venture financings, and corporate governance. ^[2]​

In February 2021, Riezman transitioned to an in-house role, joining the global venture capital firm Ribbit Capital as its General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer. He held this position for three years, overseeing legal and compliance functions for the firm, which focuses on fintech and cryptocurrency investments. ^[2]​

Riezman was appointed to his role at GSR, a global crypto trading firm and market maker, in February 2024. As of early 2026, his title is Chief Legal and Strategy Officer. In this capacity, he is responsible for leading the firm's global legal, compliance, and strategic initiatives. His work involves navigating the international regulatory environment for digital assets and guiding GSR's corporate strategy, which includes seeking regulatory authorizations in jurisdictions such as the United Kingdom and Singapore. ^{[1] [3] [4]}​

Board and Industry Appointments

MEI Pharma

In March 2024, Riezman was appointed to the Board of Directors of MEI Pharma (NASDAQ: MEIP). MEI Pharma is a late-stage pharmaceutical company, and his appointment was noted for bringing expertise in corporate strategy and governance from outside the biopharmaceutical sector. ^[2]​

The Blockchain Association

In January 2026, the Blockchain Association announced that Riezman would serve as the co-chair of its Trading Firm Working Group for the year. The working groups are member-led initiatives designed to support the association's policy engagement, educational efforts, and industry collaboration. In his role, Riezman helps build consensus on key issues and provide informed perspectives to policymakers in Washington, D.C. He serves as co-chair alongside Daniel Gerhardstein of Jump Crypto. ^[3]​

Public Commentary and Views

Riezman frequently speaks at industry events and in media interviews on topics concerning cryptocurrency regulation, market structure, and institutional adoption. ^{[4] [5]}​

On Regulation and Market Structure

Riezman has consistently identified regulatory clarity as a critical factor for the maturation of the digital asset industry and for attracting greater institutional investment. Speaking in May 2025, he stated, "As more clarity comes, it will unlock greater investment — just like in traditional economic planning, clarity and certainty are key." ^[4]​

He advocates for bespoke regulatory frameworks tailored to the unique characteristics of digital assets, arguing that applying outdated securities laws can stifle innovation. In an August 2025 podcast appearance, Riezman highlighted ongoing bipartisan efforts in the U.S. Congress to create a comprehensive market structure for crypto, referencing the potential impact of proposed stablecoin legislation and other bills. On the need for industry involvement, he has said, "The path to institutional adoption runs directly through regulatory clarity. Proactive engagement with policymakers is not just good practice; it's essential for the industry's long-term success." ^{[2] [5]}​

On Market Evolution and Institutional Adoption

Riezman views blockchain technology as more than just a new asset class, describing it as a "fundamental technological upgrade to the entire financial market infrastructure" with the potential to cause a "fundamental re-architecture of capital markets." He believes that the tokenization of assets will lead to significant improvements in market efficiency, liquidity, and accessibility for a wider range of investors. ^{[2] [1]}​

He has observed that the market is transitioning from a phase of "pure speculation to one of utility," predicting that future success will belong to projects that solve real-world problems. Riezman also noted a trend in corporate strategy where companies with digital asset treasuries are diversifying beyond Bitcoin to include other assets like Ethereum and Solana. He stated that while major financial institutions are already engaging with crypto, they require clear regulatory guidelines to fully integrate it into their mainstream operations. ^{[4] [5]}​

On Risk Management and Volatility

At the Consensus 2025 conference, Riezman spoke on the theme of "Regulation, Risk, and Readying Crypto for the Next Phase." He has attributed the longevity of his firm, GSR, to its "deep commitment to risk management," which has allowed it to navigate market turbulence. He commented that GSR is "used to volatility and, to some extent, we embrace it as part of the industry that we love and are here to support." Riezman has also suggested that for traditional financial institutions, a primary concern should be the "risk of being left behind by the innovation" rather than solely focusing on the volatility of the asset class. ^{[4] [1]}​

Interviews

Thinking Crypto Discussion on Institutional Market Structure #01

On December 3, 2025, Joshua Riezman appeared on the Thinking Crypto YouTube channel in an episode titled “This Market Maker is Helping BIG Institutions BUY Crypto!”. During the discussion, he outlined GSR’s activities in digital asset markets and presented his views on institutional participation, liquidity provision, and regulatory developments.

Riezman described blockchain networks as systems in which digital assets can be held and transferred without distinction between retail and institutional participants. He stated that a Bitcoin held in a personal wallet carries the same functional properties as one held by a financial institution, referring to this feature as a structural characteristic of public blockchains. He contrasted public blockchain networks with private blockchain initiatives, indicating that public networks have seen broader adoption.

In describing GSR’s operations, Riezman characterized the firm as a liquidity provider active across centralized exchanges, decentralized platforms, and over-the-counter markets. He stated that GSR provides liquidity for more than 250 digital tokens and has expanded its activities to include advisory services, venture investments, asset management, and broker-dealer operations.

The interview addressed increased institutional activity in the United States. Riezman referenced the growth of spot exchange-traded products, derivatives markets, and the use of digital assets in corporate treasury strategies. He noted GSR’s advisory involvement in MEI Pharma’s $100 million Litecoin treasury allocation and its participation in a $100 million private investment in Upexi associated with a Solana-based treasury strategy. These examples were presented as instances of interaction between public companies and digital asset markets.

Riezman discussed Digital Asset Treasuries (DATs) and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) as distinct mechanisms for obtaining exposure to digital assets. He stated that ETFs generally provide asset-based exposure through regulated securities products, while DATs involve corporate entities that hold digital assets on their balance sheets and may engage in capital markets activities. He also indicated that DATs may involve operational and leverage-related risks depending on their structure.

Stablecoins were identified as a payment mechanism within blockchain networks. Riezman stated that stablecoins are used for cross-border transfers, transactions outside traditional banking hours, and onchain settlement. He suggested that increased use of stablecoins could result in broader interaction with blockchain infrastructure, including by users who may not directly engage with other digital assets.

The conversation also included discussion of asset tokenization. Riezman stated that tokenization may be applied to various asset classes, including private securities and assets with limited secondary market liquidity. He noted that liquidity provision may be relevant in such contexts. He also referenced regulatory considerations, including securities law compliance and anti-money laundering requirements, as factors affecting cross-border participation in tokenized markets.

Regarding regulation, Riezman addressed proposed market structure legislation in the United States. He stated that clearer statutory and regulatory frameworks could define supervisory boundaries and compliance obligations for market participants. He compared the potential implementation process to post-2008 financial reforms, noting that regulatory adjustments may involve transitional complexity.

Throughout the interview, Riezman presented digital asset markets as increasingly connected with traditional financial institutions, citing liquidity services, treasury strategies, and regulatory developments as areas of ongoing integration. ^[6]

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