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Crypto payments firm BCB Group appoints Tim Renew as CEO in leadership reshuffle

Renew will lead the digital asset payments firm, with co-founder Oliver Tonkin moving into a newly created president role.

Jan 29, 2026, 11:00 a.m.
BCB CEO Tim Renew
BCB CEO Tim Renew. (BCB, modified by CoinDesk)

What to know:

  • Tim Renew is being promoted from deputy CEO to CEO after joining BCB Group in 2024.
  • Co-founder Oliver Tonkin will transition to president, remaining involved in strategy.
  • The change follows a year of growth and international expansion for the firm.

Crypto payments firm BCB Group has appointed Tim Renew as its new CEO, naming the former deputy CEO to lead the institutional digital asset infrastructure provider through its next phase of growth.

Co-founder Oliver Tonkin will move into the role of president, where he will continue to focus on strategy, culture and long-term development, the London-based company said Thursday.

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“With the recent grant of our Canadian licence to add to our multiple licenses in Tier 1 jurisdictions and another major region to follow this year, we’re taking a meaningful step toward becoming a truly global platform,” Renew said in emailed comments."

“We’re entering 2026 with strong foundations, growing institutional demand and a clear road map," Renew added. "The priority now is disciplined execution - expanding into new markets, strengthening our product set and continuing to build trust with clients, regulators and investors. Scaling globally for us means connecting traditional banking rails with real-time, blockchain-enabled infrastructure in a way institutions can trust."

Renew joined BCB Group in July 2024 as chief revenue officer and was later promoted to deputy CEO. During his tenure, the company expanded its international footprint and reported growth in transaction volumes and revenue, with a growing share of recurring income, according to the firm.

The leadership change comes as BCB Group positions itself as a provider of payments and banking infrastructure connecting traditional financial institutions with blockchain-based settlement networks. The company has been expanding its senior management team, broadening its product offering and preparing to close a Series B funding round.

Tonkin, who co-founded BCB Group, said the transition is intended to support continued scaling while maintaining leadership continuity. Renew will oversee day-to-day operations and execution as the firm looks to grow its customer base and expand geographically.

BCB Group said it starts 2026 having strengthened its regulatory footprint and investor relationships, as institutional interest in digital assets and stablecoin-based payments continues to develop.

Read more: Hedge Fund Karatage appoints IMC veteran Shane O’Callaghan as senior partner

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