KAST, a stablecoin payments company, has appointed a former senior advisor from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to lead its corporate and policy communications. The move comes as the stablecoin sector faces increasing regulatory attention.
Stephanie Allen is the new head of corporate and policy communications at KAST. She will oversee the company’s public engagement with policymakers, media, and industry groups. The firm announced the hire on Thursday, stating that Allen’s experience will support its expansion in North America and Latin America.
Before joining KAST, Allen worked as a senior advisor at the SEC. She advised agency leadership on internal and external communications. She also served as an SEC spokesperson and advised the agency’s Crypto Task Force. That task force was created to coordinate regulatory efforts around digital assets.
Regulatory experience in focus
Brad Jaffe, KAST’s chief corporate affairs officer, said in a statement that Allen’s knowledge of the policy and regulatory landscape will help drive the company’s momentum. He noted that her experience at the SEC and across the U.S. public and private sectors is valuable for the firm’s goals.
KAST was founded in July 2024 by Raagulan Pathy, a former executive at Circle, the company behind the USDC stablecoin. The firm offers USD-denominated accounts and tools for stablecoin payments. It says its services support global payments in 170 countries, serving both consumers and businesses.
The company has been hiring aggressively. KAST said it has brought on more than 200 employees over the past year. New hires span engineering, product, and compliance roles.
Stablecoin market heats up
KAST raised $80 million in a Series A funding round that closed in March. The company is using those funds to support its expansion plans.
The appointment comes as stablecoin payment activity continues to grow. Artemis Analytics reported that global stablecoin transaction volume rose 72% in 2025 to more than $33 trillion. That volume surpassed the combined annual volume of the world’s largest credit card networks, according to the data provider. This growth has pushed stablecoin firms closer to the center of global payments.
Allen’s hire reflects a broader trend. As stablecoins gain mainstream traction, companies in the space are seeking talent with deep regulatory experience. They face closer scrutiny from lawmakers and regulators around the world. Having someone who understands the inner workings of a key regulator like the SEC could be a strategic advantage.
