In this episode, we get to celebrate a massive milestone with Jody Mettler, the Chief Operating Officer of BitGo and their President of the Trust Company.
As BitGo rings the bell on its recent IPO, Jody shares her journey from a 20-year career at Citi to leading the "backbone" of the digital asset industry. This episode serves as both a high-level masterclass in crypto infrastructure and a personal story of how traditional banking expertise is shaping the future of decentralized finance.
Inside the Episode:
Ultimate Career Pivot: Jody reflects on her transition from corporate accounting and digital transformation at Citi to the world of crypto. She shares the story of how a LinkedIn message led her to become the COO of one of the most respected tech companies in the crypto space.
Bitcoin 101: Jody breaks down the digital asset world for beginners, explaining the difference between Bitcoin ("Digital Gold"), speculative alt-coins, and stablecoins (1:1 backed by fiat).
"Backbone" of Crypto: Learn about BitGo's role as the institutional infrastructure that powers many of the exchanges we use today. Jody explains the "multisig" security and physical vaults that protect billions of dollars in assets.
Reality of Going Public: Jody recounts the adrenaline-filled experience of BitGo's IPO - a first for her - and the rigor required to move a digital asset company into the traditional public market.
Pioneering Regulation: A look at BitGo's achievement of a federal OCC Charter and how the company navigates global regulations in Germany, Dubai, Singapore (and more!) to meet clients where they are.
Power of Sponsorship: Erica shares a full-circle moment with BitGo CEO Mike Belshe, who was her boss in her 20s. Discover how his early support of Erica's career led BitGo to become the inaugural sponsor of the HumanizeHer Podcast.
Jody concludes with a heartfelt "pay-it-forward" to Karen Young, the mentor who changed her life, reminding us that even in high-tech finance, relationships and trust are the true currency.
Listen in and join the conversation with host, Erica Lockheimer and co-host, Elizabeth Wendorf-Bloesser.
