YAP Global names Otto Jacobsson CEO amid crypto shift

YAP Global has appointed Otto Jacobsson as Chief Executive Officer, with Founder Samantha Yap moving into a strategic founder role.

Jacobsson has served as Chief Financial Officer at the digital assets public relations firm since 2020. He previously worked in investment banking and corporate finance roles at Deutsche Bank and PwC, according to the company.

The leadership change comes as the digital assets sector faces closer attention from regulators and more activity from banks and other established financial institutions. YAP Global referenced stablecoins and shifting regulatory frameworks as part of the wider market backdrop.

"The crypto industry is maturing, with regulators, banks and policymakers increasingly engaging with digital assets. I'm honoured to step into the role of CEO of YAP Global, Samantha has built an exceptional team focused on telling stories and building trust in this growing industry. Now, crypto-native communities are evolving into major fintech, institutional, and capital markets players and we are excited to support them on that journey," said Otto Jacobsson, CEO, YAP Global.

Service expansion

Jacobsson will lead a set of initiatives that include changes to YAP Global's service offering and regional approach. The company said it plans to further professionalise its services and advisory work. It also plans to develop tailored regional media relations strategies, based on its presence in the UK, the US and Singapore, and its operations in the UAE.

YAP Global also set out plans to broaden its work beyond media relations. It said it will focus immediately on content creation, events and creative campaigns. It also cited future areas that include capital markets communications, investor relations and public affairs.

YAP Global launched in 2018 and has expanded from a founder-led firm into an agency with offices in London, New York and Singapore. The company also said it has a presence in the UAE and South Africa.

In his CFO role, Jacobsson oversaw financial operations and supported international team growth. YAP Global also said he led business development work that resulted in client wins and mandates.

Samantha Yap will continue to work with Jacobsson and the senior leadership team on strategic direction, the company said.

One sentence of context: Yap commented on the company's positioning as the digital assets market changes.

"Crypto is growing up, and so is our agency," said Samantha Yap. "As digital assets gain mainstream adoption and regulatory clarity, the industry is entering a new phase where strategic storytelling and deep expertise are more important than ever. With Otto leading YAP Global, we're ready to expand regionally and globally, delivering creative, high-impact campaigns that help our clients navigate this rapidly evolving landscape. We aim to continue to be the go-to PR firm for anything related to digital assets and crypto," said Yap.

Team and clients

YAP Global's leadership team includes Debra Nita Ravindran, Associate Director - Head of Growth and Americas Team Lead; Chris Fay, Associate Director - Head of PR and Communications and EMEA Team Lead; Sean Baker, Account Director - APAC Team Lead; and Hannah Tamara Lee, Chief of Staff.

The firm said it has supported industry events including EthCC, ETHDenver, European Blockchain Convention, Digital Assets Forum and Messari Mainnet.

Its client list includes Coinbase, described by YAP Global as a US-listed crypto exchange; Lido, described as a leading staking protocol; NEAR Foundation, described as a Layer 1 blockchain; and Ethereum Name Service, described as a decentralised digital identity system.

YAP Global also operates an events management arm and publishes The Context newsletter. It also hosts the YAP Cast podcast, the company said.

Jacobsson will lead YAP Global's next phase under the new structure, with the company signalling further regional growth and a broader service mix.