Erik Bethel
Fmr U.S. Executive Director, World Bank; Managing Partner, Quad Fund
Commissioner for Financial Technologies (Fintech)
Central bank digital currencies have the potential to revolutionize the way we conduct financial transactions, but their implementation requires careful consideration and analysis. The work of the commission in this domain is critical in ensuring that any rollout of a central bank digital currency is done in a way that maximizes benefits and minimizes risks for all stakeholders.
Erik Bethel is a global finance professional with experience in the private and public sectors. He was nominated by the president and confirmed unanimously by the Senate to represent the United States at the World Bank. At the World Bank, Mr. Bethel participated in the analysis and deployment of over $100 billion of capital through grants, loans, equity investments, and other financial products. He also promoted a number of new initiatives including spearheading the use of new technologies such as artificial intelligence and blockchain to help streamline World Bank operations. Earlier in his career, Mr. Bethel worked as an investment banker and private equity professional at Franklin Templeton Investments, JP Morgan and Morgan Stanley. Mr. Bethel earned a BS in economics and political science from the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis and an MBA from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania.