Stablecoin payments firm KAST announced Thursday that it has appointed former Securities and Exchange Commission senior advisor Stephanie Allen as the new head of corporate and policy communications.

Allen is expected to bolster KAST's public profile and reputation among policymakers, thought leaders, and the media as the company develops a modern financial platform for stablecoins, according to a press release. KAST said this hire is geared toward accelerating its growth in North and Latin America.

During her time at the SEC, Allen advised the agency's leadership in external and internal communication strategies and served as its spokesperson. She also advised the SEC's Crypto Task Force, KAST said.

"Her knowledge of the policy and regulatory landscape stemming from her leadership position at the SEC and deep U.S. public and private sector experience will help drive KAST's momentum," said Brad Jaffe, chief corporate affairs officer at KAST.

KAST, founded in July 2024 by former Circle executive Raagulan Pathy, offers USD-denominated accounts, global payments across 170 countries, and a suite of stablecoin-powered financial tools for consumers and businesses.

The company added that it has recruited over 200 people in the past year in engineering, product, and compliance. It raised $80 million in a Series A funding round that closed in March.

According to Artemis Analytics, the global stablecoin transaction volume grew 72% in 2025 to reach more than $33 trillion, surpassing the combined annual volume of the world's largest credit card networks.