{"id":"rich-widmann","title":"Rich Widmann","content":"**Rich Widmann** is a lawyer and senior business operator with extensive experience in the blockchain and cryptocurrency sectors. He serves as the Global Head of [Strategy](https://iq.wiki/wiki/strategy) for [Web3](https://iq.wiki/wiki/web3) at Google Cloud, where he co-founded the company's first dedicated [Web3](https://iq.wiki/wiki/web3) initiatives. In addition to his corporate role, Widmann is an adjunct professor at the Northwestern Pritzker University School of Law, where he teaches a course on financial technology and regulation. He frequently leverages his background as an attorney specializing in regulatory matters and white-collar crime to inform his work in [Web3](https://iq.wiki/wiki/web3) [strategy](https://iq.wiki/wiki/strategy) and corporate adoption of blockchain technology. [\\[1\\]](#cite-id-Cjt3lnZO9vjbRe4J) [\\[2\\]](#cite-id-RTuu0xFwzYWY3Y0K)​\n\n## Career\n\nWidmann's career trajectory is marked by a deliberate transition from traditional, high-stakes regulatory law to a leadership position at the forefront of [Web3](https://iq.wiki/wiki/web3) strategy within a major technology corporation. His legal expertise in corruption and cryptocurrency provided a foundation for his subsequent roles in business strategy and board governance. [\\[3\\]](#cite-id-q7RyzVDagpHP3HXJ) [\\[2\\]](#cite-id-RTuu0xFwzYWY3Y0K)​\n\n### Legal Career and Transition to Web3\n\nPrior to his work in the technology sector, Widmann was a litigator at the law firm Sidley Austin LLP. [\\[3\\]](#cite-id-q7RyzVDagpHP3HXJ) His legal practice focused on complex regulatory and white-collar criminal corruption matters. During this period, he handled cases related to international corruption, including legal matters concerning the FIFA World Cup bribery schemes. [\\[2\\]](#cite-id-RTuu0xFwzYWY3Y0K)​\n\nIn 2017, Widmann began to pivot his legal practice to specialize in the emerging field of cryptocurrency. He started representing founders and startups within the [Ethereum](https://iq.wiki/wiki/ethereum) ecosystem, advising them on high-stakes legal disputes and regulatory challenges. This work positioned him at the intersection of law and the burgeoning [Web3](https://iq.wiki/wiki/web3) industry, establishing his expertise in the unique legal complexities of decentralized technologies. [\\[2\\]](#cite-id-RTuu0xFwzYWY3Y0K)​\n\n### Google Cloud\n\nOn January 27, 2022, Widmann announced that he was \"hanging up my legal spurs\" to join Google as the \"Head of [Strategy](https://iq.wiki/wiki/strategy) for Digital Assets.\" This move marked the public launch of Google Cloud's new Digital Assets Team, and he expressed excitement about applying his \"legal toolset to biz [strategy](https://iq.wiki/wiki/strategy).\" [\\[3\\]](#cite-id-q7RyzVDagpHP3HXJ)​\n\n​","summary":"Rich Widmann is the Global Head of Strategy for Web3 at Google Cloud, co-founding its initial Web3 efforts. He is also a lawyer and an adjunct professor at Northwestern Pritzker University School of Law, specializing in fintech and regulation.","images":[{"id":"QmdnK2NjbjS4zv7kHNRsLHSUNvdz15nVMkEGttijjEE3aF","type":"image/jpeg, image/png"}],"categories":[{"id":"people","title":"people"}],"tags":[{"id":"PeopleInDeFi"},{"id":"Regulations"},{"id":"Founders"},{"id":"Speakers"},{"id":"Ethereum"}],"media":[],"metadata":[{"id":"references","value":"[\n  {\n    \"id\": \"Cjt3lnZO9vjbRe4J\",\n    \"url\": \"https://state-of-crypto.coindesk.com/agenda/speaker/-richard-widmann\",\n    \"description\": \"CoinDesk speaker bio for Rich Widmann\",\n    \"timestamp\": 1772069913743\n  },\n  {\n    \"id\": \"RTuu0xFwzYWY3Y0K\",\n    \"url\": \"https://www.salt.org/speakers/richard-widmann\",\n    \"description\": \"SALT speaker bio for Richard Widmann\",\n    \"timestamp\": 1772069913743\n  },\n  {\n    \"id\": \"q7RyzVDagpHP3HXJ\",\n    \"url\": \"https://x.com/RichJWidmann\",\n    \"description\": \"Rich Widmann's professional X profile\",\n    \"timestamp\": 1772069913743\n  }\n]"},{"id":"twitter_profile","value":"https://x.com/RichJWidmann"},{"id":"linkedin_profile","value":"https://www.linkedin.com/in/rich-widmann-a816a54b/"},{"id":"references","value":"https://state-of-crypto.coindesk.com/agenda/speaker/-richard-widmann"},{"id":"references","value":"https://www.salt.org/speakers/richard-widmann"},{"id":"commit-message","value":"\"Added people page for Rich Widmann\""}],"events":[{"id":"30b5e9ac-71cf-403f-ad1c-d67043293c36","date":"2017-01","title":"Began Specializing in Crypto Law","type":"DEFAULT","description":"Began representing founders and startups within the Ethereum ecosystem in high-stakes legal disputes.","link":null,"multiDateStart":null,"multiDateEnd":null,"continent":null,"country":null},{"id":"7c588274-0ddd-48a3-b89e-b93a781c90c3","date":"2022-01","title":"Joined Google Cloud","type":"DEFAULT","description":"Announced his position as Head of Strategy for Digital Assets, co-founding Google's first Web3 efforts.","link":"https://x.com/RichJWidmann/status/1486794829929824263","multiDateStart":null,"multiDateEnd":null,"continent":null,"country":null},{"id":"c72dbdcd-f92c-4016-bdde-6bf3b234290a","date":"2022-10","title":"Announced Google Cloud and Coinbase Partnership","type":"DEFAULT","description":"Announced a major partnership enabling Google Cloud to accept cryptocurrency for payments and utilize Coinbase's custody tools.","link":null,"multiDateStart":null,"multiDateEnd":null,"continent":null,"country":null},{"id":"ffcccba0-ff91-4095-8196-5b05b2ca0f7a","date":"2024-06","title":"Speaker at Coinbase State of Crypto Summit","type":"DEFAULT","description":"Spoke on the 'Pushing Payments Forward' panel at the Coinbase State of Crypto Summit.","link":null,"multiDateStart":null,"multiDateEnd":null,"continent":null,"country":null}],"user":{"id":"0x8af7a19a26d8fbc48defb35aefb15ec8c407f889"},"author":{"id":"0x8af7a19a26d8fbc48defb35aefb15ec8c407f889"},"operator":{"id":"0x4a2bC97afBF41a2Cbf4b4628F63420682Ff4CF2a"},"language":"en","version":1,"linkedWikis":{"blockchains":[],"founders":[],"speakers":[]}}