Nauru has appointed Dadvan Yousuf as international trade commissioner to advance its digital asset strategy and attract global investment.
President David Adeang said the move is designed to strengthen cross-border partnerships with crypto firms, financial institutions and technology companies.
The appointment follows the creation of the Command Ridge Virtual Asset Authority, which oversees licensing and regulation of digital asset businesses.
Yousuf will focus on promoting Nauru as a destination for virtual asset service providers, marking a shift from building regulatory frameworks to actively driving adoption.
The strategy aims to diversify the economy of the small Pacific nation and improve resilience against economic and climate-related risks.
Yousuf’s appointment has drawn attention due to past regulatory issues flagged by FINMA over a previous crypto project.
The move underscores growing competition among jurisdictions to attract crypto businesses, as countries position themselves as hubs for digital asset innovation.