Coinbase Loses Chief Policy Officer Michael Lempres

Coinbase Inc., one of the largest U.S. crypto exchanges, is losing its policy head at a time when communication between Washington and the digital money sector may never be more important.

Michael Lempres, who was named the firm’s policy officer in September after serving more than a year as its legal chief, is leaving to take on a new role at Andreessen Horowitz, according to a statement from the closely held exchange. The venture capital firm was an early investor in Coinbase.