Nasdaq-listed SVRN, Inc. (ticker: SVRN) said on Nov. 4 that it had appointed Patrick O'Kain as chief operating officer, effective Nov. 3.
According to the announcement, O'Kain will oversee operations, product strategy and corporate development, including the integration of acquired businesses.
David Schwed to become senior adviser in 2027
SVRN said David Schwed, who has served as chief operating officer since October 2025, will transition to a senior adviser role on Jan. 1, 2027. He will continue to advise management on technology and security.
The company said Schwed played a foundational role in its transition from OceanPal Inc. to SVRN, Inc.
O'Kain's background spans investing, consulting and law enforcement
The announcement said O'Kain has more than 20 years of experience in venture capital, institutional advisory work, federal law enforcement and national security.
Before joining SVRN, he was a general partner at digital asset investment firm Borderless Capital, where he was responsible for building and managing the venture fund business across fundraising, investing and operations.
Earlier in his career, O'Kain helped build and expand KPMG's crypto advisory practice, advising banks, fintech companies and other institutional clients. SVRN Chief Executive Officer Sal Ternullo said the two had worked together there for years.
O'Kain also served as a special agent at the U.S. Department of Justice, where he helped develop cryptocurrency investigation strategy and led related investigations. He began his career in the U.S. intelligence community and holds an MBA from Columbia Business School.
SVRN says its business is built around NEAR Protocol
SVRN, formerly OceanPal Inc., said its business is centered on NEAR Protocol. That includes managing a digital asset treasury primarily composed of NEAR, driving commercial adoption of NEAR products, and supporting, building and acquiring related businesses.
The company said that over the past year it has expanded from managing digital asset reserves to operating key NEAR infrastructure, participating in network governance, and completing its first acquisition of FastNEAR.
CEO says O'Kain fits the company's next phase
Sal Ternullo said he had worked with O'Kain for years at KPMG and was confident that O'Kain was the right person to help lead the company through its next stage of development.
