Ex-Aave and Base exec Benji Taylor to lead design at X

• Benji Taylor, a prominent figure in the cryptocurrency design space, has been appointed to lead design at X.
• Taylor's resume includes leadership roles at Aave and Coinbase’s Base network, as well as founding the Family self-custody wallet.
• The move supports Elon Musk’s vision of transforming X into a financial hub with the launch of X Money targeted for April 2026.

A Veteran Designer Joins X

Elon Musk has recruited Benji Taylor to take the helm of design at the social media giant X. Taylor expressed his enthusiasm for the role, stating that he views X as the world's most significant platform and an ideal place to influence the future. His appointment follows a successful career in the decentralized finance (DeFi) and blockchain sectors.

Before joining X, Taylor founded Los Feliz Engineering, the company behind the Family self-custody wallet. After Aave acquired the firm in 2023, Taylor served as Aave’s chief product officer. He subsequently led design for Base, the Layer 2 network developed by Coinbase. Nikita Bier, the head of products at X, noted that he had been an early investor in Taylor’s work six years ago, describing his creations as some of the most well-designed products in the industry.

Building the Future of X Money

Taylor’s deep background in crypto wallets and blockchain interfaces is expected to be instrumental as X accelerates its push into financial services. The platform is currently developing X Money, an integrated payment system that is presently in internal beta testing. According to Elon Musk, the company is aiming for a limited external rollout soon, followed by a full public launch in April 2026.

X Money is designed to function as a comprehensive financial ecosystem, featuring:

• Peer-to-peer (P2P) fiat transactions.
• High-yield savings accounts.
• Smart cashtags that allow users to view and potentially trade stocks and cryptocurrencies directly from their timelines.

Cryptocurrency Integration Strategy

While X aims to become a central point for financial data, leadership has clarified its specific role in the market. Nikita Bier stated his desire for cryptocurrency to "proliferate" on the platform, emphasizing the creation of financial data tools and links. However, he noted that X does not intend to act as a brokerage or handle the direct execution of trades. Instead, the focus remains on providing the interface and infrastructure necessary to connect users with financial markets seamlessly.