X Money US launch countdown! X appoints former Aave CPO as head of design

Elon Musk’s social media platform X announced that Benji Taylor, with a strong background in cryptocurrency, has officially been appointed as Chief Design Officer, leading the platform’s overall design efforts. His role is also connected to xAI and SpaceX operations. This hiring coincides with the upcoming launch of X Money, which is expected to go live in over 40 states in the United States this April.

Benji Taylor: From Self-Hosted Wallets to DeFi Protocols in Crypto Design

Benji Taylor’s career spans three core areas: self-hosted crypto wallets, decentralized finance protocols, and Ethereum Layer 2 ecosystems, forming a comprehensive background in crypto product design.

Early in his career, Taylor founded Los Feliz Engineering, leading the development of the self-custodial crypto wallet Family, which is highly regarded in the crypto community for its quality. In 2023, the development company behind the decentralized lending protocol Aave, valued at $42 billion, completed the acquisition of Los Feliz Engineering. Taylor then became Chief Product Officer (CPO) until October 2025. Afterwards, he took on the role of Design Lead for Coinbase’s Ethereum Layer 2 network, Base, gaining practical experience in large-scale blockchain infrastructure product design.

X’s product leader Nikita Bier publicly stated that he has followed Taylor’s work for years and personally recommended him to join. Bier described one of Taylor’s previous products as one of the most outstanding designs he has seen.

Challenges in Planning X Money Features and Crypto Integration

According to Elon Musk earlier this month, X Money is scheduled to launch in over 40 states in the U.S. this April, with initial features including:

• Peer-to-peer payments: Direct transfers between users
• Bank account linking: Integration with traditional bank accounts
• Financial cards and cashback: Physical or virtual cards with rewards
• Balance yield: Plans to offer up to 6% annualized returns

Notably, the initial announcement of X Money did not mention blockchain or cryptocurrency elements, with a clear focus on traditional financial services. However, Taylor’s experience with self-hosted wallets, DeFi protocols, and Layer 2 architecture on Base has led to widespread speculation about the potential future integration of on-chain features. Currently, there has been no official confirmation or denial regarding this possibility.

Frequently Asked Questions

What relevant background does Benji Taylor have related to the development of X Money?

Taylor has a comprehensive background including founding the self-custodial wallet Family, designing DeFi lending protocols (CPO at Aave Labs), and leading Ethereum Layer 2 network design (Head of Design at Coinbase Base). His experience spans on-chain wallets and decentralized finance, closely aligning with potential features of X Money.

What is the specific launch timeline and features of X Money?

Elon Musk announced that X Money is planned for a formal launch in April 2026, initially covering over 40 states in the U.S. Features include peer-to-peer transfers, bank account linking, financial cards, cashback, and a planned 6% annualized balance yield. There is currently no detailed timeline for other regions.

Does X Money plan to incorporate cryptocurrency or blockchain features?

Based on current official announcements, the initial features of X Money do not mention cryptocurrencies or blockchain elements. Whether Taylor’s crypto product background will influence future feature roadmaps remains unconfirmed by official sources.