Cameron Kates is an American corporate lawyer and business executive who serves as the Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of the ApeCoin Foundation. He previously held senior leadership positions at Yuga Labs, the company behind the Bored Ape Yacht Club NFT collection, where he was Chief Legal Officer and later Chief Business Officer. ^[2]

Education

Kates attended Penn State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Hotel, Restaurant, and Institution Management, graduating in 2010. Following his undergraduate studies, he pursued a legal education at the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School. He obtained his Juris Doctor (JD) degree in 2015, which prepared him for a career in corporate law. ^[6]

Career

Kates began his professional career before attending law school, working as a Production Coordinator for Clearpath Entertainment & Productions from 2009 to 2011. He then transitioned into the legal field, serving as a paralegal at Swartz Swidler, LLC from 2011 to 2012. During his time in law school, he gained judicial experience as a law clerk for Chief Judge Kevin Gross at the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware in 2013. He also worked as a summer associate at the international law firm Latham & Watkins in 2014.

Upon graduating from law school, Kates returned to Latham & Watkins as an associate, a role he held from 2015 to 2020, where he focused on corporate legal practice. He continued to build his expertise in this area as an associate at Pepper Hamilton LLP from 2020 to 2021, remaining with the firm briefly after its merger into Troutman Pepper. In 2021, he joined Fenwick & West as a Senior Corporate Attorney, where he worked until 2022.

In 2022, Kates moved from traditional corporate law into the web3 industry, joining Yuga Labs as its Chief Legal Officer. Yuga Labs is known for creating prominent non-fungible token (NFT) projects, including the Bored Ape Yacht Club. In 2024, his role expanded as he also became the company's Chief Business Officer, overseeing both legal and business development functions.

In March 2025, the ApeCoin Foundation announced Kates's appointment as its new CEO and Executive Director. His transition to lead the foundation, which oversees the ApeCoin token and its ecosystem, occurred during a period of significant change for both Yuga Labs and the broader NFT market. The appointment followed a strategic restructuring at Yuga Labs, which included layoffs and a stated goal from co-founder Greg "Garga" Solano to refocus the company on its core initiatives. Kates's background in both corporate law and business operations at Yuga Labs was positioned as a key asset for guiding the ApeCoin project through its next phase of development amid evolving industry conditions. ^{[1] [7]}

Interviews

ApeChain & Smart Money

On the Coffee with Captain podcast in August 2025, hosts Captain Zwingli and Steve K Bark were joined by Kates and ShPend from ApeChain Hub, who detailed the expansion of ApeChain into the world of NFTs and cryptocurrency, particularly in connection with ComplexCon. The discussion touched on the importance of integrating DeFi into the Ape ecosystem, particularly through the talents of newly hired team members like Simple Farmer, who focus on making financial operations more accessible and engaging. The hosts emphasized the significance of unique experiences, such as the VIP ticket initiative for Ape holders at ComplexCon, which reflected the brand's commitment to community and innovation. They also discussed the success of interactive games like Bathroom Blitz and the potential for a more robust ecosystem driven by community engagement and gamified DeFi strategies. Overall, the conversation highlighted the budding growth of ApeChain as a platform poised to merge digital and physical experiences while enhancing user participation. ^[3]

Panels

Unlocking the Future

During NFT Paris in February 2025, a panel discussion took place around ApeChain and the Made by Apes initiative, featuring participants including Kates, Steve Kaczynski (dGen Network), Waabam (ApeCoin), and Chris Jourdan (Coffee with Captain). They discussed the roles and experiences of various members within the ecosystem, highlighting ApeChain's purpose as a platform that fosters community, culture, and creativity for creators and entrepreneurs involved in the NFT space. The speakers emphasized that ApeChain serves as a foundational home for diverse communities, enabling collaboration and innovation without the competitive pressures often found in other ecosystems. Bad Teeth shared insights about the Made by Apes program, emphasizing its focus on decentralized IP and providing resources for creators to build businesses. The conversation touched on the importance of authenticity, community support, and the holistic growth of the network, addressing how the initiative appeals to both new and established entrepreneurs within the NFT landscape. ^[4]