SVRN Names Patrick O'Kain COO, Plans Schwed's 2027 Adviser Transition

Nasdaq-listed SVRN, Inc. appointed Patrick O'Kain chief operating officer effective Nov. 3, placing him in charge of operations, product strategy, corporate development and integration of acquired businesses.

SVRN announced the appointment Nov. 4. O'Kain succeeds David Schwed, who has held the COO role since October 2025. Schwed will become a senior adviser on Jan. 1, 2027, and continue advising management on technology and security. He played a foundational role as the company changed its name from OceanPal Inc. to SVRN, Inc.

Over the past year, SVRN broadened its work around NEAR Protocol. It moved from managing a NEAR-focused digital asset reserve into operating NEAR infrastructure and participating in network governance. The company completed its first acquisition, NEAR infrastructure provider FastNEAR.

O'Kain's career spans more than two decades in venture investing, institutional consulting, federal investigations and national security. At Borderless Capital, where he was a general partner, his work included building venture funds, raising capital, making investments and overseeing operations. He also helped establish and grow KPMG's crypto advisory business, where he worked with SVRN CEO Sal Ternullo.

O'Kain previously served as a special agent with the U.S. Department of Justice, working on cryptocurrency investigation strategies and leading related investigations. His career began in the U.S. intelligence community, and he holds an MBA from Columbia Business School. Ternullo noted that he and O'Kain worked together at KPMG and said O'Kain is suited to advance the company's next phase.