Michael Saadat

Michael Saadat is the Head of International Public Policy for Block, Inc (NYSE: SQ), leading Block's public policy efforts across APAC and EMEA, for all of Block's business units (Square, Cash App, Spiral, TIDAL and TBD). Michael also leads public policy in relation to Buy Now Pay Later (Afterpay and Clearpay) globally.

Prior to Block’s acquisition of Afterpay in February 2022, Michael was VP, Global Regulatory Affairs at Afterpay, a role he held from November 2019.

Michael is also a non-executive director on the boards of FinTech Australia and not-for-profit Global Sisters.

Michael has a breadth and depth of domestic and international experience in consumer financial services regulation and public policy at senior levels.

Michael was previously a senior executive at Australia’s financial services conduct regulator: the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). Michael was ASIC’s Executive Director for Financial Services and Regional Commissioner for the state of New South Wales. Michael led ASIC’s supervisory work across consumer financial services, including retail banking, consumer credit, insurance and payments. 

While at ASIC, Michael was Chair of the Market Conduct Working Group at the International Association of Insurance Supervisors, the international standard setting body for insurance regulation.

Michael has also previously worked as Head of Compliance for Citibank in Australia, and at PricewaterhouseCoopers in Sydney and London.

Michael has Bachelor of Economics and Bachelor of Laws (Hons) from Macquarie University, a Master of Laws from the London School of Economics, and an Executive MBA from Melbourne Business School.