Coinbase, EToro, NAGA and More: Leadership Changes of the Week
This week saw a significant increase in leadership appointments across the forex, crypto, and fintech industries, which represents a slight shift from last week’s activity. The week’s leadership changes include a variety of appointments in the financial sector. These include the following changes: Nana Murugesan has taken on the role of President at Matter Labs; Louise Unger has joined the Financial Markets Authority as Executive Director for Response and Enforcement; Loukia Matsia joined NAGA as Head of Compliance; Mark Evans has taken on the role of Head of Corporate Development at IG Group; Martin Grant joins the board of Binance.US; James Hardcastle has become Vice President and Head of Sales for the Asia Pacific region at Options Technology; Qianyue Dai has been promoted to VP and Senior Manager Retail for China and Japan at StoneX; Jeffrey Navarro has departed as Head of LATAM at Taurex; and finally, Shalom Berkovitz has left his role as Director at eToro (UK) Limited after seven years. These changes reflect strategic advancements and leadership changes at various firms in the financial industry, shaping their evolution in the global market. Explore the ever-changing landscape of leadership changes in forex, cryptocurrency, and fintech with our weekly roundup. Take a closer look at the evolving scene of leadership changes in the financial technology industry. Leadership Change of the Wee – Former Coinbase executive Nana Murugesan named President of Ethereum scaling firm Nana Murugesan, a former Vice-President of Coinbase has taken onrnthe role of President at Matter Labs, a leading Ethereum scaling solutions company. Murugesan’s extensive experience, including leadership roles at Snap and Samsung Electronics, positions him to lead Matter Labs’ operations, focusing on marketing, communications, finance, and legal aspects. Matter Labs Co-Founder and CEO Alex Gluchowski highlighted Murugesan’s pivotal role in advancing blockchain-scalability: ”His expertise will be instrumental in driving our vision of bringing blockchain technology to a broad audience, based on zero-knowledge technology.” Murugesan’s diverse background in electrical engineering, computer engineering, and business administration enablesrnhim to drive technical solutions at Matter Labs. With over 60 employees in 35 countries, Murugesan aims to accelerate blockchain adoption, particularly through Matter Labs’ zero-knowledge technologyrnthat enables secure and scalable transactions. Murugesan expressed excitement about the opportunity and emphasized the importance of zkSync in enabling practical blockchain applications and expanding the ecosystem globally. Learn more about Nana Murugesan’s mission to advance blockchain scalability and fuel the ongoing financial revolution at Matter Labs. – After 12 years at Bank of New Zealand, financial expert joins FMA The Financial Markets Authority (FMA) has appointed Louise Unger as Executive Director for Response and Enforcement, leveraging her extensive experience in financial services law and regulation. Unger joins from her role as General Manager of the Commerce Commission’s Credit Division and brings extensive experience in overseeing the implementation of regulatory laws and leading risk and compliance teams. With Unger’s appointment, the FMA has stepped up its enforcement efforts amid…Louise Unger, source: LinkedIn…Louise Unger, source: LinkedIn…new financial threats. Learn more about Louise Unger’s pivotal role in strengthening the FMA’s enforcement capabilities and the regulator’s proactive measures to address emerging financial threats. – NAGA welcomes former Tickmill head Loukia Matsia as new Head of Compliance Loukia Matsia has taken on the role of Head of Compliance and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) at NAGA and expressed her enthusiasm for this career change on LinkedIn. With extensive experience at Tickmill Europe Ltd, where she served as Head of Compliance and AML, Matsia brings a wealth of expertise to her new role. Her tenure at Tickmill has been marked by effective management of compliance operations and commitment to adhering to AML regulations. Prior to her leadership…efforts…regulatory strategy .3-9848265ecb07_size260.jpg”>
Mark Evans, Source: LinkedIn
Mark Evans appointed as Head of Corporate Development at IG Group
IG Group has chosen Mark Evans to lead their Corporate Development team, moving him from his previous position as Head of Consumer Insights and Strategy. With over six years of experience at the London-based forex and CFD trading firm, Evans brings valuable knowledge to his new role. His extensive career includes roles at Barclays Bank and BDO UK LLP, highlighting his strong background in finance and business advisory.
Evans’ appointment follows various changes within IG Group’s leadership team, including the recent appointments of Jody Dunn as Chief Operating Officer and Sarah Gore Langton as Chief Risk Officer. These changes coincide with the departures of former Chief Financial Officer, Charlie Rozes, and former Chief Operating Officer, Jon Noble, as the business transitions under CEO Breon Corcoran’s leadership earlier this year.
Learn more about IG Group’s strategic leadership changes and the impact on business performance amid stable financial results.
Martin Grant joins Binance.US’s Board of Directors as Former Federal Reserve Bank of New York Compliance Chief
Binance.US has appointed Martin Grant, former Chief Compliance and Ethics Officer of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, to its board of directors. Grant’s tenure at the New York Fed with over three decades of regulatory expertise underscores his deep understanding of compliance frameworks.
Learn more about Binance.US’s regulatory challenges and strategic appointments amid the evolving digital asset landscape.
James Hardcastle appointed as Vice President and Head of Sales for the Asia Pacific region at Options Technology
Options Technology, a leading provider of infrastructure solutions for capital markets, has appointed James Hardcastle as its new Vice President and Head of Sales for the Asia Pacific (APAC) region. With over 25 years of industry experience, including 18 years at Fidessa, Hardcastle brings a wealth of knowledge to his role.
Learn more about James Hardcastle’s strategic role in driving Options Technology’s revenue growth and market expansion across the APAC region.
StoneX elevates Qianyue Dai to VP and Senior Manager of Retail for China and Japan
StoneX, the FX and CFD brokerage firm, promotes Qianyue Dai to VP and Senior Manager of Retail for China and Japan. Dai has been with StoneX for over three years, previously holding roles such as Manager of Sales and Client Management and Senior Manager of Retail for China.
Learn more about StoneX’s strategic moves and Qianyue Dai’s increased role in shaping the Company’s presence in China and Japan.
ASIC undergoes leadership changes to drive ongoing transformation
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has undergone significant leadership changes to drive its ongoing transformation. Notably, ASIC’s CEO, Warren Day, was appointed Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions, while Greg Yanco took on the role of interim CEO. Tim Mullaly, Executive Director of Enforcement and Compliance, announced his retirement, marking the end of his pivotal 25-year tenure.
Learn more about ASIC’s leadership changes and its commitment to regulatory integrity.
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Nana Murugesan, President at Matter Labs
Nana Murugesan takes on the role of President at Matter Labs following a successful tenure as Chief Product Officer at Coinbase. His experience and vision will drive the next phase of development for Matter Labs, a company dedicated to advancing zero-knowledge proofs as a privacy-preserving technology.
Discover the latest executive appointments and the strategic move by Matter Labs to appoint Nana Murugesan as the new President.
New Leadership Appointments
This week’s executive appointments underline the ongoing evolution of leadership dynamics in the forex, crypto, and fintech industries. Here’s a closer look at the recent changes: Michael Parish has joined Revolut as Head of Banking; Louise Unger has taken on the role of Executive Director for Response and Enforcement at the Financial Markets Authority; Loukia Matsia has been appointed Head of Compliance at NAGA; Iain Mackenzie joins OctaFX as Head of Corporate Communications; Mark Evans has become Head of Corporate Development at IG Group; and Afshin Ahmadi is now the Head of FX and Metals Institutional Sales at Swissquote. These appointments signal a strategic shift towards strengthening expertise and enhancing leadership positions to drive growth and innovation across various companies in the industry.
Stay updated with the latest leadership appointments and their implications for the forex, crypto, and fintech markets. Explore the strategic initiatives and the impact of new leadership dynamics shaping the industry’s evolution.
Take a look at the recent leadership change at NAGA and its impact on the company’s compliance activities and regulatory strategy.fd1-4644-ad3d-ad48b0d48762_size260.jpg”>
Martin Grant. Source: LinkedIn
Binance.US appoints former Compliance -CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York from New York to the Board
Binance.US has appointed Martin Grant, the former Chief Compliance and Ethics Officer of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, to its Board. Norman Reed, Interim CEO of Binance.US, highlighted Grant’s appointment as a testament to the company’s commitment to compliance and integrity, which are critical in navigating regulatory complexities.
Amid regulatory challenges, Binance.US is facing layoffs and financial losses stemming from legal action by the SEC. Grant’s appointment signals Binance.US’s strategic response to regulatory pressure with the goal of strengthening compliance measures and positioning the platform for sustainable growth.
18 years of experience at Fidessa secures industry veteran top job at Options Technology
Options Technology has appointed James Hardcastle as its new Vice President and Head of Sales for the Asia Pacific (APAC) region. With over 25 years of industry experience, including 18 years at Fidessa, Hardcastle brings a wealth of knowledge to his role. He has a proven track record in software SaaS, hardware, infrastructure IaaS and managed services, covering both traditional and emerging financial markets.
Hardcastle’s appointment underscores Options Technology’s commitment to expanding its presence in the APAC region. Danny Moore, President and CEO of Options, expressed confidence in Hardcastle’s ability to deliver exceptional results, citing his successful track record in complex sales environments.
StoneX promotes Qianyue Dai to VP and Senior Manager of Retail for China and Japan
StoneX, the FX and CFD brokerage firm, promotes Qianyue Dai to VP and Senior Manager of Retail for China and Japan. StoneX Group’s first quarter of fiscal 2024 showed a robust performance with $74.6 million in operating income from forex and CFD offerings, up 53% year-on-year. Retail revenue from FX and CFD contracts contributed significantly, reaching $66 million, up 68% year-on-year. Despite a 15% decline in average daily volume, profitability per trade increased 73% to $109, reflecting positive financial results. StoneX’s recent expansion into the retail FX and CFD industry, enabled by the acquisition of GAIN Capital, positions the company as a significant player in the industry.
This regulator bids farewell to long-standing top executives
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has announced significant leadership changes. Notably, ASIC’s CEO Warren Day was seconded and appointed Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions, while Greg Yanco assumed the role of interim CEO. Tim Mullaly, Executive Director of Enforcement and Compliance, announced his retirement, marking the end of his 25-year tenure. Amid these changes, ASIC is celebrating a milestone in the fight against greenwashing, reaffirming its commitment to regulatory integrity.
Learn more about ASIC’s leadership transitions and strategic evolutions as part of its commitment to regulatory excellence.
GCEX strengthens UAE team with new Head of Sales
GCE Exchange FZE (GCEX), a digital prime brokerage and part of the GCEX Group, has strengthened its presence in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with the appointment of Katina Messinis as Head of Sales for the region. Using her expertise, Messinis will provide her clients with access to deep liquidity in digital assets and a comprehensive suite of proprietary technology solutions. This appointment marks a significant step in GCEX’s expansion strategy for the UAE region.
comes at a pivotal time for GCEX, after the company recently acquired an Operational Virtual Assets Service Provider license from the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority in Dubai.
Learn more about GCEX’s strategic moves to enhance its operations in the UAE and expand its customer base with Messinis at the helm.
Jeffrey Navarro, Head of LATAM at Taurex, announces his departure
Jeffrey Navarro, Head of LATAM (Latin America) at Taurex, said goodbye to the company after over two years in the role. Thanking his colleagues, Navarro announced his departure on LinkedIn. He has moved on to a new professional phase and highlighted the exceptional performance of Taurex’s LATAM team.
Navarro’s departure coincides with Taurex’s rebranding from Zenfinex as well as a $15 million Series B funding round led by Oscar Hilt Tatum IV. The investment aims to enhance proprietary technologies, including a mobile app and web platform, scheduled for release in 2024. The funds will also finance team expansion, regulatory compliance, and marketing efforts, underscoring Taurex’s commitment to growth amid significant revenue increases and ongoing technology investments.
Learn more about Jeffrey Navarro’s departure and Taurex’s strategic investment in future growth.
eToro UK terminates Shalom Berkovitz’s directorship after seven years
eToro (UK) Limited has bid farewell to Shalom Berkovitz, ending his seven-year tenure as one of its directors. Berkovitz, who has three decades of professional experience, retired in February 2023, but continues to serve as a director for several subsidiaries within the eToro Group. Prior to joining eToro, Berkovitz held prestigious leadership roles, including CEO positions at DSNR Media Group and d-Group, as well as notable stints at Golden Pages Israel and Eurocom Communications.
In a strategic move to strengthen its global operations, eToro has appointed experienced professionals to key positions and secured regulatory approval in key markets. In France, Inès de Dinechin joins as Special Advisor, bringing her extensive experience to the Board. Meanwhile, the promotion of Massimo Citoni to Regional Manager strengthens eToro’s presence in Italy.
Learn more about eToro’s strategic initiatives and Berkovitz’s legacy as part of its global expansion efforts.
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