Digital Asset Holdings, the blockchain startup helmed by former JP Morgan luminary Blythe Masters, has brought onboard more banking heavyweights and opened a London office.
Justin Amos, who spent 14 years at JP Morgan, including as global head of client connectivity, before becoming an MD at Nice Actimize, has been brought in to lead the new London office as head of Europe.
Meanwhile, Edward Newman, a former executive in Goldman Sachs’ technology infrastructure organisation has also joined the startup, as deputy chief security officer and senior software developer.
Says Masters: "Opening an office in the UK is a natural extension of our commitment to wholesale financial markets across the globe I am delighted to welcome Justin and Ed to our rapidly growing team, especially as technology risk management continues to be a top priority for the financial services industry."
Digital Asset Holdings has been making waves in the blockchain space having recently acquired Hyperledger, Bits of Proof and Blockstack.io, as it bids to build out its portfolio. The latest appointments come on the heels of deals to bring in former Swift executive Chris Church as chief business development officer and Cris Conde, formerly of SunGard, as a non-executive director.
However, according to a New York Times report at the end of last year, the company has struggled in efforts to raise $35 million in funding, with banks including Goldman Sachs and Citi put off because JP Morgan has been given better terms.