Blockchain Firm Tradewind Appoints Michael Albanese As Chief Executive Officer

Job Appointments | May 1, 2019 By:

Blockchain firm Tradewind has appointed Michael Albanese as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

Formed in 2016, Tradewind has built a technology platform for digitizing the trading, settlement, and ownership of precious metals. Its platform, which uses both blockchain technology and electronic exchange technolog, has been adopted by leading institutions in the precious metals market, including the Royal Canadian Mint and Asahi Refining.

Albanese has over 20 years’ experience in banking and securities markets. He was most recently Global Head of Agency Collateral Management at JP Morgan, enabling financial institutions to effectively manage collateral by improving the end investor experience, helping broker dealers diversify funding sources, reducing transaction costs, and increasing peace-of-mind in times of market stress through clear asset ownership. He was also JP Morgan’s Global Head of Securities Clearance, which provided on-exchange securities clearance, settlement and custody globally, and the Head of the Corporate Trust business in Japan, enabling entrustment of real estate and asset-backed securities.

“Clear opportunities exist to improve how physical assets trade, settle, are custodied, and are mobilized as collateral—both in the precious metals space and beyond,” said Albanese. “Smart deployment of technology can benefit multiple participants in the ecosystem. I am excited to join a company that has already successfully executed on a major asset class.”

The company believes that Albanese’s experience with market infrastructure across securities markets, online brokerage, and leadership of complex businesses within banking will strengthen the existing Tradewind management team.

“Michael is a leader with significant experience working with corporations, creating capital-efficient products, operating at scale, and delivering value to shareholders,” said Blake Darcy, Executive Chairman of Tradewind. “The Board and I are confident that he is the right person to take Tradewind to the next level in our global pursuit of a more efficient, transparent, secure and cost-effective precious metals ecosystem.”