Former CFTC Chair Christopher Giancarlo Joins Sygnum as Senior Policy Advisor Amid Strategic U.S. Expansion

Christopher Giancarlo, the former Chairman of the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), has been appointed Senior Policy Advisor at Swiss digital asset bank Sygnum. The announcement, made on May 27, places Giancarlo among a distinguished group of 12 experts on Sygnum’s Advisory Council.

Christopher Giancarlo led the CFTC from 2017 to 2019 and earned the moniker “Crypto Dad” for his forward-thinking support of digital assets in the U.S. In his new role, he will advise Sygnum on regulatory matters and strategic partnerships across both public and private sectors.

The move marks a calculated step toward the U.S. market for Sygnum, which has so far steered clear of American operations due to regulatory uncertainty. The bank currently operates in Switzerland, Singapore, Abu Dhabi, and Liechtenstein.

Recognized as one of the first regulated digital asset banks, Sygnum recently reached unicorn status following a $58 million fundraising round. The institution primarily serves institutional clients with a suite of crypto-related financial services.

Christopher Giancarlowas once considered a top candidate for the newly created role of U.S. “Crypto Czar” under President Trump, though the position was ultimately filled by former PayPal COO David Sacks. In 2023, Giancarlo remarked that a major political shift in Washington would be necessary to enact crypto-friendly legislation—an outcome that appears to have materialized with Trump’s return to office.

Strategic U.S. Market Entry

Sygnum’s Co-Founder and Group CEO, Mathias Imbach, underscored the strategic importance of Giancarlo’s appointment. He cited Giancarlo’s deep expertise in regulation, market infrastructure, and public policy, along with his robust U.S. network, as key assets for the firm’s growth.

Christopher Giancarlo joins an influential advisory board that includes Philipp Hildebrand, Vice Chair of BlackRock, and Alexander Lipton, an MIT researcher and fintech entrepreneur.

His appointment comes at a time of surging institutional interest in digital assets. U.S.-based Bitcoin ETFs recently saw record-breaking inflows totaling $1.5 billion in just two days, signaling growing investor confidence.

Shifting Regulatory Landscape

The U.S. regulatory environment is also evolving rapidly. The Senate recently passed the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for US Stablecoins Act—a bill that, if enacted, could further accelerate institutional adoption of digital assets.

Bitcoin’s surge to new all-time highs has bolstered its reputation as a viable asset class. A recent report by Fidelity Digital Assets highlights a growing number of institutions that now view Bitcoin as a mature component of diversified portfolios.

Meanwhile, crypto markets continue to thrive in regions where Sygnum operates, such as Singapore and the UAE. However, Imbach has warned that Switzerland risks losing its edge as a global crypto hub unless it continues to innovate.

Christopher Giancarlo expressed his enthusiasm for the new role, stating that he looks forward to contributing his regulatory insight and network to Sygnum’s global expansion strategy. His aim is to help the firm build trusted, compliant bridges between traditional finance and the emerging digital asset economy.

With his appointment, Sygnum is better positioned to navigate the shifting U.S. regulatory landscape under the current administration and seize new opportunities in the evolving digital finance sector.

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