Christopher Giancarlo, former chairman of the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission, has joined Swiss crypto bank Sygnum as Senior Policy Advisor. The appointment was announced on May 27, placing Giancarlo among 11 other members of Sygnum’s Advisory Council.
Giancarlo headed the CFTC between 2017 and 2019 and earned the nickname “crypto dad” for his advocacy of digital assets in the United States. He will advise Sygnum on regulations and strategic partnerships in both public and private sectors.
The move represents a cautious first step for Sygnum into the American market. Despite having operations in Switzerland, Singapore, Abu Dhabi, and Liechtenstein, the crypto bank has previously avoided the U.S. due to regulatory complexities.
Sygnum is often called the first digital asset bank and recently achieved unicorn status following a $58 million funding round. The Swiss banking group provides crypto asset services to institutional clients.
Giancarlo was among the leading contenders for a newly created U.S. Crypto Czar role under President Trump. However, the position ultimately went to former PayPal COO David Sacks.
In 2023, Giancarlo said a sweeping political shift in Washington would be necessary to enact pro-industry legislation. That shift appeared to materialize following Trump’s presidential victory in November.
Mathias Imbach, Co-Founder and Group CEO of Sygnum, emphasized Giancarlo’s strategic value. He pointed to Giancarlo’s
“deep understanding of regulation, market infrastructure, and public policy, as well as his extensive U.S. network.”
Giancarlo joins a high-profile advisory team that includes Philipp Hildebrand, Vice Chair at BlackRock. The team also features Alexander Lipton, MIT researcher and fintech entrepreneur.
The appointment comes as institutional adoption of digital assets accelerates globally. Bitcoin exchange-traded funds in the United States are experiencing record-breaking inflows, drawing $1.5 billion over just two days.
The U.S. Senate recently passed the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for US Stablecoins Act. If enacted into law, the bill could further accelerate institutional adoption according to industry experts.
Bitcoin’s rally to all-time highs has created positive momentum among institutional investors. A recent Fidelity Digital Assets report shows more institutions now view Bitcoin as a mature asset for modern portfolios.
Crypto markets show positive growth in regions where Sygnum operates, including Singapore and the United Arab Emirates. However, CEO Matthias Imbach recently warned that Switzerland may lose its competitive advantage as a crypto destination without continued innovation.
Giancarlo stated he looks forward to contributing his regulatory knowledge and networks to Sygnum’s growth strategy. He aims to advance the group’s mission to build regulated bridges between traditional and crypto economies globally.
The appointment positions Sygnum to better navigate the evolving U.S. regulatory landscape under the new administration.
