Crypto-focused asset manager Hashdex has hired Laurent Kssis as managing director and head of Europe.
Based in London and Zurich, Kssis (pictured) will report to Hashdex’s co-founder and CEO Marcelo Sampaio and head of global expansion Bruno Sousa.
In his new role, he will be responsible for leading the firm’s European expansion efforts which have seen it make new hires across London, Zurich, Paris and Lisbon.
Last month, he stood down as non-executive director of crypto index provider Vinter.
Previously, Kssis spent more than two years as managing director of 21Shares where he departed last September having overseen the launch of more than 25 crypto exchange-traded products (ETPs).
Before this, he was CEO of XBT Provider, a CoinShares subsidiary, between 2017 and 2019. He was also director of capital markets at CoinShares for seven months.
His more than 20 years in ETF and ETP trading has also seen him in roles such as head of ETF trading at Société Générale, partner at Bluefin Trading and head of ETF market sales and trading at Labranche.
He remains non-executive director of trading and crypto advisory firm CEC Capital, having founded the company 10 years ago.
Sampaio said: "Laurent’s background in crypto ETPs, particularly in Switzerland – which has become the leading venue for listing crypto ETPs – will be invaluable in supporting Hashdex as we accelerate our international reach, expand our global footprint with innovative institutional-grade products and services and build pathways to connect Swiss and European investors to the crypto economy.”
Kssis added: “Following Hashdex’s launches of the world's first crypto index ETF, the Hashdex Nasdaq Crypto Index ETF (HASH11) and the recent DeFi ETF (DEFI11), I am confident that we can further create innovative yet simple, cost-effective and secure products that meet the needs of the European investors who are constantly asking for better diversified strategies.
“I look forward to developing the firm's talented team to new levels as we bring compelling crypto investment strategies to institutional, private wealth and global family office investors across Europe.”
Elsewhere, the CEO of fellow crypto asset manager, Valour, raided his previous company to appoint John Sjöberg as the firm’s chief information officer (CIO).
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