Zachary Friedman, co-founder of SDM and former Chief Operating Officer, transitions to Chief Strategy Officer
TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Secure Digital Markets (SDM), Canada’s leading virtual currency brokerage providing white-glove service for trading, lending, and digital asset management services, announces the addition of Alan Mittleman as the firm’s new Chief Operating Officer, effective May 2, 2022. Alan will report to David Shafrir, Chief Executive Officer. Following Alan’s addition to the team, SDM’s former COO and co-founder Zachary Friedman, has taken on a new role as Chief Strategy Officer where he will oversee new strategic initiatives and drive further revenue growth at the firm.
Alan, in his role, will oversee governance, infrastructure, and resource management to guide SDM’s global expansion with a focus on new product development. He will be an integral part of building the firm’s strategic plan and organizational structure to extend SDM’s digital asset OTC brokerage services deeper into the U.S. market. As the market for bespoke crypto investment and trading strategies matures, Alan will also be responsible for expanding SDM’s crypto offerings, including spot trading, derivatives, lending, borrowing, custodial services, and structured products.
“The COO role is crucial to the long-term growth and strategic direction of Secure Digital Markets, and Alan’s more than 20 years of proven experience leading the transformation and expansion of leading financial institutions will be instrumental in supporting SDM’s mission to be the world’s leading digital asset brokerage,” said SDM’s CEO, David Shafrir. “Crypto markets are quickly evolving as institutional participation increases, and we are confident our organization and clients will immediately benefit from Alan’s decades of multi-asset trading experience, risk management oversight, and strategic leadership. We are thrilled to welcome him to the team.”
Having spent two decades on Wall Street, Alan joins the team following his most recent role at NatWest Markets where he served as Managing Director and Global Head of USD Fixed Income Trading. Previously, from 2011 to 2015, Alan was the Managing Director and Global Head of USD Rates Trading of Société Générale where he increased the business footprint and enhanced the infrastructure for trading, risk management, and electronic trading. His other former roles include Senior Managing Director and co-Head of Liquid Products Trading at Bear Stearns, Managing Director as Head of Linear Rates Trading at Credit Suisse First Boston, and a Financial Services Industry Auditor and CPA at Price Waterhouse.
“Investors of all stripes are realizing the immense benefits of digital asset exposure, but only a handful of partner firms are able to match that demand with the required products, services, and expertise that exist in the traditional finance sector. SDM is one of those firms,” said Alan Mittleman, Chief Operating Officer at SDM. “The management team’s forward-looking view on the benefits of crypto and ability to provide bespoke brokerage services at scale truly sets them apart within the industry and I’m looking forward to playing a major role in the company’s evolution.”
“We built this business to where it is today through anticipating trends and matching that with superior client servicing, and Alan’s addition is another milestone moment towards that mission. I’ll be continuing at SDM with a renewed focus to manage further revenue growth and the strategic direction of the firm,” added Zachary Friedman. “I look forward to working with Alan and the team to continue to ensure our brand, products, and capabilities are moving in lockstep with our clients and the market.”
SDM provides services for digital asset lenders, miners, and exchanges as well as institutional participants including funds, family offices, and wealth managers. With its custom-fit approach, SDM is the key to enabling the necessary security, technology, and liquidity to help those effectively enter the market while maintaining around-the-clock customer support and competitive pricing.
To learn more about Secure Digital Markets, visit: https://sdm.co/
About Secure Digital Markets
Secure Digital Markets Inc. (SDM) is a proud part of the GDA Group, a multifaceted financial services organization. SDM is Canada’s leading virtual currency brokerage providing best-in-class service on spot execution, liquidity, and settlement for institutional acquirers. SDM’s corporate culture brings together a world-class team of executives who have more than 50 years of combined traditional FX experience and who were early blockchain and digital asset industry pioneers. The firm provides bespoke virtual currency spot trading services for institutions, family offices, exchanges, miners, and individuals seeking a safe and secure pathway to virtual currency trading and liquidity. For more information visit https://sdm.co/
Contacts
Media:
Will Crockett
sdm@wachsman.com