Former CFTC Chair Chris Giancarlo joins Sygnum as senior policy advisor

Chris Giancarlo, often dubbed "Crypto Dad" for his openness toward the industry, has joined crypto bank Sygnum as a senior policy advisor, Sygnum announced Tuesday.

Giancarlo, who served as chairman of the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission from 2017 to 2019, has been a strong advocate for cryptocurrency. He was once a top contender for the White Houses's "crypto czar" role late last year, when U.S. President Donald Trump was considering creating such a position.

Sygnum said recent market reforms and regulatory developments in the U.S. could bring major changes to global crypto asset markets, and that it plans to work with Giancarlo to "explore collaboration, M&A and other strategic growth opportunities with global industry players."

"I am excited to join Sygnum as Senior Policy Advisor as the global digital asset industry approaches an inflection point in institutional adoption," said Giancarlo.

Mathias Imbach, co-founder and Group CEO of Sygnum, said that Giancarlo's experience and extensive network — particularly in the U.S. — "will be invaluable as we continue our growth journey."

In January, the Switzerland and Singapore-based crypto bank secured $58 million in an oversubscribed strategic funding round, pushing its post-money valuation past $1 billion and earning it unicorn status.