Block.one, the operator of major blockchain project EOS and publisher of the EOSIO blockchain software announced on Thursday that it has appointed Mike Alexander as the CEO of its EOS VC venture capital arm.
Alexander is the previous Asia CEO of Jefferies, an American multinational investment bank, and financial services provider, which he held for eight years. He will be based in Hong Kong and serve as a member on the company’s executive committee.
According to Block.one’s statement, Alexander's new role will focus on developing projects that rely on the firm’s EOSIO Blockchain software. Alexander will also be responsible for managing both direct venture investments and EOS VC partnerships.
Alexander brings 25 years of experience in Asia capital markets to the Block.one team. Before his previous position at Jefferies, he held the Group Head of Sales and Sales Trading role at CLSA Hong Kong.
He was also the Director of Asian Proprietary Trading at Deutsche Bank Hong Kong, and Head of Proprietary Trading at JPMorgan Hong Kong and Ord Minnett.
Commenting on the appointment, which is effective as of today, the incoming Block.one Group President Rob Jesudason said: "our partnerships and investment efforts through EOS VC are critical in driving adoption and innovation in the EOSIO ecosystem.
“We are committed to supporting companies that want to build businesses and DAPPs on the platform. Mike has extensive experience in investment banking and is one of the most respected individuals in the financial services industry in Asia.”
Block.one is “shaping” technology
Block.one is based in the Cayman Islands and plans to invest more than $1 billion in EOSIO projects through the venture fund, according to the statement. Recently, the company raised more than $4 billion in an offering of EOS tokens. According to data from Coinmarketcap.com EOS tokens are the fifth-most valuable cryptocurrency.
Alexander commented on his new appointment: “Block.one is shaping the next generation of technology and the internet. The vision of its founders has resulted in it being one of the fastest-growing organizations in the world and I am excited to be joining."
“The company’s unique position as the publisher of the EOSIO open-source code means that it is poised to lead the way in investments related to the burgeoning platform.”
The EOS VC has so far allocated around $700 million through venture capital partnerships in the United States, Europe, and Asia. The capital venture plans to grow, develop and support the EOSIO ecosystem.
