Ripple, a San Francisco-based Blockchain firm, has announced its latest executive appointment to the group, securing Miguel Vias as its Head of XRP Markets, according to a Ripple statement.
The addition of Mr. Vias is the first move at the group since it embarked on a leadership transition earlier this month. Acting CEO Chris Larsen announced that he would transition from his operational role to a new position of Executive Chairman of Ripple’s board of directors. In doing so, he also named Brad Garlinghouse as his eventual successor as CEO, whose appointment will be tendered on January 1, 2017.
Mr. Vias joins Ripple with immediate effect and is the newest member of the group. In his new role Mr. Vias will help utilize expertise in building Liquidity for new financial products, working in tandem with market makers, traders, investors and exchanges with the fundamental goal of bolstering XRP markets – in doing so, his mandate will also oversee large-scale adoption of blockchain by institutional players.
Mr. Vias comes over to Ripple from CME Group, having worked in several senior roles since 2012. This included stints as its Senior Director - Global Head of Precious Metals and Metals Options and Director - Head of Metals Options Products. Additional roles also include stops at Mitsui Precious Metals, Bank of America, and Morgan Stanley, according to information made public on his Linkedin profile.
