Blockchain Startup Digital Asset Hires SWIFT and SunGard Veterans

Blockchain startup Digital Asset has added two financial services veterans to its team, drawing talent from software maker SunGard and international payments network SWIFT.

Former Sungard president and CEO Cristóbal Conde will serve as a non-executive board member, according to a company release. SunGard, founded in 1982, was recently acquired for $5.1bn by Fidelity National Information Services (FIS).

Chris Church, who acted as chief executive for the Americas and head of the SWIFT's securities devision, will become Digital Asset's chief business development officer.

“With more than 50 years of combined experience in the financial and technology sectors, Cris and Chris have a deep understanding not only of the marketplace, but of what we are building and they will be invaluable to our continued growth," Digital Asset CEO Blythe Masters said in a statement.

The leadership team buildout follows a steady period of acquisitions for the startup.

Since the summer, the company has acquired blockchain startups Hyperledger, Bits of Proof and Blockstack.io, more firms than any other in the industry.

Handshake image via Shutterstock

Correction: A previous version of this article's headline included an incorrect spelling of SunGard.