Blockchain
Hashdex Names Crypto ETP and ETF Leader Laurent Kssis Managing Director and Head of Europe
Hashdex, a leading global crypto-focused asset manager, today announced the appointment of Laurent Kssis as Managing Director and Head of Europe. Mr. Kssis will spearhead Hashdex’s European expansion as part of the firm’s ongoing efforts to help investors around the world better understand and gain a diversified exposure to the crypto asset class. To support the continental expansion, Hashdex continues to actively hire new members across London, Zurich, Paris, and Lisbon.
Mr. Kssis brings to Hashdex an extensive set of skills in crypto asset management and European crypto exchange-traded products (“ETPs”), as well as two decades of proven experience in Delta One trading and in the exchange-traded fund (“ETF”) market. Mr. Kssis most recently served as Managing Director and Global Head of ETPs at Swiss issuer 21Shares, where he listed more than 25 crypto ETPs across several European regulated exchanges – which were world and European firsts. In that time, Mr. Kssis actively contributed to the raise in assets under management from roughly $20 million to $1.75 billion. He also served on the issuer’s board of directors, where he was instrumental in developing and lobbying for innovative single tracker product launches for its European expansion.
“As a true pioneer in the European crypto fund management space, Laurent’s deep, extensive knowledge and practical experience will be undisputed assets to Hashdex and strengthen our leadership team,” said Marcelo Sampaio, Co-Founder & CEO of Hashdex. “His background in crypto exchange-traded products, particularly in Switzerland – which has become the leading venue for listing crypto ETPs – will be invaluable in supporting Hashdex as we accelerate our international reach, expand our global footprint with innovative institutional-grade products and services, and build pathways to connect Swiss and European investors to the crypto economy. We are honoured to have him join our team.”
“Having spent years working on Exchange Traded Products and ETFs, and seeing this industry mature to institutional levels with trillions in assets, we are witnessing unprecedented demand for exchange traded crypto products. I am invigorated at the prospect of driving Hashdex’s strategic vision into Europe,” said Laurent Kssis. “Following Hashdex’s launches of the world’s first crypto index ETF, the Hashdex Nasdaq Crypto Index ETF (HASH11) and the recent DeFi ETF (DEFI11), I am confident that we can further create innovative yet simple, cost-effective and secure products that meet the needs of the European investors who are constantly asking for better diversified strategies. I look forward to developing the firm’s talented team to new levels as we bring compelling crypto investment strategies to institutional, private wealth and global family office investors across Europe.”
Prior to joining 21Shares, Mr. Kssis was CEO of the Swedish based crypto issuer XBT Provider AB, now a CoinShares company, where in 2017 he oversaw the first European Ether ETP listing, which raised $400 million within weeks of launching. Before that, Mr. Kssis had more than 15 years of combined ETF experience with leading firms such as Labranche, Bluefin and Societe Generale. He was also actively involved in the primary and secondary capital markets, where he served with many European ETF issuers including Lyxor and IndeXchange (now Blackrock). In 2015, he oversaw Coinsilium group in becoming the first blockchain venture company to IPO on the UK stock exchange, where he was subsequently appointed Non Executive Chairman. Mr. Kssis recently stepped down after 3 years as board member of Swedish Index Provider Vinter Co., raising $3.4 million in its latest fundraise in 2021. He holds an accredited post graduate Financial Times Non-Executive Director Diploma and a BSc Honours degree in Mathematics from City University, London.
Today’s announcement builds on Hashdex’s ongoing international expansion and position as a global pioneer in crypto asset management. The firm recently launched DEFI11, the world’s first decentralized finance ETF, and accelerated its U.S. expansion through the appointments of Matthew Flood as Head of Business Development-U.S. and Jack Song as Head of Corporate Communications and Chief of Staff-U.S. Hashdex is an exclusive partner of Nasdaq and co-developed the Nasdaq Crypto Index™ (NCI™), which benchmarks the institutionally investable crypto market. The firm also holds an exclusive partnership with Victory Capital, focusing on distributing products in the U.S. that follow the NCI™. Hashdex continues to hit major milestones as part of its mission to accelerate the development of the crypto ecosystem by empowering global participation through building products that provide diversified exposure.
Blockchain
From Onboarding to Settlement in Minutes: TransFi Launches BizPay to Redefine Global Business Payments
TransFi
The blockchain universe never sleeps. From pioneering cross-border payment systems in Central America to city-wide crypto strategies in New York City, today’s headlines reveal an industry maturing at breakneck speed. In this edition of Blocks & Headlines, we explore five landmark developments:
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Guatemala’s Banco Industrial integrates blockchain for seamless cross-border remittances.
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NYC Mayor’s Office unveils a comprehensive crypto and blockchain roadmap.
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OSR Holdings, BCM Europe & Taekwondo Cooperative sign an MOU to launch the OSRH token.
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Bybit’s “Chicken Trader” livestream—crypto meets poultry in the world’s first poultry-powered trading showdown.
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FIFA taps Avalanche to build a dedicated blockchain for its NFT platform.
These stories underscore three key trends reshaping the ecosystem:
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Institutional Adoption & Regulation: From national banks to municipal governments, legacy institutions are embracing decentralized technologies.
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Tokenization & Community Engagement: Strategic partnerships are launching specialized tokens that bridge niche communities with global markets.
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Innovative Use Cases: Whether gaming, entertainment, or live-stream events, blockchain’s versatility spawns ever-more creative applications.
Join us as we unpack the implications, weigh the opportunities, and forecast where these trajectories might lead.
1. Guatemala’s Largest Bank Integrates Blockchain for Cross-Border Payments
What Happened
Guatemala’s Banco Industrial, the country’s biggest financial institution, announced the deployment of a private‐permissioned blockchain network to streamline remittances from the U.S. into Guatemala City and beyond. The solution reduces settlement times from days to minutes, cuts fees by up to 60 %, and offers real-time traceability for senders and receivers.
Source: Cointelegraph
Analysis & Commentary
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Financial Inclusion Boost: Remittances account for over 12 % of Guatemala’s GDP. By minimizing friction and cost, blockchain integration will extend financial services to remote communities reliant on diaspora funds.
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Risk & Compliance: Permissioned networks allow Banco Industrial to retain AML/KYC controls, mitigating concerns around illicit flows. This hybrid approach demonstrates that enterprise blockchain can balance decentralization with regulatory rigor.
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Regional Ripple Effects: Neighboring Central American banks are watching closely. Should Guatemala’s pilot succeed, we can expect a domino effect across El Salvador, Honduras, and Costa Rica—each seeking to capitalize on faster, cheaper cross-border rails.
Implications
Legacy banks worldwide should view this as a blueprint: private blockchains can coexist with existing compliance frameworks while delivering transformative user benefits. Early movers will capture remittance market share and cultivate fintech partnerships across the Latin American corridor.
2. NYC Mayor Unveils Ambitious Crypto & Blockchain Agenda
What Happened
New York City Mayor Eric Adams detailed his administration’s multi-pronged strategy to make NYC a global crypto hub. Key initiatives include:
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A regulatory sandbox for crypto startups to pilot DeFi, NFTs, and token-based fundraising under city supervision.
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Partnerships with CUNY and Columbia University for blockchain research and talent development.
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Deployment of a blockchain-based public record system for land titles and business registrations.
Source: GovTech
Analysis & Commentary
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Regulatory Harmony vs. Overreach: By offering a controlled sandbox rather than blanket deregulation, NYC signals a nuanced stance—encouraging innovation without sacrificing consumer protection.
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Talent Pipeline: Academic partnerships aim to remedy the talent shortage plaguing blockchain firms. Local graduates trained in distributed ledger technologies (DLT) will feed startups, financial institutions, and government agencies.
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Public Services on Chain: Land registries and business filings on blockchain promise greater transparency and fraud reduction. If scaled effectively, NYC could set a global standard for government-blockchain integration.
Implications
Other major cities—London, Singapore, Dubai—will feel pressure to match NYC’s playbook. Municipal leaders should prioritize sandbox frameworks and academia-industry liaisons to nurture homegrown crypto ecosystems.
3. OSR Holdings, BCM Europe & Taekwondo Cooperative Launch OSRH Token
What Happened
OSR Holdings, BCM Europe, and the Taekwondo Cooperative signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding to co-develop the OSRH token, a blockchain-based digital asset aimed at supporting global Taekwondo practitioners. Features include:
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Membership Rewards: Tokens earned through event participation, coaching certifications, and tournament wins.
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Decentralized Governance: Athletes vote on sponsorship allocations and rule-change proposals via on-chain ballots.
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Marketplace Integration: A dedicated NFT marketplace for Taekwondo memorabilia, from digital belts to highlight reels.
Source: PR Newswire
Analysis & Commentary
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Niche Tokenization: OSRH token exemplifies the power of community-focused tokens. By aligning incentives with passion points—training, competition, governance—stakeholders gain ownership and engagement.
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Governance Innovation: Athlete-driven decision-making on sponsorship and funding disrupts top-down federation models. This could democratize sports governance across disciplines.
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Commercial Ecosystem: The NFT marketplace offers monetization channels for athletes and federations alike. Strategic royalties on secondary sales ensure sustainable funding.
Implications
Other sports federations and niche communities should explore token models that blend rewards, governance, and commerce. Successful launches will hinge on clear utility, user education, and regulatory compliance in key jurisdictions.
4. Bybit Presents “Chicken Trader”: The World’s First Poultry-Powered Trading Showdown
What Happened
Cryptocurrency exchange Bybit debuted “Chicken Trader,” a live-streamed event where two contestants trade crypto pairs—and manage live chickens—to earn “Egg Points.” Viewers can stake on their favorite trader, earning NFTs and token rewards based on performance.
Source: PR Newswire
Analysis & Commentary
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Gamification Meets DeFi: Chicken Trader’s fusion of live-stream engagement, staking mechanics, and NFTs exemplifies Web3’s playful ethos—turning trading into interactive entertainment.
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User Acquisition Strategy: Bybit gamified acquisition funnels, leveraging viral social content to onboard nontraditional crypto audiences intrigued by the novelty factor.
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Regulatory Tightrope: Combining staking with competition and livestock raises jurisdictional questions around gambling, securities, and animal welfare. Bybit must navigate diverse regulations to scale globally.
Implications
Other exchanges will replicate gamified formats to differentiate UX and grow communities. Yet long-term viability demands balancing flashy live-events with rigorous compliance, sustainable tokenomics, and authentic value for participants.
5. FIFA Taps Avalanche to Power Its NFT Platform
What Happened
Global soccer body FIFA selected the Avalanche blockchain to launch its official NFT marketplace, featuring digital collectibles—from World Cup highlights to player-card packs. Avalanche’s high throughput and low fees were cited as decisive factors.
Source: TradingView (via Cointelegraph)
Analysis & Commentary
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Scalability & Sustainability: Avalanche’s consensus mechanism delivers sub-second finality and carbon-offset commitments, aligning with FIFA’s environmental pledges.
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Fan Engagement: Tokenized highlights and limited-edition digital memorabilia expand revenue streams beyond broadcast rights, offering fans verifiable ownership and collectible provenance.
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Interoperability: Avalanche’s growing DeFi ecosystem enables future integrations—staking fan tokens, launching prediction-market games, or embedding NFT rewards in FIFA’s mobile apps.
Implications
Major sports leagues and entertainment brands eyeing NFT forays will scrutinize Avalanche’s performance under FIFA’s global load. Blockchain platforms must prove they can handle spikes during marquee events—kickoff times, finals, transfer windows—while preserving UX and sustainability goals.
Conclusion
Today’s Blocks & Headlines illustrate blockchain’s multifaceted evolution:
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Legacy institutions like banks and city governments are unlocking new efficiencies and transparency through private and public DLT networks.
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Community-driven tokens are redefining governance and monetization in sports and niche domains.
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Innovative engagement—from poultry-fueled trading spectacles to global soccer NFTs—demonstrates blockchain’s capacity for gamification, fan loyalty, and novel revenue models.
Yet with opportunity comes responsibility: scalable architectures must coexist with robust compliance; token economies require thoughtful design to sustain value; and regulators, academia, and industry must collaborate to craft frameworks that balance innovation with consumer protection.
As blockchain weaves deeper into finance, governance, entertainment, and sports, stakeholders who embrace strategic partnerships, prioritize user education, and invest in resilient infrastructures will lead the charge into Web3’s next frontier.
The post Blocks & Headlines: Today in Blockchain – May 22, 2025 appeared first on News, Events, Advertising Options.
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