AsiaNext Names David Martin To Lead Derivatives
Singapore-based digital asset exchange AsiaNext has announced the appointment of David Martin as Chief Executive of its derivatives division. Martin, who previously held senior roles at FalconX, brings more than 17 years of institutional trading experience, nearly a decade of which has been focused on digital assets.
Mr. David Martin
At FalconX, Martin was instrumental in positioning the firm as the first CFTC-registered crypto swaps dealer and oversaw its transformation into a prominent global prime brokerage. His appointment underscores AsiaNext’s ambition to capture a greater share of the regulated institutional crypto market.
Institutional Focus
Unlike many exchanges that started with retail audiences before pivoting to institutions, AsiaNext was designed from the ground up for professional investors. Backed by SBI Digital Asset Holdings and SIX Group, the platform offers a blend of spot trading, tokenized securities, and derivatives supported by infrastructure tailored specifically for institutional compliance and efficiency.
In his first statement, Martin emphasized: “Institutions want more than just market access. They demand trust, efficiency, and infrastructure that mirrors how they already trade. AsiaNext was built from inception to address those needs.”
Martin’s Professional Journey
Martin’s career has spanned both traditional finance and crypto. He co-founded Blockforce Capital, a crypto hedge fund, and played a role in launching BLCN, the world’s first blockchain-focused exchange-traded fund. Earlier in his career, he specialized in developing quantitative trading strategies for macro markets and built a risk analytics platform used by hedge funds.
Strategic Timing
The appointment comes as institutional adoption of crypto accelerates. Traditional financial institutions are increasingly seeking regulated venues capable of supporting operational and compliance requirements not addressed by retail-first exchanges. AsiaNext sees itself as filling that gap by providing a comprehensive institutional-grade environment.
Bridging Old And New Finance
From its Singapore base, Martin will lead efforts to expand derivatives offerings and integrate them with AsiaNext’s broader ecosystem of spot trading and tokenized assets. The company describes its mission as delivering “an institutional-grade bridge between traditional finance and digital assets”, aligning with how professional investors are incorporating crypto into portfolio management.
With Martin’s expertise, AsiaNext aims to strengthen its competitive positioning in a rapidly evolving market where derivatives and regulated trading infrastructure are key to institutional growth.
Disclaimer: The content above reflects the author’s personal views and does not represent any official position of Cobic News. The information provided is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as investment advice from Cobic News.