Ex-UBS Executive Becomes Sygnum's Chairwoman
Sygnum adds two heavyweights to its board: a BCG veteran and a telecoms strategist. At the same time, co-founder Luka Müller steps down as chair. A former UBS executive takes the helm.
Sygnum appointed Pia Tischhauser, a former senior partner at Boston Consulting Group and supervisory board member at Swiss Re, and Vinod Kumar, ex-CEO of Vodafone Business and vice-chairman of private equity firm Everstone, to its board of directors.
Both bring extensive global leadership experience in highly regulated industries and tech-driven markets.
Co-Founder Steps Down
The Singapore and Zurich-based crypto bank also confirmed Gabriela Maria Payer as chairwoman. Payer had served as acting chair since September 2024 after co-founder Luka Müller stepped back for health reasons. A founding board member, she previously held senior positions at UBS and currently sits on the boards of Helvetia Group and Sphaira Innovation.
The board shake-up follows Sygnum’s addition of Chris Giancarlo, former chairman of the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), as Senior Policy Advisor in May.
His appointment was part of the formation of an expanded Advisory Council, which also includes ex-SNB Vice President Philipp Hildebrand.
Network of B2B Partners
Sygnum now serves a wide-ranging client base via a network of more than 20 B2B partners, including Postfinance, Zuger and Luzerner Kantonalbanks, and Bordier & Cie.
With a presence in Switzerland, Singapore, Abu Dhabi, Luxembourg, and Liechtenstein, Sygnum’s board expansion marks another step in its push to become a global leader in regulated digital asset banking.
In 2024, annual trades surged more than 1,000 percent, its loan book nearly tripled and total assets reached $4.5 billion. Earlier in the year, the bank raised $58 million in a growth round, achieving Unicorn status.
