Holding Group Behind Crypto Exchange BitMEX Names Höptner CEO

(Bloomberg) -- The holding group behind BitMEX has appointed Alexander Höptner as chief executive officer, two months after the founders of the cryptocurrency exchange were charged with skirting U.S. laws that prevent money laundering.

Höptner, 50, will lead 100x Group, the holding group for BitMEX owner HDR Global Trading Ltd., according to a statement from the company. He joins from Boerse Stuttgart GmbH and Euwax AG, where he was CEO.

“Crypto is a very quickly developing market,” Höptner said in an interview, adding growing adoption and institutional interest as well as the prospect of regulatory change make the sector interesting for “a classical exchange guy like me.”

Höptner’s appointment comes at a time when the cryptocurrency market is enjoying a bull run. The Bitcoin price has just set a fresh record, and the broader Bloomberg Galaxy Crypto Index is up more than 200% year-to-date.

Höptner, who earlier worked at Deutsche Boerse AG for about 15 years, is likely going to be based in Singapore.

Read More: BitMEX Founders Hayes, Reed Resign Days After DOJ Files Charges

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