Share this article
Barclays Blockchain Veteran Departs Bank for FinTech Consultancy
One of Barclays’ leading blockchain experts has revealed he will be departing the UK banking giant to join a FinTech consultancy called 11:FS.
By Pete Rizzo
Updated Sep 11, 2021, 12:18 p.m. Published Jun 1, 2016, 10:50 a.m.
Make us preferred on Google
A member of the Barclays blockchain team has revealed to Business Insider he will be departing the UK banking giant to join a FinTech consultancy called 11:FS.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW
Don't miss another story.Subscribe to the Crypto Daybook Americas Newsletter today. See all newsletters
Simon Taylor, formerly VP of entrepreneurial partnerships at Barclays, will depart the bank on 24th June. Taylor has long been one of the bank’s more outspoken members on matters relating to distributed ledgers and blockchain, frequently opined on the subject on social media and in published posts.
Taylor told CoinDesk his role will be to consult and educate banks on blockchain tech and advising the company's planned investment fund.
At the firm, Taylor joins Financial Services Club (FSC) chair Chris Skinner; former head of digital banking at Gartner David Brear; and Mondo banking app co-founder Jason Bates.
Together, the team is seeking to raise $100m in part to build a portfolio of blockchain investments, as well as to provide consultancy and research services.
The fund has raised $5m as of April, and is hoping to raise additional capital from mid-sized banks. Skinner told CoinDesk Thomas Labenbacher, a veteran of Fidor Bank and Western Union will serve as managing director of the fund, while Brear will be its lead partner.
In statements, Barclays confirmed the departure, stating that "no direct replacement" had yet been named for Taylor.
Barclays image via Shutterstock
Más para ti
Crypto custodian BitGo a potential acquisition target for Wall Street firms, analysts say
Compass Point and Canaccord call BitGo a potential acquisition target and defend the stock despite its weak debut, citing growth in institutional crypto infrastructure.
Lo que debes saber:
- Wall Street analysts say BitGo’s expansion into full-service institutional crypto finance could drive long-term growth and make it an attractive acquisition target for traditional financial firms.
- Analysts argue that investors are overlooking BitGo’s potential to cross-sell prime brokerage-style services, which could significantly boost revenue if it can narrow the gap with rivals like Galaxy and Coinbase.
- Despite BitGo’s stock falling more than 40% since its January IPO, some analysts view the selloff as an overreaction and maintain buy ratings, citing the company’s solid competitive moat and strategic value to big banks entering crypto.
