Brett Harrison

Brett Harrison is an American technology entrepreneur, software engineer, and trading executive best known for serving as president of FTX US during the exchange’s rapid expansion and for later founding Architect Financial Technologies, a trading infrastructure firm that bridges traditional finance and digital asset markets. His career spans high frequency trading, market making, and exchange operations, placing him at the center of how algorithmic trading and crypto market structure have evolved over the past decade.

Early Life and Education

Harrison was born in New York City in 1988 and grew up on Long Island, where he developed an early interest in mathematics and computer science. As a high school student he conducted mathematical research that was published in academic journals, foreshadowing a career focused on quantitative problem solving and complex systems.

He went on to attend Harvard University, earning both a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Science in computer science. His studies emphasized artificial intelligence and theoretical computer science, and he completed some of the university’s most demanding mathematics coursework. This combination of formal training in algorithms and mathematics later informed his approach to building trading systems and market infrastructure.

Quantitative Trading and Technology Career

After graduating, Harrison joined Jane Street Capital, a leading proprietary trading firm, where he initially worked as an American Depositary Receipt (ADR) trader. He later moved into technology leadership roles, overseeing teams that developed algorithmic trading systems across equities, exchange traded funds, options, and other derivatives. The role gave him hands on experience with low latency infrastructure, risk controls, and the operational discipline required for global electronic trading.

Harrison later became a technology executive at Citadel Securities, one of the largest market makers in the world. At Citadel Securities he managed engineering groups responsible for options, ETF, ADR, and over the counter technology. These positions cemented his reputation as a specialist in building and operating complex trading platforms, and they provided a vantage point on how electronic market structure and regulation interact in traditional finance.

Leadership at FTX US

In May 2021 Harrison joined FTX US as president, tasked with expanding the exchange’s American footprint and building regulated operations separate from its offshore parent. Based primarily in Chicago, he oversaw efforts to establish FTX US as a compliant venue for spot crypto trading, derivatives, and eventually retail stock trading.

Under his leadership the platform launched a US retail stock brokerage alongside its existing crypto offerings, reflecting a strategy to provide a unified interface for digital assets and traditional securities. Harrison was frequently quoted in industry media explaining FTX US’s approach to market structure, clearing, and the need for clearer rules around crypto trading and custody.

He resigned from FTX US in September 2022, weeks before the broader FTX group collapsed. In public statements and long form interviews he later described disagreements with senior leadership over corporate governance, internal controls, and formal lines of authority. Harrison has not been accused of wrongdoing by US authorities in connection with the FTX bankruptcy, but his time at the exchange remains a defining part of his public profile.

FTX Collapse and Professional Aftermath

The failure of FTX in November 2022 triggered investigations, criminal charges against founder Sam Bankman Fried, and a prolonged bankruptcy process. As a visible former executive, Harrison faced questions from regulators, journalists, and counterparties about what he knew and when. He has described his experience at FTX US as a lesson in the importance of independent governance, clear segregation between affiliated entities, and robust oversight of related party transactions.

The association with FTX created headwinds for his next venture. Harrison has stated that raising capital in late 2022 and early 2023 was challenging as investors reassessed their exposure to centralized exchanges and to anyone previously linked with FTX. Nonetheless, he was able to secure backing from a mix of crypto native and traditional venture investors for a new software focused business.

Architect Financial Technologies

In early 2023 Harrison founded Architect Financial Technologies, often referred to simply as Architect, positioning it as a neutral trading technology provider for institutions and professional investors. The company aims to provide a single interface and set of tools for accessing multiple venues across spot, derivatives, and digital asset markets, reducing the operational complexity of dealing with fragmented liquidity.

Architect’s initial funding round, covered by CryptoSlate in “Former head of FTX.US raises $5M from Coinbase, Circle for a new crypto startup,” drew capital from investors such as Coinbase Ventures and Circle Ventures. The firm later expanded its capital base to support a broader product roadmap, including regulated brokerage and exchange functionality for institutional clients.

In a subsequent article, “Former FTX US president’s firm Architect Financial will use ChatGPT,” CryptoSlate reported on the company’s plans to integrate artificial intelligence tools so that clients can generate trading strategies using natural language prompts. Architect’s platform is designed to be asset agnostic, enabling users to trade digital assets alongside other derivatives, with Bitcoin and Ethereum (ETH) among the core markets.

Views on Regulation and Market Structure

Harrison’s public commentary since leaving FTX US has centered on lessons from the exchange’s collapse, the need for clear regulatory frameworks, and the risks of excessive leverage in crypto markets. He has criticized extremely high leverage offerings and argued that exchanges and brokers should implement conservative risk controls that align more closely with traditional derivatives venues.

He has also framed well regulated stablecoins and transparent derivatives markets as key components of a mature digital asset ecosystem. Through Architect, he advocates for infrastructure that supports best execution across venues, reduces operational risk for institutions, and integrates compliance requirements directly into trading workflows.

Role in the Digital Asset Ecosystem

Brett Harrison occupies a distinctive position in the digital asset space as a technologist with deep roots in traditional high frequency trading, a former executive of a major crypto exchange group, and a founder of an independent infrastructure company. Supporters view his post FTX work as an attempt to rebuild institutional trust through neutral, multi venue tools and stronger governance practices. Critics note that any senior leader from FTX will likely face ongoing scrutiny as legal and regulatory processes continue.

As crypto markets evolve, Harrison’s trajectory from Jane Street and Citadel to FTX US and then to Architect illustrates how talent, technology, and lessons from past failures are being channeled into the next generation of trading infrastructure. His ongoing influence will likely be measured by how successfully Architect can help institutions navigate increasingly regulated, multi asset markets that span both centralized platforms and on chain venues.

• FTX Former President of FTX.US