After founding Valour Inc. with Mr. Wattenström nearly a decade ago, Mr. Roussy Newton was appointed CEO of DeFi Technologies on October 6, 2022, during one of the most severe bear markets in crypto history. At that time, the Company’s shares traded at approximately $0.5, and it reported year-end 2022 cash of approximately $3.4 million and loans payable of approximately $37.6 million. Over the last three years under Mr. Roussy Newton’s leadership, DeFi Technologies scaled Valour’s ETP platform, executed strategic M&A, strengthened its balance sheet, and cemented its position as a leader in the digital asset industry through innovation, execution, growth, and profitability.
“I am proud of what our team has delivered over the past three years. We scaled and institutionalized Valour’s ETP platform, strengthened our capital base, executed strategic M&A, and delivered record financial results for our shareholders,” said Mr. Roussy Newton. “I’m deeply grateful for the support of our employees, partners, and investors, and am confident that Johan, having been by my side since the inception of the company, is the right person to lead DeFi Technologies through its next phase of growth.”
The Board of Directors has appointed Johan Wattenström, Co-Founder of DeFi Technologies, as Chief Executive Officer and Executive Chairman.
Mr. Wattenström is a seasoned entrepreneur and executive with nearly two decades of experience at the intersection of digital assets, trading, and financial infrastructure. He co-founded Valour, DeFi’s European ETP platform, and has been instrumental in shaping the Company’s product strategy, trading architecture, and global exchange relationships since inception.
Prior to DeFi Technologies, Mr. Wattenström founded and served as CEO of XBT Provider, the issuer of the world’s first Bitcoin ETP, which quickly surpassed $1 billion in assets under management and became one of Europe’s most relied-upon regulated on-ramps to crypto before its acquisition by CoinShares. His work establishing secure, exchange-listed Bitcoin exposure set the template for how institutions first entered digital assets and remains a foundational milestone for the industry today.
Mr. Wattenström also previously founded Nortide Capital, a global digital-asset trading and market-making firm, which provides liquidity and structured solutions to some of the world’s largest exchanges and token issuers. His combined experience across product structuring, market-making, and institutional trading uniquely positions him to lead DeFi Technologies into its next phase of growth.
“Olivier and I have built this company together from the ground up,” said Mr. Wattenström. “I’m grateful for his leadership and friendship, and I look forward to leading DeFi Technologies into its next phase of growth. We will continue to scale our ETP platform globally, expand our trading operations both internally and through Stillman Digital, and continue to bridge traditional capital markets with the digital asset ecosystem.”
Following the transition, Mr. Roussy Newton will be a strategic advisor to the Company and remain a cornerstone shareholder of the Company, ensuring continuity of vision and execution as DeFi Technologies enters its next stage of expansion. He is also deeply focused on strengthening the bridge between DeFi Technologies and BTQ Technologies, leveraging BTQ’s quantum-secure infrastructure to enhance the resilience, security, and long-term competitiveness of DeFi’s product ecosystem.
About Valour
Valour Inc. and Valour Digital Securities Limited (together, “Valour”) issues exchange traded products (“ETPs”) that enable retail and institutional investors to access digital assets in a simple and secure way via their traditional bank account. Valour is part of the asset management business line of DeFi Technologies. For more information about Valour, to subscribe, or to receive updates, visit valour.com.
About Stillman Digital
Stillman Digital is a leading digital asset liquidity provider that offers limitless liquidity solutions for businesses, focusing on industry-leading trade execution, settlement, and technology. For more information, please visit https://www.stillmandigital.com
About Reflexivity Research
Reflexivity Research LLC is a leading research firm specializing in the creation of high-quality, in-depth research reports for the bitcoin and digital asset industry, empowering investors with valuable insights. For more information please visit https://www.reflexivityresearch.com/
