In a strategic move poised to enhance its leadership, Sygnum has welcomed two notable figures to its board: Pia Tischhauser, a former Senior Partner at Boston Consulting Group and Supervisory Board member at Swiss Re, and Vinod Kumar, the former CEO of Vodafone Business and current Vice-Chairman of private equity firm Everstone. Their arrival promises to inject a wealth of experience in navigating highly regulated industries and tech-driven markets.
The Zurich-based crypto bank officially announced Gabriela Maria Payer as the new Chairwoman of the Board, marking a new chapter for the company. Payer, who had been serving as the acting Chair since September 2024 due to co-founder Luka Müller stepping down for health reasons, brings her established expertise as a founding board member and former senior positions at UBS. Presently, she also serves on the boards of Helvetia Group and Sphaira Innovation.
The board expansion coincides with the establishment of an expanded Advisory Council featuring notable figures such as investor David Sacks and former Swiss National Bank Vice President Philipp Hildebrand, adding to Sygnum’s prestigious network.
2024 has been a landmark year for Sygnum, with annual trades skyrocketing over 1000%, its loan book nearly tripling, and total assets soaring to $4.5 billion. Earlier this year, the bank raised a whopping $58 million in a growth round, celebrating its achievement of Unicorn status—a nod to its soaring valuation and ambition.
Sygnum’s client base is growing, supported by over 20 B2B partnerships, including alliances with Postfinance, Zuger and Luzerner Kantonalbanks, and Bordier & Cie. With operations spread across Switzerland, Singapore, Abu Dhabi, Luxembourg, and Liechtenstein, the board’s expansion aligns with Sygnum’s aspirations to rise as a global frontrunner in regulated digital asset banking. Who knew that crypto banking could be this dynamic!
What positions did Pia Tischhauser and Vinod Kumar previously hold? They both held significant roles in their respective fields, with Tischhauser as a Senior Partner at BCG and Kumar as CEO of Vodafone Business.
Why did Luka Müller step down from his position? Luka Müller stepped down due to health reasons, paving the way for Gabriela Maria Payer to take charge as Chairwoman.
What milestone did Sygnum achieve earlier this year? Sygnum achieved Unicorn status after successfully raising $58 million in a growth round, reflecting its rapid growth and market potential.
