AsiaNext Appoints Prime Broker Exec as CEO of Derivatives Arm Amid Growing Institutional Demand

AsiaNext, an institution-only global digital asset exchange, has appointed ex-FalconX David Martin as CEO of its derivatives business. The appointment, which is subject to formalities, including statutory filings, marks an important next step in AsiaNext’s journey at a time when institutions are demanding regulated, capital-efficient venues that can bridge traditional and digital markets. 

David brings more than 17 years of experience across investment management, fintech and trading, including nearly a decade in cryptocurrency markets. At FalconX, he supported the launch of the firm as the first CFTC registered crypto swaps dealer, led global sales expansion, and as Head of Credit helped scale the company into a leading global prime broker. He previously co-founded Blockforce Capital, a crypto hedge fund, and helped launch BLCN, the first blockchain ETF. Earlier in his career, he developed quantitative strategies in macro markets and founded a risk analytics platform for hedge funds. Having spent much of his career as the kind of client AsiaNext serves, David understands first-hand what institutions need and brings that knowledge to build an exchange for traders, by traders. 

“AsiaNext is shaping the future of institutional digital assets trading, with a clear path to leadership built on compliance, capital efficiency, and seamless connectivity with traditional finance—moving beyond the limitations of retrofitted retail platforms,” says David Newns, Head of SDX at SIX Group and member of AsiaNext’s Board of Directors. “David’s appointment marks the beginning of our next phase of growth. His proven experience in leading teams through the crypto industry’s cycles of rapid expansion and volatility makes him exceptionally well placed to guide AsiaNext forward.” 

AsiaNext is an institution-only digital asset exchange for spot, tokenised securities and derivatives, backed by SBI Digital Asset Holdings and SIX Group. It combines regulatory credibility with low latency, high performing infrastructure to provide an excellent institutional user experience. At a time when most exchanges remain focused on retail flows, AsiaNext provides a one-stop venue to trade and custody securities, crypto, and derivatives. 

Based out of AsiaNext’s Singapore HQ, David Martin, CEO of its derivative business, added, “Institutions want more than access to digital assets, they want efficiency, trust and infrastructure that reflects how they trade. AsiaNext has been designed from the outset to meet those needs. In the next phase, we will leverage our infrastructure to close these gaps at a global scale. Crypto is becoming just another asset class, and the market needs an institutional-grade bridge between old and new finance: a venue built for traders, by traders.”