Mathew McDermott

Mathew McDermott is a prominent figure in the digital assets and blockchain space, currently serving as the Managing Director and Global Head of Digital Assets at Goldman Sachs.12 With over 20 years of experience in the financial industry, McDermott has established himself as a key player in exploring and developing opportunities in the digital asset realm.

Career Highlights

McDermott joined Goldman Sachs in 2005 as a vice president in the European Special Situations Group in London.2 He was named managing director in 2010 and has since held several leadership positions within the firm.5 Prior to his current role, he served as the global head of Cross Asset Financing.4

Before joining Goldman Sachs, McDermott worked at Morgan Stanley for nine years in the Securitized Products Group, focusing on structuring, financing, and risk management.4

Current Responsibilities

As the Global Head of Digital Assets at Goldman Sachs, McDermott is responsible for:

1. Overseeing the firm's digital asset strategy
2. Exploring and developing opportunities in the digital asset space
3. Using blockchain technology to transform how financial assets are issued, traded, and managed post-trade3

Board Memberships and Advisory Roles

McDermott's expertise has led to several board positions and advisory roles:

• Board member of companies including Coin Metrics and HQLAx
• Advisory board member of Digital Asset Holdings
• Observer on the boards of One River Digital and Elwood Technologies
• Board member of the International Securities Lending Association (ISLA)14

Education and Professional Qualifications

McDermott holds a BA (Hons) in Accounting and Finance from the University of Nottingham.2 He has been a member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants since 1999.4

Vision for the Future of Finance

McDermott is a strong advocate for the transformative potential of blockchain technology in the financial industry. He believes that blockchain will have a profound impact on huge swaths of the financial market, leading to increased efficiencies and new revenue opportunities.3 His work at Goldman Sachs focuses on leveraging this technology to re-architect the way financial markets operate, including areas such as repo, securities finance, collateralization, and derivatives.3