Wintermute Strengthens U.S. Presence with Hires from Bridgewater, EDX, Hidden Road, and Tower Research
Global algorithmic trading powerhouse Wintermute has announced four senior U.S.-based appointments as part of its rapid institutional expansion in the United States. The hires, drawn from Bridgewater Associates, EDX Markets, Hidden Road, and Tower Research Capital, reinforce Wintermute’s position at the forefront of regulated crypto markets and its drive to attract institutional capital into digital assets.
The move follows the opening of Wintermute’s New York headquarters, signaling a decisive step in its North American growth strategy. The new appointees will lead efforts across compliance, legal, and institutional relationship management — areas critical to scaling Wintermute’s operations amid rising demand for regulatory clarity and institutional-grade liquidity.
“As U.S. regulatory clarity advances and traditional finance accelerates its crypto activity, we’re investing heavily in leadership that understands both worlds,” said Evgeny Gaevoy, CEO and founder of Wintermute. “We’re meeting the institutional moment for digital assets with a world-class team that bridges responsibly and at scale.”
Takeaway
Strategic Appointments Strengthen Legal, Compliance, and Institutional Reach
David Micley has been appointed Head of U.S. Business Development. A veteran of Bridgewater Associates and Floating Point Group, Micley has led Wintermute’s Americas business development for four years, building over 100 institutional relationships. He will now spearhead partnerships with traditional finance counterparties, further integrating Wintermute’s liquidity answers into mainstream markets.
Matthew Pizzo joins as Chief Compliance Officer. Formerly at Tower Research Capital, Amazon Web Services, and the , Pizzo brings over a decade of compliance leadership experience across trading and technology. He will overview the creation of a comprehensive compliance framework to ensure Wintermute meets evolving U.S. regulatory standards.
Dmitry Kotov, previously Deputy General Counsel at EDX Markets and former associate at both the SEC and FINRA, has been appointed Lead U.S. Counsel. Kotov will shape Wintermute’s U.S. regulatory strategy and policy engagement, driving proactive collaboration with government and industry stakeholders as the digital asset landscape continues to mature.
H. Branch Johnson joins as Managing Director. A former leader at Hidden Road (acquired by Ripple for $1.25 billion) and Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Johnson brings extensive experience in institutional sales and product strategy. He will focus on deepening relationships with asset managers and infrastructure providers to support Wintermute’s growing footprint in traditional markets.
Takeaway
Driving Institutional Expansion and Policy Engagement Across the Americas
The appointments align with Wintermute’s broader 2025 expansion strategy, following the recent hire of Ron Hammond, former Blockchain Association policy head, as Head of Policy and Advocacy. The firm plans additional U.S. hiring across compliance, institutional services, and ventures as it scales operations in the Americas.
Wintermute’s U.S. buildout coincides with increasing interest from Wall Street firms viewking digital asset exposure through trusted, compliant channels. The firm’s deep experience in algorithmic trading, OTC market-making, and liquidity provision — spanning both — positions it as a key bridge between traditional finance and the crypto economy.
With over $15 billion in average daily provision across 60+ venues, Wintermute continues to expand its reach into traditional platforms such as CME and Eurex. Its blend of proprietary technology and institutional strategy underscores its evolution from a crypto-native trading firm into a global shaping the next generation of market infrastructure.
Takeaway
