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Gautam Sharma, the chief executive officer of Brevan Howard Asset Management's digital investment unit, has departed the firm after nearly five years. Sharma, who was based in London, had been on leave earlier this year and will not be returning. The hedge fund giant does not intend to fill the CEO role for its digital assets division.
Key Takeaways
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Gautam Sharma, CEO of Brevan Howard's digital asset division, has left the company after five years.
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Brevan Howard has stated it does not plan to replace Sharma in his role.
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The digital division, established in September 2021, manages $2 billion in assets and saw a 51.3% gain in 2024.
Sharma's Tenure and Departure
Gautam Sharma joined Brevan Howard initially as the head of principal investments. He was instrumental in overseeing the family's crypto and digital asset investments alongside co-founder Alan Howard. Prior to his role at Brevan Howard, Sharma held positions at Steadview Capital and McKinsey.
His departure comes as the firm's digital assets division has experienced significant growth. The division, which was established in September 2021, manages approximately $2 billion in assets. In 2024, the funds managed by this unit achieved a notable 51.3% return, benefiting from an improved macroeconomic environment for cryptocurrencies.
Leadership Changes and Division Growth
While Sharma's position will remain unfilled, Brevan Howard has made other key appointments within its digital assets arm. In May, Chris Rayner-Cook, formerly the head of global trading and financing at Coinbase, was promoted to chief investment officer of the digital assets division. The division boasts a substantial team, including over 10 portfolio managers, 13 investment professionals, and 15 blockchain engineers.
Brevan Howard, a prominent hedge fund with global offices, manages over $34 billion in assets across its various operations. The company has not commented on Sharma's departure, and Sharma himself has not yet responded to requests for comment.
Industry Context
Sharma's exit occurs amidst a period of increased hiring and regulatory clarity within the broader crypto industry. Traditional finance institutions are actively seeking senior talent for Web3-related roles. This trend suggests a growing institutional interest and integration of digital assets into mainstream finance.
Sources
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Brevan Howard’s Digital Business CEO Gautam Sharma Departs Firm, Bloomberg.
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CEO of Brevan Howard’s Crypto Division Departs After Five Years, Cointelegraph.
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