Circle Lures FX Veteran, Fintech Entrepreneur Stephen Leahy

Financial services industry veteran, Stephen Leahy has become Head of Business Development for trading markets at Blockchain Blockchain Blockchain comprises a digital network of blocks with a comprehensive ledger of transactions made in a cryptocurrency such as Bitcoin or other altcoins.One of the signature features of blockchain is that it is maintained across more than one computer. The ledger can be public or private (permissioned). In this sense, blockchain is immune to the manipulation of data, making it not only open but verifiable. Because a blockchain is stored across a network of computers, it is very difficult to tamp Blockchain comprises a digital network of blocks with a comprehensive ledger of transactions made in a cryptocurrency such as Bitcoin or other altcoins.One of the signature features of blockchain is that it is maintained across more than one computer. The ledger can be public or private (permissioned). In this sense, blockchain is immune to the manipulation of data, making it not only open but verifiable. Because a blockchain is stored across a network of computers, it is very difficult to tamp Read this Term-based Payments Payments One of the bases of mediums of exchange in the modern world, a payment constitutes the transfer of a legal currency or equivalent from one party in exchange for goods or services to another entity. The payments industry has become a fixture of modern commerce, though the players involved and means of exchange have dramatically shifted over time.In particular, a party making a payment is referred to as a payer, with the payee reflecting the individual or entity receiving the payment. Most commonl One of the bases of mediums of exchange in the modern world, a payment constitutes the transfer of a legal currency or equivalent from one party in exchange for goods or services to another entity. The payments industry has become a fixture of modern commerce, though the players involved and means of exchange have dramatically shifted over time.In particular, a party making a payment is referred to as a payer, with the payee reflecting the individual or entity receiving the payment. Most commonl Read this Term startup, Circle.

Leahy joins the Boston-based stablecoin issuer following a lengthy career in the finance world, the bulk of which was spent within the FX industry. As Founder of three fintech companies, he has broad expertise on the buy-side, sell-side and in building financial services platforms.

Announcing his new appointment, he said: “Excited to announce that I have joined the team at Circle to help build the infrastructure that is changing the way money moves around the globe, and enhancing global prosperity through public blockchains commerce. I'll be focused on Trading Markets (Market Makers, Asset Managers, Exchanges).”

Stephen joins Circle after a brief hiatus from the FX industry. His most recent stint was at Conmodum Group, which offers product roadmap, go-to-market, and sales program services across multiple asset classes and markets. Additionally, he is no stranger to the blockchain and crypto world, having worked in the last two years as Managing Director at Oneiro Inc. Other stops in this space include working as Vice President of crypto products at Shift Forex.

Circle to Leverage Leahy’s Insight and Knowledge

Prior to that, Leahy was CEO of Visual Trading Systems, a provider of platforms and business intelligence analytics for the foreign exchange and over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives industry. Moreover, he served as the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of FXPrimus, a role he held for over a year, following a transition from oneZero Financial Systems where he was the Head of Business Development for Americas.

Leahy’s career, which dates back to 2002, encompasses other senior roles including as Managing Member of Capital Markets Access Partners, LLC and Back Bay FX Services, LLC, according to information made public on his Linkedin profile.

Leahy’s experience across the mainstream markets should help Circle at a time when the firm is expanding the reach of the offering that is primarily focused on retail trading and investing to appeal for B2B partnerships.

Currently, the crypto unicorn puts greater emphasis on its USD Coin (USDC), a stablecoin pegged to the US dollar. Furthermore, Circle will open the doors of its stablecoin to businesses with a dedicated account that provides a toolbox of APIs to allow developers to build on top of USDC.