tZERO has appointed ICE founding CTO Edwin Marcial and NYSE chief executive Michael Blaugrand to the board of directors of the provider of blockchain-powered access to capital markets via tokenization and digital trading.

The board is now composed of six directors, which includes others: Matt Mosman, Chairman of tZERO’s Board of Directors and General Partner at Pelion Venture Partners, David Goone, Chief Executive Officer at tZERO, Chris Campbell, Chief Strategist at Kroll, and John Jacobs, former Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of Nasdaq.

New Board Members To Help Shape tZERO’s Long-Term Success

Edwin Marcial, former Senior Vice President and founding Chief Technology Officer of Intercontinental Exchange, drove the innovation of ICE technology for eighteen years from a six-person startup to a $25 billion company. He left ICE in 2014, but before leaving he helped the highest performing trading platform in the futures industry score a record IPO in 2005 before being acquired by the New York Stock Exchange in 2013.

Edwin Marcial is now the Chief Executive Officer of Thirteen Castles Digital, a software development firm that builds custom systems for early-stage companies, and backs a number of early-stage firms, including SnapNurse, Loyal Health, BetterCloud, and Leaf Logistics.

Michael Blaugrund, Chief Operating Officer of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), was appointed in conjunction with a significant minority investment by ICE and follows the appointment of David Goone as tZERO’s Chief Executive Officer.

He is responsible for the NYSE’s five equity and two options markets, as well as the Securities Industry Automation Corporation (SIAC). Prior to NYSE, he was Director of Business Development at Tower Research Capital, led US equity product strategy at Nasdaq, and held product management roles at Thomson Reuters.

Chief Executive Officer of tZERO, David Goone said: “I am delighted to welcome two new, highly talented senior business leaders to our Board, bringing decades of capital markets expertise. In terms of building businesses, with Edwin’s strong technology background and Michael’s in-depth knowledge in financial services, these new Board members will help shape tZERO’s long-term success.”

Edwin Marcial commented on the appointment: “I am thrilled to join tZERO’s Board of Directors as the company strives to democratize access to capital markets and establish more efficient, accessible, and transparent marketplaces through blockchain technology,” noted Marcial. “I believe there are significant opportunities to create value, and I look forward to working with the Board to strengthen tZERO’s position and to bring my experience and expertise in leading technology teams, and architecting and developing software systems to the tZERO team.”

Michael Blaugrund stated: “tZERO is a pioneer in digital capital markets and its proprietary technology stack, experienced leaders, and regulatory focus position it well for future innovation. I look forward to helping the company achieve its full potential as it continues to grow and scale its offerings.”

tZERO is not a registered broker-dealer, funding portal, underwriter, investment bank, investment adviser or investment manager.