KPMG Hires CryptoUK Exec to Strengthen its Position in the Digital Asset Industry

One of the “Big Four” international accounting firms – KPMG – hired Ian Taylor to lead the company’s British crypto team and boost its Web3 offerings. He also serves as an Executive Director of CryptoUK.

KPMG Diving Deeper in Crypto

KPMG UK – the British subsidiary arm of the major accounting company KPMG – doubled down on its pro-crypto stance by appointing Ian Taylor as the head of its digital asset team. Being the Executive Director of CryptoUK, he has rich experience in the blockchain universe, the statement informed.

Launched in 2018, the organization represents businesses across the sector, responds to industry developments, and indulges with regulators and policymakers to aid their progress.

Taylor raised hopes his new role will be beneficial for KPMG’s goal to expand its presence in the crypto, DeFi, Web3, and Metaverse niches:

“Excited for my next adventure with KPMG UK as head of crypto and digital assets supporting the industry in all aspects of cryptoassets, DeFi, Web3, and the Metaverse.”

Over the last 20 years, the financer has also worked for leading banks like HSBC, Santander, and Barclays.

Ian Taylor, Source: CryptoUK

Another veteran to join KPMG UK is Peter Harmston. During the last 14 years, he worked for the Australian subsidiary arm of the firm. On LinkedIn, he vowed that “working with clients to navigate the complex and rapidly changing world of payments” will be his primary goal.

KPMG and Crypto

The firm started seriously interacting with the cryptocurrency industry at the beginning of 2020. Back then, it launched a project called KPMG Chain Fusion, which helps traditional financial companies provide well-managed digital asset services.

Earlier this year, the Canadian subsidiary of the organization made its first cryptocurrency investments by adding bitcoin (BTC) and ether (ETH) to its corporate treasury. Alongside the purchase, KPMG included carbon offsets to maintain net-zero emissions.

Benjie Thomas – Canadian Managing Partner at KPMG – described cryptocurrencies as a “maturing asset class” which has the potential to emerge as an international financial asset in the future.

“Investors such as hedge funds and family offices to large insurers and pension funds are increasingly gaining exposure to crypto-assets and traditional financial services such as banks, financial advisors, and brokerages are exploring offering products and services involving crypto-assets,” he added.