FRANKFURT, 16 May 2025: 21X – Europe’s first fully regulated DLT trading and settlement system – has today announced the appointment of Prof. Ralf Wandmacher as its Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO), effective immediately. Mr. Wandmacher will also join the company’s management board, bringing a wealth of experience from both traditional finance and the burgeoning digital asset space.
Mr. Wandmacher’s appointment comes at a pivotal time for 21X as it prepares for its go-live, having secured its operator’s license at the end of 2024. His extensive background in the finance industry, coupled with his understanding of innovative technologies, will be instrumental in driving the company’s operational efficiency and financial strategy.
Prior to joining 21X, Mr. Wandmacher held significant roles in traditional finance, demonstrating a strong track record in building the retail derivatives platform of Deutsche Bank; creating a Euro stablecoin while CEO atStablR; and developing a successful high-quality business operation as COO of BO1 AG, among his employment highlights.
His experience also extends into the digital asset realm, where he has been involved in exploring tokenization strategies, analyzing and trading cryptocurrency markets. This unique blend of traditional, blockchain and crypto expertise positions him perfectly to lead 21X’s operational and financial functions.
Commenting on the appointment, Max Heinzle, CEO of 21X, stated:
“We are thrilled to welcome Ralf to the 21X team. His deep understanding of the intricacies of traditional finance, combined with his forward-thinking approach to new technologies, will be invaluable as we launch and develop 21X as the leading tokenized asset ecosystem in the industry. Ralf’s experience will be crucial in ensuring our operational excellence and financial stability as we build a cutting-edge platform for the future of tokenized financial instrument trading.”
Ralf Wandmacher shared his enthusiasm for his new role.
“I am incredibly excited to join 21X at such a transformative time. I believe there is a significant opportunity to leverage technology to simplify and democratize investing and trading, drawing on the best from both the traditional and decentralized finance worlds. My experience in navigating complex financial landscapes and my understanding of the potential of blockchain technology will allow me to contribute to 21X’s mission of building a leading technology platform in this space. The hard work to prove our value to customers is just beginning, and I am eager to contribute to making 21X a watchword for trading excellence in capital markets.”
Mr. Wandmacher’s appointment underscores 21X’s commitment to building a robust and experienced leadership team as it prepares to launch its trading venue and revolutionize the way individuals and institutions engage with financial markets.
Mr. Wandmacher is a Professor of Finance and Entrepreneurship at Accadis University of Applied Sciences, Bad Homburg, Germany. He holds a PhD in finance from the University of Cape Town, as well as a diploma from the Georg August University of Göttingen, Germany, with a focus on banking, finance, operations research, and business law.
About 21X
21X is a Frankfurt-based financial institution at the forefront of revolutionizing capital markets through the use of blockchain technology. In December 2024, 21X secured a license to operate its groundbreaking distributed ledger technology trading and settlement system (DLT TSS) a milestone that places the company as a leader in the transition to digital finance. The company is ideally positioned to enable smart contract-based issuance, trading and settlement of tokenized stocks, bonds and funds.
See the short explainer video on 21X and our blockchain-based exchange here
For more information on 21X, contact:
Richie MacTaggart, head of PR & marketing
Mail: press@21X.eu
Mob: +44 7828173419
Web: https://www.21x.eu/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/21x/
