A world-class team dedicated to expanding access to crypto

Co-founder of ETC Group — acquired by Bitwise in 2024 — Maximilian played a pivotal role in the launch of BTCE, the first bitcoin ETP in Germany and consistently the most traded bitcoin ETP in Europe. Beyond product innovation, he was instrumental in building the issuer’s operational infrastructure, expanding its product suite, and shaping its brand and market presence. Since 2020, he has helped establish the company as a leading name in the European digital asset ETP landscape.

Leyla Sharifullina is the Head of Operations at Bitwise Asset Management in Europe. She played a key role in launching the world’s first centrally cleared Bitcoin Exchange-Traded Product (ETP) on Xetra in June 2020. Prior to Bitwise's acquisition of ETC Group, Leyla was the Chief Operating Officer at ETC Group, where she led European operations from early 2020. Previously, Leyla held senior roles at Raven Property Group, focusing on financial analysis and structured finance. A CFA charterholder and board director at Bitwise in Europe, she brings over 15 years of expertise in finance and asset management, driving innovation and operational excellence in the sector.

Julian Kelly is a versatile and highly experienced finance executive with extensive experience across pharmaceutical, biotech, SaaS, fintech and e-commerce. He has a strong track record in building and selling entities, and has worked for a UHNW on both private and AIM-listed entities in Tech and Financial Services. He also assisted in the sale of FCA regulated Baydonhill (AIM-listed FX/Payments business) to Earthport (now Visa payments).

Jan Altmann is an expert in exchange-traded index products and has been involved in ETPs and ETF investments for over 20 years. Altmann was instrumental in shaping the beginning of ETFs in Europe: While working at Deutsche Börse, he developed the first trading and listing segment for ETFs in Europe. Later, he advised numerous providers from asset management and the index industry on product strategy, sales and marketing. In parallel, he shares his ETP expertise in seminars for professionals from investment, trading and sales, among others in cooperation with Deutsche Börse. Before joining the ETC Group and Bitwise thereafter, Jan Altmann worked for four years at the popular Internet portal justETF.com, where he made ETF saving known to private investors all across the DACH region. In addition to analysing the market and ETFs, the ETF expert had over 25,000 private investors as live guests in his webinars and produced justETF's Top10 investment podcast.

Luke has over 12 years of experience in the legal sector working for international law firms. Prior to joining ETC Group and later Bitwise, he worked as a regulatory lawyer and commercial litigator at Carey Olsen Guernsey. Luke is qualified as an advocate in Guernsey and a solicitor in England & Wales. He practised in a broad range of legal areas including commercial, regulation and litigation, and advised on a variety of cryptocurrency and blockchain matters. He has a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) from the University of Nottingham and a law degree from the College of Law, London.

Michael Howe is a seasoned professional with over 20 years of experience across markets, strategy and product innovation. Since 2021, he has been a key leader at Bitwise, where he focuses on shaping strategy and developing cutting-edge crypto investment products. Previously, he played a pivotal role at Adevinta, Europe's leading marketplaces group, where he led the company’s $6 billion listing on the Oslo Stock Exchange. His career began in management consulting at Bain & Company in their London and New York offices. Michael holds an MBA from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and a B.Sc. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Cape Town. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time in nature with his wife and two young sons.

André Dragosch has been working for more than 12 years in the German financial industry, mostly in portfolio management and investment research. He also holds a PhD in financial history from the University of Southampton, UK. He has been a private crypto asset investor since 2014 and has been gaining institutional crypto asset experience since 2018.

Ronald brings over 20 years of expertise in the alternative investment industry where he has held key roles on the investment, sales and operational side within asset management, banking, fund management and distribution companies. His knowledge spans across traditional as well as digital alternative products through his past tenures as Portfolio Manager, Sales and Head of Operations. Prior to joining ETC Group and Bitwise thereafter, Ronald held senior roles at a Swiss private bank, a fund of hedge funds manager and a digital asset manager. He has also run his own placement agency business for nearly a decade.

Ray brings 15 years of professional experience as an Alternatives specialist, holding senior business development and strategy roles at Deutsche Bank, PGIM and (Lyxor) Amundi where he partnered with some of the most well-regarded Hedge Funds globally. He also Co-Founded Bridge Partners, a boutique advisory & asset management firm that employs a strategic and thesis driven approach to digital asset investing. Prior to this he spent several years in the British Army and Security Services, first encountering Bitcoin in 2011 whilst working at the National Cyber Security Centre (GCHQ) and he has been actively investing in digital assets since 2017.

Monique is an experienced legal, governance and compliance executive, strategic advisor and mentor. She has spent the last ten years in leadership roles advising international high-growth fintech companies. Prior to joining ETC Group and Bitwise, Monique worked for White & Case LLP, JP Morgan and Brookfield Financial. She is qualified in England and Wales, New York, and Ontario, and she has common and civil law degrees from McGill University and a BA (Hons) from the University of Alberta.