Frankfurt based digital exchange startup 21X – which late last year received the first ever license to operate an EU-regulated venue for the trading and settlement of tokenized securities – has announced the appointment of Prof. Dr. Joachim Wuermeling as member of the company’s Supervisory Board. Prof. Dr. Wuermeling brings a distinguished career in finance, regulation, and governance, positioning 21X for accelerated growth and robust market leadership as the company prepares for its secondary market launch in the coming weeks.
Prof. Dr. Wuermeling has also been appointed as Chairman of the Supervisory Board of 21.finance AG, parent company to 21X.
Dr. Wuermeling’s extensive background includes serving as a Member of the Executive Board of the Deutsche Bundesbank from November 2016 to December 2023, where he gained invaluable insights into central banking and financial stability. Previous and present roles include significant positions such as Executive in Residence at ESMT Berlin and Attorney-at-Law at A&O Shearman, demonstrating his deep engagement with both academic and legal aspects of the financial sector. Furthermore, his nearly 26 years as a lecturer at Universität Potsdam underscores his commitment to education and thought leadership, while his work as a Supervisory Board member on several boards highlights his expertise in asset management oversight.
Max Heinzle, founder and CEO of 21X said,
“We are delighted to welcome Dr. Joachim Wuermeling as a member of our Supervisory Board. As 21X gears up for its secondary market launch, Dr. Wuermeling’s deep understanding of regulatory frameworks, risk management, and international financial institutions will be crucial in navigating the complexities of the rapidly evolving digital asset ecosystem and ensuring our continued compliance.
“His unparalleled experience – particularly his seven years on the Executive Board of the Deutsche Bundesbank and his involvement with international financial bodies including on the ECB Supervisory Board and the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision – will be especially important as we set out the long-term direction of the company.”
Dr. Wuermeling stated,
“I am excited to be part of the journey of a frontrunner fintech and to navigate with the entire team the digital future of finance. Distributed ledger technology (DLT)-based financial transactions are gaining traction swiftly. 21X is a first mover, but the first followers will be numerous and big players. We need to maintain a strong pace and scale quickly, and the Board needs to provide the environment to allow for this, whilst continuously meeting regulatory requirements.”
21X stated that Dr. Wuermeling’s international and European experience will be valuable in understanding regulatory challenges in new markets and addressing issues beyond national jurisdiction. He emphasizes that building trust and ensuring stability in the digital asset ecosystem requires striking the right balance between innovation and risk management – enabling innovation while keeping risks under control.
Dr. Wuermeling concluded,
“My personal goal in this new role is to contribute significantly to the success of the firm and to help keep it at the cutting edge of digital finance.”
About 21X
21X is a Frankfurt-based financial institution at the forefront of revolutionizing capital markets through the use of blockchain technology. 21X secured the first license to operate a distributed ledger technology trading and settlement system (DLT TSS) in the EU and launched its groundbreaking trading venue on May 20th this year. This milestone places the company as a leader in the transition to digital finance by enabling smart contract-based issuance, trading and settlement of tokenized stocks, bonds and funds.