Jasmine Burgess stands as a significant figure in the modern financial landscape, particularly at the intersection of traditional finance and the burgeoning digital asset ecosystem. As the Chief Risk Officer (CRO) of Coinbase Asset Management, she is at the forefront of creating innovative investment solutions that bridge these two worlds. Her career is a testament to a deep expertise in risk management, quantitative strategy, and building robust financial infrastructures from the ground up.
This article explores her professional journey, key contributions, and insights into the evolving world of digital asset risk.
Professional Background and Career Journey
Jasmine Burgess's career is a distinguished path through some of the most respected names in global finance, showcasing a consistent trajectory towards leadership in risk and strategy.
Early Career and Foundational Experience
Burgess began her career in 1999 at Citibank. She then moved to JP Morgan in 2002, serving as an Analyst within the Debt Capital Markets team. These early roles provided a solid foundation in the core mechanics of traditional banking and capital markets.
Tenure at Macquarie Bank
From 2006 to 2013, Burgess held several pivotal roles at Macquarie Bank. She started in Sydney, Australia, as a Senior Manager leading the Market Risk Team. In 2009, she transferred to New York as an Associate Director on a small team tasked with building the bank's Fixed Income, Currencies, and Commodities (FICC) trading floor.
A key achievement during this period was her initiative to start and lead Macquarie’s first quantitative strategy team. This team initially focused on developing sophisticated Volatility arbitrage, Foreign Exchange (FX), and commodity futures trading strategies, marking her early foray into innovative financial engineering.
Buy-Side Leadership: Prologue Capital and Brevan Howard
Burgess transitioned to the buy-side in 2013, joining Prologue Capital, a hedge fund based in Greenwich, Connecticut, as its Chief Risk Officer, a position she held until July 2016.
She then joined Brevan Howard, a global macro hedge fund, where she quickly ascended to the role of Head of Risk for the New York office by August 2016. Her influence extended globally as she sat on multiple Global Committees and Chaired the US Executive Committee, demonstrating her esteemed position in the firm's leadership structure.
Founding Coremont and Pioneering FinTech Solutions
A major highlight of her career came in March 2020 when she led the spin-out of Brevan Howard’s U.S. infrastructure to form Coremont. This venture evolved into a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) and services company designed to support full front-to-back (FTB) operations for multiple asset managers and hedge funds.
At Coremont, Burgess was instrumental in building the U.S. team from scratch, covering all essential roles. She was responsible for designing and managing the technological build required to support a diverse range of clients, particularly those with a digital focus. This experience positioned her as a key player in the FinTech space, building infrastructure critical for modern asset management.
Current Role: Coinbase Asset Management
Burgess now serves as the CRO of Coinbase Asset Management. In this capacity, she leads the risk management framework for a firm dedicated to constructing investment products that harness the convergence of traditional finance and digital assets. Her work involves navigating the unique risks associated with tokenized assets, cryptocurrencies, and the evolving regulatory environment.
Expertise and Speaking Engagements
Jasmine Burgess is a recognized voice on risk management in new financial paradigms. She is frequently invited to share her insights at industry conferences, discussing the complexities and opportunities within digital finance.
RiskMinds Americas Session
At events like RiskMinds Americas, Burgess addresses critical questions facing the industry. A notable session she participated in was titled "How does risk vary when trading tokenized assets and forthcoming CBDCs?"
This topic delves into the nuanced risk profiles of digital assets compared to their traditional counterparts, covering areas such as:
- Technology Risk: Including smart contract vulnerabilities, blockchain network stability, and cybersecurity threats.
- Liquidity Risk: Assessing the market depth for newer tokenized assets and the impact of trading venues being open 24/7.
- Regulatory and Compliance Risk: Navigating the uncertain and evolving global regulatory landscape for digital assets and Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs).
- Counterparty Risk: Understanding how settlement finality and custodian solutions change in a digital context.
Her discussions provide valuable frameworks for institutional investors and risk professionals looking to understand and mitigate the unique challenges in this asset class. For those analyzing these new markets, access to robust analytical tools is essential. 👉 Explore advanced market analysis tools to enhance your strategy.
The Convergence of Traditional and Digital Finance
Burgess's career embodies the ongoing convergence of traditional finance (TradFi) and decentralized finance (DeFi). Her experience building foundational infrastructure at Macquarie and Coremont, combined with her deep risk management expertise at hedge funds, gives her a unique perspective. She understands the rigorous risk controls required in TradFi and how to apply and adapt them to the dynamic, fast-paced world of digital assets.
This synergy is crucial for the maturation of the digital asset industry, as it brings institutional-grade standards of risk management, operational resilience, and compliance to a new generation of financial products.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Jasmine Burgess's current role?
Jasmine Burgess is the Chief Risk Officer (CRO) of Coinbase Asset Management. She is responsible for overseeing and managing all aspects of risk for the firm, which specializes in creating investment solutions that merge traditional and digital assets.
What was Coremont, and what was Burgess's role there?
Coremont was a SaaS and services company spun out from Brevan Howard's U.S. infrastructure. As a leader of this initiative, Jasmine Burgess built the U.S. team and designed the technological infrastructure needed to provide full front-to-back office support for asset managers and hedge funds, particularly those focused on digital assets.
What are the key risks in trading tokenized assets?
The key risks differ from traditional assets and include technology risk (e.g., smart contract bugs, hacks), liquidity risk (in less mature markets), regulatory uncertainty, and novel counterparty risks related to digital custodians and exchanges. These require a specialized risk management framework.
How does a background in traditional finance benefit a role in digital assets?
A traditional finance background provides a strong foundation in time-tested risk management principles, regulatory compliance, and operational rigor. This expertise is critical for applying necessary guardrails and building trustworthy, institutional-grade products within the digital asset space.
What is the significance of quantitative strategy in modern asset management?
Quantitative strategies use mathematical and statistical models to identify trading opportunities and manage risk. They are crucial for navigating complex, data-rich markets like digital assets, enabling systematic trading, arbitrage, and the development of sophisticated investment products.
Where can I learn more about the topics Jasmine Burgess discusses?
Industry conferences like RiskMinds Americas often feature sessions led by experts like Burgess. Additionally, following research from established financial institutions and dedicated crypto-native research firms can provide deeper insights into digital asset risk management. You can 👉 discover more educational resources on digital finance to stay informed.