Key Details:
- Bullish has appointed David LaValle as president of CoinDesk Indices and Data, effective immediately.
- Previously, LaValle was involved in Grayscale’s ETF initiatives, including the conversion of GBTC to a spot bitcoin ETF.
- CoinDesk Indices manages several prominent benchmarks like the Bitcoin Price Index and the CoinDesk 20 Index.
More Information:
Bullish (BLSH), the parent company of CoinDesk, announced on Tuesday that it has appointed David LaValle, a well-known figure within the exchange-traded fund space, to head CoinDesk Indices and Data. LaValle, who joins from Grayscale Investments where he was the global head of ETFs, played a crucial role in attempting to transform the Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (GBTC) into a spot bitcoin ETF. This product became the largest investment vehicle for bitcoin globally, successfully converting in January 2024 after a pivotal court decision favoring bitcoin ETFs.
“Dave is a longtime friend and business associate. I’ve observed him lead and innovate at prestigious institutions throughout his career,” said Tom Farley, CEO of Bullish. “His expertise in both listed products and index businesses is unmatched.”
CoinDesk Indices has established itself as a significant contributor to digital asset benchmarks, managing over $40 billion in assets associated with its products. Its most notable measures include the CoinDesk Bitcoin Price Index (XBX) and CoinDesk 20 Index, which reflects the largest assets by market capitalization and trading volume.
LaValle expressed eagerness for the new role, stating, “CoinDesk has been a reputable name in digital asset data services, and I aim to build on its strong legacy to provide institutional-grade data and index solutions globally.”
As Bullish, which acquired CoinDesk in late 2023 and recently went public on the NYSE, seeks to enhance its index and data sector, this appointment highlights its commitment to meeting institutional demands for reliable pricing benchmarks in a maturing crypto market.
