Gautam Sharma’s Departure from Brevan Howard
Gautam Sharma, who has been at the helm of Brevan Howard’s digital assets division for the past five years, is set to depart from the company. This exit comes at a pivotal time as the division has expanded notably, currently overseeing approximately $2 billion in assets. Reports indicate that Brevan Howard, a prominent player in the hedge fund space, does not intend to appoint a successor for Sharma’s role.
Leadership Changes and Growth
In a strategic move earlier in May, Brevan Howard elevated Chris Rayner-Cook, the former head of global trading and financing at Coinbase, to serve as the chief investment officer for the digital division. This shift in leadership comes amidst a backdrop of rapid growth within the division, which has more than ten portfolio managers, alongside a team of 13 investment professionals and 15 engineers focused on blockchain technology.
Sharma’s Professional Journey
Sharma’s tenure at Brevan Howard began when he took on the lead for principal investments, where he collaborated closely with the firm’s co-founder, Alan Howard, particularly in managing the co-founder’s personal digital asset portfolio. His professional journey also includes a position as chief operating officer at Steadview Capital and various roles during his time at McKinsey.
Company Response and Market Context
As of the latest updates, Cointelegraph has reached out to Brevan Howard for comments regarding Sharma’s departure, but the firm has chosen not to respond. Similarly, Sharma has yet to make a statement on the matter.
Notably, Brevan Howard, based in Jersey and with a presence in key financial cities including London, New York, Geneva, and Hong Kong, boasts a workforce of over 1,000 and manages assets exceeding $34 billion as of April 2025. The firm launched its digital assets division in September 2021, which has reported impressive gains of 51.3% in 2024, capitalizing on a favorable macroeconomic environment for cryptocurrency.
Hiring Trends in the Cryptocurrency Industry
Meanwhile, the landscape of the cryptocurrency industry is witnessing an uptick in hiring, with traditional financial institutions actively recruiting for high-level positions as regulatory clarity around Web3 continues to evolve. Job postings reveal that the crypto sector is particularly in demand for quants specializing in decentralized finance, along with legal experts and chief operating officers who command competitive salaries, often accompanied by equity options. Influencers within the domain also enjoy lucrative compensation but face inherent risks associated with their roles.
