Michael Daffey Takes Helm at Galaxy Digital as Chairman

Layer2Observer · 2026-02-01T00:23:30+00:00

Galaxy Digital has appointed Michael Daffey as chairman, shifting leadership to strengthen its governance as it plans a U.S. public listing. Daffey, a former Goldman Sachs leader, brings financial expertise to navigate the evolving cryptocurrency market.

Layer2Observer

2026-02-01 00:23:30

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Galaxy Digital has appointed Michael Daffey to serve as chairman, marking a significant leadership shift for the digital asset management firm. The appointment comes as Galaxy Digital advances its strategy to pursue a public listing on U.S. markets, strengthening its governance structure with seasoned financial expertise.

Goldman Sachs Veteran Brings Capital Markets Experience

Michael Daffey transitions to Galaxy Digital following a prominent career at Goldman Sachs, where he served as chairman of the firm’s global markets division. His extensive background in institutional finance and market operations positions him to guide Galaxy Digital through the complexities of transitioning from a Toronto-listed company to a U.S. public entity. Daffey announced his retirement from Goldman Sachs in early 2021, preceding his move to the cryptocurrency investment management space.

Accelerating the Path to U.S. Market Debut

The leadership appointment aligns with Galaxy Digital’s broader ambitions to expand its U.S. presence. Mike Novogratz, who continues as CEO, has outlined plans for the firm to list on American exchanges in the latter half of 2021. By bringing Michael Daffey into the chairman role, Galaxy Digital is reinforcing its governance credentials and institutional credibility—key factors investors typically scrutinize during the IPO process.

Strengthening the Executive Foundation

This move reflects Galaxy Digital’s commitment to building a world-class management team capable of operating at scale within the regulated cryptocurrency market. Novogratz’s continued leadership as CEO, combined with Daffey’s strategic oversight, creates a dual-leadership structure designed to navigate the rapidly evolving regulatory landscape while pursuing aggressive growth objectives.

The appointment underscores how established financial institutions are increasingly intersecting with the cryptocurrency sector, with industry veterans like Michael Daffey bringing traditional Wall Street expertise to digital asset platforms.

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