Carlos Salinas is a financial service professional and an international speaker in the digital asset and fintech industries. ^[1][2]

Education

Salinas graduated from Birkbeck, University of London, with a BSc in Financial Economics in 2003. He also attended the Euromoney Financial Training facility to study Equity Structured Products. He later attended The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) to study Financial Risk Management. ^[3]

Career

Carlos Salinas began his career as a summer analyst at Merrill Lynch in 2002. There, he worked within the Listed Futures & Options Group, gaining exposure to client services and process improvements. He was later promoted to analyst, contributing to renewing trading systems and implementing Sarbanes-Oxley internal controls for financial reporting. In 2004, Salinas joined Vega Fund Holdings as a hedge fund associate in the middle office, handling pricing, valuation, and collateral management for various financial instruments. He advanced to the role of hedge fund VP in 2007 at Proxima Alfa Investments, where he managed Murex system implementation and developed middle office workflows. ^[4][5]

Salinas became an independent hedge fund business analyst in 2009, working on multiple projects to optimize technology infrastructure and operational processes for various hedge funds. He was appointed head of risk middle office and product development at MoraBanc in 2010, a position he held until 2022. In this role, he managed market risk, developed middle office functions, and led the implementation of the Murex system. He also oversaw the creation of a structured products desk and negotiated with technology vendors. In 2021, Salinas began working as a senior consultant for Tutellus, providing advisory services on operational enhancements. He also started a freelance role as a digital assets lecturer at IEB in 2023, focusing on digital assets adoption and strategy. ^[4][5]

Panels

Morabanc

At Morabanc’s Digital Assets, Technology, and Innovation Conference, Salinas presented an overview of Morabanc's efforts and advancements in digital assets. He detailed the bank's pioneering role in Andorra as the first to offer digital asset services, emphasizing their focus on integrating blockchain technology with traditional banking. Salinas highlighted significant industry trends, such as the increasing success of ETFs and the potential shift towards 24/7 trading by major exchanges like the New York Stock Exchange. He discussed Morabanc's innovative approaches, including their partnerships and new products like a Bitcoin fund with physical custody. He also introduced Morabanc's corporate venturing fund, Moravent MVE, aimed at investing in startups and technology to drive further innovation. ^[6]

Integrating Blockchain

Salinas participated in a “Challenges of Crypto Assets in the Current Environment” panel discussion at IEB Spain’s Blockchain and Digital Innovation in Finance Forum. Alberto Fernández moderated the panel with Ángel Niño, Ángel Quezada, and Raúl López joining the discussion. The discussion centered on the challenges and opportunities of integrating cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology into current systems. Niño, a Madrid councilor, highlighted the city’s initiatives to support blockchain innovation through funding and regulatory efforts. Salinas from Morabanc discussed the bank’s transition to incorporating digital assets, facilitated by Andorra’s supportive regulatory environment. Quezada shared insights on the regulatory and operational challenges his company, O Nís, faced in adapting to evolving standards. López from Grandton addressed the potential benefits and sectors most likely impacted by blockchain technology, noting that regulatory frameworks will be crucial for widespread adoption. ^[7]