Elliot Andrews is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Aspen Digital, a digital asset platform for institutional investors and wealth managers. With over a decade of experience in financial services and technology, he specializes in bridging traditional finance (TradFi) with the cryptocurrency sector. Andrews is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charterholder and holds dual degrees in Law and Commerce. ^{[1] [2]}​

Education

Elliot Andrews attended the University of Canterbury in New Zealand, where he earned a dual Bachelor of Laws (LLB) and Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) with a specialization in Finance. ^{[1] [3]} His academic background provided a foundation in both the legal and financial aspects of the market. He later earned the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation from the CFA Institute in September 2012, a globally recognized credential in the investment management profession. ^{[4] [3]}

Career

Dealogic

Prior to entering the cryptocurrency industry, Andrews spent over a decade at Dealogic, a global financial markets platform, where he held a series of progressively senior leadership roles across Europe and the Asia-Pacific region. His tenure at the company began in London, where he served as an Analyst and later as an Associate in Capital Markets. ^[1]​

He later relocated to Asia, taking on roles such as Relationship Manager and Business Development Manager for the investment banking sector. His responsibilities grew to include leadership positions like Head of Client Coverage for APAC and Head of Investment Banking for Australia & New Zealand, based in Sydney. He concluded his career at Dealogic as the Head of Asia Pacific, a role he held from 2018 to 2021. In this capacity, he was responsible for the company's overall operations and strategy in the region, serving a clientele of investment banks and institutional investors. ^{[3] [2]}​

Aspen Digital

In 2021, Andrews transitioned into the digital asset industry by joining Aspen Digital as its Head of Business Development. ^[1] Aspen Digital was co-founded by the digital asset venture studio Everest Ventures Group (EVG) and the advisory firm TTB Partners to serve institutional clients in the crypto space. ^[5] In his initial role, Andrews was responsible for the firm's strategy across sales, marketing, product, and operations. He was instrumental in driving the platform's initial traction and growth following its launch in January 2022, which saw it serve hundreds of family offices, wealth managers, and high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs). ^[1]​

On April 3, 2023, Elliot Andrews was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Aspen Digital. ^[4] As CEO, he leads the company's global strategy, technology development, and expansion into new markets, with a focus on delivering institutional-grade digital asset solutions. Upon his appointment, he stated, "With a combination of a strong investor base, network of clients and partners and an extremely talented team, I am excited to lead the company into our next phase." ^[1]​

Leadership at Aspen Digital

As CEO, Andrews has focused on positioning Aspen Digital as a regulated, full-service digital asset wealth manager for sophisticated investors, including private banks, external asset managers (EAMs), and ultra-high-net-worth (UHNW) clients. The platform operates on a B2B2C model, enabling wealth managers to offer a comprehensive crypto solution to their end clients. ^[5]​

Regulatory Milestones

A significant achievement under Andrews' leadership was securing a Financial Services Permission (FSP) from the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) of the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) in late 2023. ^{[4] [6]} This license permits Aspen Digital to operate as a provider of broker-dealer and custody services for digital assets to institutional and professional clients from its base in the UAE. The move marked a key part of the company's expansion into the Middle East. ^[3]​

Commenting on the milestone, Andrews said, "We are delighted to receive our FSP from the ADGM. This is a major milestone for Aspen Digital and a testament to our commitment to providing our clients with the highest level of regulatory compliance and security." ^[7]​

Strategic Partnerships

In 2024, Andrews oversaw a strategic partnership between Aspen Digital, the Stacks Asia DLT Foundation, and Everest Ventures Group (EVG). The collaboration was designed to accelerate the growth and adoption of the Stacks ecosystem, a Bitcoin Layer 2 for smart contracts, across Asia. The partnership enables Aspen Digital to offer its institutional clients curated investment opportunities within the Stacks ecosystem. ^{[8] [6]}​

Andrews expressed his commitment to the initiative, stating, “This partnership with Stacks Asia represents Aspen Digital's dedication to leading the charge in Bitcoin's evolving ecosystem. We are committed to developing innovative, institutional-grade solutions that harness the power of Bitcoin layers, paving the way for a more secure and versatile decentralized financial landscape in Asia.” ^[4]​

Views and Philosophy

Elliot Andrews is a frequent commentator on the intersection of traditional finance and digital assets. His views emphasize the need for professionalization, security, and a clear regulatory environment to foster institutional adoption.

Bridging Traditional and Digital Finance

A central theme of Andrews' philosophy is the creation of a reliable bridge for investors moving from traditional financial markets into digital assets. He positions Aspen Digital as a trusted partner for this transition. He stated, "Our vision is to bridge the worlds of traditional finance and the digital frontier." ^[9] He believes that as allocations to the asset class increase, platforms offering a curated, secure, and compliant experience are essential. He has also highlighted the firm's role as a "Web3 partner" for wealth managers, providing the technology and expertise needed to develop a digital asset strategy. ^[5]​

Emphasis on Regulation and Security

Andrews is a proponent of robust regulatory frameworks as a necessary component for building long-term trust and stability in the digital asset market. He views regulatory approvals, such as the company's FSP license from ADGM, as critical differentiators that provide clients with security and confidence. ^[7] He contrasted Aspen Digital's approach with other market participants, saying, "Many of the crypto natives are not focused on an institutional level of operational security, diligence, and compliance, but we very much are." ^[4]​

Future of Digital Assets

Andrews sees client interest evolving beyond foundational cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum. He has pointed to a growing demand for more sophisticated products, including yield-generating strategies, structured products, and the tokenization of Real-World Assets (RWAs). ^[3] He has referred to the tokenization of traditionally illiquid assets like private equity, real estate, and art as a potential "game-changer for wealth management" that can unlock liquidity through fractional ownership and secondary markets. ^[9]​