Digital Asset Holdings, the New York-based blockchain startup led by ex-JP Morgan executive Blythe Masters, has added new executives with experience that some of the world’s largest financial institutions to its more than 20-person team.

In a release today, Digital Asset revealed that it hired former NICE Actimize managing director and JP Morgan global head of client connectivity services Justin Amos, and former Goldman Sachs vice president of enterprise systems management Edward Newman.

Amos will be charged with opening Digital Asset’s European office, while Newman will serve as senior software developer.

In statements, Digital Asset CEO Blythe Masters used the announcement as a way to promote her company’s dedication to protecting its customers, while emphasizing the strategy behind its move to the EU market.

"I am delighted to welcome Justin and Ed to our rapidly growing team, especially as technology risk management continues to be a top priority for the financial services industry," Masters said.

The comments come amid reports that the startup has faced issues raising a reported $35m in funding, while following its announcement that it would participate in the Open Ledger Project, a business-focused open-source blockchain project organized by the Linux Foundation.

Founded in 2014, Digital Asset provides cryptographic software for asset settlement targeting markets including syndicated loans, US treasury repo, foreign exchange, securities settlement and derivatives.

A recent report by Aite Group indicates Digital Asset plans to expand its solutions to new use cases in 2015 including digital currencies, payments, public stock and transaction reporting.

New York image via Shutterstock