René Michau is Global Head of Digital Assets and is responsible for coordinating the strategic approach across Standard Chartered and SC Ventures, aligning innovation and capability delivery to provide clients with safe access to digital asset solutions. René led the establishment of the Fintech Banking business at SC and has worked across Financial Markets, Transaction Banking, Risk and Technology for several banks including HSBC, ANZ and NAB. His early career was spent as an Officer in the Australian Defence Force. 

René also leads the development of crypto trading, and custody products for Standard Chartered and co-chairs the Global Blockchain Business Council (GBBC) Digital Finance Institutional Crypto Working Group and the Institute of International Finance (IIF) Digital Assets Forum. René is also a member of the Digital Asset Markets sub-committee of the Commodities and Futures Trading Commission (CFTC)’s Global Markets Advisory Committee (GMAC) 

René is a strong advocate for innovation and contributes his time collaborating to community building, podcasts, academic research and speaking engagements. René is passionate about the empowerment of the amazing women in crypto and fintech and advocates for the power of diversity.