Jeff Handler (OpenTrade)
Overview
Jeff Handler is a prominent figure in the fintech industry, known for his role as the Chief Commercial Officer and Co-Founder of OpenTrade, a fintech infrastructure platform based in London. OpenTrade specializes in providing stablecoin infrastructure and yield products, making substantial strides in the integration of real-world assets (RWA) into digital financial platforms. Handler has been instrumental in shaping OpenTrade’s trajectory, leveraging his extensive background in blockchain technology and finance.
Recent Developments
- June 2025: OpenTrade secured $7 million in a recent strategic funding round led by Notion Capital and Mercury Fund, with participation from AlbionVC, a16z crypto, and CMCC Global. The funds aim to expand product development, enhance engineering capabilities, and bolster operational capacity as part of OpenTrade’s go-to-market strategy.
- 2024: OpenTrade partnered with Enigma Securities to launch US Treasury bill-backed yield products, available to institutional clients. This endeavor is part of OpenTrade’s mission to bring secured lending products to the blockchain, utilizing Circle's Perimeter Protocol.
- 2023: OpenTrade introduced tokenized treasury bills on the Perimeter Protocol to integrate secure stablecoin lending. This move positions OpenTrade at the forefront of structured finance products within the digital asset space.
Personal Information
| Attribute | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Jeffrey Harrison Handler |
| Born | April 1992, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Co-Founder, Chief Commercial Officer |
| Known For | OpenTrade, Blockchain Innovation |
| Net Worth | Not Publicly Disclosed |
| Education | B.S. in Political Science, Washington University in St. Louis |
Early Life and Education
Jeff Handler was born in April 1992 in the United States. He pursued his education at Washington University in St. Louis, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Political Science. Handler's academic background laid a strong foundation for his career in fintech and blockchain technology. His early interest in digital assets and systems led him to engage with pioneering projects in blockchain during his college years, contributing to his deep understanding of the field.
Career and Notable Achievements
Handler's professional journey is marked by his leadership in various fintech and blockchain roles:
- Centre Consortium: Served as Solutions Architect, where he contributed to the governance and utility expansion of USDC, a major stablecoin.
- Marco Polo Network: Held significant positions, including VP of Business Innovation and Global Head of Special Projects, focusing on sales and deployment of blockchain solutions in global markets.
- OpenTrade: As a Co-Founder and Chief Commercial Officer, Jeff Handler has been pivotal in advancing stablecoin yield products, surpassing $175 million in transaction volumes since early 2024.
Current Work and Impact
Currently, Jeff Handler is actively engaged in expanding OpenTrade's reach globally, with a strong focus on democratizing access to stable, secure, and compliant yield-bearing products. His work emphasizes embedding these products directly into digital wallets and apps used by everyday consumers, which has substantially increased financial inclusivity and liquidity in emerging markets. Handler's efforts continue to bridge traditional financial frameworks with innovative blockchain solutions.
Conclusion
Jeff Handler stands as a transformative figure in the realm of fintech, driving innovation at OpenTrade with a strong commitment to expanding financial accessibility via blockchain. As OpenTrade continues to grow, its impact on the fintech landscape is poised to be substantial, with Handler's vision leading the charge toward more inclusive and robust financial systems. As the company broadens its scope, Jeff Handler’s contributions will likely leave a lasting legacy in the integration of real-world assets with digital financial products.