AWR Capital (“AWR”), an algorithmic trading firm, today announced that GMO Financial Holdings (“GMO-FH”) has taken a 10% equity stake in the company. As part of the strategic partnership with GMO-FH, AWR will act as dedicated crypto market-maker for GMO Coin, one of the largest FX and digital asset exchanges in Japan.
AWR combines deep algorithmic trading expertise, first class quantitative research and rigorous risk management discipline gained at top tier buy- and sell-side firms including Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, J.P. Morgan, Point72, and Tudor Capital. Its proprietary trading system allows it to execute systematic strategies seamlessly, ensuring low market risk at scale while generating exceptional returns across market conditions.
Tomitaka Ishimura, COO at GMO Financial Holdings, said: “We are very pleased to have entered into a strategic partnership with AWR, a team that has an unparalleled skillset and leading-edge proprietary technology. Our investment will allow AWR to build out its services and solutions to span multiple asset classes and strategies.”
In addition, AWR has appointed algorithmic trading veteran Phillip Gillespie as managing partner. He will drive the firm’s business development strategy and scale its operations. Gillespie was previously group CEO of crypto market-maker B2C2. Prior to that, he led Goldman Sachs’ FX G10 business and commodities trading for EMEA, as part of the systematic market-making team.
“I am excited to join AWR Capital at a time of significant opportunity for a trusted team to provide safe, efficient multi-asset exposure coupled with seamless execution. I look forward to working with this first class team to expand AWR’s operations across products and geographies so that investors and market participants alike will be able to capitalise on volatility in both digital and traditional financial markets,” said Phillip Gillespie.
Dave Askey, managing partner and founder of AWR Capital, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Phil aboard. His systematic trading expertise and extensive industry network will be of immense value to our firm as we build out a multi-asset financial services offering. We launched AWR in 2021 to take advantage of the exceptional opportunities available in cryptocurrency markets – these opportunities are only set to grow and we look forward to expanding our services and solutions significantly in the coming months.”
