Miami International Holdings, Inc. (MIH), the parent holding company of the MIAX Options®, MIAX PEARL™ and MIAX Emerald™ options exchanges (the MIAX Exchange Group™), today announced that Mark Wetjen has joined MIH as Executive Vice President, Futures and Innovative Products of MIH and Executive Regulatory Liaison Officer. He will also serve as the Chief Executive Officer of Miami International Futures Exchange, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of MIH. Wetjen will play a pivotal role in projects relating to the futures business as the MIAX Exchange Group expands from electronic trading of options into cash equities, futures and innovative products, including digital securities and crypto assets and derivatives.
Wetjen brings more than 15 years of financial and regulatory experience to MIAX's senior leadership team. Mr. Wetjen previously served as a Commissioner and acting Chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) from 2011 – 2015. Most recently, he served as a managing director of the Depository Trust and Clearing Corporation, where he successfully led the company's global policy advocacy and chaired the board of directors of Deriv/SERV.
Wetjen has focused his recent professional efforts on the impacts of technology on financial services, providing thought leadership through his writings and serving on advisory boards of think tanks and other tech-focused institutions.
Under former President Barack Obama, Wetjen served as one of five appointed commissioners of the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission. Previously, he served as counsel and senior policy advisor to the Honorable Harry Reid, whom he advised on Wall Street reform, banking, housing, communications, technology and other legislation.
"We are very pleased to welcome such an experienced industry veteran to our executive team," said Thomas P. Gallagher, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of MIH. "Mark is a proven leader and his extensive background will be invaluable to MIH as we seek to establish our presence in the U.S. futures market and expand our product offerings."
"Mark's strategic and visionary approach, as well as his wealth of knowledge in innovative investment products, will support our continued expansion of new asset class offerings," said Barbara J. Comly, Executive Vice President and General Counsel of MIH.
"MIAX has a demonstrated commitment to offering disruptive investment products and providing the marketplace with choice and innovation," said Wetjen. "I'm eager to join this team to help them continue to expand their offerings to better serve their clients and advance the industry."
Wetjen earned his bachelor's degree from Creighton University, summa cum laude and holds a J.D. from University of Iowa College of Law, with distinction.
MIH also announced today that it plans to open a Washington, D.C. office in Q1 2020.
About MIH and the MIAX Exchange Group
Miami International Holdings, Inc. (MIH) is the parent holding company of Miami International Securities Exchange, LLC (MIAX®), MIAX PEARL, LLC (MIAX PEARL®) and MIAX Emerald, LLC (MIAX Emerald™ and together with MIAX and MIAX PEARL, the MIAX Exchange Group™), three fully electronic options trading exchanges.
