MAM
Cifdaq doubles down on firepower with high-stakes C-suite shake-up
MUMBAI: There’s a storm brewing in the crypto world, and Cifdaq Group is flying straight into it — but not without bolstering its cockpit first. The blockchain beast has just recruited two heavyweight copilots to chart its next big leap in the Indian and global markets. Enter: Ankur Sharma as group chief financial officer (CFO) and Smrita Singh Chandra as group chief brand and communications officer (CBCO).
These aren’t just titles to slap on a LinkedIn update. Sharma and Chandra bring over 35 years of combined experience to a Web3 outfit that’s got its eyes set on a multi-billion-dollar future. According to company brass, the move is about more than beefing up the leadership bench — it’s a statement of intent.
“The cryptocurrency industry is growing at an unprecedented pace, projected to attain a valuation of $5 billion globally by 2030. These appointments are part of our strategy to build a future-ready leadership team capable of navigating rapid change, scaling operations, and creating meaningful impact. Ankur will be instrumental in refining our financial strategy, strengthening investor relations, and enabling sustainable growth. Smrita’s strategic storytelling expertise will be key to building trust and strengthening engagement across stakeholders—from consumers and regulators to partners worldwide. Together, they will help us fortify our foundation, drive innovation, and elevate our brand as we continue to lead in the cryptocurrency and blockchain space. We’re excited to welcome them aboard at this transformative moment,” said Cifdaq group founder & chairman Himanshu Maradiya.
Sharma comes packing some serious numbers. With a track record that includes turbocharging boAt’s omni-channel revenue almost threefold in under three years, he’s now in charge of cracking the crypto-finance code at Cifdaq. Past roles at Cravatex (FILA, VANS), AGS Group and Reliance Capital make Sharma less of a CFO and more of a revenue ninja.
“Cifdaq Group is at the cutting edge of blockchain and digital finance, and I’m thrilled to be given the opportunity to support its acceleration towards the next chapter. With a strong foundation in place, my focus will be on refining our financial strategy to unlock new growth opportunities, streamline operations, and ensure that we’re well positioned to deliver long-term value to both, our users and investors”, said Sharma.
Chandra, meanwhile, joins the war room with a megaphone in one hand and a brand manual in the other. With nearly two decades shaping brand and policy narratives — from Dream11 to Fedex to Jet Airways — she’s the communications powerhouse Cifdaq wants as it courts regulators, dodges FUD, and chases user trust.
“Joining Cifdaq at this pivotal moment is an exciting opportunity and a challenge. As we redefine the future of blockchain and financial technology, my focus is on amplifying our brand voice and reinforcing our values—transparency, trust, compliance, and innovation—to connect meaningfully with both Indian and global communities”, she said.
With the crypto market ballooning and India’s digital asset debate simmering on low heat, these appointments mark a crucial play. If the future of finance is being rewritten, Cifdaq wants a firm grip on the pen — and it just handed it to two of the sharpest scribes around.
Brands
Axis Bank named Official Banking Partner of DP World PGTI
Partnership supports all tournaments this season to grow professional golf in India.
MUMBAI: Axis Bank just teed up a hole-in-one partnership because when a bank sponsors golf’s biggest swing in India, even the fairways feel more financially secure. Axis Bank has been appointed Official Banking Partner of the DP World Professional Golf Tour of India (DP World PGTI), strengthening its commitment to sporting excellence and community engagement while backing the growth of professional golf across the country.
Under the partnership, Axis Bank will support all DP World PGTI tournaments this season, contributing to talent development, enhanced tournament experiences and wider fan engagement. The collaboration aligns the bank’s values of precision, discipline and trust with the Tour’s focus on performance and opportunity.
Axis Bank executive director Munish Sharda said, “We are pleased to partner with DP World PGTI as its Official Banking Partner. Golf embodies precision, discipline, and a pursuit of excellence qualities that strongly reflect who we are at Axis Bank. This association also strengthens our engagement with India’s growing premium customer segments, where the sport has a deep and enduring connect.”
Professional Golf Tour of India president Kapil Dev said, “We are extremely pleased to welcome Axis Bank as a Tour Partner of the DP World Professional Golf Tour of India. Partnerships of this stature play a vital role in strengthening the foundation of the Tour, enhancing opportunities for our players, and expanding the sport’s reach across the country.”
Professional Golf Tour of India CEO Amandeep Johl added, “Axis Bank’s strong legacy of excellence, innovation, and nationwide reach aligns perfectly with DP World PGTI’s goal to elevate professional golf in India and provide greater opportunities for our players.”
In a sport where every stroke counts and every partnership drives distance, Axis Bank isn’t just backing golfers, it’s investing in the fairway to future, turning India’s greens into a stage where precision meets passion and every drive has the power to inspire.
