Dogecoin: Goldman Sachs executive reportedly quits after making fortune from cryptocurrency

Cryptocurrency’s value has risen significantly since the beginning of this year

Vishwam Sankaran
Thursday 13 May 2021 04:43 EDT
Comments
What's going on with Dogecoin?

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

An executive with Goldman Sachs London has reportedly quit his role with the bank after making millions from Dogecoin.

Aziz McMahon, a managing director and head of emerging market sales at Goldman Sachs, reportedly resigned from the company after making money from his investment in Dogecoin – a cryptocurrency that was started after an internet meme and has risen in value by 72 times between the start of January and late last week.

While the bank has confirmed McMahon’s departure from the company, it hasn’t yet confirmed the reason.

Efinancialcareers reported that he quit after making millions from the digital currency, and may be starting a hedge fund.

Championed by billionaire Elon Musk, who calls himself the “Dogefather,” the cryptocurrency’s value has risen significantly since the beginning of this year, peaking at USD 0.6873 on 6 May before the Tesla chief executive’s Saturday Night Live appearance.

However, following Musk’s SNL debut on 8 May, where he jokingly called Dogecoin a “hustle”, the coin’s value dropped by about 30 per cent.

While it has since recovered, the cryptocurrency is still 32 per cent below its highs. But compared to the start of 2021, it is still up by over 1000 per cent.

Considering this recent dip in Dogecoin values, McMahon likely made most of his fortunes from the digital currency before the Tesla chief’s SNL debut, Fortune reported.

The cryptocurrency’s value is expected to continue to change further with new digital coins programmed to be issued online every minute.

Pushes from people like Musk, American restaurateur Guy Fieri, and billionaire entrepreneur Mark Cuban, continue to impact its value.

Musk said on Tuesday that Tesla is considering accepting payments in Dogecoin, and had also announced SpaceX’s “DOGE-1 Mission to the Moon,” for next year with his commercial rocket company set to accept payment in the crypto currency.

Shark Tank star Cuban’s NBA team, the Dallas Mavericks, has also been accepting cryptocurrency for payments.

Others in the financial sector have also tilted towards cryptocurrencies in the recent years.

Luyi Zhang, a former senior quantitative analyst at Bank of America in New York, started working at Coinbase as a senior software engineer, and Jesse Bornstein, who launched Nomura’s trade finance business in New York, also reportedly quit to become VP of institutional sales at Stakehound, a company that issues tokens allowing owners access to decentralized finance.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in