Banco Santander, the Spanish banking group has announced on Tuesday that Blythe Masters, CEO of blockchain startup Digital Asset Holdings has resigned from SC Board of Directors to take on a new role as senior blockchain advisor.

“Blythe will bring her expertise in banking, business and blockchain where, it will have significant impact to our digital bank, International Advisory Board and strategy team. She has done an outstanding job for SC, and I'm looking forward to her focusing on our global efforts in digital banking," Banco Santander Executive Chairman Ana Botín said.

Masters has served several senior positions at JPMorgan Chase including Head of Global Commodities, and CFO of J.P. Morgan's Investment Bank prior to starting Digital Asset. Blockchain based Digital Asset Holdings is a technology company that builds distributed, encrypted, straight-through processing tools to improve efficiency, security, compliance and settlement speed.

Joining the team as senior blockchain advisor, Masters stated, “I am excited to have this opportunity to work with Banco Santander more expansively.”

William Rainer, a current member of the SC Board of Directors and Chairman of the Audit and Regulatory and Compliance Oversight Committees, has been appointed to take up the role of SC Board Chairman. He has been having wide experience serving as Chair person in various organizations including the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission and United States Enrichment Corporation among others.

“I appreciate this opportunity to serve as Chairman of SC's Board of Directors. I especially look forward to continuing to work closely with my colleagues on the Board. I want to thank Blythe for her contributions to Santander Consumer USA during her leadership as Chair and wish her the best in her new and broadened role at Santander," Rainer said.

Blythe Masters will also join Banco Santander's International Advisory Board and the board of its online-only bank, "Openbank" after necessary final approvals.