HONG KONG — Sheel Kohli has joined blockchain company Block.One as global chief marketing and communications officer after departing Credit Suisse last month.

Kohli spent more than a decade at Credit Suisse, where he led Asia-Pacific corporate communications as MD. In addition to overseeing the bank's corporate communications across investment banking, private banking and asset management, Kohli was heavily involved in Credit Suisse's flagship Asian Investment Conference.

At Block.One, Kohli will remain based in Hong Kong, reporting to group president Rob Jesudason. Block.one is the publisher of the EOSIO blockchain software protocol and seller of the EOS Token, a top-five cryptocurrency with a market capitalization of US$4.5 billion.

“I’m delighted we could attract an executive of Sheel’s capability and depth of experience to our team,” said Jesudason. “His extensive track record of success working for some of the most prestigious financial services institutions in the world will be a great benefit to Block.one as we continue to build our brand and global market presence.”

Prior to Credit Suisse, Kohli led corporate communications for Asia-Pacific at ING for five years and also worked as a Europe-based business correspondent for the South China Morning Post for just under a decade.

His hire follows a number of executive appointments by Block.one in recent months, including: president Rob Jesudason from Commonwealth Bank of Australia; chief people officer James Mendes from Citibank; EOS VC CEO Mike Alexander from Jefferies; and chief legal officer Alex Erasmus from Clifford Chance.

"Blockchain has the potential of revolutionizing business processes and creating enhanced efficiencies at ever greater speeds across a wide range of commerce and communications," said Kohli. "I look forward to working with Block.one to shape understanding of blockchain globally, and specifically the unique capabilities we are offering to entrepreneurs, innovators and companies who are ready to embrace this new technology."