Updated on:11/26/2025 01:39 PM 
We sat down with Steve Ehrlich, a finance industry veteran who transitioned from the heights of traditional capital markets to the forefront of the cryptocurrency revolution. With over 25 years of experience, including a tenure as CEO of E*TRADE Professional Trading, Ehrlich now serves as the CEO of Voyager Digital. In this exclusive interview, he shares his journey from Wall Street to crypto, the vision behind Voyager, and his bold predictions for the future of digital assets and blockchain technology.
Can you share your background in finance and what initially drew you to the cryptocurrency space?
I've been deeply involved in capital markets for over 25 years. My career began at TIR Securities, one of the few global soft-dollar brokerage firms during the industry's emergence. Later, at Lightspeed Trading, I led the first Broker-Dealer focused exclusively on active traders and automated trading systems. As CEO of Tradier, I pioneered an API-first brokerage model before it became mainstream. I've been fortunate to be at the forefront of several financial industry revolutions, including my time leading online trading at E*TRADE.
I was introduced to crypto in early 2017 and quickly recognized it as an industry I had to be part of. I noticed many of the same inefficiencies that plagued the early days of stock trading—price discrepancies and fragmented liquidity. I knew traders deserved a better solution, and co-founding Voyager felt like the logical next step.
What was the primary motivation behind launching Voyager Digital?
My co-founders and I analyzed the crypto landscape in 2017 and saw a clear opportunity. We believed we could build something smarter, more transparent, and far more user-friendly. Our core belief was that crypto investors deserved the same level of experience, security, and support they were accustomed to in traditional markets, all while honoring crypto’s unique value propositions. We're proud to say we've delivered that with the Voyager app.
Where is your team based, and what was the strategic reason for that choice?
We're headquartered in New York City, with additional offices in New Jersey and California. We chose New York for its unparalleled access to top-tier technology and financial talent. The other locations were strategically selected based on key regulatory considerations.
What are some of Voyager Digital’s most notable achievements or milestones?
2019 was a landmark year for Voyager. We launched our iOS app in February to a waitlist of over 100,000 users. Getting our flagship product into the hands of customers was a major achievement, but we're also incredibly proud of taking the company public in Canada (VYGR.CN) and our acquisition of Ethos. Here are the highlights:
How did your experience as CEO of E*TRADE shape your approach at Voyager Digital?
At E*TRADE, I was part of a team that built a state-of-the-art platform. Our goal was to earn the public's trust not just in our company, but in the concept of online trading itself. Through hard work and the support of early adopters, we convinced millions that online trading was the future. We saw the percentage of individual stock traders jump from 5% to 20% in a single decade.
I believe crypto will have an even greater impact, bringing a global, 24/7 market to anyone, anywhere. The same pillars that drove the adoption of online trading—trust, excellent customer support, and accessibility—will propel the crypto market forward. We see immense potential for growth and innovation in this exciting space.
How does Voyager differentiate itself from other crypto trading platforms?
First and foremost, Voyager is the simplest and fastest way to trade crypto. We are a broker, not an exchange, which means we take a customer-centric approach. Our mission is to make buying and selling crypto a seamless and intuitive experience. Other platforms can be overly complex, requiring users to buy crypto on one service, transfer it to an exchange, and navigate multiple KYC processes. With Voyager, you can do it all in under five minutes within a single app. We also offer interest on Bitcoin and our native token, the VGX Token, with plans to expand this to other assets. Essentially, you get the benefits of multiple service providers in one easy-to-use application.
What can you tell us about the Voyager Digital product roadmap? What upcoming features are you most excited about?
In the coming year, we plan to expand internationally, a huge step in bringing crypto to a global audience. We are also working on adding new assets, enabling blockchain transfers, introducing margin trading, and more. There are some very exciting developments on the horizon!
What are the biggest challenges of building a crypto trading platform for today's users?
The crypto market is still in its early stages, and in many ways, it's the 'Wild West.' Regulatory guidance is limited, and there's still a great deal of uncertainty surrounding the technology. A significant part of our effort has been dedicated to ensuring full compliance with existing regulations while preparing for a more regulated future.
Another major challenge is liquidity. From day one, we knew we had to offer competitive pricing. It was difficult to find reputable market-making partners that supported a wide range of assets. By building our Smart Order Router, which connects to multiple exchanges and top-tier partners, we've created a liquidity network that is unmatched in the market.
Finally, building trust is paramount. Many people have been victims of misinformation or dubious platforms. Our goal is to educate users about the value of crypto and provide them with a safe, easy way to invest through a licensed and regulated app like ours.
What other projects and/or blockchain developments are you most excited about?
We're big fans of Celsius and RoundlyX, both of which are our partners. Celsius’s mission aligns perfectly with ours: they're focused on integrating today's financial systems with a new model that prioritizes the customer's best interests through services like interest, lending, and loans in crypto. RoundlyX allows users to invest their spare change in crypto and make recurring purchases. You can link your Voyager account so your spare change is automatically deposited into the asset of your choice. We're also thrilled that our traditional equities partners, like Market Rebellion, TradeStation, Lightspeed, and Interactive Brokers, are now offering crypto access to their clients using our technology.
Do you have any blockchain and/or crypto predictions for 2020 and beyond?
We believe the financial industry is undergoing a transformative shift. Payments, trading, custody, and settlement are all being reimagined because of crypto. Some of these changes will happen quickly, but the biggest shifts will take more time. We intend to be at the forefront—educating consumers and regulators, developing solutions, and leading the way toward a more democratized financial future. Long-term, the possibilities of blockchain and crypto are immense. We are confident that equities will evolve into digital assets, crypto will be used for everyday purchases, and many companies will begin to resemble decentralized networks. In the meantime, the industry has a lot of work to do!
What are the biggest obstacles for the mainstream adoption of crypto?
First, it's ease of use. If it's not simple, people won't use it. That's the core problem Voyager is here to solve. Our goal is to make crypto so simple your grandma could use it.
Second, there's a major trust and education gap. Many have been exposed to misinformation and shady platforms. We are working to build that trust by adhering to regulations, securing the proper licenses, listing on a public exchange, and consistently educating people on the value of this technology.
What is your most controversial opinion relating to blockchain and/or cryptocurrency?
That's a challenging question. I believe there is a significant amount of foundational development needed in crypto and blockchain before it can go truly mainstream. Everyone wants the price to go up, but the long-term viability of this industry depends on blockchain platforms being developed, tested, and proven to be scalable and efficient. Crypto has to offer a tangible advantage to the world, giving people and businesses a reason to use it over traditional alternatives. This is happening, but it requires time, and we are well-positioned as leaders in this movement.
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