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Capital Market Infrastructure Symposium Key takeaways !


We are still reflecting on the insightful panels from our Capital Markets Technology Symposium last week and wanted to share with you the key takeaways! 


Panel 1 - Developments in Market Infrastructure

🚀 Capital Markets are Transforming 🚀


🔹 Tech Transformation: From electronification to digitalisation, capital markets have made huge strides in automation and efficiency, yet there’s still room to improve in areas like securities finance and clearing. Technology providers should not underestimate the role of politics and fiefdoms in slowing technology adoption; things only happen when there is a regulatory imperative.

🔹 Challenges Ahead: Legacy tech, cybersecurity threats, and systemic risks due to increased interdependencies between banks and fintechs are top of mind. It’s hard to innovate at banks, this is an infrastructure industry which means it is incredibly hard to upgrade/replace/improve.

🔹 Opportunities Abound: Fragmented liquidity and rising adoption of AI are driving innovation, creating new ways to optimise trading and market operations. The hyper-digitalisation of marketplaces has meant a proliferation of venues and counterparties, this has led to a lot of noise. Brexit has added more challenges, hurting both the UK and the EU in favour of the US (and US venues).


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Panel 2 - Regulation & Data in Capital Markets 

📊 Regulation + Data = The New Market Imperatives 📊


The second panel at our event dove deep into the regulatory landscape and the pivotal role of data. Here’s a quick summary:

🔹 Regulation is Driving Change: From communication compliance (like handling WhatsApp records) to post-COVID data challenges, firms must adapt to evolving regulatory demands globally. Fines and public censure do not necessarily carry the same stigma that they used to; regulatory spending must tie better into revenue generation and cost reduction opportunities.

🔹 Data Strategies Are Critical: With data now at the core of compliance and decision-making, firms need robust data strategies to stay competitive and compliant. Reporting will move to real-time and self-service which will mean increased pressure on data accuracy and latency.

🔹 AI is a Game-Changer: As financial institutions integrate AI and machine learning, the potential to streamline compliance and risk management is greater than ever. Banks have been at the forefront of AI adoption.

The intersection of tech, data, and regulation is where the future of finance lies. Excited to see how these trends shape the industry!


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Panel 3 - Data and Analytics

💡 AI & Data in Finance: The Road Ahead 💡


The third panel at our event delved into how AI and data are reshaping finance, with both opportunities and challenges in focus. Here are the opinions shared with us:

🔹 AI as a Competitive Advantage: While AI is becoming more accessible, its real competitive edge will come from reducing costs and improving operational efficiency, as everyone will have access to similar AI tools.

🔹 AI is Shaping Workflows: AI is no longer just for data analysis—it's being used to automate processes and make real-time decisions, driving greater efficiency in financial institutions.

🔹 The Shift in Knowledge Work: AI is changing the focus of professionals from finding answers to asking better questions, as AI takes over routine tasks and supports deeper insights.

🔹 Data Ownership is Critical: The companies that control and leverage high-quality data will have a significant advantage in the AI-driven financial landscape, making data strategies crucial for long-term success.

AI, data, and innovation in workflows are leading the charge in finance, and those who leverage these advances will shape the future of the industry.


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Panel 4 - Innovation in Capital Markets and Digital Assets

💡 Digital Assets & Tokenization: The Future of Finance 💡


The fourth panel explored how digital assets, tokenization, and regulation are shaping the finance industry. Here’s a summary of the main insights:

🔹 Stablecoins Simplify Cross-Border Payments: Stablecoins are providing faster and cheaper alternatives to traditional cross-border payment systems like SWIFT, making transactions almost instant and more accessible, especially in emerging markets.

🔹 Institutional Adoption is Accelerating: Major financial institutions are increasingly embracing digital assets and tokenisation, spurred by both regulatory developments and innovations like tokenised bonds and collateral management. The adoption is based on moving to a 24x7 market availability.

🔹 Blockchain Technology, Not Just Crypto: Financial institutions are more interested in the efficiency gains from blockchain technology, focusing less on crypto assets themselves and more on how the underlying tech can improve traditional finance.

🔹 CBDCs Compete with Stablecoins: Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) are being developed to ensure central banks remain central to the monetary system, offering a state-backed alternative to private stablecoins.

🔹 Regulation for Digital Assets and Crypto: There is already enough regulation on digital assets; the technology behind it is purely a tech play. Crypto is different, where regulation is coming fast. 

Digital assets and tokenisation are revolutionising the financial landscape, and organisations that embrace these innovations will define the future of finance.



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