Speakers

Bob Wardrop
Professor, University of Cambridge & Spin-out Founder, Cambridge University & RegGenome
Bob is a member of the finance faculty at the Cambridge Judge Business School where he is a recipient of its Excellence in Teaching Prize. Bob’s research explores innovation at the intersection of technological change and the global financial system, and in 2021 he received the CJBS Research Impact Award for his work applying AI to regulatory information in the field of computational regulation. This research project led to the creation of a university spin-out company (RegGenome) which has developed an AI-enabled platform for regulatory policy analysis currently used by more than 100 regulatory authorities and commercial customers. In 2015, Bob co-founded the Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance and during his tenure as its Founding Director established the CCAF as a global leader in researching channels and instruments of finance emerging in the digitisation of the financial system. He has held several advisory board roles with regulatory authorities and board directorships with commercial companies over the course of his professional career. Bob holds an MBA from the Booth School of Business at the University of Chicago, an MSc from the London School of Economics, and a PhD from the University of Cambridge.
Speaking At
GFTN Insights
The Telegraph Hotel - Telegraph Ballroom
Open
Many emerging markets are grappling with fragmented investor ecosystems, where early-stage founders struggle to find seed capital, and later-stage companies face liquidity bottlenecks that limit scale. Global investors are increasingly interested in untapped markets, but challenges such as underdeveloped exit pathways, regulatory uncertainty, and shallow capital pools remain.
This dialogue brings together venture capitalists, institutional investors, fintech leaders, and policymakers to share lessons from developed investor markets, examine strategies that can localize best practices, and chart a path towards building vibrant, liquid ecosystems in the region.
GFTN Insights
MOMA - The Museum of Modern Art
Open
GFTN Insights
The Telegraph Hotel - Telegraph Ballroom
Open
Financial services stand at the cusp of a new innovation cycle where AI, tokenisation, and quantum computing are converging to reshape market infrastructure, regulatory oversight, and financial intermediation. These technologies will not only transform how institutions operate but also influence how jurisdictions compete as fintech hubs in the next decade.
This roundtable brings together central bank leaders, industry innovators, and academic experts to unpack what this next cycle means for regulators and policymakers, particularly in emerging markets. The dialogue will explore how to safeguard competitiveness while embracing innovation, what standards and guardrails are needed to balance resilience with experimentation, and how to translate new technologies into trusted, inclusive financial ecosystems.
Workshop
The Telegraph Hotel - Post Meeting Room
Open
This workshop delves into the evolution of crypto exchanges into all-encompassing ecosystems that seamlessly integrate trading, asset management, and real-world payments. Participants will engage in a hands-on exploration of Bybit Pay & Card, understanding how payment infrastructure connects Web3 innovation to everyday use. The session will also highlight key compliance principles that drive sustainable growth across regions. An interactive exercise will allow participants to design their ideal Web3 ecosystem, fostering deeper insights into the future of digital finance.
Workshop
The Telegraph Hotel - Post Meeting Room
Open
In an increasingly interconnected world, the ability to move value quickly, securely, and across borders is critical for economic growth. Yet, global settlement infrastructure faces challenges. From fragmented systems, high costs, and delayed settlements to regulatory complexities and evolving technological demands.
In this interactive workshop, hosted by Visa, we will explore how the settlement landscape is evolving, the role of emerging technologies, and how collaboration between financial institutions, fintechs, and regulators can drive innovation. Participants will engage in discussions and rapid ideation to envision the future of a frictionless, scalable, and inclusive global settlement network.