IFGS 2025 welcomed the best and brightest from the global fintech ecosystem to discuss the crucial issues facing the sector today and in the years to come.
The Chatsworth team was out in full force on the day at Stand 1, and our friendly team had some great conversations with fintech innovators, clients, and journalists from across the globe. There was an upbeat sentiment at the event, both on stage and in the exhibition room, fueled by discussions of innovation and the tangible progress being made in the fintech sector.
A visit from the Chancellor
Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ appearance was a coup for IFGS 2025, and a clear sign that fintech is now firmly on the agenda at the highest levels of policymaking.
Reeves’ presence underlined the growing political momentum behind fintech and the potential role of a future government in enabling the sector to thrive.
The chancellor spoke about how the government will help grow the next generation of fintech companies in the UK and support them to start, scale and list. She focused on the government’s ongoing work with the Financial Conduct Authority to modernise the UK’s listing rules to ensure the UK remains one of the best places in the world to list.
Most importantly, she unveiled the new draft laws for firms offering services for cryptoassets like Bitcoin and Ethereum. Firms will now be subject to new, clear rules, boosting investor confidence and supporting legitimate innovation while cracking down on bad actors.
The Chancellor emphasised the importance of creating an environment in which businesses can take risks to innovate, experiment, and find ways to deliver for customers, and the government’s ambition for the UK to be a leading digital asset hub.
Digital assets take centre stage
Soon after, our co-founder and Director, Nick Murray-Leslie, expertly steered a compelling panel discussion on the steps needed to make the UK a global centre for tokenised securities and discussed Reeves’ plans with leading industry figures.
Kate Lowe (Euroclear), Matthew Osborne (Ripple), Niki Beattie (ClearToken) and Tom Duff Gordon (Coinbase) commended the government’s ambition and discussed the strengths of the UK as a digital asset hub and what more needs to happen.
Discussion points included:
- Digital asset legislation is now in place and how there is a need for regulation and strategy to follow
- Recent progress, including the digital securities sandbox which is the envy of other jurisdictions, the digital gilt pilot and establishing digital assets as property from a legal standpoint
- The next steps to make the UK a digital asset leader include dematerialisation, use of digital assets as collateral and on-chain settlement assets such as stablecoins
- Importance of close dialogue with the US on regulation and growing pressure and competition from the EU and US
- Over the next five years, the panel expect to see more progress with tokenisation, digital gilts and increased democratisation of finance
The growth of LATAM fintech
Beyond the main stage, the international dimension of the summit was impossible to miss.
This year’s summit saw a significant international contingent, a testament to the UK’s continued relevance as a global fintech hub. Hats off to the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) and, in particular, Roisin Perry, DBT’s Fintech Trade and Investment Manager, for their efforts in convening such a broad global community – the energy was undeniable.
We noticed a heavy presence of representatives from Latin American fintechs, a clear reflection of the region’s rapid growth and rising influence on the global stage. From Brazil to Mexico, startups and scaleups across Latin America are driving innovation in everything from payments and digital banking to blockchain and financial inclusion.
Their presence at IFGS underscored the increasing interconnectedness of the global fintech ecosystem – and the appetite for cross-border collaboration. With strong local demand, mobile-first infrastructure, and supportive regulatory environments in key markets, Latin America is set to become home to some key global fintech players.
This international energy, particularly from LATAM, added a dynamic and ambitious edge to this year’s summit – and it’s clear the rest of the world is paying attention.
See you next year!
Above all, a huge thank you to Innovate Finance for pulling off yet another world-class event. IFGS 2025 proved that when policy, industry, and innovation come together, the possibilities are exponential.
We look forward to returning next year, with greater ambition, renewed determination, and a clear optimism for what lies ahead.
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