The Capital Pioneer Summit opened today in London with a rallying call for the global capital markets community to embrace transformative technologies while working hand‑in‑hand with regulators to safeguard economies.
The inaugural event, which takes place on 6 October 2025 at the Code Node Conference Centre in London, has seen hundreds of delegates register for the capital markets conference focussed on digital transformation.
In the opening keynote, Joe McGrath, CEO of Rhotic Media (the parent company of the Summit), said: “We are lucky enough to be living through another big bang. A market transformation. We are witnessing where the deep foundations of global capital markets meet the extraordinary possibilities of new technology.”
McGrath said Capital Pioneer was launched to demonstrate that London remains outward‑facing to the world while continuing to lead as the global hub of financial services.
“Blockchain technology, artificial intelligence, and innovation in payments, such as stablecoins, are no longer distant concepts. They are here, and they offer us the chance to modernise, to revolutionise, and to make our markets more efficient, more resilient, and more inclusive,” he said.
While championing innovation, McGrath stressed the importance of respecting the role of central banks and domestic regulators.
“If we are to protect our economies, we must respect their function. That does not mean slowing down innovation, it means guiding it.
“It means working with regulators, not against them, to build a community of forward‑thinking capital markets providers who embrace sensible regulation while refusing to shun innovation.”
The Summit has attracted support from leading commercial backers.
McGrath thanked Bitwise, BCB Group, Aon, Carne Group, and RTGS Global as lead sponsors, noting their shared vision of a capital markets future that is “efficient, profitable, and safe, where transformative technology is harnessed responsibly under the guardrails of regulation.”
Positioning the event firmly within the capital markets space, McGrath emphasised: “This is not just another ‘digital asset’ or ‘crypto’ conference. The Capital Pioneer Summit is rooted firmly in capital markets.
“It is designed to cover every aspect that matters to you, whether you are an asset owner, a custodian, or a payments innovator. Here, there are no daft questions, only possibilities.”
Delegates were also encouraged to take advantage of networking opportunities throughout the day, with refreshments served on the exhibitor floor and a closing drinks reception, Capital Pioneer Connections, hosted at the South Place Hotel.
