The Pioneer Awards 2026: Full shortlist
The Pioneers 2026 shortlist sets the stage for one of the most anticipated celebrations in institutional finance, bringing together the organisations and individuals redefining how global financial services operate.
This year’s gala dinner will take place on 24 April 2026 at the iconic Shakespeare’s Globe Underglobe, where leaders across banking, fintech, insurance, investment, and payments will gather to honour the sector’s most forward‑thinking talent.
The awards programme was created to spotlight excellence across an industry undergoing rapid transformation.
From digital asset infrastructure to next‑generation payments, from institutional‑grade cybersecurity to pioneering investment strategies, The Pioneers recognises those shaping the future of finance.
Congratulations to every organisation and individual who made this year’s shortlist
Payments Innovation of the Year
Category sponsorship available
BCB Group
Bruc Bond
Circle
J.P. Morgan
Ripple
Crypto Banking Innovation of the Year
Category sponsorship available
Apex
AMINA Bank
Fireblocks
J.P. Morgan
Taurus
Digital Custodian of the Year
Category sponsorship available
BNY
Komainu
Northern Trust
State Street
Zodia Custody
Post-Trade Pioneer of the Year
Category sponsorship available
Apex
Clearstream
Euroclear
LSEG
Swift
Stablecoin Innovation of the Year
Category sponsorship available
Circle
Kinexys by J.P. Morgan
PayPal
Société Générale
Solana
Asset Manager of the Year
Sponsored by Nethermind
Ark Invest
Bitwise
Blue Coin Capital
CoinShares
Janus Henderson
Asset Owner of the Year
Sponsored by Kula
ADIA
Generali
Mubadala
Norges Bank
Temasek
Investment Bank of the Year
Sponsored by Nethermind
BNP Paribas
Deutsche Bank
Kinexys by J.P. Morgan
Société Générale
UBS
Investment Consultancy of the Year
Sponsored by Kula
Aon
Callan
Cartwright
Mercer
Willis Towers Watson
Start-up of the Year
Category sponsorship available
Ctrl Alt
Lise
MembersCap
Nodu
RuleSpark
Scale-up of the Year
Category sponsorship available
Archax
BCB Group
Blockdaemon
BPX
Fireblocks
Fintech of the Year
Sponsored by Anglia Ruskin University
Block
Blockdaemon
Native
RuleSpark
Superstate
Insurance Innovation of the Year
Category sponsorship available
Canopius
Howden
Native
MembersCap
OnRe
Insurance Team of the Year
Sponsored by No Fluff Communications
Aon
Howden
Lockton
Native
Relm Insurance
Cybersecurity Innovation of the Year
Category sponsorship available
CertiK
Elliptic
Framework Security
iTrust by TrustNet
TrustNet
Platinum Categories
Pioneering Team of the Year
Category sponsorship available
BCB Group
Clear Junction
eToro
SAP
SS&C Technologies
The Young Pioneer Award
Sponsored by Liminal Communications
Elise Soucie Watts – GDF
Filip Ivanov – BCB Group
Millie Tobin – BCB Group
Reuben Blamey – Agant
Sam Buxton – Damex
Partnership of the Year
Category sponsorship available
AMINA Bank & Ripple
BCB Group & Circle
MembersCap & Hannover RE
Société Générale‑FORGE & Bullish Europe
Wyden & Taurus
Editor’s Choice Award
Brought to you by Rhotic Media
ChainBrain
Clear Junction
CoinCover
Schroders
WTS Hansuke
Capital Pioneer of the Year
Sponsored by RTGS.global
Julian Sawyer – Zodia Custody
Nikhil Sharma – BlackRock
Pavan Kaur – RuleSpark
Dr. Stephan Leithner – Deutsche Börse AG
Tim Renew – BCB Group
Book Your Place
The gala dinner promises an evening of celebration, networking, and recognition among the industry’s most influential innovators.
To book your table:
Joe Dodd // joe.dodd@rhoticmedia.com // 020 3143 2246
Seiya Hill‑Cottingham // seiya.hill.cottingham@rhoticmedia.com // 020 3143 2249
For all other event enquiries:
Kate Grimes‑Hilbrown // kate.hilbrown@rhoticmedia.com // 020 3143 2246