Name: Elise Soucie Watts
Job title & company: Executive Director, Global Digital Finance
Finalist: Young Pioneer Award
Social: LinkedIn: Elise Soucie Watts | LinkedIn
Website: Global Digital Finance | Advancing Digital Finance | GDF.io
How does it feel to be shortlisted for the Capital Pioneer Awards 2026?
Honestly, it is an honour and a lovely surprise. The technical work we do at GDF is often quite behind the scenes such as consultation responses, working group discussions and direct regulator engagement. It does not always feel visible in the way that, say, a product launch might. So being recognised in this way is genuinely meaningful, and I am grateful for it.
What does this recognition mean to your organisation?
GDF is a trade association that operates as an open innovation community, which means our success is fundamentally collective. We are only as effective as the members, working group participants, and partners who show up and contribute. This recognition feels like a reflection of that whole ecosystem, the members and community experts who share their expertise, the policymakers who engage seriously with us, and a small but committed team who make it all happen. It is a nice reminder that the work really matters!
What part of your work/campaign are you most proud of?
I am most proud of the quality and consistency of our policy engagement at a genuinely critical moment. Over the past year, we have been operating across multiple jurisdictions simultaneously, the UK, US, EU, APAC, and MEA, each at a different stage of their digital asset regulatory journey. Being able to contribute substantive, well-calibrated input across all of those conversations, without losing rigour or nuance, is something I am really proud of.
What was the biggest challenge you faced and how did you overcome it?
The pace and volume for sure! Digital asset regulation has moved extraordinarily quickly over the past 18 months, with GDF responding to 44 consultations globally last year, 9 submitted since the start of this year and 6 in progress! The way we have tried to manage that is by being very deliberate about where GDF adds value and technical expertise, which is in the detailed calibration work, not just the headline advocacy, and by investing in our working group infrastructure so that member expertise feeds directly into our outputs.
How do you see the industry evolving in the next few years?
The foundational policy debates about whether digital assets belong in regulated financial services are largely settled. What we are working through right now are the detailed mechanics: reserve models, custody structures, settlement finality, cross-border interoperability. Those decisions will define how competitive different jurisdictions are over the long term, and how effectively digital finance integrates with existing markets. The stakes are high, and the window to get it right is shorter than many people realise for most jurisdictions.
If you could give one piece of advice to others entering these awards in the future, what would it be?
Just share authentically about the work you are doing and the things you are most passionate about!
How do you celebrate success?
Personally, I like to celebrate by taking time to unplug. A walk in the sun with my dog, baking something new, or reading a really good sci-fi or fantasy book. It is all about balance for me.
Are you a finalist and would like to get involved?
Please email Megan McCabe, Marketing Manager, at megan.mccabe@rhoticmedia.com.
