As the lines between traditional asset management and digital asset ecosystems continue to blur, this year’s ALFI London Conference provides a vital checkpoint for industry professionals.
The event, which takes place in London on 2 July, has an agenda that spans a diverse range of regulatory and cross-border themes. These include several high-impact sessions which are essential viewing for those focused on tokenisation, digital liquidity, and the technological architecture underpinning the future of funds.
As a media partner for the event, Capital Pioneer has previewed the key sessions to watch….
11:25 to 12:00: ETFs and tokenisation: What’s next in fund distribution?
This is the absolute headline act for the digital assets cohort. As the industry moves from conceptual proof of concepts to scalable products, this panel explicitly addresses whether tokenisation is the ultimate evolution of the ETF’s core value proposition of making any asset accessible to anyone, anywhere, at any time.
Expect deep dives into lowering entry barriers, operational realities, and extending fund distribution to previously underserved markets. The panel is moderated by Raoul Heinen (Partner, Linklaters) and features a heavy-hitting tier one lineup:
Nick Burgess, CFA, CAIA (Managing Director and Head of EMEA Product Strategy and Development, AllianceBernstein)
Catriona Kellas (International Legal Lead, Digital Projects, Franklin Templeton Investments)
Liz Lawson (Director, Digital Asset Strategy, T. Rowe Price International Ltd)
14:05 to 14:35: How AI is transforming the asset management and servicing industry
Obviously, digital assets do not evolve in a vacuum; they intersect heavily with automation and data intelligence. This session cuts through the noise to discuss how real value can be created, captured, and delivered to the bottom line.
It addresses practical gaps in execution and outlines how to use AI as an effective enabler. The panel is moderated by Helen Wang (Chief AI and Data Science Officer, Apex Group) and features Archanna Ramu (EQT), Paul Sampson (Kirkland and Ellis), and Mats Stellwall (Snowflake).
16:20 to 17:00: Regulators in dialogue
For anyone launching or investing in digital asset infrastructure, cross-border regulatory alignment is a primary focus. This session brings the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority and Luxembourg’s CSSF to the same table.
It offers first-hand insights into evolving policies that strike a balance between investor protection, market stability, and industry innovation.
The speakers are Nike Trost (Head of Department, Wholesale Buyside, Financial Conduct Authority) and Marco Zwick (Director, CSSF), moderated by Corinne Lamesch (ALFI).
Major brands to watchÂ
For digital asset firms looking to partner with, sell to, or understand the strategic direction of traditional finance giants, the agenda features some of the world’s most influential institutional players:
Franklin Templeton Investments: A globally recognised pioneer in the digital asset space. Catriona Kellas representing their digital projects team is a significant draw for attendees.
T. Rowe Price: A major tier one manager actively looking at institutional digital asset strategies, represented by Liz Lawson in her capacity as Director of Digital Asset Strategy.
AllianceBernstein: A major global asset manager navigating the intersection of product strategy, EMEA distribution, and modern market architecture, represented by Nick Burgess.
M&G Asset Management: Joseph Pinto (CEO) will be speaking earlier in the day during the Leaders’ lens panel at 09:50. Understanding the strategic priorities of a large scale asset manager is essential context for anyone designing digital infrastructure solutions.
Notable speakersÂ
Beyond the asset managers, keep an eye out for these key figures driving institutional strategy and infrastructure policy:
H.E. Gilles Roth (Minister of Finance, Luxembourg): Opening the keynotes at 09:30, his perspective is crucial given Luxembourg’s dominance as a European fund hub.
Tom Slocock (Head of International Product Development and Structuring, iCapital): Speaking at 09:50, his insights are highly relevant as iCapital focuses on technology that opens up access to alternative and private markets.
Andrew McDowell (Director General, EIB Global, European Investment Bank): Delivering the keynote address at 12:00, representing an institution that has historically been at the forefront of digital finance and bond issuance.
Networking tip
The networking lunch from 12:25 to 14:00 immediately follows the ETFs and tokenisation panel. This will undoubtedly be the prime window to connect with peers, service providers, and speakers who are actively shaping the digital asset ecosystem in both London and Luxembourg.
