Old Finance, New Chains: Inside the FT Digital Assets Summit 2025
FT Digital Assets Summit 2025 brings crypto and TradFi leaders together in London to explore tokenisation, regulation, and how digital assets are reshaping finance.
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The FT Digital Assets Summit 2025, convening key figures shaping digital finance—from the architects of Bitcoin ETFs to pioneers of tokenized treasuries—will take place in London on May 6–7. This two-day event is poised to delve into the increasingly institutional trajectory of crypto
Why the FT Summit Matters Right Now
Organized by FT Live — the events arm of the Financial Times — the Digital Assets Summit isn’t just for crypto insiders. It’s where legacy finance meets Web3, in a moment when digital assets are no longer niche but core to financial strategy.
With regulators, banks, asset managers, and blockchain founders all on-site, the summit will unpack what’s next in crypto’s maturation:
- ETFs,
- infrastructure,
- real-world asset tokenization,
- how elections and geopolitics are reshaping policy frameworks.
It’s a glimpse into how mainstream finance is absorbing — and reshaping — the decentralized economy.
Big Names, Bold Positions
This year’s lineup spans government, institutional finance, and crypto innovation:
- Emma Reynolds, Economic Secretary to the UK Treasury, and Helen Boyd, Head of Capital Markets at the FCA, will tackle the UK’s evolving regulatory stance.
- Anthony Scaramucci (SkyBridge Capital) and Cynthia Lo Bessette (Fidelity Digital Assets) offer the institutional investor lens.
- Fred Gregaard (Cardano), Arthur Breitman (Tezos), and Stani Kulechov (Aave Labs) bring insight from major crypto infrastructure players.
- Tom Zschach, Chief Innovation Officer at SWIFT, speaks to the digital upgrade of global financial rails.
- And in true FT fashion, top policymakers, including Lord Chris Holmes and Simon O'Brien (Abu Dhabi's FSRA), ensure the legal edge isn’t left behind.
Institutions Are Here — And They’re Not Alone
With over 300 companies expected, the summit offers a unique view into how traditional institutions are adopting digital asset strategies:
- Fidelity, Franklin Templeton, BBVA, Janus Henderson, and Aberdeen are exploring tokenized portfolios and crypto yield products.
- SWIFT, LSEG, and Revolut are testing infrastructure for crypto-native compliance and clearing.
- Startups and Web3 pioneers like Aave, Tezos, Tether, Bitpanda, and GFO-X join legacy players in the same room — bridging generations of financial thought.
It’s a lineup that reflects a key shift: crypto is no longer counterculture — it’s becoming capital strategy.
From ETFs to Tokenized Gold: What’s on the Agenda
The FT Digital Assets Summit brings together institutional leaders, policymakers, and crypto pioneers for two packed days of high-level discussions and networking.
🔹 Big Ideas Stage
Moderated by FT journalists, this headline stage will spotlight top-level trends — from tokenization of real-world assets to geopolitics and regulation.
🔹 Panels and Keynotes
Expect sessions like:
- Institutional Adoption: What’s Next for Digital Assets?
- Crypto Liquidity and Volatility Management
- Asset Allocation in the Bitcoin Era
- The Future of On-Chain Money: Stablecoins and Tokenized Deposits
- Building Scalable Blockchain Infrastructure
🔹 Side Programming
Beyond the sessions, the summit features:
- Exhibition Area: A curated showcase of tools, tokens, and infrastructure from leading providers.
- Networking Drinks: Informal deal-making after day one.
- FT Live App: AI-powered matchmaking and meeting scheduling.
- Brella integration: Plan one-on-ones with investors, devs, and policy pros.
Where the Real Deals Happen
FT Live events are known for their crowd. In 2025, over 400 attendees are expected from 60+ countries, including:
- Crypto-native startups
- Private equity and hedge funds
- Global banks and institutional allocators
- Blockchain infrastructure providers
- Government advisors and regulators
The mix is deliberate — a reflection of where the space is headed. As one past attendee put it:
Good for crypto curious. Found out ways for my multifamily office clients to invest in the asset class.
— Naresh N. Desai, Larkfield Asset Management.
And from the regulatory front:
A superb and professional event.
— Ian Taylor, Advisor, CryptoUK.
London’s Take on the Next Phase
The FT Digital Assets Summit 2025 convenes at a crucial juncture, as the distinctions between traditional and decentralized finance become increasingly blurred. The UK, amidst evolving crypto policies from both Tory and Labour parties, aims to solidify its position as a global digital asset hub. Across both established institutions and emerging innovators, the imperative for enhanced infrastructure, intelligent policy frameworks, and widespread adoption is evident.
Ideally, this summit will serve as the forum for these critical discussions, facilitating the translation of theoretical concepts into actionable boardroom strategies. As one UK advisor noted—
The Financial Times gives the crypto industry credibility, visibility, and the push it needs to reach the mainstream.
— Balbir Judge, House of Lords.
Digital assets aren’t waiting for approval anymore. They’re becoming the backbone of tomorrow’s portfolios — and the FT summit in London is one of the best places to watch that future take shape.
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