LEADERS is a flagship channel that spotlights C-level executives and top experts as they discuss transformative topics for an audience of key decision-makers. For American Banker ON-CHAIN, Leaders panel discussions and one-on-one interviews are invitation only and are intended to highlight the expertise of TradFi and crypto executives on the most pressing issues, challenges and opportunities facing the financial industry—and the shared vision for modernizing finance.
Bridging TradFi Legacy Technology and Infrastructure Gaps to Get to 24/7 On-Chain Finance
One of the hardest problems for traditional financial institutions right now is how to bridge legacy technology and infrastructure gaps to get to 24/7 on-chain finance. Moving on-chain isn’t just a technology lift; it’s about rethinking culture, compliance and coordination across legacy systems, and building a strategic framework that bridges what exists with the desired outcome.
Tokenized Asset Custody, Settlement and Payments Infrastructure: Why TradFi is Investing in Its On-Chain Future
Traditional financial companies are aggressively moving to develop their digital-asset strategies, identifying the businesses and roles in which they can quickly establish a foothold in on-chain finance—or risk not being at the center of its future. As part of this, TradFi companies are making strategic investments in infrastructure to support the growth of tokenized assets. The increasing demand for institutional-grade custody, settlement and payment rails underscores why they are establishing an early-stage presence, and how they intend to build an infrastructure that ensures their position and growth within tokenized finance.
The Future of On-Chain Finance: Why It’s Time to Bank on a Digital-Asset Economy
Simon McLoughlin, CEO of Uphold Global, sits down with American Banker’s Holly Sraeel to talk about the future of on-chain finance, what’s ahead and why it’s time for TradFi to bank on a digital-asset economy. Together they examine the areas where TradFi has a competitive advantage—tokenized deposits and assets, blockchain-based payments and custody settlement, crypto lending, and compliance and regulation. If TradFi and crypto companies are to thrive, it’s critical that they work together to bridge the infrastructural and cultural gaps.
The $80T Question: TradFi, Gen Z and the Pursuit of a Digital-Asset Wealth Strategy
The largest intergenerational wealth transfer in history—more than $80 trillion shifting from Baby Boomers to Millennials/Gen Z—is already underway. At the same time, the rise of digital assets are quickly piquing the interest of younger generations, digital natives with a much higher level of comfort experimenting with crypto, tokenized assets and alternative investments.
The big challenge: How does TradFi lean into Millennials and Gen Z—moving away from advisory and portfolio-based wealth management to a model that relies on “engagement and ecosystem”—and incorporate digital-native products, custody and education to solidify their relationships with these wealth management clients? Uphold’s Nancy Beaton, Kaiko’s Ambre Soubiran, and Tephra Digital’s Raghav Chopra dissect where the action is headed—and why.
