IT is for Everyone
25 March, 2026
Why Blockchain Is Reshaping Capital Markets
In this episode of FinTech Focus TV, Ian Bailey sits down with Tim Meggs, CEO and Co-Founder at LO:TECH, to explore how financial markets are evolving in response to blockchain, digital assets, and next-generation trading infrastructure. The conversation moves beyond surface-level commentary on crypto and instead focuses on the underlying structural changes that are already underway across capital markets.
At the centre of this discussion is the concept of the “on-chain world.” While often used as a buzzword, Tim frames it in practical terms. LO:TECH is building a capital markets firm designed specifically for a future where trading, liquidity, and risk management are increasingly underpinned by blockchain technology. Rather than positioning itself purely within crypto or traditional finance, the firm is deliberately building infrastructure that can operate across both environments.
This reflects a broader shift across financial technology. The conversation is no longer about whether blockchain will impact financial markets, but how quickly it will be integrated into existing systems. For those operating within FinTech recruitment, this shift is critical. As the infrastructure evolves, so too does the demand for talent capable of building and scaling it.
Capital Markets Recruitment: Building Infrastructure for a Hybrid Financial System
A key insight from the episode is that the future of capital markets will not be defined by a single system, but by a hybrid model. Tim explains that LO:TECH has developed trading infrastructure that is intentionally venue-agnostic and protocol-independent. This allows the business to operate across traditional trading venues, centralised crypto exchanges, and decentralised on-chain protocols.
This flexibility is not accidental. It reflects an understanding that financial markets are entering a period of convergence. Traditional finance and digital assets are no longer operating in isolation. Instead, they are increasingly overlapping, with firms needing to interact across multiple types of infrastructure simultaneously.
From a capital markets recruitment perspective, this creates a significant shift in hiring requirements. Businesses are no longer looking for specialists who operate in silos. Instead, they need professionals who can navigate complexity, understand multiple market structures, and build systems that can scale across them.
Tim highlights how LO:TECH has built a single core technology stack that supports multiple business lines. This includes trading, market data, and execution services. By using the same infrastructure across different use cases, the firm is able to monetise its capabilities more effectively. This approach is becoming increasingly common across financial technology, where the lines between product, platform, and service are becoming blurred.
For hiring managers, this reinforces the need to look beyond traditional job descriptions. The most valuable candidates are those who can operate across disciplines, combining engineering expertise with an understanding of market dynamics.
FinTech Jobs: The Changing Barriers to Entry in Trading
One of the most compelling themes in the conversation is the contrast between traditional finance and crypto markets when it comes to barriers to entry. Tim explains that, historically, accessing financial markets required significant investment in infrastructure and connectivity. Trading on established venues demanded not only financial resources but also access to specialised engineering talent and established relationships.
In crypto markets, the initial barriers to entry were significantly lower. Firms could connect to exchanges using relatively simple technology, enabling them to collect data and execute trades without the same level of upfront investment. This accessibility has played a major role in the rapid growth of the digital assets ecosystem.
However, this lower barrier to entry has also led to a more fragmented market structure. Tim describes how the crypto ecosystem has evolved into two distinct segments. On one side, there are centralised exchanges that operate in a way that is similar to traditional financial venues. On the other, there are decentralised protocols that enable on-chain trading, offering a fundamentally different model.
For professionals considering FinTech jobs, this distinction is important. The skills required to operate within these environments can vary significantly. However, as the two worlds continue to converge, there is increasing value in having experience across both.
From a recruitment perspective, this creates both opportunity and challenge. Firms need to identify candidates who not only understand the technical aspects of these systems but also how they fit into the broader market structure.
Blockchain in Financial Technology: Solving the Performance Challenge
While blockchain has long been seen as a transformative technology, one of the key challenges has been its performance. Tim reflects on how early blockchain systems were not capable of supporting the speed and scale required for modern financial markets. Transaction times were significantly slower than those seen in traditional electronic trading environments, making them unsuitable for high-frequency trading.
However, this is beginning to change. Advances in blockchain technology are improving transaction throughput, bringing performance closer to the levels required for institutional trading. Tim notes that while it may not yet be possible to run the largest trading venues entirely on blockchain, the gap is closing rapidly.
This shift is critical. As blockchain technology becomes more viable, it opens the door for broader adoption across financial markets. Tim outlines a clear view that, over time, institutional finance will increasingly operate on blockchain-based infrastructure.
This is not simply a technological evolution. It represents a fundamental change in how markets function. From a FinTech recruitment perspective, it highlights the growing importance of skills related to distributed systems, blockchain development, and high-performance computing.
Capital Markets Hiring: From Electronification to “Blockification”
One of the most interesting perspectives shared in the episode is Tim’s view of financial market evolution as a series of structural phases. He reflects on how markets transitioned from manual trading processes to fully electronic systems, a shift often referred to as electronification. This change transformed the industry, enabling the rise of high-frequency trading firms and reshaping how liquidity is provided.
According to Tim, the next phase of this evolution is what he describes as “blockification.” This refers to the gradual transition towards blockchain-based infrastructure. Just as electronification changed the dominant players within financial markets, blockification is likely to do the same.
This has significant implications for capital markets hiring. As new technologies emerge, new types of firms gain prominence. At the same time, existing organisations must adapt or risk being left behind. This creates demand for talent that can drive transformation, whether that is through building new systems or integrating emerging technologies into existing frameworks.
For recruitment businesses like Harrington Starr, understanding these shifts is essential. It allows for more informed conversations with clients and ensures that hiring strategies are aligned with the direction of the market.
FinTech Recruitment Trends: The Role of Stablecoins and Institutional Adoption
The conversation also touches on the role of stablecoins as a bridge between traditional finance and blockchain-based systems. Tim highlights how many large financial institutions have begun to engage with stablecoins, recognising their potential as a practical use case for blockchain technology.
This is a key point in understanding how adoption is likely to unfold. Rather than a sudden shift to fully decentralised systems, the transition is more likely to happen gradually, with firms adopting specific elements of blockchain that align with their existing operations.
However, Tim also notes that not all institutions will adopt blockchain in the same way. Some may choose to engage only at a surface level, while others will invest more deeply in integrating distributed technologies into their core infrastructure.
This divergence creates both risk and opportunity. Firms that fail to adapt may find themselves losing relevance, while those that embrace change can gain a competitive advantage. For those involved in FinTech recruitment, this reinforces the importance of identifying candidates who can help organisations navigate this transition.
Trading Technology Recruitment: Expanding Business Models in FinTech
Another key theme in the episode is the evolution of business models within financial technology. Tim explains how LO:TECH has leveraged its core infrastructure to develop additional revenue streams, including market data services and execution platforms.
This reflects a broader trend within the industry, where firms are increasingly building platforms rather than single products. By creating flexible, scalable systems, businesses can adapt to changing market conditions and explore new opportunities.
For trading technology recruitment, this has important implications. The skills required to build and operate these platforms are highly specialised, combining elements of software engineering, data science, and financial markets expertise. As demand for these skills continues to grow, competition for talent is intensifying.
Recruitment strategies must therefore evolve to keep pace with these changes. This includes not only identifying the right candidates but also understanding what motivates them and how to position opportunities effectively.
Financial Technology Careers: What This Means for Talent
For professionals working within financial technology, the themes discussed in this episode highlight the importance of adaptability. The industry is undergoing a period of rapid change, driven by advances in technology and shifting market dynamics.
Tim’s insights suggest that the future of financial technology will be defined by those who can operate at the intersection of multiple domains. This includes understanding both traditional finance and digital assets, as well as the technologies that underpin them.
For those considering their next move, this presents a clear opportunity. By developing skills in areas such as blockchain, distributed systems, and trading infrastructure, professionals can position themselves at the forefront of this transformation.
At the same time, organisations must ensure that they are able to attract and retain this talent. This requires a clear understanding of the market, as well as a compelling value proposition for candidates.
FinTech Recruitment: Preparing for the Future of Capital Markets
This episode of FinTech Focus TV provides a clear and insightful look into the future of capital markets. Through his conversation with Ian Bailey, Tim Meggs outlines a vision of an industry that is evolving rapidly, driven by technological innovation and changing market structures.
For those involved in FinTech recruitment, the key takeaway is that change is not coming, it is already happening. The convergence of traditional finance and digital assets is creating new opportunities, but also new challenges. Success will depend on the ability to understand these shifts and respond effectively.
As firms continue to build and scale new infrastructure, the demand for talent will remain a critical factor. Those that are able to identify and attract the right people will be best positioned to succeed in this new environment.
At Harrington Starr, we work closely with organisations across financial technology, capital markets, and trading infrastructure to help them navigate these changes. By staying close to the market and understanding emerging trends, we are able to support our clients in building the teams they need for the future.
This conversation with Tim Meggs reinforces the importance of taking a long-term view. The evolution of financial markets is an ongoing process, and those who are prepared to invest in the right technology and talent today will be the ones who lead tomorrow.
