FIX EMEA Trading Conference 2025 in Review

Market Innovation and Regulatory Evolution in Financial Technology

FinTech Focus TV returned with a special live-recorded episode from the FIX EMEA Trading Conference 2025. This year’s event was held at a new and vibrant venue, drawing one of the largest audiences to date. In this episode, Toby is joined by Jim Kaye, Executive Director at FIX Trading Community, and Scott Charity, Senior Market Intelligence Specialist and Regulatory Affairs at Berenberg, and FIX Co-Chair and Board Member.

The FIX EMEA Trading Conference 2025 served as a central meeting point for professionals from across the global financial technology landscape. The discussions highlighted emerging regulatory challenges, innovations in data management, and the rapid adoption of new trading standards. It also underscored the importance of collaboration in achieving real industry transformation, an ethos that resonates closely with the work we do at Harrington Starr, as a FinTech recruitment business helping clients secure top industry talent.

FinTech Leadership: FIX as a Hub for Industry Progress

Throughout the podcast, Jim Kaye articulates the mission of FIX Trading Community, explaining how its working groups develop practical standards by consulting directly with members. This ensures that every session at the FIX EMEA Conference links to real-world projects the FIX organisation is actively delivering. For instance, the conference’s packed agenda featured panels on artificial intelligence in trading, the implications of blockchain interoperability, and the regulatory challenges posed by carbon trading.

Jim’s role as Executive Director positions him at the heart of these developments. He spoke of the FIX community’s expanding team and the importance of scaling operations to meet growing industry needs. These efforts reflect the increasing complexity of market structures and underscore the need for highly skilled professionals across regulatory, technology, and operations teams. At Harrington Starr, we are seeing a parallel rise in demand for candidates who can drive change and help firms keep pace with regulatory and technological evolution.

FIX and FinTech Recruitment: A Community-Driven Agenda

The FIX Trading Community’s approach to agenda setting ensures the organisation remains grounded in the priorities of its members. Scott Charity discussed how his involvement with FIX has spanned major regulatory transitions, such as the rollout of MiFID II. He highlighted the value of FIX’s working groups in creating internal clarity for firms navigating new regulation, an area where strong talent is essential.

The insights from this episode are especially relevant for FinTech recruitment. The rise in regulatory change is creating opportunities for compliance professionals, data analysts, and technical specialists who understand reporting standards and global market requirements. From the implementation of standardised data formats to the demands of transaction reporting, firms across the capital markets are actively seeking candidates with the ability to understand and interpret evolving frameworks.

Regulatory Reform: Consolidated Tape and T+1 Settlement

A key highlight of the episode was the discussion around the consolidated tape and the move to a T+1 settlement cycle. Scott explained that while the idea of a consolidated tape was introduced under MiFID II, its implementation has gained momentum. The aim is to normalise trade data from multiple venues and make it accessible in a standardised format. This will empower not only institutional investors but also retail participants by providing a clearer picture of market activity.

T+1 settlement, a shift from two-day to one-day post-trade processing, was described as another major theme. Both Scott and Jim acknowledged that this change, while technically feasible, brings significant operational and systemic challenges. Scott outlined the implications for post-trade teams, brokers, and global custodians, all of whom will need to adjust internal systems to accommodate tighter timelines.

For FinTech talent acquisition, these developments signal an urgent need for professionals with experience in regulatory operations, project management, and post-trade infrastructure. Harrington Starr has seen a surge in requests for candidates who can lead change management initiatives, particularly in areas impacted by regulatory reform.

Emerging Frontiers: Digital Assets, AI, and Carbon Trading

The conference also explored forward-looking themes including artificial intelligence, digital assets, and carbon trading. Jim highlighted how FIX is facilitating conversations around blockchain interoperability and digital asset trading standards, providing structure to what remains an experimental space. With regulators across Europe and the US introducing new guidelines, these markets are rapidly formalising.

Scott added that crypto assets, while often volatile, continue to attract interest from institutional investors. Regulatory frameworks like MiCA in Europe and recent SEC updates in the US are driving this maturity. Scott also mentioned how retail investors often know more about Bitcoin prices than traditional equities, pointing to a cultural shift in how financial data is consumed.

Carbon trading was discussed as a growing concern, especially with new EU rules requiring shipping companies to pay carbon offsets when docking in Europe. FIX is working to standardise secondary market trading for carbon credits, another sign that sustainability and FinTech are increasingly intertwined.

These developments are redefining the future of FinTech jobs. From ESG analysts and crypto compliance specialists to AI-focused product managers, the need for diverse, technically adept professionals has never been greater. At Harrington Starr, we are proud to support clients and candidates navigating these new frontiers.

Supporting the Next Generation of FinTech Professionals

One of the episode’s most inspiring segments focused on FIX’s efforts to engage the next generation. Toby and his guests discussed the NextGen initiative, which aims to educate graduates and early-career professionals on key developments such as T+1 and consolidated tape.

Scott described how FIX is now more proactive than ever in engaging young professionals, helping them understand regulatory cycles and industry terminology. This reflects a wider recognition that developing FinTech talent early is critical to the sector’s continued innovation and sustainability.

For Harrington Starr, nurturing emerging talent is a central part of our mission. We work with firms across financial services and technology to place graduate and junior hires into roles where they can grow, contribute, and ultimately lead. As the FIX NextGen programme shows, the demand for early-career talent with regulatory awareness and a passion for innovation is only growing.

Market Engagement and the Evolution of Global Standards

The conference’s turnout this year was exceptional. Jim and Scott noted that delegates stayed until the final session, a testament to the relevance and quality of the content. The FIX community’s design of the day ensured consistent engagement, with every session tied to active working group outputs and industry pain points.

Looking ahead, Jim outlined the organisation’s roadmap, including an upcoming event in Stockholm. With an expanded team and growing member participation, FIX is positioned to deliver even greater impact in 2025 and beyond. Jim described FIX as the “custodian of the process,” emphasising that the content and solutions it produces are member-driven. This open structure makes FIX a powerful platform for professionals who want to influence global standards.

At Harrington Starr, we echo this sentiment. FinTech recruitment is not just about matching CVs to roles; it’s about supporting the evolution of the industry. Our work connects changemakers with platforms where their expertise can drive meaningful progress. FIX, with its commitment to member engagement and delivery, is one of those platforms.

Final Thoughts: FinTech Recruitment and the Road Ahead

As the episode came to a close, Toby reflected on the transformative energy of the 2025 conference. With digital assets, carbon markets, AI, and T+1 all converging, the industry stands on the brink of a new era. Scott added that regulators are already referencing T+0 settlement and exploring how timelines across global markets can be harmonised. These shifts have massive implications, not only for operations but for the structure of global finance itself.

From a recruitment perspective, this is a period of opportunity. Organisations need professionals who can think strategically about regulation, build robust infrastructure, and create innovative products that meet new market demands. Whether it’s ensuring accurate trade reporting or building the architecture for digital asset exchanges, FinTech professionals are the engine of this transformation.

At Harrington Starr, we are committed to helping our clients navigate this complexity. By identifying exceptional talent and placing them in roles where they can make a difference, we’re helping to shape the future of finance. This episode of FinTech Focus TV is a timely reminder that progress is not a solo act; it’s the result of collaboration, expertise, and a willingness to engage with the industry’s most pressing questions.

The FIX EMEA Trading Conference 2025 was more than just an event; it was a statement. A statement about where the industry is going, the challenges it must address, and the people who will lead it forward. We are proud to be part of this journey and to continue supporting the FinTech community through every stage of its evolution.

The Human Element Behind FinTech Transformation

What stood out across the entire episode was the genuine sense of enthusiasm and pride both Jim and Scott had for the FIX community and the wider industry. This wasn't just another corporate gathering; it was a reflection of a deeply connected ecosystem working together to solve real challenges. The conversations held throughout the day, the active engagement from delegates, and the openness to share knowledge created a powerful sense of momentum.

Jim’s point about FIX being a facilitator, not a top-down decision-maker, reflects the spirit of modern FinTech leadership. The best ideas are no longer coming from isolated boardrooms; they're being formed in collaborative working groups, refined in conferences like FIX EMEA, and implemented by the people closest to the challenges. These are the same individuals our team at Harrington Starr speaks with every day: the technologists, strategists, and compliance professionals driving real change.

This human aspect of FinTech, the shared purpose and willingness to engage with difficult questions, is often what separates successful firms from the rest. It also means that cultural fit, values alignment, and leadership potential are more important than ever in recruitment. We look beyond technical skills to find individuals who thrive in collaborative environments, adapt quickly, and bring positive energy to their teams.

Why FinTech Events Like FIX Matter for Industry Growth

One of the most powerful outcomes of events like the FIX EMEA Trading Conference is the way they act as accelerators of industry-wide growth. Ideas that may take months to emerge in isolated environments are tested, discussed, and challenged in real-time. The pace of innovation increases. Regulatory responses become more informed. Networks are strengthened, and confidence is built.

At Harrington Starr, we actively encourage our clients and candidates to participate in events like these. We know that the benefits extend beyond individual development. They contribute to the health and direction of the entire industry. And as this episode of FinTech Focus TV so clearly demonstrated, the energy and intellect within the FIX community is a driving force for good.