Adebayo Adewolu, CEO of Trium Limited, recently shared forward looking insights into the future of capital markets at the 2024 International Capital Markets Association (ICMA) FinTech & Digitalisation Forum in London. The event, a gathering of top industry experts, centered around the transformative potential of digital technologies in capital markets, addressing both challenges and opportunities as the sector embraces digitisation.
Adewolu was part of a panel discussion titled Will the new digital world ever fully replace the legacy market alongside notable industry leaders from J.P. Morgan, ING, and XU Exponential University. Moderated by ICMA’s Andy Hill, the panel delved into how technologies like digital bonds, AI, machine learning, and tokenisation are shaping the next wave of capital market infrastructure.
In his remarks, Adewolu explained that while legacy systems are not likely to disappear overnight, emerging technologies provide a unique opportunity, especially for emerging markets. He noted that regions like Africa have the potential to leapfrog traditional infrastructure, rapidly adopting advanced digital solutions that can drive financial inclusion and broaden access to capital market's
The legacy markets will not disappear overnight, but what we’re seeing is a unique chance for markets, especially in Africa and other emerging regions, to bypass old systems and adopt digital infrastructure faster than more established markets, said Adewolu.
As discussions explored the role of AI and machine learning in capital markets, Adewolu highlighted their impact on risk management, trading, and overall market efficiency. By automating routine tasks and offering data driven insights, AI can enhance accuracy and speed in decision making. However, Adewolu cautioned that human oversight remains critical. Experienced professionals will still play an essential role in interpreting complex data and ensuring the integrity of AI driven processes.
This balance between technology and human expertise, he noted, is key to maintaining trust and transparency within the industry as it increasingly relies on digital tools.
The forum also highlighted the importance of regulatory frameworks that can support innovation without compromising investor protection. Adewolu and fellow panelists underscored the need for a regulatory approach that accommodates technological advancements while prioritizing market stability and consumer confidence.
The forum concluded with closing remarks from ICMA’s Georgina Jarratt and J.P. Morgan’s Emma Lovett, who emphasized the importance of ongoing collaboration across the industry. With rapid technological shifts underway, the capital markets sector must foster open dialogue and partnerships to successfully navigate the digital transition.
Adewolu’s participation in the forum reflects Trium Limited’s commitment to pioneering digital innovations in capital markets. The insights gained from the ICMA event equip Trium to remain at the forefront of digital transformation, ensuring it continues to offer cutting edge, inclusive financial solutions.
As capital markets worldwide enter a new era, Trium’s vision and expertise position it to lead, especially in emerging regions where the digital leap offers unmatched potential. The journey toward a fully digitized capital market ecosystem may be ongoing, but with leaders like Adewolu and organizations like Trium, the future of capital markets is poised to be more inclusive, efficient, and resilient.