Geopolitical Tensions and the Future of UK Fintech
At IFGS 2025, two expert panels delved into the effects of geopolitical tensions on the global fintech landscape and explored strategies for the UK to take a leading role in the sector.
Panel Discussion: Unlocking Fintech Growth
In the first panel, titled “Now or Never: Unlocking Fintech’s Potential to Drive Growth,” experts examined recent political developments in the US and UK, focusing on opportunities for smarter regulation. The panel featured Diana Avila (Wise), Philip Belamant (Zilch), Iana Dimitrova (OpenPayd), and Charles McManus (ClearBank), moderated by Iain Anderson (H/Advisors Cicero).
McManus highlighted the need for faster authorizations and product approvals to enhance the UK’s fintech scene. He noted the FCA’s commitment to allocate more resources for startups and scale-ups while advocating for a cultural shift toward growth rather than merely focusing on risks.
Dimitrova emphasized how cities like Bangkok and Dubai are rapidly evolving their fintech sectors, suggesting the UK could outpace them with a more balanced regulatory approach that reduces compliance burdens.
She advocated for a proactive stance on technology, particularly in AI. Dimitrova emphasized the UK’s potential to leverage its regulatory flexibility to integrate AI into productivity strategies, aiming to stay competitive against the US and Asia.
Belamant provided a capital markets perspective, pointing out that less than 5% of pension fund investments go into UK stocks. He stressed the importance of policies that support fintech growth and urged regulators to streamline regulations to enhance sector collaboration.
Avila underscored the need for greater regulatory guidance to address market inefficiencies, advocating for the UK to set an example in authorizing and regulating fintech innovations. Belamant concluded by calling for ambitious goals to double the FTSE market cap within five years and stressed the necessity for clearer communication between industry and regulators.
Panel Discussion: Geopolitics and Fintech
The second session, “A New World Order: Geopolitics and Fintech,” moderated by Rebecca Park (Global Counsel), assessed how shifts in government and political fragmentation affect global fintech. The panel included Antony Jenkins (10x Future Technologies Group), Sharon Lewis (Hogan Lovells), Alastair Lukies (FinTech Alliance), Christoph Rieche (iwoca), and Chris Woolard (EY).
Woolard discussed the ramifications of US regulatory actions on consumer confidence and employment, noting the challenges these create for financial markets. Jenkins emphasized the importance of focusing on core industry problems amidst a complicated landscape, encouraging fintechs to maintain a solutions-oriented approach.
Lukies argued that the current climate presents an ideal opportunity for entrepreneurs, advocating for a culture that encourages success rather than penalizes ambitious innovators.
Lewis pointed out that US regulation is prompting European authorities to accelerate their own regulatory responses, particularly concerning digital assets. Rieche concluded with the belief that reducing regulatory complexities would spur innovation across the UK and Europe.
The discussions wrapped up by highlighting fintech’s potential to tackle pressing challenges such as economic crises, climate change, and social inclusion, underlining the necessity of proper governance in harnessing this potential.