Digital Assets— The New Dawn

In this exciting episode of FinTech Focus TV, Toby Babb sits down with Duncan Trenholme, Global Co-Head of Digital Assets at TP ICAP, for an in-depth discussion on the state of digital assets and the future of the market. Over the past few years, the digital assets landscape has undergone significant changes, and Duncan has been at the forefront of navigating these shifts. As the conversation unfolds, it touches upon the intersection of traditional finance and decentralised marketplaces, challenges in scaling businesses, and the importance of building trust in the world of digital assets.

FinTech Jobs in London: Navigating the Ever-Changing World of Digital Assets

As one of the world's largest inter dealer brokers, TP ICAP plays a critical role in both traditional financial and digital asset markets. Duncan's work with TP ICAP’s Digital Assets division highlights how the company bridges the gap between traditional and decentralised finance. As FinTech recruitment agencies like Harrington Starr seek to fill roles in the growing FinTech careers market, opportunities in digital asset management and blockchain technology are increasingly at the forefront of what employers seek. Whether you’re a job seeker in FinTech jobs in London or looking to advance your career globally, digital assets are becoming a key area for growth and innovation.

One of the major themes of the discussion was the shift from building trust in digital assets to scaling the business. TP ICAP has been working for over four years on its crypto and digital asset division, focusing on creating innovative solutions like a crypto derivatives matching venue and a spot exchange for bitcoin and ether. Duncan discusses how building a business in the volatile crypto market is a journey, and how the TP ICAP team has deliberately chosen a slow and steady approach to scaling their products—a strategy that’s starting to pay off as customer demand increases.

FinTech Recruitment: Building and Scaling in a Volatile Market

When you think of FinTech recruiters, especially those focusing on high-demand skills like blockchain technology, digital assets, and crypto-related expertise, the conversation between Toby and Duncan becomes even more relevant. The volatility of the digital asset space has created both challenges and opportunities. As Duncan mentions, "Volatility is a good thing in markets," and this is especially true when it comes to recruiting talent for rapidly growing sectors. The key takeaway for candidates and FinTech recruitment agencies is that while volatility can be difficult to manage, it can also drive innovation and create exciting opportunities.

Duncan's team at TP ICAP is now in what he calls the "scaling phase." This means they’ve moved from proving the concept of their products to making sure they can handle the increased demand from professional and sophisticated firms entering the crypto market. In this stage, one of the most important considerations is balancing internal capabilities (like technology and risk management) with external demand. As FinTech recruitment continues to grow, the need for skilled professionals who can manage this balance will be critical.

Navigating Crypto’s Regulatory Landscape

For those exploring FinTech jobs in London or internationally, understanding the regulatory landscape of crypto and digital assets is becoming increasingly important. Duncan notes that while the crypto industry is maturing, it’s still a relatively new asset class. This requires a conservative and thoughtful approach, especially for firms that deal with institutional investors and large-scale financial operations.

As the conversation continues, Duncan highlights the Bitcoin and Ether spot ETFs in the U.S., describing them as critical milestones for the industry. These ETFs are important not just for investors but also for the entire digital asset space, as they signal a certain level of acceptance and legitimacy in the eyes of traditional financial institutions. For candidates seeking to enter the FinTech careers space, understanding these regulatory milestones can provide an edge, especially when competing for jobs in FinTech recruitment or digital asset management.

The Role of FinTech Jobs in London in Crypto’s Maturation

The FinTech jobs market in London, often seen as the global hub for financial innovation, plays a significant role in the growth and maturation of the digital asset space. As Duncan puts it, we are in a phase of "maturation," where the digital asset industry is evolving from a high-risk, high-reward environment to one where institutional trust is key. The shift from startups trying to "get rich quick" to established players looking to build long-term solutions is shaping how companies like TP ICAP approach the market.

This evolution is critical for FinTech recruiters and those looking to grow their FinTech careers. As businesses in the digital asset space become more stable and structured, they will require talent with not only technical expertise but also a deep understanding of how to operate within a regulated and trusted environment.

Bridging the Gap Between Traditional Finance and Digital Assets

One of the fascinating aspects of Duncan’s work at TP ICAP is how the company has leveraged its traditional finance background to build out its digital asset division. As FinTech recruitment agencies focus on filling roles within both traditional and digital finance, Duncan’s insights offer valuable lessons. He discusses the "healthy friction" that exists between TP ICAP’s traditional finance teams and the newer digital assets team. This friction ensures that only the best ideas get approved, and that the company remains conservative in its approach to entering the crypto space.

For those exploring FinTech careers, especially in hybrid roles that touch both traditional and decentralised finance, understanding this balance will be key. Companies like TP ICAP are at the forefront of building out the infrastructure for digital assets, but they do so while carefully considering the risks and rewards.

Digital Assets

As the episode draws to a close, Duncan and Toby discuss the future of digital assets and how they will shape the broader financial landscape. Duncan highlights the role of tokenisation, an area where TP ICAP’s thinking has evolved over the past year. Originally, the focus was on moving traditional asset classes onto blockchain-based systems to achieve faster and more efficient markets. Now, the thinking has shifted towards offering clients a new way to access traditional assets through tokens.

This shift has major implications for FinTech careers. Tokenisation is still in its early stages, but as it becomes more mainstream, it will create new job opportunities in everything from FinTech jobs in London to global positions in blockchain development, asset management, and regulatory compliance.

The Role of FinTech Recruiters in the Evolving Digital Asset Landscape

As companies like TP ICAP continue to evolve their digital asset offerings, FinTech recruiters will play a crucial role in connecting talent with the right opportunities. The industry’s shift towards scalability, trust-building, and regulatory compliance means that there is a growing need for professionals who can navigate both traditional and digital financial systems.

For candidates, understanding these market shifts and staying informed about regulatory changes, technological advancements, and customer demand will be key to securing the best positions in the rapidly evolving FinTech jobs market. Whether you’re interested in roles focused on crypto derivatives, tokenisation, or blockchain-based financial services, the opportunities are vast—and growing.

FinTech Careers in a Maturing Digital Asset Market

The conversation between Toby Babb and Duncan Trenholme provides valuable insights into the future of digital assets and their role in shaping FinTech jobs and careers. As the digital asset space matures, the opportunities for growth and innovation will continue to expand. For those exploring FinTech jobs in London or globally, understanding the intersection of traditional finance and decentralised markets will be key to staying competitive in this dynamic field.

At Harrington Starr, a leading FinTech recruitment agency, we are committed to helping professionals navigate this evolving landscape. Whether you're looking for your next role in digital assets, blockchain, or any other area of FinTech recruitment, our team of expert recruiters is here to guide you every step of the way.