September 10, 2018

Registration Open for CFTC’s First Fintech Conference

Fintech Forward 2018 Supports the Recognition of World Investor Week 

Washington, DC — Registration is now open for “Fintech Forward 2018: Innovation, Regulation and Education,” a Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) conference that will convene on October 3-4 at its Washington, D.C. headquarters.

CFTC’s LabCFTC and the Office of Customer Education and Outreach (OCEO) have joined efforts to bring together innovators, regulators, market participants, thought-leaders, and the general public to examine the wide range of fintech developments impacting markets, including crypto assets, machine learning, cloud technologies, regtech and other emerging financial technologies.

“The collaboration underscores the Commission’s multi-pronged approach to keeping pace with a rapidly changing market and ensuring market integrity,” said Chairman J. Christopher Giancarlo. “LabCFTC has actively and effectively executed on its mission of facilitating market-enhancing innovation and helping to inform policy over the past year, and the Office of Customer Education and Outreach continues to pursue opportunities to educate customers in our markets across all asset classes.”  

Fintech Forward 2018 will focus on key tech-driven developments in the financial markets.  Conference participants will discuss the impact new technologies may have on markets and customers, and what regulators must do to remain forward-looking, mitigate risks, educate customers and market participants, and identify emerging opportunities, risks, and challenges.

“Having passed the one-year mark since the launch of LabCFTC, we are excited to advance thoughtful discussion regarding the increasingly significant role that technology is playing in financial markets and how regulators can keep pace with modern approaches and frameworks,” said Daniel Gorfine, Chief Innovation Officer and Director of LabCFTC.  “We have met with hundreds of innovators and market participants across the country on a range of areas of innovation, and believe it is important to share key trends, themes, and insights.”

“This conference is in line with many CFTC efforts to keep market participants informed of new financial products and services,” said Erica Elliott Richardson, Director of the Office of Public Affairs and Office of Customer Education and Outreach. “The CFTC’s dynamic approach to coordination helps staff engage across offices in order to maximize our efficacy for the marketplace, rather than being siloed. Our customer education efforts are closely coordinated with LabCFTC in order to keep pace with developments in the markets the CFTC regulates, and we look forward to the dialogue that happens at this conference, which will help us continue to develop cutting edge resources to help customers protect themselves against fraud and manipulation in the marketplace.”

Fintech Forward 2018 will bring together leaders from industry, academia, and regulatory authorities.  Confirmed speakers and presenters include CFTC Chairman Giancarlo, who will deliver the welcome keynote, and U.S. Representative Austin Scott (GA-9), who will deliver remarks concluding the first day. Also invited are U.S. Representatives Jared Polis (CO-2), and Patrick McHenry (NC-10).

There will also be an opportunity to engage with domestic and international regulators, including staff from the CFTC, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Federal Trade Commission, National Futures Association, Federal Reserve Board, Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), and the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority.

Fintech Forward is also being held in support of World Investor Week, a global recognition of the importance of investor education and protection organized by the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO), in which the CFTC serves as a member.

About LabCFTC

Launched in May 2017, LabCFTC is an initiative aimed at facilitating market-enhancing fintech innovation, informing policy, and ensuring that we have the regulatory and technological tools and understanding to keep pace with changing markets. It is the agency’s focal point to engage with fintech innovation and promote fair competition by making the CFTC more accessible to fintech innovators. LabCFTC is an information source for Commissioners and staff on market-enhancing innovation that may influence policy development. More information can be found at LabCFTC.

About the Office of Customer Education and Outreach

The Office of Customer Education and Outreach develops and implements education initiatives designed to help customers protect themselves against fraud and other violations of the commodities laws.

Register for Fintech Forward

[A full agenda is forthcoming]