At the inaugural Coinbase Crypto Forum, Marex Solutions’ CEO Nilesh Jethwa joined a panel of fintech and digital asset leaders to discuss how crypto is evolving from an experimental asset class into a core component of financial infrastructure.
Moderated by Drew Robinson, Co-Head of EMEA Institutional at Coinbase, the panel also featured Dan Moczulski, UK Managing Director at eToro, and Ovie Faruq, Co-Founder and CEO of Rekt Brands. Together, they explored how established market practices and new technologies are converging to shape the next wave of financial innovation.
The shift toward institutional adoption
Nilesh noted that while crypto began as a largely retail-driven market, it has steadily evolved toward greater institutional participation. Over the past 12 to 18 months, there has been growing demand for institutional-grade products, including derivatives, structured investments, and lending mechanisms, that mirror established financial tools and help improve capital efficiency across digital assets.
“We’re bringing the tools we’ve refined over decades in TradFi to help an increasingly institutional Digital Assets client set,” he said
He explained that this transition isn’t about replicating traditional finance but rather adapting its best practices to meet the unique characteristics of digital assets, from volatility and liquidity management to the need for robust infrastructure.
The importance of risk management and regulation
The discussion also addressed how capital efficiency, and innovation must progress alongside responsible risk management. Nilesh emphasised that as markets evolve, maintaining financial discipline and clear governance structures will be essential to supporting long-term growth.
He reflected on how regulation continues to influence the pace of development across different regions. While London remains a hub of crypto talent and innovation, emerging regulatory clarity in jurisdictions such as the U.S. is shaping how institutions approach digital asset markets. These changes are beginning to define where the next phase of activity will take place.
Institutionalising Digital Assets
As the conversation turned to the future, Nilesh highlighted how the next phase of growth in crypto will be shaped by lessons drawn from traditional markets. By applying well-established financial disciplines, including structured product design, derivatives innovation, and prudent risk management, the industry can continue to mature responsibly and sustainably.
The discussion at Coinbase’s Crypto Forum underscored a broader point: institutional participation and sound infrastructure will be key to unlocking stability and confidence in the evolving digital asset ecosystem.
The discussion made clear that the next phase of growth in digital assets will depend not only on technology but also on trusted financial infrastructure.
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