Tokenisation, trade, and talent: An interview with the ITFA Chairman at the 52nd ITFA Annual Conference

At ITFA’s 52nd Annual Conference in Split, Croatia, Trade Treasury Payments Editor in Chief Deepesh Patel and Deputy Editor Carter Hoffman joined ITFA Chairman Sean Edwards to discuss some of the key issues shaping trade finance.

The conversation covers the growing role of defence finance, the shift towards digitalisation and asset tokenisation, and the changing role of trade associations as the industry becomes more complex.

Edwards discusses how traditional instruments such as bills of exchange and promissory notes can be digitised and tokenised, and how these assets could help attract liquidity and address the trade finance gap in Africa.

He also reflects on ITFA’s growth to around 400 members across more than 40 countries, the importance of collaboration across trade associations, and the role of the Emerging Leaders initiative in supporting the next generation of trade finance professionals.

Looking ahead, Edwards discusses how ITFA is responding to changing technology, regulation and member needs, including its work on Digital Negotiable Instruments and digital bills of exchange. He also looks ahead to next year’s ITFA Annual Conference in Montreal, Canada.