Rita Martins

Rita Martins is a leading authority on digital assets, Web3 and financial innovation, recognised for bridging the gap between emerging technologies and global financial institutions. As the Head of Ecosystem and Partnerships, Digital Markets Infrastructure, Digital Assets at the London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG), Rita is at the forefront of shaping the future of finance. Previously, as Global Head of FinTech Partnerships at HSBC, she led innovation initiatives across more than 60 markets and built a global community of over 240,000 professionals, entrepreneurs and innovators. Her expertise in blockchain, decentralised finance and digital transformation has established her as one of the most sought-after keynote speakers on the future of financial services.

Rita began her career with an internship at Santander Asset Management before joining Ernst & Young as a Financial Services Consultant and Advisor. She later moved to Accenture, where she continued advising major financial institutions on strategy and transformation. In 2018, she joined HSBC as a Digital Transformation Manager, helping to drive innovation across the organisation before progressing to Global Head of FinTech Partnerships. Following her success at HSBC, Rita joined the Digital Assets division at LSEG in 2024 as Head of Product Ecosystem, Digital Assets, before being promoted to Head of Ecosystem and Partnerships, Digital Markets Infrastructure, Digital Assets in 2025.

An accomplished author and thought leader, Rita wrote the book ‘Web3 in Financial Services’, providing practical insights into blockchain technology and its impact on the financial sector. She also publishes the widely followed Web3 Crossroads newsletter, covering developments in bitcoin, blockchain and the future of finance. Her commentary and articles have appeared in publications including Digital Bytes, while her expertise has led to invitations to speak at prestigious institutions and conferences worldwide.

Alongside her executive career, Rita serves as an Advisory Board Member at Kima, a Board Member at Tech London Advocates and an advisor to several blockchain, crypto and decentralised finance start-ups. She has delivered presentations at events including the MIT Startup Ecosystem Conference, the University of Oxford FinTech Programme, the Blockworks DAS Summit and the FinTech World Forum. With a unique combination of corporate leadership, industry insight and emerging technology expertise, Rita continues to influence how organisations prepare for the next generation of financial innovation.

Rita delivers expert insights into the rapidly evolving worlds of digital assets, blockchain, Web3 and financial innovation. Drawing on experience gained from working with some of the world’s largest financial institutions, she helps audiences understand the practical implications of emerging technologies and how they will reshape business, banking and investment. Her presentations combine strategic foresight with real-world case studies, making complex topics accessible and actionable. Having spoken at major international conferences and leading academic programmes, Rita is an engaging speaker who inspires organisations to embrace innovation and future-proof their strategies.

Here are some of the key milestones that define Rita Martins’ remarkable career:

  • 2025 – Became Head of Ecosystem and Partnerships, Digital Markets Infrastructure, Digital Assets at LSEG, leading strategic collaboration across the digital assets ecosystem.
  • 2024 – Served as Head of Product Ecosystem, Digital Assets at LSEG, helping shape the organisation’s digital asset strategy.
  • 2024 – Published the book ‘Web3 in Financial Services’, exploring the impact of blockchain technologies on financial institutions.
  • 2024 – Invited to speak at the Blockworks DAS Summit, one of the industry’s leading digital assets events.
  • 2024 – Contributed thought leadership articles to Digital Bytes on blockchain, Web3 and financial technology.
  • 2022 – Joined the Advisory Board of Kima, supporting innovation within the fintech ecosystem.
  • 2022 – Presented at the MIT Startup Ecosystem Conference, discussing innovation and emerging technologies.
  • 2020 – Appointed Global Head of FinTech Partnerships at HSBC, leading innovation programmes across more than 60 markets.
  • 2018 – Joined HSBC as Digital Transformation Manager, driving strategic innovation initiatives across the organisation.