AsiaFIC returns to Singapore from May 20–22, 2026, bringing together participants from across the financial data supply chain, including exchanges, vendors, and end users. The event focuses on the structural and technological shifts reshaping how financial data is created, distributed, and consumed. In this interview, Peter Tierney, Founding Partner at Saquish Partners, discusses why this year’s agenda is particularly relevant, pointing to pressure on long-standing data licensing models, the increasing viability of cloud-based data infrastructure, and ongoing changes in market structure. (Saquish Partners is a service provider for AsiaFIC organizer SIIA/FISD (Software & Information Industry Association / Financial Information Services Division)).

What makes this year’s AsiaFIC conference unique and timely?

AsiaFIC brings together all the players in the financial data supply chain and if it’s possible to set aside the AI elephant in the room, I think there are three themes that are making this year’s event particularly interesting.

1. Financial data is not “sold” it is licensed and the licensing structures for data have barely changed in the past 30 years. The breath and vol of data use cases are straining these arrangements beyond breaking point and our industry is approaching their “Spotify” moment.

2. The cloud proposition 10 years back was and continues to be disruptive but over promised and undelivered for financial data creation, distribution and consumption. Over the past two to three years, propositions like Snowflake and Databricks have evolved to complete the promise to seamless, frictionless data exchange and the industry is scrambling to finally realise the potential of cloud.

3. Market infra globally is getting an overhaul with initiatives like 5×24 trading, tokenisation and same-day settlement imminent, and these fundamental shifts disproportionately benefit APAC investors

And cutting across all three — AI is not a separate conversation. It’s accelerating the pressure on licensing models, completing the cloud promise, and fundamentally reshaping how firms think about the data underpinning their decisions.

How is AsiaFIC differentiating itself from other global finance conferences?

AsiaFIC is very different to other commercial conferences because it is organised by an industry association whose primary focus is information sharing and best practices in the financial data supply chain. We have worked hard with our advisors to define topics and source speakers that will dig into the issues facing the industry.

How will this year’s program address the rise of the APAC retail investor, and what fresh perspectives can attendees expect from speakers?

Our view is that from a capability, data and technology POV the line between the institutional and retail is becoming very blurred. We see the emergence of the “Pro-tail” investor who is demanding market access and tools that only sophisticated professional firms could afford 10 years ago. We have a number of discussions that will explore how the changes in market infra and the technology for data delivery will provide APAC’s retail community with leading edge capabilities.

Which sessions will dive deepest into the transformation of trading, clearing, and settlement infrastructure across regions?

We are very excited about our first panel (tickers to tokens) and our last panel (better faster longer) where we have a great line up of global and regional leaders discussing the above topics and how they believe the industry will evolve.

If you had to pick one session that captures the spirit of AsiaFIC this year, what would it be and why?

We have a panel of Rising Stars in the financial data industry – professionals in their first five years in our industry. We have tasked them with sharing how they see AI changing this industry. I have been listening in on the prep for that and I am very excited about the energy and maturity of their perspectives

Which speakers or industry leaders are expected to bring particularly bold or forward-looking viewpoints to the stage?

CME’s Trey Berre brings a global exchange perspective on how data licensing models need to evolve. NSE’s Aniruddha Chatterjee offers a fascinating vantage point on how one of Asia’s largest exchanges is navigating market infrastructure transformation. Fenics’ Rich Winters will speak to the evolution of data distribution in fixed income markets, and Baha’s Wolfgang Matzer brings a technology-forward view on how cloud and data platforms are reshaping what’s possible for consumers. Collectively they represent the full breadth of the financial data supply chain — which is exactly what AsiaFIC is about.

Beyond traditional panels, are there interactive sessions, workshops, or networking opportunities that will stand out this year?

We’ve deliberately broken from the traditional large-room panel format to create space for deeper engagement. Alongside two keynotes and six panels, we’re running four roundtables on May 21 where smaller groups can dig into issues without the formality of a stage. May 22 moves to SGX, where we’ll run an Engineering Stream — five focused presentations aimed at the practitioners actually building these systems. We’re also running dedicated workshops for each of our three core constituencies: Exchanges, Vendors and Consumers. The logic is simple — some conversations are most valuable when everyone in the room shares the same set of problems.

What impact could this year’s discussions have post-conference?

Our goal is to improve the industry’s collective understanding of the forces reshaping financial data — so firms leave better equipped to apply these insights in their own organisations. My personal ambition is to impress on the APAC data community just how significant these changes are, how quickly they are materialising, and why the opportunity for this region is disproportionately large. APAC firms have a genuine first-mover advantage on several of these shifts — and I want people to leave the conference feeling the urgency of that.