S5 E10 Fintech Files - Market Infrastructure, Modernized

Valerie Bannert-Thurner, Executive Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer of NASDAQ’s Financial Technology division, shares how NASDAQ is reshaping financial market infrastructure for a 24/7 world, from tokenization and AI to real-time trading and trust.
Promotional image for Fintech Files podcast episode with Valerie Bannert-Thurner on modernizing market infrastructure.
Promotional image for Fintech Files podcast episode with Valerie Bannert-Thurner on modernizing market infrastructure.
https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/NKLLg-ePZXE
Podcast
April 23, 2026
BCG Platinion logo with green text Fintech Files and subtitle Insights on Tech on dark background.

What does it take to rebuild financial market infrastructure for a world that never switches off?

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In this episode of Fintech Files, Valerie Bannert-Thurner, Executive Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer of NASDAQ’s Financial Technology division, explains how always-on markets, tokenization, and AI are converging — and why that is forcing financial institutions to rethink the systems underneath.

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From real-time collateral movements to shorter settlement cycles and rising automation in compliance, the conversation explores how market infrastructure is being redesigned for speed, resilience, and scale.

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Beyond the technology, one theme stands out: trust. In a more automated financial system, integrity, strong partnerships, and human accountability still matter most. Listen here.

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Featured

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Phil Gerrard

Manager Director
London, United Kingdom

Tom is an Engineering Lead based in the London office. He has vast experience delivering products and services with a human centered approach – including artificial intelligence solutions at scale and new startup ventures across a wide range of industries. Covering topics ranging from privacy enhancing AI to digital consortium design, he brings expertise in open innovation’s evolving role in solving high impact issues such as climate action, healthcare and online privacy.

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Annika Melchert

Riyadh
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Saudi Arabia

Annika Melchert is a Principal in the Riyadh Office and the podcast co-host of Fintech Files Podcast.

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As an expert in modern banking, she guides fintechs and incumbent banks on their technology build, integration strategies, and digital transformations.

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Nora Hocke

Sydney
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Australia

Nora is a member of the BCG Platinion Agile chapter and the Neobank and FinTech initiative and Co-Host of the Fintech Files Podcast.

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Nora is an expert in IT strategy and agile ways of working. By combining her expertise in banking and emerging technologies, she has delivered IT strategies, next-gen target architectures, and agile operating models for fintech and incumbent banks across the globe.

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Bianca Lopes

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Originally from Brazil and currently based in Denmark, Bianca is an entrepreneur and economist with a remarkable background in digital identity and biometrics.

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Throughout her career, Bianca has supported over 40 financial institutions and 8 governments, reshaping their approach to technology, reimagining identity, and driving innovation agendas.