GIFT City - Financial Markets & Technology Forum

GIFT City Financial Markets & Technology Forum
📅 Date: 22nd September 2025
📍 Location: Grand Mercure, GIFT City,

About the Event

Join us in India’s rising financial powerhouse — GIFT City — for the Financial Markets & Technology Forum, hosted by Arjun Global. Taking place on 22nd September 2025, this exclusive gathering brings together leaders from global exchanges, brokerage firms, trading houses, fintech innovators, and international financial institutions for a day of insight, dialogue, and opportunity.

Set in the heart of India’s first International Financial Services Centre (IFSC), the forum serves as a dynamic platform for high-level discussions around the future of trading, regulation, market access, and the critical role of technology in shaping capital markets.

What to Expect

💡 Expert Panels – Gain strategic insights from key voices across finance and technology
🤝 Networking Sessions – Build meaningful connections with peers, partners, and policy influencers
🎤 Leadership Talks – Focused discussions that dive deep into market trends, tech disruption, and innovation
🎭 Cultural Immersion – Enjoy curated experiences that showcase India’s heritage and hospitality

Why GIFT City?

Supported by the Government of India and the State of Gujarat, GIFT City represents a bold vision for India’s future in global finance. As a smart city and financial hub, it offers a unified regulatory environment, cutting-edge infrastructure, and a thriving ecosystem for international and domestic players alike.

After the resounding success of last year’s Financial Markets Networking Breakfast, Arjun Global is proud to return to GIFT City for another milestone event that celebrates India’s emergence on the world financial stage.

AGENDA: Arjun Global – GIFT City Financial Markets & Technology Forum

8:45 AM – 9:45 AM

Registration & Networking Breakfast

Start your day with coffee and informal networking as you connect with trading peers and partners before the sessions begin.

9:45 AM – 9:50 AM

Opening Remarks, Hemal Randerwala, Director, Arjun Global

A brief introduction to the day’s agenda and Arjun Global’s mission to connect India’s trading talent with global opportunities.

9:50 AM – 10:00 AM

Welcome Address by Sanjay Kaul, Managing Director and Group CEO of GIFT City

An inspiring opening on GIFT City's bold vision to become a global hub for finance and technology, and how international partnerships are shaping its next phase of growth and innovation.

10:00 AM – 10:30 AM

Panel Discussion: Global Market Access through GIFT IFSC: Unlocking Cross-Border Investment Opportunities

Moderator: Sandip Shah, Head - IFSC & Strategy Dept,GIFT City

Sandip Shah moderates an exciting panel discussion, featuring both local and international firms that are heavily invested in the GIFT Project. An inside look at GIFT City’s transformation into a global financial powerhouse and how international collaboration is fueling its rise on the world stage.

Speakers:

1. Pradeep Ramakrishnan, Executive Director, International Financial Services Centres Authority

2. Karan Jalan, Managing Director, Head of Futures & OTC Clearing Sales - APAC, Marex

3. Amit Mitra, CEO, Junomoneta

4. Nitesh Jaiswal, CEO, Jaypee Capital

10:30 AM – 11:00 AM

Panel: Exchange Perspectives on Global Growth for Indian Trading Firms

Moderator: Rick Aston, Clearing Sales, Marex

Marex moderates a discussion on how international exchanges are supporting Indian traders with new product access, connectivity, and growth opportunities. Understand what the growth opportunities are with senior representatives from international markets.

Speakers:

1. Russell Beattie, Managing Director, APAC, CME Group

2. Ashish Gupta, CEO, SGX India Connect IFSC Limited

11:00 AM – 11:30 AM

Alpha Panel: Where Are the Opportunities in Global Trading?

Moderator: Elena Patimova, Director - Derivatives Sales, Cboe Global Markets

CBOE moderates a panel of Top traders and fund managers, sharing views on where alpha is being generated - products, geographies, and market structure advantages. Find out where the international vs local market opportunities lie.

Speakers:

1. Ayush Saxena,, Investment Professional and F&O Trader, Africare Global Business Ventures

2. Shalabh Rakyan, COO, Estee Advisors

3. Apoorv Sood, Head of Business Development, IBISP IFSC & Gift Street Capital

4. Jayesh Bhikadia, Vice President Research, Futures First

11:30 AM – 11:40 AM

Fireside Chat with Minah Kim, Executive Director, Head of APAC Equity & Cryptocurrency Products, CME Group, hosted by Paul Macgregor on Unlocking Equity Market Access

This conversation will explore how equity options are shaping access to global markets for Indian institutions. The discussion will focus on evolving strategies for efficient participation in U.S. and international equities, the expanding role of listed alternatives, and how CME Group’s equity suite is enabling cross-border investment opportunities from Indian desks.

11:40 AM – 11:50 AM

Abaxx – Infrastructure for the New Economy

Join Russel Robertson as he dives into how Abaxx is revolutionizing commodity and carbon markets with cutting-edge infrastructure, bringing transparency, real-time efficiency, and a bold new vision for the future of global trading.

11:50 AM – 12:10 PM

Fireside Chat with Paul MacGregor on Infrastructure Advantage – Scaling Indian Trading Desks Globally

Arjun Global host a deep-dive conversation on how Indian trading firms are tapping into cutting-edge execution platforms, robust global infrastructure, and capital-efficient clearing to expand their international footprint and compete at a global scale.

Speakers:

1. Hemal Purohit, Managing Director – Cross Asset Sales, Clear Street

2. Shridhar Sheth, EVP and MD India, Trading Technologies

A deep-dive conversation on how Indian trading firms are tapping into cutting-edge execution platforms, robust global infrastructure, and capital-efficient clearing to expand their international footprint and compete at a global scale.

12:10 PM – 12:20 PM

Fireside Chat with Rama Pillai, Managing Director & Head of Global Sales, SGX Group hosted by Hemal Randerwala

An insightful conversation exploring how SGX is positioning itself as a global hub for capital flow, innovation in derivatives, and cross-border liquidity. From institutional connectivity to market access trends across Asia, this session will spotlight SGX’s role in shaping the next phase of international market participation.

12:20 PM – 12:30 PM

GIFT: Past, Present & Future 

Fireside Chat with Dr. Dipesh Shah, Executive Director (Development) at IFSCA, GIFT City, hosted by Hemal Randerwala

A candid conversation on GIFT City’s journey so far, its impact on India’s financial landscape, and the vision driving its future as a global financial hub.

12:30 PM – 12:40 PM

Go Dharmic – CSR and Giving Back and celebrating the Go Dharmic X Trading Technologies Partnership with Justin Llewellyn-Jones, CEO, Trading Technologies

A short reflection on how the trading community can contribute meaningfully to wider social impact and global good.

12:40 PM – 02:00 PM

Networking Lunch

Continue the conversation over lunch with fellow traders, exchanges, and partners.

02:30 PM

GIFT City tour by bus and a visit to the Go Dharmic school

Get a first-hand look at the future of finance as you explore GIFT City's cutting-edge infrastructure and visit the campus shaping tomorrow's talent. Alongside this, there will also be a chance to visit a local school that Go Dharmic has helped establish for underprivileged kids. This will be a lovely session to spend time with the kids and explore CSR work.