The Capital Pioneer Awards 2026, also known as The Pioneers, have today announced their full shortlist, recognising the organisations, teams and individuals redefining the future of financial services through technology, data and innovation.
The shortlist spans banking, fintech, payments, investment, insurance and digital infrastructure, celebrating excellence across areas including AI, blockchain, tokenisation, digital assets, automation and decentralised systems.
This year’s shortlisted organisations include industry leaders and innovators such as J.P. Morgan, Ripple, Circle, BNP Paribas, Deutsche Bank, State Street, Fireblocks, BCB Group, PayPal, Solana, UBS, Northern Trust and many more.
The Capital Pioneer Awards shine a spotlight on those driving meaningful progress across institutional finance — from modernising legacy infrastructure to building next-generation platforms and partnerships that are reshaping global markets.
Celebrating innovation across the ecosystem
The 2026 programme features a wide range of categories covering:
Banking & Payments
Investment
FinTech
Insurance & Risk
Platinum Categories, including individual and partnership-led innovation
In addition to the judged awards, the programme also includes an Editor’s Choice Award, selected by the Rhotic Media editorial team. This award recognises a standout organisation, team or individual whose work best embodies the spirit of innovation, leadership and transformation shaping the financial services industry.
Awards ceremony
Winners will be announced at the Capital Pioneer Awards Gala Dinner on:
24 April 2026
Shakespeare’s Globe – Underglobe, London
The gala dinner will bring together senior leaders, innovators and decision-makers from across global financial services to celebrate excellence, creativity and impact.
Congratulations to the shortlisted pioneers
The Capital Pioneer Awards team extends its congratulations to all those who have made the shortlist.
Being shortlisted reflects outstanding achievement and positions organisations and individuals among the most forward-thinking pioneers shaping the future of finance.
The full shortlist is now live online, along with details on tickets, tables and sponsorship opportunities.
View the full shortlist and event details: The Pioneer Awards 2026 Shortlist – Capital Pioneer