REGIS-TR Annual Client Event 2025: Focus on Regulation and Innovation

On October 17, the trade repository community came together at SIX Convention Point to share insights, ideas, and perspectives about the present and future of market regulation. It was a day full of learning, discussions, and collaboration – a chance to connect with peers, hear from experts, and explore what’s next for our industry.

Packed with inspiring talks, engaging debates, and plenty of networking opportunities over coffee, the event offered a unique mix of thought leadership and practical insights.

Regulation: from compliance to transformation

A recurring theme throughout the day was the shift in how market participants approach regulation. Discussions around EMIR REFIT, MiFID and FinfraG made clear that compliance has moved beyond box-ticking exercises. Firms are now challenged to adapt their operating models, data processes, and governance frameworks in real time.

Experts underlined that the speed of regulatory change is forcing institutions to become more agile and proactive. Anticipating the next wave of requirements - rather than reacting to them and ensuring the consistency and quality of their data -, was described as decisive factors in maintaining resilience and competitiveness.

Innovation driven by clients

Another key message was the role of client collaboration in shaping new solutions. Several sessions demonstrated how feedback loops between clients and REGIS-TR have led to tangible improvements, from simplifying reporting workflows to enhancing transparency in transaction data.

This client-driven innovation reflects a broader industry trend: technology and regulation are increasingly converging, and the most effective solutions are those co-created with end users.

Preparing for what’s next: ESMA and beyond

The debate also addressed the European Securities and Markets Authority’s (ESMA) recent initiatives, including its call for evidence, aimed at simplifying financial transaction reporting, reducing compliance burdens, and identifying key cost drivers.

Participants agreed that these measures will have long-term implications for how data is reported, validated, and used by supervisors.

The clear message: firms should be engaging with ESMA, their NCAs and industry trade bodies now. Waiting until rules are finalized risks costly last-minute changes and missed opportunities to influence and shape the regulatory dialogue.

A broader perspective

Beyond the technical details, the event highlighted how the future of reporting is inseparable from the health of financial markets. Speakers emphasized that trade repositories play a central role in market stability, acting as both guardians of transparency and partners in innovation.

The conversations revealed a shared conviction: regulation should not be seen only as a burden, but as an opportunity to build more robust, data-driven, and client-focused services.

Closing thoughts

As María Santos, Head of REGIS-TR, reminded participants in her opening and closing remarks: change is constant, and how we embrace it defines the markets of tomorrow. The 2025 Annual Client Event reaffirmed REGIS-TR’s commitment to helping clients navigate regulatory transformation and creating solutions that serve the industry’s evolving needs.

Far from being just an annual checkpoint, the event underscored a deeper truth: the future of financial reporting will be written through collaboration - between regulators, infrastructures, and the clients they serve.