With over 25 years experience leading transformation programmes at global banks, Bharvi Hadani has seen first-hand how technology reshapes finance. Today, as part of the leadership team at Zodia Markets, she’s helping to build mission-critical infrastructure for the next era of money movement.

In this conversation, she shares her journey from software developer to digital assets COO, why stablecoins represent one of the most exciting opportunities in institutional finance and how female leadership can help shape a stronger, more innovative future for the industry.

Tell us a little about your journey, what first drew you into financial services and eventually into digital assets?

I started my career as a software developer at ABN AMRO, where I saw just how much technology could reshape financial markets. Over the past 25 years, I’ve had the chance to work at Barclays, HSBC, BNP Paribas, BGC and NatWest Markets, leading large transformation programmes across businesses.

What excites me about digital assets is that they give us the rare opportunity to build the infrastructure of finance from the ground up, not just patch legacy systems, but reimagine how money moves. That chance to design something truly new is what keeps me motivated every day.

At heart, I’m driven by curiosity and a belief that collaboration across disciplines is where real breakthroughs happen and that’s what makes this journey so rewarding

What excites you most about your role at Zodia Markets and how does it contribute to reshaping institutional finance?

At Zodia Markets, I get to work at the intersection of operations, technology and regulation, where ideas have to turn into execution. What excites me most right now is building our stablecoin payments orchestration. For me, it’s not just about making payments faster or cheaper, it’s about removing friction from capital markets altogether.

We’re showing that settlement can happen in minutes, not days and doing it while meeting the highest regulatory standards. That mix of innovation and discipline is what I believe will truly reshape institutional finance.

For me, the real motivation is simple, helping money move the way it should in a digital world faster, safer and without unnecessary barriers.

Zodia Markets is building mission-critical infrastructure for the next era of finance. Where do you see the biggest opportunities for impact in your area of expertise?

The biggest opportunity I see is in stablecoin-based settlement. It has the power to remove fragmentation and bring true 24/7 liquidity to markets that are still tied to outdated rails.

My focus is on making that real, scaling this infrastructure safely across major financial centres around the world so institutions can adopt it with confidence. The potential impact is huge. Faster trade finance, more efficient cross-border commerce and even new ways to move money for good causes.

What excites me most is that we’re not just improving the old system,  we’re helping to build the foundations for the next era of global finance.

What does female leadership mean to you, and how have you seen it make a difference in traditionally male-dominated sectors like finance and technology?

To me, female leadership is about more than representation, it’s about reshaping how decisions get made. When different voices and experiences are at the table, you get better strategies, stronger risk decisions and healthier cultures.

In finance and technology, where I’ve spent most of my career, women are still underrepresented. In tech specifically, women hold only about 10–11 % of senior executive roles, yet research shows that when women do lead in C-suite positions  companies often outperform on returns and drive stronger innovation.

That’s why I’m committed to mentoring and championing women in these industries because the next generation deserves to see leadership that reflects them and inspires them to take their seat at the table.

What has been one of the most rewarding or defining moments of your career so far?

One of the defining moments of my career has been leading Zodia Markets through its global expansion, acquiring Elwood Capital in Jersey, establishing Zodia Markets Ireland, securing our licence in Abu Dhabi and expanding operations in the Philippines.

Each milestone wasn’t just about securing approvals, it meant setting up new entities, building teams and getting them fully operational. That came with complex regulatory and operational challenges, but what made it most rewarding was delivering everything seamlessly while keeping things stable for our clients.

It reinforced for me that when you’re building the future, vision matters, but it’s turning that vision into a live, operational business that truly makes the difference.

The pace of innovation in digital assets is relentless. How do you stay ahead both personally and professionally?

I approach it with curiosity and humility. Digital assets mark the beginning of a new era in finance. While adoption is accelerating, we’re only scratching the surface of their full potential.

Personally, I try to balance intensity with reflection. It’s important to step back, connect dots across industries and anticipate tomorrow’s challenges before they arise. That mindset helps me stay ahead of change rather than chasing it.

What advice would you give to other women considering a career in digital assets or institutional finance?

Digital assets and institutional finance can look intimidating from the outside, especially with all the technical jargon, but don’t let that stop you. The pace of change is fast and that’s actually your advantage. This industry needs fresh perspectives and women have a critical role to play in shaping it.

Be confident in your ability to learn, ask questions and claim your seat at the table. Surround yourself with mentors and peers who will both champion you and challenge you and remember that the skills you bring, whether from technology, finance or beyond, are exactly what this space needs to grow.

Looking ahead, what do you hope to achieve, both for Zodia Markets and for the wider financial ecosystem, in the next three years?

For Zodia Markets, my ambition is to see our stablecoin infrastructure powering cross-border payments and settlements at the largest institutional scale becoming the trusted rails on which capital can move globally, instantly and safely.

For the wider ecosystem, I want digital assets to be not just adopted, but truly understood as tools for positive impact, improving efficiency in capital markets and bringing more transparency to areas like philanthropy.

If we can build trust while unlocking innovation, we won’t just be improving finance we’ll be transforming it for the better.