Jim Toes is President and CEO of the Security Traders Association (STA).
Who were the most important/influential people in your industry in 2025?
Just eight months into his term, the influence of SEC Chairman Paul Atkins has already been undeniable. We were fortunate enough to have Chairman Atkins speak at our 2025 Conference, where he spoke to the “vital” need for industry engagement at the SEC. Through the plethora of roundtables hosted by the SEC and industry engagement from Chairman Atkins, his leadership has welcomed in a new era of regulation focused on collaboration, rather than the exclusionary practices we’ve seen in prior years. With his knowledge of and experience within our markets, we are confident that Chairman Atkins will remain an influential industry figure in 2026 and beyond.
Our affiliate presidents and board members deserve well-earned recognition for their efforts in providing education on the most relevant issues impacting our industry and fostering a strong sense of community. Each year, more than 200 individuals volunteer their time to organize events, provide engaging content, and support their local communities. As a grassroots organization, the growth of our affiliates directly impacts career development while improving the working conditions of industry professionals.
What are you looking forward to in 2026?
In 2026, we look forward to even further collaboration between market and regulatory leaders. STA’s top priority is providing a collaborative industry voice in Washington, D.C., and the increased enthusiasm for industry input from both the SEC and FINRA has been a positive signal for the coming years. STA’s industry expertise is embodied by our members and our ETF Advisory, Listed Options, and Retail Advisory Committees, who bring a diverse breadth of knowledge across all asset classes to these discussions and comment periods. Topics such as the ETF share class, record-setting options trade volumes, and a growing interest in prediction markets are key points of discussion, and remaining at the forefront of these developments will continue to guide our strategy for the coming year.
We are also eager to recognize some key milestones among STA affiliates this coming year. Both our Chicago and Philadelphia affiliates will be celebrating their 100th anniversary, our New York affiliate will be celebrating its 90th anniversary, and STA Arizona will kick off its first year as an independent affiliate. Celebrating affiliates with decades-long rich histories while simultaneously welcoming new voices and financial hubs illustrates our ever-evolving industry, and our commitment to building and maintaining strong foundations for advocacy and education.
What trends are getting underway that people may not know about but will be important?
The conversation around tokenization is growing at a faster rate than some may think. One of the most widely-attended panels at our 2025 Conference explored the impact of tokenization on market structure. Two central points in recent discussions on the interests of retail customers are 24-hour trading and crypto, which may fuel the permanence of decentralized finance and tokenization in traditional market structures. As we approach 2026, we’re curious to identify the strongest voices in this space for future conversations within the industry and with regulators.
