QUANT 2026: 20 Years of Glimpses into the Future

Founded in 2002 from the pioneering vision of Diaman Partners and its founder, Daniele Bernardi, QUANT has, over time, become the leading Italian and European event for those who truly want to understand where finance is heading. This year, on 4, 5 and 6 March 2026 at UNAHOTELS Varese, the twentieth edition was celebrated. A milestone that is more than just a number: it is proof that a community built on substance stands the test of time.

Twenty years do not happen by chance

In an industry where credibility is measured over decades, successfully delivering an international event dedicated to Asset Management and quantitative and innovative investment strategies for twenty consecutive years is an achievement very few can claim. QUANT has always been a place where numbers matter more than words, and where innovation is not a slogan, but a daily practice.

More than 400 professionals, over 20 international speakers, more than 30 awards presented, and an ecosystem of exhibitors and partners that renews itself year after year without losing its identity. These are not just figures: they tell the story of a community that continues to grow, engage and evolve.

The 2026 Programme: where tradition meets disruption

The conference featured a highly content-rich day and was accredited for the maintenance of EFPA certifications. This was no coincidence: QUANT has always believed that education is not a bureaucratic requirement, but a strategic investment.

The stage welcomed internationally renowned speakers who offered complementary, and at times provocative, perspectives.

Paul Wilmott, one of the world’s foremost experts in quantitative finance, addressed one of today’s most challenging topics: those features of realised volatility that no model is yet truly able to simulate. A powerful reminder for anyone who believes they have found the perfect formula.

Cesare Orsini of Allianz Global Investors explored the integration of artificial intelligence into systematic equity investing, highlighting the increasingly thin line between machine-driven processes and human judgement. Gabriele Susinno opened a window onto econophysics, showing how physicists are helping to reshape finance and revealing unexpected points of convergence between the two disciplines.

The afternoon gave significant space to the world of digital assets. Adam Back, CEO of Blockstream and a legendary figure in the Bitcoin ecosystem, discussed the future of bitcoin-based finance. Hunter Horsley of Bitwise provided an update on the state of the crypto market in 2026, while the panel featuring Back, Vladimir Tsuprov and Bradley Duke explored different approaches to digital asset investing.

Completing the programme, Daniele Bernardi, CEO of Diaman Partners, delivered one of the most technical and highly anticipated sessions: the use of perpetual futures to build systematic long-short strategies. Quantitative finance in practice, not just in theory.

On 6 March, the workshops offered a more operational format, with sessions dedicated to crypto ETPs, certificates, AMCs, thematic ETFs, and even a session on how to launch a fund in Malta.

The Diaman Awards: where excellence is recognised

Among the most anticipated moments of the three-day event was the Diaman Awards ceremony, which each year provides an opportunity to celebrate the best asset managers and fund of funds. With more than 30 awards presented, the recognition has become a mark of quality acknowledged across the industry.

A legacy to build, not just to celebrate

For QUANT, twenty years are not a finishing line. They are proof that an event can grow without losing its identity, innovate without compromising rigour, and expand without becoming generic.

From 2002 to today, the financial landscape has changed radically: global financial crises, the rise of ETFs, the digital asset revolution, and artificial intelligence entering portfolios. QUANT has been present at every turning point, bringing to the stage the very people driving those transformations.

The next edition is already scheduled for 25 February 2027. Because those who build the future never stop looking ahead.

For information and updates: www.quant.it