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Financial industry news and events for RIAs.

13 min read

SYNERGY26 in Photos: A Look Back at Washington, D.C.

Jul 2, 2026 12:56:55 PM


We couldn't think of a better backdrop for SYNERGY26 than our nation's capital. 

Held amid celebrations for the United States' 250th anniversary, Washington, D.C., set the stage for three days focused on democratizing finance and the value of independent advice. Advisors, industry leaders, regulators, and innovators gathered to talk about the future of the RIA industry, the Great Wealth Transfer, the rise of AI, and what it means to build a business during such a transformation era of wealth management. 

Here's a look at the moments that helped define it. 

 

All Access Day

Maximizing Fusion's Potential

All Access Day Presentation
All Access Day PresentationAll Access Day PresentationAll Access Day Presentation

Before the main conference kicked off, advisors could participate in hands-on education sessions with TradePMR by Robinhood's Fusion platform. Several of the sessions were standing-room only, showing that attendees were eager to lean in on the SYNERGY26 agenda. 

 

Welcome to SYNERGY26

TradePMR leadership welcomed attendees with a message from robinhood chairman and ceo vlad tenev

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Robb Baldwin, TradePMR Founder and CEORob Dilbone, TradePMR Chief Revenue OfficerVlad Tenev, Robinhood Markets, Inc Chairman & CEO

TradePMR by Robinhood Founder and General Manager Robb Baldwin and Chief Revenue Officer Rob Dilbone welcome attendees to SYNERGY26. They also played a special video message from Vlad. 

 

Setting the Agenda with Dan Gallagher

Giving RIAs a voice in D.C.


Dan Gallagher, Robinhood's Chief Legal, Compliance and Corporate Affairs Officer and a former SEC Commissioner, gave attendees a candid look at the regulatory landscape facing RIAs. With deep ties to Washington and a seat on FINRA's Board of Governors, Gallagher offered perspective that few in the industry can match. At TradePMR by Robihood, advisors have a team advocating for them on the issues that matter to their business. 

 

Welcome Reception at the Hay-Adams Rooftop

An evening above it all

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ReceptionReceptionReception

With stunning views of the White House and the D.C. skyline, SYNERGY's opening reception was a highlight of the week. 

 

Purpose. Scale. Lead: The Path Forward

"The future is no longer theoretical. It is here." — Robb Baldwin

Robb presented data showing the Great Wealth Transfer is already well under way and why TradePMR By Robinhood, with it's unique combination of stability and innovation, can best help advisors seize the opportunity. Robb also announced the public launch of Robinhood Advisor Network and introduced the audience to Robinhood Cortex for Advisors. "We aren't reacting to the future. We are building it."

 

Defining the Future of TradePMR and Robinhood

with Robb Baldwin and Steve Quirk

Robinhood Chief Brokerage Officer Steve Quirk joined Robb on stage for a wide-ranging conversation about the future of the wealth management industry. They discussed the long-term vision for TradePMR and how the millions of investors on Robinhood could create a powerful growth engine for RIAs. 

 

Where We are Focused: Building the Future of Advice

Abhishek Fatehpuria and Bret feldman lead a session on new products coming to fusion


In this session, team leaders walked through some of the biggest announcements made at SYNERGY26, included a detailed look at the Robinhood Advisor Network, a demo of Robinhood Cortex for Advisors, and new economic incentives for advisors. The theme through it all was how TradePMR by Robinhood is working to help advisors build a better business and better client experience. 

 

Inside the SEC: A Conversation with Commissioner Uyeda

Regulatory insights for the RIA community

SEC Commissioner Mark Uyeda joined Dan Gallagher for a conversation on the regulatory landscape and what it means for independent advisors. With questions around rule-making, fiduciary standards, and compliance burdens top of mind for many RIAs, Uyeda's perspective offered attendees a direct line to thinking inside the Commission. 

 

Are you winning or just busy?

Rich Cancro on Building for what's next

AdvisorEngine CEO and Founder Rich Cancro challenged advisors to look past the hype of technologies like AI to gain true insight into the future health of your firm.

 

Representative Ann Wagner

The missouri congresswoman and member of the house banking committee discussed the legislative landscape


Missouri Congresswoman Ann Wagner, a member of the House Banking Committee, joined the conference to discuss the legislative landscape affecting financial advisors. Her presence underscored the resources and connections TradePMR by Robinhood has to advocate to key policymakers on behalf of RIAs. 

 

From Insight to Execution: Harnessing AI While Managing Compliance Risk

AI Is Here. Now What?


Timothy Welsh of Nexus Strategy, Korrine Kohm of altPilot Group, John Mackowiak of Advyzon, and Chirag Ghandi of Mili brought together perspectives from technology, compliance, and wealth management to tackle the real questions RIAs are facing: How do you evaluate AI vendors? What should your written policies and procedures cover? How do you deploy AI tools responsibly while staying on the right side of Regulation S-P data privacy obligations?

 

Synergize Podcast Live

Editorial Manager Ryan Neal interviewed Greenup's Grace Arnold


The Synergize podcast came to life on stage at SYNERGY26, giving the D.C. audience a front-row seat to candid conversations that normally live in their earbuds. A highlight for longtime listeners and first-time attendees alike.

 

Outlook on the U.S. Economy & Markets

What the data is saying

Paul Christopher, Head of Wealth Investment Strategy at the Wells Fargo Investment Institute, delivered his outlook on the U.S. economy and markets and provided advisors with a macro framework to bring back to their clients. 

 

Michael Saylor

Digital Credit with the Executive chairman of strategy

Michael Saylor, Executive Chairman of Strategy, made a cold argument for bitcoin as the foundation of a new model of digital credit. 

 

The Crypto Crossroads: Navigating Roadblocks, Regulation, and Custody in Digital Assets

What the Regulatory Signals Mean for RIAs


Robinhood's Coy Garrison, Deputy General Counsel, Crypto at Robinhood Markets, and Erica Crosland, Associate General Counsel, Regulatory Enforcement and Investigations broke down what recent enforcement actions mean for RIAs navigating digital assets in client portfolios, generational wealth transfers, or inheritance. The conversation covered risk, supervision, and how to have the right client conversations about digital assets. 

 

Fireside Discussion with Assistant Secretary of Treasury Pettit

A View from the Treasury

Luke Pettit, Assistant Secretary for Financial Institutions at the U.S. Department of the Treasury, and Lucas Moskowitz, Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary for Robinhood Markets, shared perspectives on fiscal policy, financial regulation, and the economic backdrop shaping the environment for advisors and their clients. 

 

I Am Not a Robot

Joanna Stern Challenged the Audience to think differently about AI


Joanna Stern, the former Wall Street Journal technology columnist and author of a new book on AI, challenged the audience to think harder about AI, technology, and the future of human advice.

From Washington policy conversations to product launches that will change how advisors work, the three days in D.C. made one thing clear: the next era of wealth management is taking shape — and TradePMR by Robinhood intends to lead it.

We'll see you at SYNERGY27.

About TradePMR

For more than two decades, TradePMR by Robinhood has worked with growth-minded independent registered investment advisors (RIAs), providing innovative technology tools and support designed to transform their businesses. The brokerage and custodian services provider (Member FINRA/SIPC), based in Clearwater, Fla., works to streamline investment advisors' operations through comprehensive custodial, operational, and trading support. For more information, visit www.TradePMR.com.

TradePMR is a wholly owned subsidiary of Robinhood Markets, Inc.

Follow TradePMR on X, Facebook, YouTube, and LinkedIn for the latest news, updates, and event information.

All third parties and TradePMR are unaffiliated.

 

Topics: SYNERGY26
Written by TradePMR

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