[zornthewise]

No comment about the broader picture but there have been very smart people who have quit academia and gone into industry for whatever reason. Maybe the most famous is Jim Simons (he had an exceptional mathematical career before going into finance) but I know a few more examples.

[waterhouse]

And financial companies seem to recruit from high scorers on math contests. They often sponsor the contests too, and get their names displayed where possible, such as on free swag given to contestants.

The abilities and skills that win math contests aren't identical with those that would do well in academic research, but I think there's a good amount of overlap.