Aznan Abdul Aziz is the Deputy Governor of Bank Negara Malaysia who is responsible for supervision and regulation of the financial sector. Aznan joined BNM in 2004. He has served in various departments throughout his 21-year service, including the Financial Conglomerates Supervision, the Governor’s Office, Islamic Banking and Takaful, Financial Sector Development, Financial Intelligence Unit, Financial Surveillance and Bank Regulation Departments.  Aznan was previously the Chairman of the Financial Technology Enabler Group, where he was responsible for developing strategies and regulatory policies to facilitate the use of technology in financial services. He also served as the Assistant General Manager of Danamodal Nasional Berhad, the special purpose vehicle established to recapitalise distressed financial institutions during the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis.

Bank Negara Malaysia is the central bank of Malaysia

Opening Keynote Address

Qaiser heads the Payment Services Policy Department in Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM). The department is responsible for the regulatory framework to drive the development of the payments industry and to preserve payment system stability as part of the central bank’s mandate. The department also houses BNM's Digital Currency Hub which coordinates the central bank’s work on digital assets and central bank digital currencies. Prior to this, Qaiser led the Financial Surveillance Department in BNM, which is responsible for financial stability. He also spent a notable part of his career in BNM in micro-prudential policy. Qaiser joined BNM in 1999, and between 2012 and 2015 served as a Senior Financial Sector Specialist with the Financial Stability Institute of the BIS. Qaiser holds a bachelor’s degree in computer and management science from the University of Warwick, United Kingdom.

Bank Negara Malaysia is the central bank of Malaysia.

Panel Discussion: Interoperability - Making New Digital Money Work

This panel examines how emerging forms of digital money can integrate with existing payment infrastructure. Panelists will discuss the technical and regulatory hurdles of interoperability with legacy rails, and the practical approaches needed to enable seamless, compliant value transfer at scale.

Gerard is responsible for the custodial services business of the bank in Malaysia which offers custody and fund services, amongst others, to domestic and foreign financial institutions and brings with him more than 15 years of capital & financial markets experience. A large part of his role now includes SCBMB’s Digital Assets buildout where Gerard guides and supports SCBMB’s Digital Assets projects, including the MYR regulated stablecoin initiative under the Digital Asset Innovation Hub of Bank Negara Malaysia.

Standard Chartered Bank is a multinational banking and financial services company headquartered in London, focused on driving commerce and prosperity across Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. With a 170-year history, it operates in 52+ markets, focusing on corporate, institutional, and affluent retail banking, driven by its "here for good" brand promise.

From Concept to Commercial Relevance: Evaluating a Regulated MYR Stablecoin in a Real-Economy Ecosystem

This presentation explores how Capital A and Standard Chartered are evaluating the role of a Malaysian ringgit stablecoin within a multi-entity business spanning travel, rewards, payments, and cross-border activity. The project focuses on where stablecoins can create practical value through payment efficiency, programmable commercial flows, and a more interoperable financial future. The session will highlight how different forms of digital money issued across jurisdictions can coexist within clear regulatory boundaries and serve economic functions. It will also address the governance, compliance, and institutional partnerships needed for credible implementation and alignment with tokenized financial infrastructure.

Clément Berthou is a payment systems expert and an economist advising the National Bank of Cambodia through its Institute for Banking Studies. He holds a PhD in Economics (Université Grenoble Alpes) and serves as IMF Short-Term Expert on cross-border payments. Previously, he managed Société Générale's global cash network.

The Institute for Banking Studies (IBS) is a vital department within the National Institute for Banking Studies, which operates under the National Bank of Cambodia. 

Cambodia's Dollarization: Infrastructural Analysis of the Cambodian Monetary Framework and its Dynamics

This presentation examines Cambodia's dollarization through an infrastructural lens, analyzing how payment systems and monetary architecture shape currency dynamics. Drawing from PhD fieldwork, this study reveals the paradox of dollarization: while limiting monetary sovereignty (monetary policy constrained), payment infrastructure simultaneously enabled Cambodia to mobilize financial resources for national reconstruction following three decades of conflict and instability.

Disclaimer : The views expressed in this presentation are those of the author

Rahul Bhargava is a globally recognised financial sector business leader, board advisor and COO with experience across international bodies (World Bank, Swift, WEF, GFI), global banks (RBS, ICICI), high-growth platforms (Contour, NTT Data, FIS, Accenture) and public advocacy think-tanks (EPAA, Currency Research, AI 2030). He remains engaged deeply with public-private sector evolution of global transaction value chains - domestic & cross-border - towards a less-paper, less-cash, more interoperable and harmonised future.

Contour Network is a Digital Trade Finance Network recently acquired by XDC, driving digitalization across upstream trade finance transactions, extending to document verifiability and tokenisation, to settlement optionality in fiat or using stablecoins. World Bank Group aims to reduce poverty and promote sustainable development with knowledge, financing, and expertise.

Panel Discussion: What is Next?

This panel explores the next phase of digital currency & payments, examining how CBDCs may move from pilots to scalable public infrastructure, how stablecoins could mature through regulation and institutional adoption, and how tokenized deposits may modernize bank money on-chain. Panelists will discuss where these models may compete, converge, or complement one another across payments, settlement, and capital markets. Attendees will gain a forward-looking view of what the digital currency landscape could look like over the next decade and what it means for financial institutions, policymakers, and market participants.

Adjunct Professor, CCRO of du-it Malaysia and founder of A. Nizam Shah & Co., with over 24 years in financial services. A PhD holder in Operational Risks Management, C.A (M), MBA and global speaker specialising in corporate governance, FinTech, and regulatory compliance.

du-it (Duittech International Sdn. Bhd.) is a Malaysia-based Islamic fintech company providing the country’s first Shariah-compliant B2B "Buy Now, Pay Later" (BNPL) platform. It empowers SMEs and MSMEs with interest-free installment solutions and on-demand credit, streamlining trade credit and safeguarding cash flow for businesses.

Panel Discussion: Fraud Detection and Prevention in Digital Payments

This panel explores how fraud is evolving in digital currency and modern payment systems, and how detection methods must adapt in response. It will highlight emerging threat vectors, real-time monitoring techniques, and the role of data, analytics, and collaboration in protecting users while preserving speed and innovation in digital payments.

Camilla Bullock is an entrepreneur, connector, and recognised leader in the global payments industry.

As CEO and Co-Founder of the Emerging Payments Association Asia (EPAA), she has positioned the organisation as the voice of payments in the Asia-Pacific region and an advocate on the global stage. Since its founding in 2018, EPAA has become a trusted counterpart in international dialogue, contributing actively to FSB task forces and the G20 agenda to enhance payments, drive innovation, and improve cross-border interoperability.

Camilla’s career in financial technology began in London, where she spent 14 years in various roles at Reuters, now part of LSEG. Her work in the payments sector reflects a consistent focus on uniting industry leaders and accelerating innovation across the ecosystem.

Beyond her role at EPAA, she founded the “Meet-Her She Knows Payments” initiative, which champions female thought leadership in the payments industry and reinforces diversity as a driver of innovation. She also serves on the board of the Swedish Australian Chamber of Commerce and mentors emerging talent, reflecting her commitment to shaping the next generation of payments leaders.

The Emerging Payments Association Asia (EPAA) is the leading membership organisation uniting innovative businesses across the Asia Pacific payments ecosystem. EPAA bring together industry leaders, regulators and technology providers to shape the future of payments through collaboration, policy engagement and thought leadership.

Presentation title will be announced soon

Aloysius leads ecosystem anti-fraud initiatives at PayNet. He leads the development of the National Fraud Portal and related fraud analytics capabilities that leverage network-level data to support the detection and disruption of fraud across the financial ecosystem.

PayNet is the national payments network and shared central infrastructure for Malaysia’s financial markets. 

Panel Discussion: Fraud Detection and Prevention in Digital Payments

This panel explores how fraud is evolving in digital currency and modern payment systems, and how detection methods must adapt in response. It will highlight emerging threat vectors, real-time monitoring techniques, and the role of data, analytics, and collaboration in protecting users while preserving speed and innovation in digital payments.

Charles is the Head of Digital and Financial Markets Infrastructure at Access to Finance Rwanda (AFR). In this role, he leads development and implementation of AFR’s Digital and Financial Markets Infrastructure program strategy; ensuring that a comprehensive portfolio of impactful projects are developed and implemented to support the achievement of digital financial inclusion.

Access to Finance Rwanda (AFR) supports the removal of systemic barriers that hinder access to and use of financial services by low-income people, particularly the rural poor, women, youth and MSMEs, and supports the development and provision of financial services including savings, credit, insurance, investment, payments, and remittances.

Presentation title will be announced soon

Maxwell Denega is the Founder and CEO of Quantum Chain - the quantum-resistant financial system. A former anti-terror operator turned financier and technologist, he is driving the transition of global finance onto secure, compliant, quantum-safe infrastructure—redefining money, markets and power in the age of Quantum AI.

Quantum Chain is the premier quantum-secure blockchain infrastructure enabling the future of finance, bringing global financial assets onto a compliant, quantum-resistant network with AI-driven automation, powering tokenisation, payments and banking. Designed for institutions and sovereignty, it replaces legacy rails with secure, scalable infrastructure for the emerging quantum era.

Breakout Session: Quantum-AI Threat: Impact to Digital Money: This session will discuss the inbound threat of Quantum and AI to the financial system and its inevitable impact to digital money and trust with a circle back to potential solutions.

Andreas Deppeler is a Professor of Practice and Co-Director of the FinTech Lab at Monash University Malaysia. He teaches courses on financial technology, innovation, and digital strategy. His research concentrates on decentralized finance, financial inclusion, and the governance of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence.

The Monash FinTech Lab is a cross-campus collaboration that advances policymaking in financial technology. It focuses on applied research, executive education, and knowledge dissemination via policy briefs, addressing issues such as financial inclusion and sustainable economic growth in the Asia-Pacific region.

Digital Integrity: Why CBDCs Outperform Stablecoins in Combating Illicit Flows

As digital currencies move from pilots to core infrastructure, financial integrity remains a central challenge. This session examines the money‑laundering risks of the digital economy, focusing on chain‑hopping techniques that obscure audit trails. Using the A7A5 stablecoin as a case study, it shows how private shadow‑payment networks can bypass global oversight. The presentation provides a comparative analysis for policy makers, explaining why central bank digital currencies, through compliance‑by‑design and sovereign settlement finality, offer a more reliable foundation for market integrity and legal certainty than private stablecoin models.

Compliance professional with 20 years’ experience across Europe and the Middle East, now based in Singapore. Specialist in financial crime, with a strong focus on digital assets, including AML, sanctions, and emerging risks in crypto ecosystems. Experienced in navigating complex regulatory environments and advising on risk management frameworks.

SAS Institute is a global leader in analytics and AI, providing software and solutions for data management, advanced analytics, and decisioning. It supports organizations across industries in areas such as fraud detection, risk management, and regulatory compliance, helping them turn data into actionable insights and improve business performance.

Panel Discussion: Fraud Detection and Prevention in Digital Payments

This panel explores how fraud is evolving in digital currency and modern payment systems, and how detection methods must adapt in response. It will highlight emerging threat vectors, real-time monitoring techniques, and the role of data, analytics, and collaboration in protecting users while preserving speed and innovation in digital payments.

Anil Gill has over 23 years of experience spanning commercial banking, investment banking, and strategic finance. He currently serves as the President of the Fintech Association of Malaysia (FAOM), having been elected in April 2025 after serving two terms as Treasurer. Anil is also the CEO and Co-Founder of Omni 3, an enterprise Saas venture launched in 2025 that specializes in workflow and performance optimisation.

Prior to his current ventures, Anil held senior leadership roles across major financial institutions, including CIMB Investment Bank, AmBank, HSBC, and OCBC Bank. Most recently, he led Enterprise Risk Management and ESG functions at Silverlake Axis Ltd, where he was responsible for implementing risk best practices and overseeing investor relations and strategic finance.

Anil holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Melbourne and an MBA from the University of South Australia. He is a Fellow of CPA Australia, a member of the Malaysian Institute of Accountants and an Associate of ISCA and CIMA.

Fintech Association of Malaysia (FAOM), is a non-profit association founded in 2016. FAOM's main objectives are to accelerate innovation in the financial sector, connect entrepreneurs and startups, and be the catalyst of national policies, legislation and regulations in FinTech. 

The presentation title will be announced soon

Ranjit is Director and Head of Product & Market Development at Kenanga Investors Berhad, where he leads product strategy and market expansion initiatives. He has over a decade of experience in finance and investment banking, with prior roles at Kenanga Investment Bank Berhad and Affin Hwang Investment Bank.

Kenanga Investment Bank Berhad is a leading Malaysian financial services group, providing investment banking, wealth and asset management solutions. Through its subsidiary, Kenanga Investors Berhad, the group offers a comprehensive suite of unit trust, portfolio management and alternative investment strategies.

Panel Discussion: Reinventing Capital Markets Through Tokenised Assets and Next Generation Payment Rails

Tokenisation is rapidly emerging as one of the transformative developments in modern finance. By digitising securities, tokenisation unlocks new possibilities – broader investor access, greater efficiency, and improved liquidity – especially when paired with tokenized payment for seamless settlement.

Malaysia is moving in step with global momentum, with market participants started tokenizing bonds, funds and exploring next-gen tokenized payment. This panel dives into real-world use cases, early wins, lessons learned, and what’s next as tokenized assets intersect with tokenized payments.

A forward-looking conversation on the future of Malaysia’s digital capital market.

John Ho is the Global Head of Legal, Financial Markets for Standard Chartered Bank (“SCB”), overseeing and providing legal advisory, transactional and documentation support for Financial Markets (FM) business globally for Standard Chartered Bank (SCB), its branches and affiliates.

Mr Ho has been on the SCB’s Responsible AI Review Forum, Financial Stability Board’s (FSB’s) Taskforce on the Legal, Regulatory and Supervisory Frameworks, GFMA Artificial Intelligence (AI) Steering Group, and the FIA Asia Pacific Advisory Board. Mr. Ho is also the co-chair of (1) the ISDA South East Asia Legal and Regulatory Committee and (2) the ISDA Asia Pacific ESG Working group. Mr. Ho is a member of the panel of experts of P.R.I.M.E. Finance, the financial markets dispute resolution service based in The Hague.

Mr. Ho plays an active role in implementing changes within SCB to conform to applicable OTC regulatory reforms impacting FM business. He has been involved in fostering closer working relationship and rapport with industry groups and regulators on key global and regional regulatory reform changes, including Interbank Offered Rate (IBOR) reforms, MIFID II/MIFIR, Dodd Frank, EMIR, CRDIV, FATCA, CCPs and Margin Reforms for Uncleared Derivatives.

In addition, Mr. Ho has supported digitisation in SCB and adoption of new or innovative technology initiatives such as blockchain, distributed ledger technology and smart contracts. He is an active participant in the industry’s Fintech events and has shared insights on the legal and regulatory framework relating to the development of Artificial Intelligence, Fintech, Digital Assets, Stablecoins, Web3 and Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC). He has acted as a mentor for the UK FCA Sustainability TechSprint, FCA Digital Sandbox,  R3 and LongHash, both global incubator networks which provide a full range of support for start-ups working on blockchain or distributed ledger related projects. He contributed to a recent publication issued by the World Economic Forum (WEF) called ‘Asset Tokenization in Financial Markets’ released in May 2025.

Prior to joining SCB, Mr. Ho was the Managing Director Principal in the legal department of Bear Stearns (Japan), Ltd where he supported the Asia franchise (including Tokyo, Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, Korea, India and South-east Asia) covering various structured products and derivatives including equity derivatives, credit derivatives, fixed income and commodities.

Prior to joining Bear Stearns, Mr. Ho worked as Asia equity counsel for Lehman Brothers in Tokyo with experience dealing in convertibles, options, warrants, delta one products and other types of equity derivatives transactions, equity finance and equity capital markets.

He is qualified as an advocate and solicitor in Singapore and he received his law degree from the National University of Singapore.

With 85,000 employees and a presence in 59 markets, Standard Chartered Bank's network serves customers in close to 150 markets worldwide. Standard Chartere Bank is listed on the London and Hong Kong Stock Exchanges

Presentation title will be announced soon 

Dr. Ritesh Jain is a global fintech and payments leader, advisor to central banks and policymakers, and Chair (Payments) at India FinTech Forum. Formerly with HSBC, Visa, and Apple Pay expansion, he specialises in CBDC, digital public infrastructure, and financial inclusion, advising governments and institutions on next-generation monetary and payment systems globally.

The India FinTech Forum aims to position India’s fintech community as a global leader in innovation, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy, fostering inclusive growth and impactful transformation in the financial sector.

CBDCs, Tokenised Deposits, and Stablecoins: Designing Coexistence, Not Competition

The global conversation around digital money has been dominated by a false choice: public versus private, sovereign versus market-driven, CBDCs versus stablecoins. In reality, the future monetary system will not be defined by competition between these instruments, but by how effectively they are designed to coexist within a layered financial architecture.Central Bank Digital Currencies, tokenised deposits, and stablecoins each solve fundamentally different problems. CBDCs anchor sovereign trust and settlement finality. Tokenised deposits extend the commercial banking system into programmable financial markets. Stablecoins enable global, always-on digital commerce and liquidity mobility. The strategic challenge for policymakers is not choosing one over the other - it is designing an ecosystem where each operates within clearly defined roles, risk boundaries, and interoperability standards.Drawing on global pilots, cross-border corridor experiments, and emerging regulatory models, this keynote will explore how coexistence can preserve monetary sovereignty, sustain bank intermediation, unlock programmable finance innovation, and reduce systemic fragmentation.Because the next phase of financial evolution will not be won by the strongest instrument - it will be defined by the strongest architecture.

Monica Jasuja is a seasoned global product management expert specialising in fintech and payments, with over 24 years of experience across four continents in the consumer, internet, and digital financial services. She excels in strategizing, defining, and deploying commercially viable solutions that transform payment landscapes. As Chief Expansion and Innovation Officer at the Emerging Payments Association Asia (EPAA), she leads transformative payment initiatives and ecosystem development across Asia.

Her strategic vision has powered multinational giants including PayPal, Mastercard, and Gojek across US, India, Southeast Asia, and Taiwan. Her work consistently demonstrates a deep understanding of emerging market dynamics and a commitment to developing solutions that address complex financial challenges.

Her expertise spans fintech, payments, product and strategic partnerships, with particular focus on India, Indonesia, and global markets.

Her extensive experience, combined with her insightful analyses, regularly contributing insights on payment innovation, digital transformation, and financial inclusion and effective communication, has established her as a recognized authority in the fintech sector. Monica's thought leadership has earned global recognition, including rankings as one of Favikon's Top 5 Most Influential Fintech Voices on LinkedIn, NORBR's Top 10 Payment Leaders, Thinkers360's Top 50 B2B Leaders in APAC, and Onalytica's Top 15 Global Fintech Thought Leaders.

As an industry catalyst, Monica actively mentors startups and women technology leaders, sharing her expertise in product development, market expansion, and strategic growth.

Monica holds a Master's in Computer Science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, a Mathematics degree from Lady Shri Ram College for Women, New Delhi, and an Independent Director Certification from the Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA).

Her combination of technical expertise, strategic vision, and industry insight continues to shape the future of digital payments and financial services.

The Emerging Payments Association Asia (EPAA) is the leading membership organisation uniting innovative businesses across the Asia Pacific payments ecosystem. EPAA bring together industry leaders, regulators and technology providers to shape the future of payments through collaboration, policy engagement and thought leadership.

Presentation title will be announced soon

Vacharakoon currently works at the SEACEN Centre and has over 20 years’ experience in payment and settlement systems. Formerly a director at the Bank of Thailand, he led works on payments and fintech, with international roles at the BIS CPMI. He holds a master’s degree from Waseda U., another master’s degree, and a PhD from the University of Reading.

SEACEN Centre serves as a regional capacity-building institution for member central banks. It provides training, research, policy dialogue, and technical cooperation to strengthen financial stability, central banking practices, and regional collaboration across macroeconomic policy, financial sector development, and leadership.

Presentation title will be announced soon

Louise is a director in Mastercard’s Global Policy team, with responsibility for digital assets and blockchain. Prior to working at Mastercard, Louise spent 14 years in central banking – leading on the UK Digital Pound consultation paper and working in the BIS Innovation Hub Nordic Center.

Mastercard is a global technology company in the payments industry. Mastercard operates one of the world’s most trusted payments networks and for close to a decade has been exploring how new forms of digital money can complement existing payment systems in a way that is safe, resilient and trusted

How interoperability can unlock the potential of digital asset innovation

Over the past decade, blockchain-based ecosystems have sparked transformative innovation across money, payments, and financial markets. Driven by rising consumer demand for instant digital services, central banks, financial institutions, market infrastructures, payment providers, and fintechs are reimagining how the financial system should operate. While bold visions of unified platforms and “big bang” transformations are compelling, true progress depends on interoperability with today’s global financial infrastructure. This session explores how we can bridge traditional and digital ecosystems, unlocking efficiency gains while safely navigating the new digital borders shaping the future of finance.

Mohamad Falah is an analyst at the Central Bank of Malaysia specialising in Shariah advisory, policy, research and regulation. He graduated from the Islamic University of Madinah and is a Certified Shariah Advisor, with research interests in central banking, monetary economics, CBDCs, and digital assets.

Ahmad is the Head of Shariah Research at the Central Bank of Malaysia and a Secretariat member of its Shariah Advisory Council. With over 11 years at BNM, his work spans Shariah policy, standards, and research on modern money, CBDCs, liquidity instruments, and financial innovation.

Fundamentals of Modern Money and its Application to CBDC: An Exploratory Shariah Analysis

This presentation provides a foundational analysis of the nature of modern money and its Shariah implications, serving as a basis for determining appropriate Shariah rulings on contemporary monetary instruments, including Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC). It  presents three key insights: (1) Modern money fundamentally operates as credit-money; (2) Classical Shariah conceptions of money — rooted in commodity-based views of the nature of money — are limited in addressing the realities of today’s monetary system;  and (3) A renewed Shariah approach is essential to support the application of Islamic principles to emerging innovations such as stablecoins and CBDC.

David LEE Kuo Chuen is a Professor of Fintech and Blockchain at the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS), an Adjunct Professor at the National University of Singapore (NUS), a founding Council Member of the British Blockchain Association, and Editor-in-Chief or Deputy Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Fintech and Annual Review of Fintech. Professor LEE is also an internationally renowned scholar and industry opinion leader in the field of blockchain, an expert in the development of WEB3 and Artificial Intelligence (AI) application scenarios, the Chairman of the Global FinTech Institute(GFI), a co-founder of FLEX, the Chairman of the Board of Asia Pacific Exchange(APEX), a co-founder of the Singapore Blockchain Association, a co-founder of the Blockchain Security Alliance and Global Web3 Association, a CBDC advisor to the Asian Development Bank, Vice President of the Economic Society of Singapore (ESS),a cryptocurrency advisor to the Asian Institute of Digital Finance (AIDF) of NUS, an independent director of several companies in Singapore such as eTORO, founder of Western Australia Web3 Association, an angel investor in blockchain, WEB3, inclusive finance and AI innovation, a senior advisor and Investment Committee member of Artichoke Capital which is backed by institutional limited partners, including sovereign wealth and family office funds.

Global Fintech Institute (GFI) is a non-profit think tank and professional body dedicated to shaping the future of fintech. Headquartered in Singapore, GFI connects regulators, corporations, and academia to set global standards, deliver world-class education, and foster responsible innovation across the financial ecosystem.

The presentation title will be announced soon

Hann is a fund manager and fintech entrepreneur whose career has been defined by a singular mission: empowering people to achieve financial freedom through accessible, credible, and forward-looking financial solutions. He has 20 years of experience in the financial services industry, spanning capital markets, consumer fintech, and regulated asset management.
He is the Founder and CEO of Halogen Capital, Malaysia’s first licensed digital asset fund manager regulated by the Securities Commission Malaysia. Through Halogen, Hann is focused on redefining how digital assets are accessed and managed – moving the conversation away from speculation and toward regulated, institutional-grade investing. Under his leadership, Halogen Capital has pioneered several industry firsts, including the world’s first Shariah-compliant cryptocurrency mutual fund – the Halogen Shariah Bitcoin Fund.
Hann’s journey in finance began in the traditional capital markets. He developed a strong foundation in financial markets and quantitative product analysis during his studies at the London School of Economics (LSE) and his early career at Barclays Capital in London, where he worked in equities and funds structuring. This grounding in institutional finance continues to shape his disciplined, risk-aware approach to innovation.
Beyond markets, Hann has consistently championed financial literacy and consumer empowerment in Malaysia. In 2012, he co-founded SaveMoney.my and JimatCermat.my, two pioneering financial advice portals aimed at helping Malaysians make better financial decisions. In 2014, he led SaveMoney.my through a successful merger with RinggitPlus, forming Saving Plus Sdn Bhd (later rebranded as Jirnexu). As Founder and Director of Jirnexu, Hann scaled RinggitPlus into Malaysia’s leading financial product comparison platform, serving over 1.5 million users and building an annual recurring revenue base of approximately RM50 million.
Across each chapter of his career, from consumer fintech to institutional asset management , Hann’s focus has remained consistent: making finance more transparent, relevant, and empowering, while evolving alongside technological and societal change.
As a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) and Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), Hann has advised thousands of Malaysians across traditional assets, digital assets, and alternative investments. His deep understanding of both investor behaviour and market structure positions him uniquely to address one of the biggest challenges in digital assets today: trust. Through Halogen Capital, he is actively working to correct misconceptions around cryptocurrencies by anchoring them within robust regulatory, governance, and compliance frameworks.
In addition to his entrepreneurial work, Hann has contributed at a national level as a policy advisor to Malaysia’s National Economic Action Council (NEAC) on digital economy matters from 2019 to 2020.
Today, Hann continues to advocate for responsible financial innovation - proving that technology, regulation, and purpose-driven finance can coexist to create lasting impact.

Halogen Capital is the first licensed fund manager in Malaysia specialising in digital assets and innovative investing. Halogen Capital's team combines traditional capital market expertise with deep technology knowledge to help investors gain exposure safely to this new innovative asset class. Halogen Capital is licensed by the Securities Commission Malaysia.

Panel Discussion: Reinventing Capital Markets Through Tokenised Assets and Next Generation Payment Rails

Tokenisation is rapidly emerging as one of the transformative developments in modern finance. By digitising securities, tokenisation unlocks new possibilities – broader investor access, greater efficiency, and improved liquidity – especially when paired with tokenized payment for seamless settlement.

Malaysia is moving in step with global momentum, with market participants started tokenizing bonds, funds and exploring next-gen tokenized payment. This panel dives into real-world use cases, early wins, lessons learned, and what’s next as tokenized assets intersect with tokenized payments.

A forward-looking conversation on the future of Malaysia’s digital capital market.

President India Blockchain Forum | Bank Advisor, Fintech Mentor and Investor engineer | TECHNICAL & DIGITAL ARCHITECT | INNOVATOR | BANKER | INDUSTRY INFLUENCER | TEAM BUILDER | SPEAKER | POLICY | Trainer AWARDS - TOP 50 CIO | DIGITAL LEADER of INDIA |TOP 50 PAYMENT LEADER | TOP 20 BFSI LEADERSHIP | TOP 100 SECURITY INFLUENER | TOP BFSI INNOVATORAward Winning CXO Banker, Digital Architect, Industry Innovator, Board Member, Fintech Influencer, Startup Mentor, Leadership Coach, Bank Advisor & Author Prasanna Lohar is National SME for Banking and Finance, CBDC ( E-rupee) & Digital Assets, Open Banking, Cyber Security, Payments, App Modernisation and Digital Public Infra. He is Advisor for Banks, Fintech BigTech, Policy makers, Government, Enterprises, Investors and Deeptech& Fintech. He is a seasoned professional with a wealth of experience in the banking and financial technology sector. With a background spanning across various domains such as organization strategy, leadership development, and emerging technologies, Prasanna has established himself as a trusted advisor to both Bank, BigTech, Fintech and Government bodies. 25+ Yrs of experience at all levels, Engineering, Management, and Innovation as CXO. I have worked Globally for Banks, Fintech, Micro-Finance, Engineering, and Multi-National companies for Digital & Architecture Transformation. He is closely associated with cutting-edge technology adoption Strategy, Assimilation, Experimentation, Innovative Customer Servicing & Engagement, Robust Architecture Implementation, Fintech & Start-up Alignment, Open Innovation practices, Ecosystem Collaboration with Govt, BigTech, Fintech, Banks, Academia

The India Blockchain Forum (IBF) is a non-profit, collaborative initiative launched in August 2022  to make India a global hub for blockchain and Web 3.0 technology. It acts as a platform for policy advocacy, mentoring startups, and building talent in areas like CBDC, Tokenization , and the Metaverse.  Mission: To create an enabling environment for blockchain adoption by bridging the gap between governments, regulators, industry, and academia.Founding  Key Activities:Special Interest Groups (SIGs): Focused on CBDC, Metaverse, and policy frameworks.Policy Advocacy: Collaborating with regulatory bodies to create a nuanced framework for Web3.Talent Development: Launching certificate programs to address the skills gap.Start-up Support: Partnering with investors to fund and mentor Web3 startups

The Tokenized Economy - How Digital Assets Will Reshape Global Finance by 2035

Mr. Mortimer-Schutts is the Global Head of the verifiable Legal Entity Identifier (vLEI) at GLEIF. He joined GLEIF in 2025 following over 12 years as a Senior financial and digital sector development and policy expert for the World Bank Group, based primarily in Asia. There he advised private and public sector entities on policy, regulation and business strategies related to financial and technology innovation. Before IFC, he held positions with BNP Paribas in emerging markets business development and securities regulation, a joint Sciences-Po and AEI-Brooking think tank on trade and regulatory policy as well as with financial securities intermediaries in Europe.

Ivan is a graduate of the London School of Economics, Science Po (Paris) and the UWC of the Atlantic.

The Global Legal Entity Identifier Foundation (GLEIF) is a not-for-profit organization that manages and oversees the global system of Legal Entity Identifiers (LEIs).

Panel Discussion: Fraud Detection and Prevention in Digital Payments

This panel explores how fraud is evolving in digital currency and modern payment systems, and how detection methods must adapt in response. It will highlight emerging threat vectors, real-time monitoring techniques, and the role of data, analytics, and collaboration in protecting users while preserving speed and innovation in digital payments.

Adrian Ng is the Country Representative of the Global Legal Entity Identifier Foundation (GLEIF), Singapore Branch. He leads the strategy and stakeholder engagement across ASEAN and Oceania, advancing the adoption of the Legal Entity Identifier (LEI) and building relationships with regulators, business registries, and certificate authorities. Adrian engages policymakers and monitors regulatory developments to support GLEIF’s global mission. He works closely with banks, data providers, and service providers to strengthen trusted digital identity and legal entity identification across the region.

Adrian brings nearly twenty years of experience in digital identity, payments, and financial connectivity across Asia Pacific. His background spans core banking, cash management, trade, treasury, real-time gross settlement systems, instant and cross-border payment infrastructures.

Prior to GLEIF, Adrian served as Ecosystem Engagement Director at IDEMIA, where he helped grow their digital business by developing  dialogues with key stakeholders. At Currency Research, he connected  policy-makers with sponsors of the Central Bank Payments Conference, Global Payment Summit, and Currency Conference. He also spent three years with D+H (formerly Fundtech) as Product Specialist and Partnership Manager, supporting transaction banking, financial messaging, and payment solutions.

Adrian holds a Bachelor’s degree in Applied Accounting from Oxford Brookes University.

The Global Legal Entity Identifier Foundation (GLEIF) is a not-for-profit organization that manages and oversees the global system of Legal Entity Identifiers (LEIs).

Breakout Session: Compliance by Design (KYC/AML, Sanctions, Travel Rule-like Data Needs)

Hands-on mapping of regulated payments requirements into system architecture: identity, screening, monitoring, recordkeeping, and audit trails.

Eu Gin oversees corporate treasury at Khazanah, where he helped deliver award‑winning capital market milestones, including Malaysia’s first SRI Sukuk and first corporate retail Sukuk. He is passionate about reimagining treasury and finance as AI and technology rapidly democratise innovation.

Khazanah is the sovereign wealth fund of Malaysia. We invest in catalytic sectors, creating value through active stewardship, increasing our global presence, as well as building capacity and vibrant communities for the benefit of Malaysians.

Panel Discussion: Reinventing Capital Markets Through Tokenised Assets and Next Generation Payment Rails

Tokenisation is rapidly emerging as one of the transformative developments in modern finance. By digitising securities, tokenisation unlocks new possibilities – broader investor access, greater efficiency, and improved liquidity – especially when paired with tokenized payment for seamless settlement.

Malaysia is moving in step with global momentum, with market participants started tokenizing bonds, funds and exploring next-gen tokenized payment. This panel dives into real-world use cases, early wins, lessons learned, and what’s next as tokenized assets intersect with tokenized payments.

A forward-looking conversation on the future of Malaysia’s digital capital market.

Mohamad Falah is an analyst at the Central Bank of Malaysia specialising in Shariah advisory, policy, research and regulation. He graduated from the Islamic University of Madinah and is a Certified Shariah Advisor, with research interests in central banking, monetary economics, CBDCs, and digital assets.

Central Bank of Malaysia (Abnk Negara Malaysia-BNM) is a statutory body which started operations in 1959 and governed by the Central Bank of Malaysia Act 2009. The role of BNM is to promote monetary and financial stability, in order to provide a conducive environment for the sustainable growth of the Malaysian economy.

Fundamentals of Modern Money and its Application to CBDC: An Exploratory Shariah Analysis

This presentation provides a foundational analysis of the nature of modern money and its Shariah implications, serving as a basis for determining appropriate Shariah rulings on contemporary monetary instruments, including Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC). It  presents three key insights: (1) Modern money fundamentally operates as credit-money; (2) Classical Shariah conceptions of money — rooted in commodity-based views of the nature of money — are limited in addressing the realities of today’s monetary system;  and (3) A renewed Shariah approach is essential to support the application of Islamic principles to emerging innovations such as stablecoins and CBDC.

Maria is a global executive with over 20 years of experience across the finance, payments, and
technology sectors. She specialises in operational excellence, strategic finance, and large-scale market
expansion, having led high-performing teams across multiple continents. As of October 2025, she serves as
Chief Operating Officer at Yellow Card, one of the world’s largest licensed stablecoin-based infrastructure
providers, operating 34 markets.

Prior to Yellow Card, Maria held senior leadership roles at several of the world’s most innovative fintech and
technology companies. Her experience includes serving as SVP & Global Head of Strategy, Corporate
Development and Finance at dLocal; VP of Marketplace at Brazilian unicorn Loft; and Head of Latin America
for PayPal’s SME business. Earlier in her career, she built and scaled iZettle Brazil, contributing to its US$2
billion acquisition by PayPal, following a foundation in investment banking at Goldman Sachs in London.

Originally from São Paulo, Brazil, and now based in London, Oldham holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business
Administration from EAESP-FGV and an MBA from the London Business School.

Yellow Card the largest licensed stablecoin-based infrastructure for emerging markets. From Stablecoin payment infrastructure to fiat settlement rails, custody wallet services, and custom local Stablecoin issuance, Yellow Card provides the complete infrastructure businesses need to manage Stablecoins, payments, and operations across emerging markets. In 2025 the company was honored with the Grand Prix, in the Payments category, at the Money20/20 USA Awards.

Panel Discussion: From Experiment to Infrastructure: Digital Currency Comes of Age

After years of pilots, sandboxes, and proofs of concept, digital currencies are entering a more mature phase. This panel discusses what it means to move from experimentation to real-world infrastructure—covering adoption hurdles, regulatory clarity, interoperability, and trust. Speakers debate which models are scaling, which are stalling, and what “success” actually looks like.

Rishav leads Capital A’s group strategy for stablecoins, tokenisation, and associated blockchain infrastructure. He focuses on practical, regulation aligned applications across identity, rewards, payments, working closely with senior leadership to advance digital asset projects and partnerships that support the group’s innovation and growth agenda.

Capital A is a multi-platform travel and digital group focused on five core verticals: MRO, logistics, travel, F&B, and brand licensing and IP, building asset-light, high-growth businesses across Asean and beyond, while retaining a stake in the AirAsia airline group.

From Concept to Commercial Relevance: Evaluating a Regulated MYR Stablecoin in a Real-Economy Ecosystem

This presentation explores how Capital A and Standard Chartered are evaluating the role of a Malaysian ringgit stablecoin within a multi-entity business spanning travel, rewards, payments, and cross-border activity. The project focuses on where stablecoins can create practical value through payment efficiency, programmable commercial flows, and a more interoperable financial future. The session will highlight how different forms of digital money issued across jurisdictions can coexist within clear regulatory boundaries and serve economic functions. It will also address the governance, compliance, and institutional partnerships needed for credible implementation and alignment with tokenized financial infrastructure.

As Deputy Governor, Mr. Rolle oversees the payments function as part of his broader duties. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance and Economics, College of William and Mary (USA), and a Master’s of Business Administration with a concentration in Finance and Quantitative Methods, University of Georgia (USA).

The Central Bank of The Bahamas, located on the island of New Providence, was established on 1st June, 1974, and is a monument to one of the most rapidly growing, international financial centers in the Caribbean. This unprecedented legal authority manages the financial policies of an independent nation, The Bahamas.

 

Panel Discussion: From Experiment to Infrastructure: Digital Currency Comes of Age

After years of pilots, sandboxes, and proofs of concept, digital currencies are entering a more mature phase. This panel discusses what it means to move from experimentation to real-world infrastructure—covering adoption hurdles, regulatory clarity, interoperability, and trust. Speakers debate which models are scaling, which are stalling, and what “success” actually looks like.

Joachim Samuelsson is CEO and board member at publicly-listed Swedish deep tech company Crunchfish. Joachim is a tech pioneer and a serial entrepreneur with many patents in digital payments and mobile technology. He has a Master of Science degree from 1998 in Industrial Engineering and Management from Linköping University.

Crunchfish is a deep tech company developing a device-agnostic trusted client application platform for offline payments, tokenized card payments as well as other mobile client / server systems. Crunchfish has been listed on Nasdaq in Stockholm since 2016, with headquarters in Malmö and a subsidiary in India.

Offline Payments at Scale as Digital Money

This presentation reframes offline payments as a critical architectural choice rather than a backup feature, emphasizing how design decisions shape liquidity, risk, and governance when systems are disrupted. It introduces the BIG framework—Bankable, Implementable, and Governed—as a way to assess whether offline payment solutions can scale while preserving financial stability and institutional integrity. At its core, digital payments comes not from altering the system under stress, but from preserving it. This speech highlights governed offline architecture as the most effective path forward, enabling continuous payments while maintaining central authority, controlled risk, and alignment with regulatory frameworks

Gourav is a product management leader shaping the future of digital assets at Oracle. With over 20 years of experience across Software-as-a-Service and Platform-as-a-Service initiatives, he has consistently driven innovation at the intersection of blockchain, AI, and data. An alumnus of Indian Institute of Management Bangalore, he combines deep technical expertise with strong business acumen. He currently leads key blockchain products, building scalable and enterprise-ready solutions. Beyond his core role, Gourav is a speaker, writer, and startup mentor, and actively contributes to global standards through International Organization for Standardization (ISO) initiatives.

Oracle is a global technology company known for its cloud applications, infrastructure, and database solutions. It helps businesses run critical operations, manage data, and drive innovation. With strong capabilities in cloud computing, AI, and enterprise software, Oracle supports organizations in building scalable, secure, and high-performance digital systems worldwide.

Presentation Title will be announced shortly

Kenny Siah is Head of Product, Global Payments Solutions at HSBC Malaysia, with over 20 years’ financial services experience across business development and product management. He leads the delivery of payment solutions for corporate customers across conventional and Islamic banking. During his time with the bank, Kenny has supported the delivery of industry solutions, with a focus on cross-border and instant payments.

HSBC's presence in Malaysia dates back to 1884 when the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited established its first office in the country on the island of Penang, to issue currency notes. HSBC Bank Malaysia Berhad was incorporated locally in 1984 as a wholly owned subsidiary. In 2007, HSBC Amanah launched as Malaysia’s first foreign Islamic banking subsidiary, offering comprehensive conventional and Islamic services.

Panel Discussion: How Digital Currency are Transforming Treasury Operations

Riris Silalahi is a Lead Data Scientist with over 6years of specialist experience at the intersection of deep tech analytics and data science. In her current role, she leads the delivery and strategic advancement of FNA solutions for clients across the Asia-Pacific region, combining technical rigour with a sharp understanding of the regulatory and financial landscape.

Riris has built an exceptional track record in high-stakes, complex client engagements, having successfully directed more than 20 projects in partnership with central banks and financial authorities throughout APAC. Her portfolio of engagements includes some of the region's most prominent institutions, such as PayNet Malaysia, Bank Indonesia, Bank of Papua New Guinea, and the Central Bank of the Philippines.
Beyond client delivery, Riris has made a defining contribution to the development and implementation of FNA's National Fraud Portal, focusing particularly on the Track and Trace solution. This platform is now live in production and actively deployed by central banks, financial authorities, and financial service providers across the region, a testament to both its institutional credibility and the quality of the work behind it.

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FNA’s technology enables decision makers and business analysts to easily uncover hidden connections, access and understand complex networks and create dashboards & simulations.

Panel Discussion: Fraud Detection and Prevention in Digital Payments

This panel explores how fraud is evolving in digital currency and modern payment systems, and how detection methods must adapt in response. It will highlight emerging threat vectors, real-time monitoring techniques, and the role of data, analytics, and collaboration in protecting users while preserving speed and innovation in digital payments.

Raymond is a senior ASEAN strategist with 30+ years in digital investment, corporate strategy, and government engagement. Former Head of MDEC’s Digital Investment Office, securing RM250+ billion in investments including Nvidia and Google. Ex-CEO Edelman Indonesia. Advises on digital infrastructure and cross-border strategy. Recognised by UNCTAD; supported ministerial delegations at WEF Davos.

Provides independent advisory across Southeast Asia on digital infrastructure, emerging technology policy, investment strategy, and market entry. Brings nearly three decades of experience in government relations and digital investment promotion. Supports multinational technology firms expanding in ASEAN, leveraging extensive public- and private-sector networks built through senior leadership roles.

Considerations for a National Blockchain and Digital Assets Strategy

Digital currencies, tokenised assets, and stablecoins are redefining money, payments, and capital markets. This white paper outlines the essential considerations for a National Blockchain and Digital Assets Strategy anchored in monetary stability, regulatory clarity, interoperability, and financial integrity.
It proposes a coherent national design stance covering CBDCs, tokenised deposits, stablecoins, digital identity, supervision, and cross-border integration. The paper emphasises governance, risk safeguards, ISO-aligned standards, and measurable execution milestones.
Without strategic coordination, nations risk fragmentation and imported monetary influence. With disciplined architecture and oversight, digital assets can strengthen sovereignty, modernise payment systems, and enhance global competitiveness.

Harry is a senior marketing and positioning strategist. He previously worked at Banque Paribas and ABN AMRO and was a director at two leading international strategic consultants.

He is a leading contributor to innovation in both the retail and corporate payments and transaction space. He has also been actively involved in developing a.o. financial planning, international pensions and new steps in 'social innovation'. His strength is in catalyzing institutions into developing vision and strategies and in identifying and implementing client-centric solutions.

He is a columnist and guest speaker, sits on several advisory boards and regularly publishes in leading international media.

Smorenberg Corporate Consultancy is an advisory specialized in payments and financial transactions.

Governors' Panel on Digital Currencies
In this exclusive panel, the deputy governors of several central bank share their views on digital currencies. Gain unique perspectives on digital currency design, policy considerations, and the role of digital currencies in shaping the future financial system. Learn about the challenges, opportunities, and potential implications of CBDCs and stablecoins in the financial sector. Hear from these high-level decision-makers their strategic vision and practical insights that drive the digital currency agenda.

 

Panel Discussion: The Impact of Digital Currencies on Payment Systems

This panel will discuss how digital currencies will influence the way payments will be made in the future. What are the pros & cons, the risks & opportunities?

This panel delves into how digital currencies are reshaping global payment systems, from reducing transaction costs to enabling real-time cross-border transfers. The panelists will discuss the opportunities and disruptions brought about by stablecoins, tokenization, CBDCs. The conversation will explore the integration of digital currencies into existing payment infrastructures and their potential to enhance financial inclusion. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of the technological, economic, and policy implications of this transformation.

Ying-Ying Tan is the Global Head of Product Management and the COO for Financing & Securities Services at Standard Chartered Bank (SCB). She has more than 25 years of experience in both securities and cash, and an advocate of Digital Assets. Prior to joining SCB in 2017, she was with Deutsche Bank. Ying-Ying is a Singaporean, and has a Bachelor degree in Computer Science and Information system from the National University of Singapore.

Standard Chartered Bank is a multinational banking and financial services company headquartered in London, focused on driving commerce and prosperity across Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. With a 170-year history, it operates in 52+ markets, focusing on corporate, institutional, and affluent retail banking, driven by its "here for good" brand promise.

Panel Discussion: Reinventing Capital Markets Through Tokenised Assets and Next Generation Payment Rails

Tokenisation is rapidly emerging as one of the transformative developments in modern finance. By digitising securities, tokenisation unlocks new possibilities – broader investor access, greater efficiency, and improved liquidity – especially when paired with tokenized payment for seamless settlement.

Malaysia is moving in step with global momentum, with market participants started tokenizing bonds, funds and exploring next-gen tokenized payment. This panel dives into real-world use cases, early wins, lessons learned, and what’s next as tokenized assets intersect with tokenized payments.

A forward-looking conversation on the future of Malaysia’s digital capital market.

Wee Kee is responsible for architecting business capabilities for digital payments, and developing strategies to address current needs and capture future opportunities. He works closely with the product team to develop product vision and strategies, and with the technology team on aligning technical solutions with business needs. Prior to joining J.P. Morgan in 2022, Wee Kee was the Specialist Leader for Distributed Ledger Technology at the Monetary Authority of Singapore, where he led Project Ubin, was also Advisor at the BIS Innovation Hub, where he led Project Dunbar.

Kinexys by J.P. Morgan is the firm’s blockchain business unit focused on building the next generation of financial infrastructure utilising blockchain technology. Kinexys Digital Payments offers a blockchain-based deposit product that allows clients to make domestic and cross-border payments between Kinexys Digital Payments accounts on a 24/7, near real-time basis.

Solving Public Blockchain Challenges for Financial Institutions: A Collaborative Approach

As financial institutions increasingly explore the use of public blockchains, they encounter a set of challenges that are difficult to resolve on their own. Front-running, transaction censorship, unsolicited tokens, and gas fees paid to sanctioned entities are among the most pressing concerns, and their root causes often lie in the foundational layers of public blockchain networks. Where financial institutions act merely as users and not operators of the underlying networks and platforms, solving these issues is often outside their direct control. This presentation will discuss solutions at different layers and how cross-ecosystem collaboration between financial institutions, blockchain protocol developers, and regulators can help develop effective and lasting solutions.

Daniel van Delft is the Chief Executive Officer of Currence iDEAL, the owner of the payment brand iDEAL. He also serves as the CEO of EPI Operations, the entity responsible for the operational management of the European Payments Initiative (EPI) and its digital wallet, Wero.

Wero is the first European-born digital wallet, developed by the European Payments Initiative (EPI) and supported by 14 major European banks and two large payment acquirers (Worldline and Nexi). Built on account-to-account payments, Wero allows users to send and receive money instantly using just a phone number, email address, or QR-code, without needing an IBAN.

From National Champions to a European Payment Network: Scaling Account to Account Payments Across Borders

Europe has proven that account to account payments can achieve mass adoption when built around trusted domestic ecosystems. Solutions such as iDEAL in the Netherlands demonstrate how bank-based payments can become the preferred way to pay online. The next step is scaling this success across Europe. This presentation explains how national schemes can transition into a pan European infrastructure while preserving the trust, reach and user experience that drove their adoption. It outlines the operational realities of migrating millions of users, merchants, and banks to a shared framework such as Wero, and why interoperability, governance and ecosystem alignment are critical to delivering a truly European payment alternative.

Sander van Tol is a Partner at Zanders and jointly responsible for their Treasury Advisory practice. He has nearly 3 decades of  experience in Treasury, Risk and Corporate Finance. He is a regular conference speaker and has authored many articles and whitepapers. He has been lecturer in Corporate Finance at different universities.

Zanders is a global leading consulting firm in the area of Treasury & Risk Management. The company provides independent subject matter expertise and advisory services to Financial Institutions, Corporations, Public Sector Entities and NGO’s.

Opportunities of Tokenization through the lens of a Corporate Treasurer

Tokenization is a relative new development for Corporate Treasuries and the potential value for the treasury function is often misinterpreted or misunderstood. This session discusses use cases for tokenization (including stablecoins) for Corporate Treasurers based on the concept of Treasury Technology Flywheel.

 

Digital currencies are reshaping the financial landscape and redefining how treasury functions operate. From CBDCs and stablecoins to tokenized assets and blockchain-based payments, these innovations present both transformative opportunities and complex risks. This panel will examine

• how digital currencies impact liquidity management, cross-border transactions, risk mitigation, regulatory compliance, and cash visibility.
• whether stablecoins, tokenized deposits, or CBDC can improve B2B payments?
• How this will impact cash & treasury management for corporates?
• What will be the position for banks and services providers in this “DLT-era” where ‘composability’ will be reality on programmable platforms?

Industry experts will discuss key implementation challenges, governance considerations, and strategic approaches treasurers can adopt to navigate this evolving ecosystem with confidence.

Heng Wang is a Professor at Singapore Management University. He was a professor at UNSW Sydney and co-directed key research centres. Heng has received major grants and awards, including recognition as Australia’s research leader in international law. His work is often cited by intergovernmental organisations. He is a member of World Economic Forum’s initiatives and advises or speaks at institutions including the UN, IMF, World Bank, and WTO.

The Singapore Management University is a business- and economics-oriented university in Singapore. SMU consistently ranks among the world’s top universities for business and economics and, in 2018, was ranked in the top 50 of the Financial Times MBA Rankings for the first time, making it the highest new entrant.

The future of digital currencies

Digital currencies are rapidly reshaping the global financial landscape. Their future will be shaped by many factors, including how we engage with intertwined relational, technological, and legal complexities. Paying attention to these layers also sheds light on potential disputes with social dimensions (diverging stakeholder interests), material dimensions (what different actors perceive to be at stake), and temporal dimensions (how issues may emerge and evolve over time). Using central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) as a distinct form of public digital money, this talk offers a framework for thinking about the opportunities and challenges ahead.

Kjetil has worked several year at the central bank, with various responsibilities in financial stability, payment system area, including heading policy, operation, licensing, supervision and oversight activities. Recently mostly engaged with analysis in the CBDC  and crypto area. 

Norges Bank is the Norwegian central bank, with responsibility to promote financial and monetary stability and a safe and efficient payment system, according to the Central Bank act. Norges Bank is owned by the state but organized as a separate legal entity.

Status on the CBDC exploration project at Norges Bank -where we are and where we are going

In this presentation, Kjetil Watne will introduce the CBDC exploration project at Norges Bank, focusing on a recent decision concerning whether the central bank should issue a CBDC, as well as insights from advanced technical and functional testing conducted in a blockchain-based technological sandbox.

Sylvia drives CIMB’s tokenisation and digital asset initiatives, alongside the development of its Financial Markets franchise across ASEAN. With over 25 years’ experience, she focuses on institutional engagement and evolving market infrastructure. She is a committee member in Financial Markets Association of Malaysia.

CIMB Group is a leading ASEAN universal bank and top regional capital markets franchise, powering capital, trade, and investment flows across one of the world’s fastest-growing regions. A multi-award-winning group, CIMB is advancing digital finance and tokenisation in line with evolving market needs. 

Panel Discussion: From Experiment to Infrastructure: Digital Currency Comes of Age

After years of pilots, sandboxes, and proofs of concept, digital currencies are entering a more mature phase. This panel discusses what it means to move from experimentation to real-world infrastructure—covering adoption hurdles, regulatory clarity, interoperability, and trust. Speakers debate which models are scaling, which are stalling, and what “success” actually looks like.