As the fintech landscape continues to evolve rapidly, Money20/20 Asia 2024, held in Bangkok from 23 to 25 April, stands out as a pivotal event for industry professionals.
This year’s conference promises a wealth of knowledge with over 50 hours of discussions, interactive sessions, and real-world case studies focused on Asian fintech innovation and growth.
With a lineup of over 120 speakers from prestigious organizations such as J.P. Morgan, Kasikorn-Line, IBM, Hong Kong Monetary Authority, and Google Cloud, attendees at Money20/20 Asia are in for an insightful experience.
#1 Bank of Thailand: Transforming Asian Fintech with Open Finance and Collaboration
Money20/20 Asia will kick off with a notable keynote presentation by Daranee Saeju, Assistant Governor at the Bank of Thailand, the focus will be on the bank’s innovative efforts in digital finance.
The session will shed light on the regulator’s drive towards innovation, transparency, and collaboration, highlighting initiatives like mBridge for cross-border CBDC payments and the successful real-time payments between PromptPay in Thailand and PayNow in Singapore.
Through this payment linkage launched in December 2023, individuals can pay for goods and services by scanning the Hong Kong FPS QR code or the Thai PromptPay QR Code at participating merchants.
The Assistant Governor will also share details on the recent launch of PromptBiz which aims to facilitate digital trade and payments for businesses.
#2 Unmasking Fintech’s Hidden Enemy: AI vs. Digital Fraud
Pavel Goldman-Kalaydin, Head of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning at regtech firm Sumsub, will delve into the increasing threat of digital fraud in the fintech space.
Singapore witnessed a staggering 33% rise in deepfakes in Q2 2023, highlighting a global escalation of this threat.
This session aims to reveal how AI tools can help combat sophisticated fraud tactics beyond initial customer onboarding, emphasising the importance of ongoing vigilance in the fight against fraud.
#3 Programmable Money: Advancing Financial Inclusion or Creating Walled Gardens, Powered by J.P. Morgan
In a compelling fireside chat, Akshika Gupta, Global Head of Client Solutions at J.P. Morgan Coin Systems, and Zachary Anderson Pettet, Content Director for the USA at Money20/20, will engage in a deep dive into the burgeoning realm of programmable money.
As we transition into the digital era of money movement, programmable money emerges as a transformative force in the financial industry, especially within emerging economies.
However, this innovation is not without its challenges and opportunities. The discussion will cover key aspects such as the impact on cross-border payments, liquidity funding needs, and the broader implications for financial inclusion and the global movement of money.
This session is an opportunity to gain valuable insights into the future of money and understand the strategic considerations behind the adoption of blockchain and programmable currencies in driving growth and innovation in the financial sector.
#4 BaaS to the Future: How Banking-as-a-Service Is Shaping the Future of Finance
A panel featuring Kelvin Tan, CEO of audax; Aman Narain, Head of Global Platforms at HSBC; Jeff Tijssen, Expert Partner and Global Head of Fintech at Bain & Company; and Alan Lin, APAC Head of Payments & Commerce Solutions at J.P. Morgan Payments, will discuss the impact of Banking-as-a-Service on the finance industry.
audax, a spin-off from SC Ventures—the innovation, fintech investment, and ventures arm of Standard Chartered—offers digital banking and Banking-as-a-Service solutions. It has partnered with the likes of Thought Machine, a cloud-native banking technology company, to enhance its offerings.
Similarly, HSBC has collaborated with Oracle NetSuite, enabling customers to design and offer business banking services on their platforms.
Enriched by the practical insights of its panelists, this session will explore how this model is transforming product manufacturing and distribution, highlighting the 7 trillion-dollar opportunity it presents.
#5 Embedded Finance – The Revolution taking over Asia Pacific
Rob Schimek, Group Chief Executive Officer of bolttech, will participate in a panel to discuss the ongoing Embedded Finance Revolution in the Asia Pacific.
Being billed as one of the leading embedded insurance providers, bolttech’s B2B2C model connects 700 distribution partners with more than 230 insurance providers and offers in excess of 6,000 product variations.
Given the US$246 million Series B funding round that bolttech had raised last year, it’s safe to say that embedded finance is still booming.
This session will cover the technological, regulatory, and industry-specific aspects of embedded finance, providing insights into its integration into daily experiences.
#6 Digital-Only Banks and Financial Inclusion: The Secret Sauce for a Successful Business Model
Simon Beitz, Founder and CEO of Alex Bank, will join a panel to examine how digital-only banks are contributing to financial inclusion in the APAC region.
In the APAC region alone, there are 11 profitable digital banks out of 13, marking this as a thriving space.
These banks are flourishing amidst existing ecosystems, a customer base inclined towards digital adoption, and business models tailored to the unique demands of their markets.
This panel unpacks why some regions hesitate or even resist embracing this game-changer for financial inclusion.
Join industry leaders from pioneering APAC banks and tech giants as they dissect the success formula, explore the symbiosis between digital banking and inclusivity, and unlock the secrets behind APAC’s reign.
The session promises to have attendees walk away with the recipe for success, as it unravels regional factors while examining the future for the underbanked.
#7 CBDCs – The New Frontier of Money?
A panel including Bénédicte Nolens, Head of Hong Kong Centre at BIS Innovation Hub; Julia Demidova, Head of CBDC & Digital Currencies Product and Strategy at FIS Global; Makoto Takemiya, Co-Founder & Group CEO of Soramitsu Holdings Ag; and Deborah Tan-Pink, SVP of Marketing and Communications at Sygnum, will delve into the development and implementation of Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs).
This session will not only explore the challenges, opportunities, and future potential of CBDCs in transforming money movement but also aims to demystify the hype surrounding cryptocurrencies. The panelists will provide actionable strategies to navigate the ever-evolving fintech landscape, emphasizing the significant role CBDCs are expected to play in the near future.
Backed by groundbreaking research from FIS Global, which predicts that CBDCs will account for 20% of total payment values by 2030, this discussion will highlight the exciting challenges and opportunities this new frontier presents.
Attendees will gain unparalleled insights into the latest milestones and learnings from CBDC projects across Asia. The session will uncover potential winning designs and use cases, enabling participants to envision the transformative future of money movement with CBDCs.
#8 A Path to Sustainable Profitability: From E-Wallet to Digital Bank
Sheyantha Abeykoon, Group CEO of Boost, will present a session focusing on the e-wallet’s transition to a digital bank, discussing strategies for achieving sustainable profitability in the fintech sector.
Boost and its consortium partner, RHB Banking Group, have received official approval from the Malaysian central bank and the Ministry of Finance to commence operations as a digital bank this year. The newly established Boost Bank is set to move into an alpha-testing phase before its public launch.
This session promises to offer valuable insights into the journey from a digital payment solution to a full-fledged banking entity, highlighting the innovative approaches to overcoming challenges and capitalizing on opportunities within the digital banking landscape.
#9 Inclusive Digital Financial Infrastructure: Unlocking the Grassroots Economy
Lito Villanueva, Executive Vice President & Chief Innovations & Inclusion Officer at Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC), and Andi Taufan Garuda Putra, Founder & CEO of Amartha, will discuss the role of digital financial infrastructure in promoting inclusivity and unlocking economic potential at the grassroots level.
This insightful session is poised to explore how innovative digital solutions can bridge the gap between financial services and underserved communities, thereby fostering a more inclusive economic landscape.
#10 Navigating Capital Outflows: Are VCs Still Relevant?
Pranav Sharma, Founding Partner of Woodstock Fund, along with Sheryl Chen, Content Head for Asia at Money20/20, will explore the evolving role of Venture Capitalists in the current financial landscape, assessing their impact on innovation and stability in the face of economic uncertainties.
This session explores the enduring relevance of Venture Capitalists (VCs) as beacons for innovation in the unpredictable realm of capital outflows.
Attendees will gain critical insights and strategic tools for startups and investors seeking stability in the ever-changing environment.
This session aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of how Venture Capitalists continue to influence the trajectory of startups and established companies alike, amidst fluctuating market conditions.
These topics represent just a glimpse of the comprehensive agenda at Money20/20 Asia 2024, promising attendees not only a deep dive into the current state of fintech but also a look ahead at the trends shaping the future of finance in the region.
Find out more about the Money20/20 Asia event here. Fintech News Network readers are entitled to a special discount of US$300 off the ticket prices with the promo code ‘FNN300’. Register here.