I recently returned from Money20/20 Asia, where I had the opportunity to connect with industry leaders, hear a variety of perspectives, and reflect on the ongoing evolution of fintech, RegTech, and compliance. It was a valuable few days, and I wanted to share some of my key observations and thoughts from the event.
More Focused, More Meaningful Conversation
This year’s event felt distinctly different from past large gatherings. With tighter themes and a greater emphasis on genuine dialogue, the discussions were much more focused and impactful. Cross-border compliance and regulatory changes emerged as recurring topics, serving as an important reminder as fintech and digital banking continue to expand across the region.
Web2 and Web3 Are Coming Together
One area that really caught my attention was how Web2 companies are beginning to embed Web3 services. It’s not about a wholesale shift to Web3 but rather about hybrid models that create real-world applications, along with new types of compliance risks. As an industry, we must start adapting our solutions to fit this blended landscape.
Humanising AI in Compliance
I had the opportunity to speak about the role of AI in financial services, and it’s something I feel strongly about. AI should augment, not replace, human compliance work.
When trained on high-quality, real-time data, AI can help reduce bias. However, we must move away from “black-box” models; explainability and auditability are critical.
At AsiaVerify, our focus is on using AI to support compliance professionals, without ever losing sight of the need for human oversight and transparency.
Building Compliance for Decentralised and Hybrid Systems
As Web2 and Web3 ecosystems increasingly converge, financial crime risks and AML challenges are growing. Yet, regulatory frameworks remain fragmented across different regions.
I see a real opportunity here: RegTech must step up with new models that can operate across decentralised systems without losing the ability to meet global compliance standards.
Looking Ahead: Focus, Fit, and Flexibility
Many fintech companies will face challenges in the next 12 to 18 months. External uncertainties and internal budget pressures will compel companies to make tough decisions. Those who succeed will be the ones who invest wisely by focusing on solving real problems rather than chasing trends.
For us at AsiaVerify, this means continuing to refine our AI-powered Know Your Business (KYB) and Know Your Customer (KYC) solutions to address the realities of today’s fast-evolving regulatory environment.
If you want to discuss how the future of RegTech and compliance could impact your business, please feel free to contact me to arrange a time for further discussion.
