2024 Main Conference Agenda

We'll be announcing a speaker shortly

*this session will take place in Mandarin

*this session will be conducted in Mandarin with simultaneous interpretation available

‍

In just 11 months since its launch, the dYdX chain has facilitated over US$225 billion in crypto derivatives trading volume. Charles d'Haussy demonstrates how this remarkable expansion is driven by rapid governance decisions and active involvement from token holders.

1. How 5G, blockchain, AI & ML integration can revolutionise digital payments, including cross-border remittances
2. Security measures essential to protect sensitive payment data, ensure user privacy and facilitate seamless cross-border transactions
3. How digital payment and remittance infrastructure can be expanded to promote interoperability

1. How financial centers in Hong Kong and the MENA region can collaborate to support fintech expansion between the regions
2. Connecting fintechs, regulators, corporates and ecosystem builders
3. How the industry adapts to dynamic client needs from different regions
4. How to continue to attract top talent and investment to support the growth of innovative fintech startups

The existing monopoly on computational resources has restricted AI development, allowing only a few researchers to participate in pretraining LLMs. To democratise AI development and foster innovation for the greater good, Prof. Yang is leveraging her research and extensive industry experience to introduce a new machine learning system where the foundation model evolves by integrating top-ranked domain-specific models, irrespective of their pre-training structures. This evolution leverages inputs from high-quality domain-specific models and scalable ranking algorithms to create a robust foundation model that supports a wide array of applications with much cheaper GPU costs. In this session, she delves into this foundation model and shares her practical advice with industry practitioners.

1. What are the key challenges and opportunities associated with mobilizing capital for sustainable projects?
2. How can we leverage innovative financial instruments to accelerate the transition to a sustainable economy?
3. What role can investors, governments, and financial institutions play in promoting sustainable finance

1. 5 to 6 min each beauty parade; including Company status in Web3
2. Why IBanks should know these tech/company for their VA and DA business

1. How to create impact through inclusion and sustainability
2. Lessons from China’s digital economy
3. How to put the ‘Tech' in FinTech – AI and Tokenisation

1. The potential of AI, blockchain technology and digital assets to traditional financial models and create new opportunities for innovation
2. Growing trend of embedded finance in various sectors and its potential to expand access to financial services
3. How technology can be used to reach underserved populations and promote financial inclusion?
4. The role of regulation in shaping the development of the fintech industry

1. How tokenisation could support the development of new financial instruments e.g. fractional ownership of assets or programmable debt
2. Challenges and opportunities of tokenising non-financial assets e.g. carbon credits or renewable energy certificates
3. How blockchain-based tokens can help to develop more efficient and transparent markets for these assets

1. Why the customer-first approach is powering end-to-end customer experience and engagement
2. How to create an ecosystem of consumer services
3. How are businesses adopting new technologies and gearing towards a dynamic omnichannel experiences

1. How to analyse and capitalise on emerging market dynamics, and changing patterns of investment flows
2. Where is the growth of FinTech innovation coming from, geographies, verticals and partnerships
3. How can technology enhance the whole value chain in the asset management industry, and maximise operational efficiency?
4. IPO trends and market predictions: Examining the shifting focus of IPO activity towards the East

1. How can digital finance solutions enhance accountability and transparency in green investment or green lending practices to mitigate greenwashing?
2. What innovative financial instruments can be employed to ensure that capital mobilization aligns with genuine sustainability efforts?
3. In what ways can collaboration among stakeholders improve the reliability of ESG claims and foster trust in green finance initiatives

Watch the most exciting FinTechs battle it out on stage in the Global Fast Track Pitching Competition! From over 500 applications, 60 top-scoring companies have been invited to pitch for the chance to be crowned Global Fast Track Winner. Deep-dive into each vertical competition on Monday 28, then catch the Grand Finale on Tuesday to see who will reign supreme.

1. Landscape of GenAI development in Hong Kong banking sector
2. How AI adoption is revolutionising banking needs and customer experiences?
3. How to balance growth opportunities vs risk management on the use of such powerful technology?
4. What are some challenges banks face when implementing AI technologies?5. HKMA view on the upcoming GenAI Sandbox

1. Exploring the interplay between CBDCs, tokenised deposits, and stablecoins
2. Potential synergies and frictions between these instruments, exploring how they can coexist and work together to enhance financial inclusion and payment efficiency
3. Project e-HKD+ and Project Ensemble

1. How family offices & private equities can combine their alternative approaches during turbulent times?
2. What strategies and structures are employed for favourable growth?
3. How to navigate macroeconomic challenges and adapt to innovation and changing markets?

1. How FinTech can further the cause of Sustainable Finance
2. How digital solutions can help communities adapt to climate change?
3. How Tech improves transparency and accuracy of ESG disclosures

We'll be announcing details shortly

Watch the most exciting FinTechs battle it out on stage in the Global Fast Track Pitching Competition! From over 500 applications, 60 top-scoring companies have been invited to pitch for the chance to be crowned Global Fast Track Winner. Deep-dive into each vertical competition on Monday 28, then catch the Grand Finale on Tuesday to see who will reign supreme.

1. Managing change effectively to realise gains - How to educate leadership on the strategic advantages of AI
2. Marrying innovation with responsibility - how, what, why
3. Will transparency become a requirement for the mass adoption of AI? Are we closing the door to openness and sharing in the AI ecosystem?
4. How do we navigate a new workforce leveraging AI? Is there a need for reskilling and upskilling initiatives to prepare workers for the AI-driven economy?

1. Creating a mission-driven business, with a focus on innovation and impact
2. How to build your international business out of Asia
3. How to capitalise on the latest trends - Reglobalisation, digitisation, generative AI, and digital assets

Watch the most exciting FinTechs battle it out on stage in the Global Fast Track Pitching Competition! From over 500 applications, 60 top-scoring companies have been invited to pitch for the chance to be crowned Global Fast Track Winner. Deep-dive into each vertical competition on Monday 28, then catch the Grand Finale on Tuesday to see who will reign supreme.

1. How new technologies are transforming asset management and investment
2. How to integrate sustainability into investment strategies
3. New strategies for success in Asia's dynamic market

1. What role do green bonds and sustainability-linked loans play in incentivizing companies to adopt decarbonization measures in real estate?
2. How the above could look like for decarbonizing existing building stock?
3. Can technological innovations reduce the cost of operations, and if so, how?
4. With greater demand for these innovations and technologies is there a strong investment case for investing into these companies?

1. How are emerging technologies impacting the way we pay and transact?
2. Where is AI being integrated merely as a buzzword, and where is its implementation truly warranted to enhance CX?
3. The tech success stories and lessons learnt on the way

1. What's cloud's role in the AI era? And what are the key considerations (and challenges) in 2025 for successful cloud migration in financial services?
2. How can financial institutions ensure data quality and integrity?
3. What hybrid cloud and data strategies can offer interoperability and scalability, especially for cross-border collaboration?
4. How can financial sectors ensure data security in the cloud and stay compliant with evolving regulatory standards?

1. What are the emerging risks associated with increasing overseas capital flows to the Hong Kong market?
2. How to coordinate seamlessly with family offices to ensure enhanced monitoring?
3. How wealth managers and private bankers collaborate to promote ethical market activities?

*this session will take place in Mandarin

‍

This session invites industry and institutional experts to discuss how digital tools can empower financial institutions and corporations in climate risk assessment and data management. We will explore solutions to challenges such as Scope 3 emissions disclosure, supply chain management, and SME information disclosure, as well as the provision of trustworthy registration and trading platforms for carbon finance products. The discussion will also cover leveraging FinTech's strengths to accelerate the development of a green fintech ecosystem and enhance carbon market liquidity, and strengthening international cooperation on green and sustainable finance.

1. How international trade is well placed to reap the financial cost saving benefits
2. How greater efficiency can support embedded sustainability goals and principles
3. Tackling complexity challenges and mitigating risk in international trade

1. What innovative approaches and solutions can be adopted to accelerate progress on the SDGs?
2. What metrics and indicators can be developed to effectively measure progress towards the SDGs, and how can these inform future strategies?
3. How can the UN facilitate collaboration among nations and promote public-private partnerships to address global challenges?

Watch the most exciting FinTechs battle it out on stage in the Global Fast Track Pitching Competition! From over 500 applications, 60 top-scoring companies have been invited to pitch for the chance to be crowned Global Fast Track Winner. Deep-dive into each vertical competition on Monday 28, then catch the Grand Finale on Tuesday to see who will reign supreme.

1. The key differences between these types of tokens in terms of the rights and benefits they provide to investors
2. Situations in which utility tokens might offer advantages over traditional equity or debt instruments
3. Challenges companies face in issuing and managing these tokens

*this session will be conducted in Mandarin with simultaneous interpretation available
‍

1. The evolution of payments throughout history and the role of stablecoins in the digital era;
2. Hong Kong’s policy and regulatory framework on digital assets, with a particular focus on stablecoins;
3. The perspective of technology conglomerates on the opportunities and challenges of stablecoins, including potential use cases;
4. The future development of digital assets and stablecoins.

1. How stablecoins can be a catalyst for a more inclusive and accessible financial future
2. Why ‘Money is Open’. USDC, blockchain, and the power of programmability
3. How blockchain networks can scale securely without losing user experience

1. Will crypto ETFs become a more popular investment vehicle
2. Can crypto ETFs address the volatility and liquidity concerns?
3. Will the rise of crypto ETFs impact mainstream investors?
4. What are your predictions for the future development of crypto ETFs globally, and how do you see them influencing the broader investment landscape

1. How Hong Kong’s top financial ties can be leveraged to position the GBA as a global FinTech hub
2. How market participants can use the GBA’s expertise to expand into other Asian markets
3. GBA to attract global talents with growing opportunities

1. How to adapt to evolving consumer needs and harness technology to meet demands
2. Strategies for creating unique financial products in a digital-first bank
3. Unlocking growth opportunities globally and in the GBA, market expansion and underserved communities

1. How digital payments and Super-Apps are helping SEA in delivering digital financial inclusion
2. What can other regions learn from SEA as a leading digital hub
3. How can providers further improve the security of their products and services

1. How tokenisation of traditional assets impact existing financial markets, and what role can regulators play in this transition
2. The potential benefits and risks associated with tokenising traditional assets, including issues of liquidity, transparency, and investor protection
3. How policymakers can balance innovation and regulation to foster the development of tokenisation platforms, while mitigating risks

Watch the most exciting FinTechs battle it out on stage in the Global Fast Track Pitching Competition! From over 500 applications, 60 top-scoring companies have been invited to pitch for the chance to be crowned Global Fast Track Winner. Deep-dive into each vertical competition on Monday 28, then catch the Grand Finale on Tuesday to see who will reign supreme.

Watch the most exciting FinTechs battle it out on stage in the Global Fast Track Pitching Competition! From over 500 applications, 60 top-scoring companies have been invited to pitch for the chance to be crowned Global Fast Track Winner. Deep-dive into each vertical competition on Monday 28, then catch the Grand Finale on Tuesday to see who will reign supreme.

1. What’s the role and key benefits of Corp eID in CDI and the digital economy?
2. What’s the importance of integrating government data as a golden source in CDI?
3. Why is collaboration between different sectors or across boundary crucial for the digital economy and trade finance?
4. What’re the potential future use cases with Corp eID and cargo data in trade finance?
5. How can stakeholders work together to overcome the challenges of digital transformation?

A spinning wheel picks a random headline from recent fintech news for our panel of industry pros to debate.

1. Delve into the present skepticism around the efficiency of investments in new technologies and infrastructure, especially the perceived "excessive" investments in AI pioneers.
2. Explore how to avoid overly applying past successful business models and organisational structures to current challenges.
3. Identify the winning strategies for entrepreneurs & founders in the AI era.

1. Real-world data and scalable Oracle infrastructure
2. How to connect the global crypto markets on chain
3. Next-generation blockchain applications and smart contracts
4. Why SmartCon in Hong Kong and the evolving role of Chainlink to contribute to the vision of establishing Hong Kong as an innovative Web3 hub

1. What are some potential for collaboration between native Web3 projects and traditional financial institutions in Hong Kong and what is the current investment landscape?
2. Examining the current regulatory landscape for Web3 in Hong Kong
3. How Hong Kong can position itself as a leading centre for Web3 innovation and adoption

1. What are the current AI governance frameworks, and how can we develop more comprehensive standards that align with ethical and societal requirements?
2. How can we implement strategic measures to identify and mitigate biases in AI systems?
3. How can coordinated approaches balance innovation and regulation to promote technological advancement without compromising ethical standards?

1. How the evolving market and crypto ETFs have built trust with consumers, institutions and regulators
2. Stable coins and CBDCs; competition, cooperation or coexistence?
3. Understanding how Financial Institutions can embrace and leverage decentralised blockchains

1. How blockchain and distributed ledgers enhance cross-border transaction efficiency and cost-effectiveness
2. How regulations can support innovation and consumer protection in cross-border remittances
3. What's the impact of fintech partnerships on affordable remittance access in underserved regions?

*this session will be conducted in Mandarin with simultaneous interpretation available

‍In the long term, the Greater Bay Area (GBA) is expected to undergo accelerated change, driven by innovation and increasing integration of onshore and offshore markets. This will lead to growth in cross-border trade finance, payment, and B2C Fintech companies, fuelled by the increasing flows of people and data. To remain competitive, financial institutions and fintech companies must adapt and leverage emerging technologies to drive business growth in the region. This panel will explore the strategic implications of this changing landscape and the key considerations for navigating it

We'll be announcing details shortly

The session will cover the opportunities and risks that frontier technologies will bring about the financial services industry. With the help of industry experts, the discussion will focus on the role of these technologies for the development of the broader digital asset and Web3 ecosystem in Hong Kong. Regulatory considerations will be also covered with reference to the local and international experience.  

1. How DLT is modernizing and optimizing financial infrastructure
2. Navigating the shift beyond proof of concept to real-world applications
3. The importance of open, connected financial ecosystems
4. The critical role of interoperability as a key driver for digital economies