As it turns 10, the Singapore FinTech Festival (SFF) looks ahead by spotlighting emerging technologies that will shape the next decade and advance financial inclusion
At the Singapore FinTech Festival (SFF) in 2018, International Monetary Fund chief Christine Lagarde urged central banks to explore digital currency’s viability – sparking conversations on the future of money.
That notion, just two years after its 2016 debut, marked SFF’s emergence as fintech’s agenda-setter, said James Boey, chief executive officer for China, India, Asean, Central Europe at Global Finance & Technology Network (GFTN) and co-CEO of GFTN Forums, its forum organiser arm.
GFTN, a not-for-profit entity established by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) in 2024, organises the festival alongside MAS and exhibition partner Constellar, in collaboration with The Association of Banks Singapore.
The 10th edition of SFF on Nov 12-14 at the Singapore Expo will spotlight three technologies transforming global finance:
- Artificial intelligence (AI), which can drive financial inclusion;
- Tokenisation, which digitally represents assets like bonds and equities on a blockchain; and
- Quantum computing, which studies suggest could enable ultra-secure encryption and solve complex problems at unprecedented speed.
These technologies will drive discussions at over 300 sessions during the festival, which would be held in a venue the size of 17 football fields.
“This year’s festival is a chance to celebrate the last decade’s transformation, confront unaddressed challenges, and in doing so, pivot and define the next decade’s growth engines,” Boey said.
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Shaping the next decade
Launched in 2016 as a space for regulators and innovators to navigate the early excitement and uncertainties surrounding fintech, SFF has evolved with the times, focusing on Asean in 2018, resilience and sustainability during the Covid-19 pandemic and AI most recently, Boey said.
This year, Boey noted that the “often-overlooked” quantum computing field will receive stronger attention for its potential to strengthen financial system security.
Unlike classical computers that store information in “bits” that are either 0 or 1, quantum machines use quantum bits that can represent both 0 and 1 simultaneously.
Research firm Gartner warned in 2024 that quantum breakthroughs could render today’s encryption unsafe by 2029 and fully breakable by 2034. Encryption keeps data secure by converting it into codes that only authorised parties can read.
Tokenisation will also be a key focus as more banks and institutions enter the space, he added.
“These technologies – AI, tokenisation, quantum computing – require real-world applications,” Boey said. “SFF aims to spotlight discussions that lead to concrete outcomes, including catalysing pilots, partnerships and investments.”
More inclusive future
AI can help institutions extend credit and insurance to underserved communities through smarter data and faster risk assessment, Boey said.
“Opportunities are shifting towards developing markets, especially South-South and Middle corridor economies, where AI, tokenisation, and quantum technologies could drive financial inclusion.”
James Boey, chief executive officer for China, India, Asean, Central Europe at Global Finance & Technology Network (GFTN) and co-CEO of GFTN Forums
Such technology can make inclusion a reality in markets like India, which aims to insure every citizen by 2047, he added.
“As markets mature and margins narrow, the fintech industry must innovate to sustain growth,” Boey said.
“Opportunities are shifting towards developing markets, especially South-South and Middle corridor economies, where AI, tokenisation, and quantum technologies could drive financial inclusion.”
The South-South corridor comprises emerging economies in the southern hemisphere, while the Middle corridor spans markets in between China and Europe.
In October, GFTN hosted a summit in Georgia with Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze speaking. It also signed a collaboration agreement with Uzbekistan’s central bank in June to foster the country’s fintech ecosystem.
As GFTN and SFF continue to scale, Boey said they strive to preserve the “magic” of the flagship SFF – found in the close encounters where investors, founders, regulators, and finance and tech leaders meet and exchange ideas directly through a range of programmes (see below).
Boey’s message for this year’s attendees: “Come curious and be ready to collaborate.”
SFF 2025: stages, sessions, sparks
From chats with central banks to a “Q-Day” panel on a potential tipping point for quantum-safe migration, these are the snippets of the Singapore FinTech Festival (SFF) 2025, taking place on Nov 12-14 at the Singapore Expo.
The 10th SFF edition is structured around three areas of transformation, said James Boey, chief executive officer for China, India, Asean, Central Europe at Global Finance & Technology Network (GFTN) and co-CEO of its forum organiser arm GFTN Forums. These are:
- New payments settlement layer: Advancing stablecoin regulation and tokenised infrastructure for a safer, more connected global economy.
- New intelligent financial systems: Enhancing AI governance, skills and safeguards for responsible use in finance.
- New encryption architecture: Preparing for the quantum era by addressing systemic risks and strengthening future financial systems’ security.
Over 500 companies will also showcase their latest solutions.
According to Boey, participants can explore the following programmes for deeper interactions:
- SFF MeetUp: 15-minute one-on-one meetings between mutually interested participants in a dedicated space. Its 2024 pilot hosted 10,000 meetings among 1,500 attendees.
- Pay it Forward: Mentorship programme pairing emerging talent with industry veterans.
- Investor Hours: Meetings matching start-up founders with investors based on investor mandates and mutual interest.
- SFF After Hours and The Founders Rock wrap party: Informal networking events on Nov 12 and 14 respectively.
- GFTN Connect: Year-round engagement series driving issue-focused conversations on topics like AI and payments, held in cities including Singapore, Berlin, and Dubai.
This was produced in partnership with the Monetary Authority of Singapore and the Global Finance & Technology Network.
For more stories, go to https://bt.sg/sff2025