Doha. Shanghai. Johannesburg. Bangkok. It’s been a busy month here at GFTN!
In Doha, we had the privilege to meet with senior leaders from the public and private sector, where we exchanged insights on the development of finance and tech hubs and the corridors being developed across regions. The discussions provided valuable food for thought and will certainly factor into our plans for the year ahead.
In collaboration with Ant Group, Ant International and the Shanghai Government, we delivered a content masterclass at the Inclusion Summit, which brought together experts from around the world. The time spent in Shanghai was truly inspiring! We witnessed a sea of Agentic AI companies with virtually every type of solution you could imagine for consumers, SMEs, corporates and governments.
Next up, we made our way to the Global SME Finance Forum, our G20 side event in Johannesburg, where we addressed some of the current (and existing) problems in SME Finance. It's clear that financing remains a challenge; but the same can be said for training, insurance, connection of supply chains, and identity. Leveraging digital platforms is therefore critical to solving for these issues. That’s why GFTN and the International Finance Corporation’s SME Finance Forum are launching the SME Financial empowerment portal, an educational platform to empower businesses for growth.
Lastly, our inaugural Bangkok Digital Finance Conference in partnership with the Bank of Thailand was an overwhelming success, bringing together the community to create bridges and set the path forward. The event was supported by Thailand’s 5 major banks and leading payment service providers, with key government agencies, including the Securities and Exchange Commission, Office of Insurance Commission, Revenue Department, and the Electronic Transactions Development Agency. Looking ahead, we are set to co-host an even larger gathering next year with the Bank of Thailand, deepening our collaboration in advisory and ecosystem development initiatives to accelerate innovation and sustainable growth.
So where do we go from here? Glad you asked!
Next up, is our GFTN Select – Gulf Series in Dubai (8 October) where we will be running a series of strategic roundtables with our members and community partners, followed by our programmes in Georgia and Armenia. The Tbilisi Finance Summit is shaping up to be a strong programme, which will be opened by the Prime Minister of Georgia, Irakli Kobakhidze. The venue of this Summit is truly special, as it will take place in the breathtaking setting of the Opera and Ballet Theatre of Tbilisi.
Lastly, submissions for our Global Impact Champion Awards closed this month, with 130 entries from around the world. This demonstrates the strong commitment of startups, innovators, and leftfield thinkers to advancing financial health as a critical foundation for individual resilience, community wellbeing, and long-term economic growth.
We're gearing up for an exciting month ahead as we enter the final countdown to the Singapore FinTech Festival – our biggest and most anticipated event of the year. More to come in our next newsletter!
Navigating the Shifting Perceptions of DEI and ESG: Insights from Japan
During the 2025 Insights Forum at the Japan FinTech Festival, leading technologists, asset owners, and asset managers gathered for roundtable discussions on issues related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and environmental, social, and governance (ESG). Based on the discussions, Milken Institute put together this report.
Regulated Activities on Public Blockchains
Based on a roundtable discussion at the Point Zero Forum this year, this report addresses potential use cases for regulated activities on public permissionless blockchains, the risks involved and how these risks can be mitigated, including by policymakers, international and industry standard setters, as well as regulators. Read the report.
Policy, tech and finance news that shape the industry
Gprnt to Launch Green 100
Introducing Green 100, a campaign spearheaded by GFTN's Gprnt platform, that equips public and private sector "queen bees" to start greening their SME networks quickly and painlessly.
The Green 100 welcomes any of the following groups to participate in the campaign's pioneering cohort:
Enterprise queen bees looking to build green capabilities and resilience in your value and supply chains
SMEs looking to take your first steps in accessing green markets and opportunities
Solution providers and financiers aiding companies in transitioning their business models
Register your interest at www.green100.sg and be the first to receive word of this groundbreaking initiative when it launches this November!
Chart your course
Stay ahead of the curve through education
Be a Part of the Next Gen Leaders Programme
The Next Gen Leaders Programme is a space where bold entrepreneurs, innovators, and early-career professionals aged 35 and under who are ready to shape the future of finance and technology, gather.
This year, we are selecting 25 eligible participants to be a part of this programme. Join a global community, gain exclusive learning and networking opportunities, and be recognised at the Singapore FinTech Festival 2025! Apply now.
Keep these dates on your radar
Join the conversations shaping the future of finance
The GFTN Select – Gulf Series is coming up next week, on 8 October, in Dubai, where a high-level gathering of industry leaders from private wealth management, digital assets, traditional banking, and key policymakers will take place. Then look forward to the Tbilisi Finance Summit on 22-23 October, that will explore new capital corridors, policy frameworks, and digital innovations.
As the foundation of how money moves evolves, the Singapore FinTech Festival will discuss the Technology Blueprint for the Next Decade of Finance. Explore new payment architectures, intelligent banking systems, and quantum-safe encryption frameworks. Meet the visionaries who built the foundation of FinTech today and the leaders shaping the ones for tomorrow. Register now.
The series of Forums continue throughout 2025 as follows:
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