The Current

Shaping the flow of Policy, Tech, and Finance

FEBRUARY ISSUE

Gearing up for 2025 and beyond

Dear Reader, 

It’s been a busy start to 2025! This month, I embark on an exciting new chapter in my professional journey as Group CEO. This role is preceded by 18 years in the corporate sector and 10 years in the public sector. I am now looking at the next decade of leading an entrepreneurial path focused on making a positive impact. However, I will continue to stay engaged with the Monetary Authority of Singapore as an advisor for the next phase of fintech growth.

I am privileged to work alongside Ravi Menon, the former Managing Director of the Monetary Authority of Singapore and the current Climate Ambassador for Singapore, who also serves as Chairman of GFTN. With the support of a distinguished Global Advisory Board*, we are confident that GFTN is well-prepared to become an impactful global ecosystem-building enterprise. GFTN will be a premier global advisory and investment firm, offering advisory services that include forums, consulting, digital services, and a venture investment arm. This collective effort is aligned with global impact to enhance financial services for all.

We started the year with great momentum here at GFTN, and it continues this month as we convene at the Inclusive FinTech Forum in Kigali, Rwanda, followed by the GFTN Forum in Tokyo, Japan. Our advisory services are engaging governments in policy and strategy development to innovation hub developments.

We’re also starting the year with a refreshed approach to our newsletter. Formerly the GFTN Digest, The Current will provide timely insights on emerging tech, policy developments, and finance trends, while fostering connections among leaders and innovators in the field.

This journey would not have been possible without you, and I look forward to deepening our collaborations and sharing insights. Let’s make 2025 a year of progress, purpose, and partnership.

Warm regards,

Sopnendu Mohanty
Group CEO, GFTN

*Global Advisory Board:
Dominic Barton – Chairman, LeapFrog Investments; Chairman, Rio Tinto; Former Global Managing Partner, McKinsey & Company

Hon. Paula Ingabire – Minister of ICT and Innovation, Republic of Rwanda

Eric Jing – Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Ant Group; Chairman, Ant International

Dr Patrick Njoroge – Former Governor, Central Bank of Kenya

Dr Veerathai Santiprabhob – Former Governor, Bank of Thailand

Dr Axel Weber – Former Chairman of the Board, UBS Group AG; Former President, Deutsche Bundesbank

FutureMatters

Selected reports from the GFTN knowledge hub

Trends that shape finance in 2025

From topics like AI, digital assets, and sustainability, what are the transformative trends, challenges, and innovations shaping the global financial landscape? Experts in global finance share their views in this report, written based on discussions at the Singapore FinTech Festival. 

Unlocking the full potential in Carbon Markets

Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) is crucial in achieving net-zero. But what strategies are needed to make this happen? The Green Circle Climate Forum at Insights Forum 2024 discussed ways for more actionable climate solutions. Read the report to learn more.

Have a story to pitch? Apply to be a FutureMatters contributor here.

Events that make waves

Policy, tech and finance news that shape the industry

Singapore: A new entity to consolidate payments

A new entity will be set up in Singapore to consolidate the administration and governance of Singapore’s national payment schemes, alongside an automated solution for verifying bills of lading. This will reinforce the country's status as a global finance hub.

How the Middle East transforming the financial landscape with new crypto regulations

The surge of interest around cryptocurrencies is driven by the potential to transform financial systems, prompting countries like the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain to forge their paths toward establishing regulatory standards to enhance security and reliability of cryptocurrency transactions.

Chart your course

Stay ahead of the curve through education

Join us for Blockchain Guardians 2025

The Blockchain Guardians Programme supported by Amazon, Crypto.com, TRM Labs and GFTN gives participants the chance to earn a Crypto Investigations & Compliance 101 certificate from TRM Labs, one-on-one mentorship from industry experts, and the opportunity to explore real world applications of blockchain before graduating at the Singapore FinTech Festival.

Keen to join or support the 2025 edition? Let us know.

Keep these dates on your radar

Join the conversations shaping the future of finance

The Inclusive FinTech Forum in Kigali, Rwanda, is next week! Taking place from 24- 26 February 2025, the event brings leaders, investors, and fintechs together to participate in impactful dialogues that will advance policies and regulations, as well as create meaningful long-term connections and partnerships to advance financial inclusion through fintech for good.

The series of Forums continue throughout 2025 as follows:

GFTN Forum, Japan, 3 - 7 March 2025 | Tokyo, Japan 

Black Swan Summit, 24 - 26 March 2025 | Perth, Australia 

Point Zero Forum, 5 - 7 May 2025 | Zurich, Switzerland 

3i Africa Summit, 14 - 16 May 2025 | Accra, Ghana 

Insights Forum, 10 - 11 November 2025 | Singapore 

Singapore FinTech Festival, 12 - 14 November 2025 | Singapore 

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