Singapore FinTech Festival 2024 Returns with Spotlight on Artificial Intelligence and Quantum Technology

Singapore, 8 July 2024 – The Singapore FinTech Festival (SFF) 2024, will be back for its 9th edition from 6 to 8 November, preceded by the Insights Forum™¹  from 4 to 5 November. Attended by over 66,000 participants from 150 countries in 2023, SFF 2024 will offer a distinguished lineup of global central bankers, regulators, industry leaders, entrepreneurs, investors, innovators, and influencers to collaborate and shape the future of the global financial ecosystem through aligning regulation, innovation and technology.

Organised by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), Elevandi, and Constellar, in collaboration with The Association of Banks in Singapore, SFF 2024 will examine the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Quantum Computing in revolutionising financial services and to deliver sustainable and inclusive economic growth. As the world continues to deal with the challenges of climate change, SFF 2024 will also highlight the role of FinTech in driving sustainable finance.

With rapid advancements and unprecedented investments in AI by corporations and governments², SFF 2024 will convene regulator-industry dialogues to facilitate greater alignment of policy approaches that can create an enabling environment for AI innovation and adoption. SFF 2024 also aims to foster the development of a responsible AI ecosystem in financial services, with strong international public-private sector collaboration to ensure that AI brings transparency, trust, and inclusion to the financial ecosystem.

With global public investments in quantum technology exceeding US$42 billion³, SFF 2024 will also spotlight quantum computing, underscoring the urgency of harnessing this groundbreaking technology to enhance performance in financial services, future-proof encryption, and optimise efficiency. The Festival will also address the challenges of applying quantum systems and their impact on the financial services tech stack.

Sopnendu Mohanty, Chief FinTech Officer of MAS and Chairman of Elevandi Board said, “The financial services sector is at a critical inflection point, with AI and Quantum Computing poised to revolutionise the global financial ecosystem. SFF 2024 will seek to align technology, innovation, and regulation so that these transformative technologies are deployed with strategic foresight, collaboration, and adaptability to unlock new opportunities for economic and industry growth and resilience. Harmonising global FinTech regulations that support innovation, fostering cross-border collaboration on payments and credit, and ensuring a secure, inclusive, and sustainable financial ecosystem powered by responsible adoption of AI and Quantum Technologies will be the primary focus of SFF 2024.”

SFF will also feature the following highlights:

• Invitation-only Dialogues and Signature Side Events such as the Insights Forum™ will convene 1,500 senior policymakers, top industry executives, and investors for leadership dialogues and collaboration discussions. Held on 4 and 5 November at the Sands Expo & Convention Centre, the Forum aims to foster discussions on aligning critical stakeholders’ views on the conditions needed to grow and realise industry applications of AI, quantum computing, and other cutting-edge technologies. Hosted at the Insights Forum™ is the Asia-Pacific Chapter of The Capital Meets Policy Dialogue™, which will gather senior policymakers and leaders from both the private and public sectors to debate solutions to the most urgent issues in capital investment, value creation and policymaking.
• This year, the Global FinTech Hackcelerator, organised by MAS and in partnership with Elevandi, is looking for innovative solutions to address problem statements centred on Improving Financial Health. Up to 20 finalists will be shortlisted and paired with a Corporate Champion⁴ to pitch their solutions on Demo Day at SFF on 6 November. All finalists will also receive a S$20,000 cash stipend and a startup kiosk at SFF to showcase their solutions. The top three winners will be announced at a gala on 7 November, and stand to win S$50,000 each in prize money. More information is available here.
• Blockchain Guardians Programme is a new skills-based learning initiative that will commence on 2 September 2024. Launched by Elevandi Education, the 10-week programme addresses the growing demand and skills gap for talent in the areas of digital assets, data, and compliance in both the public and private sectors. The programme, co-curated by web3 and digital assets industry stakeholders, includes an online course, mentorship, and industry immersion. It will culminate in a ceremony for 30 graduating students, who will receive digital certificates, at the SFF Talent Zone.
• Five Thematic Zones – Technology Zone, ESG Zone, Regulation Zone, Founders & Investors Zone, and Talent Zone – where attendees can participate in dialogues, workshops, and explore an international showcase of the latest FinTech solutions. We will also be introducing founder- and investor-focused mentorship sessions, masterclasses such as The Art of Storytelling, a spotlight on women entrepreneurs, mental health and wellness workshops, and an alumni meet-up for past participants of The Founders Peak™ at the Founders & Investors Zone.
• SFF MeetUp⁵ , a new networking initiative, is expected to facilitate 20,000 meetings at the Festival, with half an exhibition hall dedicated to simultaneous one-on-one meetings. SFF MeetUp will help individuals and organisations meet, collaborate and conduct business efficiently, foster new partnerships and drive growth opportunities.

Cultivating Agility, Innovation and Inspiration, and Fostering Connections at SFF 2024

Paul Lee, Chief Executive (Markets), Constellar, said, “As the premier platform convening the world's largest annual gathering of the FinTech community, SFF is committed to becoming a truly global marketplace. This year, we expect to expand to over 40 international pavilions represented by 30 countries, alongside regional and local associations and industry partners. We will also be launching SFF MeetUp, a first in Asia and at the Festival, introducing a transformative tech-based networking experience that has proven to deliver at least five times more efficient and effective engagement opportunities for attendees. By driving greater access to markets and amplifying the Festival’s collaborative potential, SFF 2024 will play a key role in fostering connections between leading industry players, regional trade visitors, innovators and start-ups to catalyse growth for the FinTech ecosystem at an unprecedented scale."

Registration for SFF 2024 is now open at fintechfestival.sg. Complimentary passes are available for policymakers, regulators, think tanks, academics, coders and students. Start-ups also enjoy discounted tickets.

About the Singapore FinTech Festival

The Singapore FinTech Festival (SFF) is organised by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and Elevandi and Constellar, in collaboration with The Association of Banks in Singapore (ABS). Since its inception in 2016, SFF has become the premier platform for the global FinTech community to engage, connect, and collaborate on issues relating to the confluence of financial services, public policy, and technology. Last year’s edition brought together 66,000 participants from 150 countries.

This year’s Singapore FinTech Festival will be held from 4 to 8 November 2024 and is poised to be the most consequential event charting a new path for tech, policy and finance worldwide.

About the Monetary Authority of Singapore

The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) is Singapore’s central bank and integrated financial regulator. As a central bank, MAS promotes sustained, non-inflationary economic growth through the conduct of monetary policy and close macroeconomic surveillance and analysis. It manages Singapore’s exchange rate, official foreign reserves, and liquidity in the banking sector. As an integrated financial supervisor, MAS fosters a sound financial services sector through its prudential oversight of all financial institutions in Singapore – banks, insurers, capital market intermediaries, financial advisors and financial market infrastructures. It is also responsible for well-functioning financial markets, sound conduct, and investor education. MAS also works with the financial industry to promote Singapore as a dynamic international financial centre. It facilitates the development of infrastructures, adoption of technology, and upgrading of skills in the financial industry.

About Elevandi

Elevandi, established by the Monetary Authority of Singapore, is a not-for-profit organisation that engages with leaders from government, businesses, academia, and civil society to foster international collaborations with our members on innovation, application and adoption of technology.

Elevandi’s initiatives have convened over 420,000 people since 2016 through events, closed-door roundtables, investor programmes, educational initiatives, and research. ​​SFF is the organisation’s flagship product; other known platforms under its wing include the Point Zero Forum, Elevandi Insights, Japan FinTech Festival, Inclusive FinTech Forum, 3i Africa, The Capital Meets Policy Dialogue and The Founders Peak with many more coming soon.

About Constellar

Constellar connects a global eco-system of event partners and consumers through a holistic portfolio of intellectual property (IP) in the Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE) industry. As Asia's partner of reference for curating the innovative event and venue experiences, Constellar activates impactful networks to bring global markets, businesses and consumers together for sustainable growth. With our expertise and dedication, we are invested in helping you build trusted relationships with stakeholders for the long term and enabling cross-industry collaboration through world-class audience engagement solutions. Visit constellar.co for more information.

About The Association of Banks in Singapore

The Association of Banks in Singapore (ABS) is a non-profit organisation that represents the interests of the banking community in Singapore. In doing so, ABS works closely with the relevant government authorities towards the development of a sound financial system in Singapore. Since its establishment in 1973, ABS has promoted a unifying voice on banking issues. It has brought its members closer together through various guidelines and banking practices as well as the support of projects of mutual benefit to face the challenges of the financial and banking community in Singapore. Today ABS has a membership of 155 local and foreign banks. More information on ABS is available at www.abs.org.sg.

[1] The Insights Forum™ fosters public-private dialogues to address the challenges of scalable and sustainable technology adoption for global prosperity through tangible commitments from participants. Discussions are held under Chatham House rules to encourage open and honest exchange.

[2] Stanford University's Artificial Intelligence Index Report 2024

[3] McKinsey report found global public investments in quantum technology reached US$42 billion in 2023.

[4] Corporate Champions are teams from financial institutions or organisations that mentor finalists during the Hackcelerator, working with them to refine and contextualise the solution.

[5] Learn more about SFF MeetUp at https://www.fintechfestival.sg/sff-meetup.