The ninth edition of the Hong Kong Fintech Week (HKFTW), themed “Illuminating New Pathways in Fintech”, will take place from October 28 to November 01, 2024. This flagship event is expected to draw over 30,000 attendees from more than 100 economies and will feature an array of industry leaders all gathered to address key trends shaping the future of fintech, including artificial intelligence (AI), sustainable finance, and tokenization.

Organized by the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau (FSTB) and InvestHK, in collaboration with the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC), and the Insurance Authority (IA), HKFTW is one of the largest fintech events in the world.

Each year, HKFTW brings together global financial institutions, fintech companies, startups, regulators, investors, and tech innovators to discuss, showcase, and collaborate on the latest trends, innovations, and developments in fintech.

In 2024, HKFTW will spotlight the individuals, rising stars, and innovations propelling advancements in efficiency, scalability, and sustainability worldwide. During the event, experts will explore how entrepreneurs and corporations are leveraging cutting-edge technologies to craft innovative business models and capitalize on Asia’s economic ascension. Attendees will have a chance to explore groundbreaking solutions and build meaningful business connections with some of the world’s largest and most successful fintech ventures.

Expert Lineup: Key Speakers at HKFTW 2024

This year’s HKFTW main conference will take place on October 28 and 29 at Hong Kong AsiaWorld-Expo, promising to be a convergence of global expertise and cutting-edge fintech innovations.

The event will feature an unprecedented number of big tech companies from both Mainland China and Hong Kong showcasing their latest innovations. It will also feature notable speakers and delegates from governments across Asia-Pacific (APAC) and the Middle East, solidifying Hong Kong’s multifaceted business connections and landscape.

These speakers include:

• Hong Kong government and regulators:
  • Financial Secretary, Paul Chan;
  • Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Christopher Hui;
  • Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Algernon Yau;
  • Chief Executive of the HKMA, Eddie Yue;
  • CEO of the IA, Clement Cheung;
  • Executive Director (Intermediaries) of the SFC, Eric Yip; and
  • Director-General of Investment Promotion of InvestHK, Alpha Lau.
  • Mainland China government and regulators:
  • Director of the Local Financial Management Bureau of Shenzhen Municipality, Shi Weigan; and
  • Director-General of the Guangzhou Municipal Local Finance Administration Bureau, Fu Xiaochu.
• Industry leaders in tech, AI, blockchain and finance:
  • Vice President and CFO of Xiaomi Corporation, Alain Lam;
  • Chairman and CEO of Ant Group, Eric Jing;
  • Corporate Vice President, Head of Tencent Financial Technology of Tencent, Forest Lin;
  • Managing Director and General Manager, Sales and Operations of Google Hong Kong, Michael Yue;
  • Founder and CEO of 4Paradigm, Dai Wenyuan;
  • Co-Founder, CEO, and Chairman of Circle, Jeremy Allaire;
  • CEO of Zurich Insurance (Hong Kong), Eric Hui;
  • President and CEO of GCash/Mynt, Martha Sazon;
  • Global Head of Coin Systems and Liink by JP Morgan, JP Morgan Chase Bank, Naveen Mallela;
  • CEO of GX Bank, Pei Si Lai;
  • International President of Standard Chartered, Benjamin Hung; and
  • Executive Vice President and CIO of WeBank, Henry Ma.
• Industry leaders in the venture capital (VC) and investing space:
  • Managing Partner of GCCVest Advisors Limited, Ben Jelloun;
  • Managing Principal, Global Head of Capital Markets, Co-Chair of Alternative Investments of Gaw Capital Partners, Christina Gaw; and
  • Co-Founder and Chairman of Gobi Partners, Thomas G. Tsao.

Topics and Agenda: Must-Attend Sessions at HKFTW 2024

The agenda for HKFTW 2024 promises a highly curated experience, tailored to the latest developments in the fintech sector. Participants will have the chance to meet industry leaders, interact with targeted exhibitors, and engage with innovative startups.

Eight themed forums will comprise the main conference. These will delve into the latest technological advancements and cross-industry connections:

• The Global Forum will bring together over 30,000 leaders to discuss the future of finance, addressing key issues like regulation and the rise of the AI-powered economy;
• The Blockchain & Digital Assets Forum will explore the real-world impact of blockchain, digital assets, and Web3 on the future of finance;
• The AI & Advanced Tech Forum will explore the applications of the technology in enhancing services, mitigating risk, and unlocking new opportunities within the industry;
• The Payments & Other Fintech Forum will explore the impact of digital transformation, open banking, and emerging technologies on the future of finance;
• The Insurtech Forum will explore the latest innovations transforming the insurance industry, including AI, cybersecurity, and data analytics;
• The Green Fintech and Impact Forum will explore the integration of ESG principles into financial decision-making, scaling up sustainable investments, and meeting the growing demand for climate action;
• The Wealthtech and Investtech Forum will focus on helping participants future-proof their wealth management and investment strategies; and
• The Hong Kong Connect Forum will highlight the city’s role as a gateway to the Greater Bay Area’s growth and innovation.

Some of the must-attend sessions within these forums include:

The “Innovations in Finance: Exploring the Next Frontier” session on October 28, at 11:40-12:10 in the Arena Hall, AI & Advanced Tech Forum: This session will explore the potential of AI, blockchain and digital assets to traditional models and growing trends such as embedded finance. It will also address how technology can be used to reach underserved populations and promote financial inclusion, as well as the role of regulation in shaping the development of fintech.

Speakers:

• Bojan Obradović, Chief Digital Officer, HSBC Hong Kong
• Eddi Danusaputro, Chairman, Association of Indonesian Venture Capitals
• John Hsu, Group CTO, Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing (HKEX)

Moderator: Drew Propson, Head, Technology and Innovation in Financial Services, World Economic Forum

The “Harnessing Digital Finance for Green Accountability: Combating Greenwashing in Sustainable Investments” session on October 28, at 12:00-12:35, in the Arena Hall, Green Fintech and Impact Forum: This session will discuss how digital finance solutions can enhance accountability and transparency in green investments to mitigate greenwashing. It will also explore innovative financial instruments that ensure capital mobilization aligns with genuine sustainability efforts and the importance of collaboration among stakeholders to improve the reliability of ESG claims.

Speakers:

• Alan Cheung, Chief Director, Artificial Intelligence and Trust Technologies, Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute
• Cobe Zhang, CEO, ZAN
• Helen Krause, Head of Global Data Insights, Citi Global Insights
• Serena Mak, Executive Director, Sustainable Finance, Institutional Banking Group, DBS Bank (Hong Kong)

Moderator: Stacey Chow, Partner, Brunswick Group

The “Navigating the Future Digital Money Landscape in the Tokenisation Era” session on October 28, at 12:25-12:55, in the Arena Hall, Blockchain & Digital Assets Forum: This session will explore the interplay between central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), tokenized deposits, and stablecoins. It will discuss potential synergies and frictions between these instruments and how they can coexist to enhance financial inclusion and payment efficiency, as well as insights on Project e-HKD+ and Project Ensemble.

Speakers:

• Bojan Obradović, Chief Digital Officer, HSBC Hong Kong
• Carmen Chan, Head of Trade & Working Capital, Hong Kong and Greater China & North Asia, Standard Chartered Bank
• Nancy Cheng, Head of Partnership and Innovation, Hang Seng Bank
• Valla Vakili, SVP, Global Head of Innovation, Visa

Moderator: George Chou, Chief Fintech Officer, HKMA

The “Southeast Asia as a Digital Banking & Payment Powerhouse” session on October 28, at 15:35-16:05, in the Summit Hall, Payments & Other Fintech Forum: This session will cover how digital payments and super-apps are driving digital financial inclusion in Southeast Asia. It will also discuss what other regions can learn from Southeast Asia as a leading digital hub and how providers can further improve the security of their products and services.

Speakers:

• Ankur Mehrotra, Group President, JULO
• Brad Jones, CEO, PayMe, HSBC
• Lai Pei-Si, CEO, GXBank

Moderator: Teng Chan Leong, Founder/CEO, Skribble Group

The “Redrawing the Boundaries of Finance Through Tokenisation” session on October 28, at 15:50-16:20, in the Arena Hall, Blockchain & Digital Assets Forum: This session will focus on how the tokenization of traditional assets impacts existing financial markets and the role of regulators in this transition. It will also address the benefits and risks associated with tokenizing traditional assets, including liquidity, transparency, and investor protection.

Speakers:

• Aleck Lee, CFO, First Digital
• Cheng Gong, Chief Credit Officer (APAC), Moody’s Ratings
• John O’Neill, Group Head of Digital Assets & Currencies, HSBC
• Moderator: Clara Chiu, Founder and CEO, QReg Advisory

The “From Principle to Practice: Implementing Effective and Equitable AI Governance” session on October 28, at 16:30-17:00, in the Arena Hall, AI & Advanced Tech Forum: This session will examine current AI governance frameworks and how to develop comprehensive standards that align with ethical and societal requirements. It will also discuss strategic measures for identifying and mitigating biases in AI systems and the need for coordinated approaches that balance innovation and regulation.

Speakers:

• Clara Guerra, Director, Office for Financial Market Innovation and Digitalization of the Liechtenstein Government
• Laurence Van der Loo, Managing Director, Technology and Operations, ASIFMA
• Nan Shi, Lead AI Engineer, Client Engineering, Asia Pacific, IBM

Moderator: Olivia Kinghorst, International Moderator, ex-CNN & Forbes Journalist

The “Movement of Money is Changing: Innovations in Global Remittance” session on October 28, at 16:35-17:05, in the Summit Hall, Payments & Other Fintech Forum: This session will explore how blockchain and distributed ledgers enhance cross-border transaction efficiency and cost-effectiveness. It will also discuss how regulations can support innovation and consumer protection in cross-border remittances and the impact of fintech partnerships on affordable remittance access in underserved regions.

Speakers:

• Maha El Dimachki, Centre Head, BIS Innovation Hub – Singapore
• Naveen Mallela, Managing Director, Global Co-Head, Onyx by JP Morgan
• Moderator: Kristy Duncan, Founder and CEO, Women in Payments

The “Fintech Frontier: Exploring Accelerated Cross-Border Technology Integration” session on October 28, at 17:00-17:25, in the Summit Hall, Global Forum: This session will be conducted in Mandarin with simultaneous interpretation available. It will explore the expected accelerated change in the Greater Bay Area (GBA) driven by innovation and the increasing integration of onshore and offshore markets, focusing on growth in cross-border trade finance, payments, and business-to-consumer (B2C) fintech companies.

Speakers:

• Daniel Chan, Head of Greater Bay Area, HSBC
• Henry Ma, EVP & CIO, WeBank
• Helen Wen, Committee Member, Deputy Director General, Associate Director, Bureau Director, Qianhai Financial Development Bureau

Moderator: Carmen Chu, Executive Director (Banking Supervision), Hong Kong Monetary Authority

The “Digital Bonds: Redefining the Future of Capital Markets” session on October 29, at 10:40-11:10, in the Arena Hall, Blockchain & Digital Assets Forum: This session will delve into the advancements in digital bonds as a format of bond issuance and investment, discussing the success of tokenized government green bond issuances in Hong Kong and the potential future of this technology.

Speakers:

• Georgina Jarratt, MD, Head of Fintech and Digitalization, International Capital Market Association
• John O’Neill, Group Head of Digital Assets & Currencies, HSBC
• Rebecca Gong, Head of Corporate Development & Regulatory Affairs, HQLAᵡ

Moderator: Kenneth Hui, Executive Director (External), HKMA

The “Harmonising Regulation & Governance Across Jurisdictions” session on October 29, at 11:15-11:45, in the Summit Hall, Global Forum: This session will tackle key challenges related to compliance, cross-border payments, AML, and KYC, focusing on the role of industry stakeholders in shaping regulatory harmonization initiatives.

Speakers:

• Matthew White, CEO, VARA
• Sabino Fornies, Minister Counsellor, European Union

Moderator: Sarah Wong

The “Role of Tech in Finance for an Inclusive Future” session on October 29, at 12:00-12:35, in the Summit Hall, Payments & Other Fintech Forum: This session will discuss how new technologies are enhancing financial inclusion and bridging economic opportunities. It will also examine the role of governments in regulating the sector and encouraging active financial inclusion.

Speakers:

• Bill Deng, Founder & CEO, XTransfer
• Inmoo Hwang, Co-founder & Group CFO, ADDX
• Martha Sazon, President & CEO, GCash/Mynt
• Claudia Kolonas, Founder, Pluang

Moderator: Ankit Suri, CEO & Co-founder, Planto, Co-Chair at FTAHK

The “Fintech Futures: What Hong Kong Will Look Like in 2030” session on October 29, at 12:25-12:55, in the Arena Hall, Hong Kong Connects Forum: In this contest among three visionaries from the Fintech Association of Hong Kong, each will present their idea about what fintech in Hong Kong will look like by 2030, with the audience deciding the winner.

Speakers:

• Elsa Pau, Group CEO, BlueOnion
• Florian M Spiegl, Founder & CEO, EVIDENT

Moderator: Jame DiBiasio, Founder and Editor, DigFin

The “Fueling InsurTech: From Customer-centricity to Customer Advocacy” session on October 29, at 13:55-14:25, in the Summit Hall, InsurTech Forum: This session will explore how to combine human and digital engagement to foster brand advocates, how leveraging data analytics can enable personalized service for a diverse client base, and how insurers can embed customer insights into product innovation without overcomplicating digital distribution.

Speakers:

• Fred Ngan, Co-founder, Bowtie Life Insurance Company
• Jai Pawani, Chief Operating Officer, HSBC Life Hong Kong
• Vanessa Chen, Co-founder, CHOYS

Moderator: Dennis Lun, Co-founder & Group CEO, 10Life

The “CEO Panel: How to Be a Future Insurer With New InsurTech, Value Chain & Ecosystem” session on October 29, at 14:25-15:10, in the Summit Hall, InsurTech Forum: This CEO panel will discuss how organizations can leverage data analytics to enhance customer personalization and improve decision-making, implement agile methodologies to foster innovation, and collaborate with InsurTech startups to strengthen the insurance ecosystem.

Speakers:

• Alger Fung, Chief Executive Officer, HK & Macau, AIA International
• Michael Chan, Co-founder & Co-CEO, Bowtie Life Insurance Company
• Sally Wan, CEO, AXA Greater China

The “Rethinking Open Finance in a Robust Digital Economy Era” session on October 29, at 15:30-16:00, in the Arena Hall, AI & Advanced Tech Forum: This session will focus on how open finance contributes to economic resilience and sustainability, particularly amid global uncertainties. It will explore fostering cross-border data sharing, how AI and fintech innovations serve underserved SMEs, and how regulatory frameworks can evolve to support open finance while ensuring consumer protection and market stability.

Speakers:

• Marie Walker, Open Futurist, Raidiam
• Fan Zhang, CFO, Akulaku Group
• Moderator: Jenny Au, Founder & CEO, FundFluent

International Highlights and Connections

In addition to discussions on fintech innovations, HKFTW 2024 will focus on global partnerships. Southeast Asia’s rising stars will showcase their tailored solutions for the region’s unique markets, sharing success stories of fintech solutions crafted to meet the region’s distinctive market needs. Meanwhile, Middle Eastern players will bring a wealth of strategic insights, fostering innovation collaborations between Hong Kong and the region.

Another standout feature of the week is the GBA day visit, an exclusive tour inviting international financial leaders, investors, and tech founders to explore the innovation ecosystems across Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Hong Kong. This excursion will focus on facilitating collaboration, knowledge sharing, exploration of investment prospects, and meaningful dialogues, fostering a day of productive networking.

The Hong Kong FinTech Week 2024’s tickets are selling fast, if you are interested to join the conference and build new connections, purchase your tickets here.

Featured image credit: edited from freepik