Money20/20 Asia Launches The Intersection Stage in 2026, Uniting Key Leaders to Accelerate Collaboration Between Digital Assets and Traditional Banking

BANGKOK, THAILAND – The Money20/20 Asia conference, a premier event in the fintech sector, has announced the launch of The Intersection Stage, set to take place from April 21 to 23, 2026, at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center in Bangkok. This initiative aims to bring together influential figures from banking, payments, digital assets, and financial innovation, marking a significant step in the collaboration between traditional finance and decentralized finance across the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region.

The theme for this year’s event, “From Infrastructure to Impact – Where Technology Meets Humanity,” highlights the real-world implications of the convergence between Traditional Finance (TradFi) and Decentralized Finance (DeFi). The Intersection Stage will serve as a platform for leaders from major financial institutions and fintech companies to discuss how innovation, regulatory frameworks, and new financial infrastructures are reshaping the global financial landscape.

Siva Kumar, APAC Legal Director at Sumsub, emphasized the importance of trust, identity, and compliance evolving alongside technology. He noted that Asia is at the forefront of this transformation, adopting regulatory models that foster innovation while ensuring security. Kumar remarked that institutions are rapidly advancing digital identity and verification standards, and the Intersection Stage will facilitate meaningful dialogue among key stakeholders to translate regulatory advancements into tangible impacts.

Key Speakers and Topics

The Intersection Stage will feature a diverse lineup of speakers, including Siddharth Gupta from Bank of America, Dhiraj Bajaj from Standard Chartered Bank, Fangfang Jiang from the International Finance Corporation, Ran Goldi, SVP Payments & Network at Fireblocks, and Kaushik Sthankiya from Kraken. These experts will share insights on regulatory innovation, digital asset adoption, developments in stablecoins, tokenization, and blockchain-enabled settlement, as well as the new payment rails that are facilitating faster and more efficient cross-border transactions.

Danny Levy, EVP & Managing Director for APAC & the Middle East at Money20/20, highlighted the historical context of TradFi and DeFi, stating that while Traditional Finance has focused on protecting existing systems, Decentralized Finance seeks to reinvent them. He noted that the convergence of these two realms is crucial as digital money continues to evolve rapidly. The Intersection Stage aims to unite regulators and innovators who are shaping the frameworks that will guide the future of global finance.

The broader agenda for 2026 includes keynote speakers such as Joseph Chan, Under Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury of the Government of Hong Kong SAR; Shahril Azuar Jimin, Group Chief Sustainability Officer at Maybank; and Sunita Kannan, Global Head of AI Product & Strategy at Microsoft. Their participation underscores the caliber of leadership that is influencing the financial landscape in the region.

Regulatory Landscape and Institutional Leadership

Asia’s pioneering regulatory sandboxes and Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) initiatives are setting the stage for transformative changes in the financial sector. Institutions like AMINA Bank are navigating this evolving regulatory landscape, which is critical for fostering innovation while ensuring compliance.

Cora Ang, Head of Legal & Compliance APAC at AMINA Bank, stated that Asia exemplifies responsible innovation. She emphasized that as digital assets, tokenization, and new payment rails gain traction, robust legal and compliance frameworks are essential for safe scaling. Ang believes that the Intersection Stage at Money20/20 Asia provides an ideal platform for advancing these discussions and aligning the industry on the future of financial infrastructure.

Featured Sessions on The Intersection Stage

The Intersection Stage will host several key sessions throughout the event:

• Day 1: Tuesday, April 21, 2026

  • Banking on Digital Transformation 101 at 15:40, featuring Barbaros Uygun (CEO, Mox Bank Limited), Jessica Lam (Group Chief Strategy Officer, WeLab), and others.
  • Building the Golden Record for Tokenised Asset Markets at 12:00, with insights from Etelka Bogardi (Partner, Reed Smith Singapore) and Aaron Gwak (CEO & Founder, Libeara).

• Day 2: Wednesday, April 22, 2026

  • The Rise of Blockchain and Stablecoin Payment Rails at 10:00, led by Tran Hung (CEO, Uquid) and Paul Veradittakit (Managing Partner, Pantera Capital).
  • How Digital Asset Ecosystems Will Redefine Money at 15:45, featuring Dhiraj Bajaj (Global Head of FI, Transaction Banking, Standard Chartered Bank) and Julia Zhou (COO, Caladan).

• Day 3: Thursday, April 23, 2026

  • Money’s Next Evolution: Stablecoins, CBDCs, and the New Payment Stack at 10:25, with Rahul Advani (Global Co-Head of Policy, Ripple) and Lissele Pratt (Founder, Capitalixe).

In addition to The Intersection Stage, Money20/20 Asia will feature three other stages: The Radiant Stage, The Inner Forum Stage, and The MoneyPot Stage, which will host live podcasting and networking experiences, fostering a comprehensive environment for learning and collaboration.

The event will convene leaders from over 120 banks and major payment providers, including Standard Chartered, Bank of America, Citi, Deutsche Bank, Maybank, and J.P. Morgan. Experts from leading payment providers such as Visa, Nium, Thunes, Mastercard, Razorpay, PayPal, and Fiserv will discuss the evolution of payments in the region.

The conference will also host the Startup & Investor Park, where 20 standout APAC startups will connect with global investors and compete for the Golden Ticket to the 2026 Startupbootcamp Sustainability Singapore Accelerator.

Attending media can register for a press pass HERE and view the full agenda HERE.

Source: www.zawya.com

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Published on 2026-04-03 15:48:00 • By the Editorial Desk