Manila is set to 9th Edition of Fintech Revolution Summit 2025 of SouthEast Asia!

Image credits: Your Ledger / Fintech Revolution Summit 

 

Pioneering Financial Innovation: Shaping the Future of Digital Finance in the Philippine

April 29th -30, 2025 
SMX Convention Center, Manila 

Gathering of Visionaries, Game Changers, Innovators, and Finance Leaders of Asia! The SMX Convention Center in Manila is preparing to host one of Asia’s most anticipated events in financial technology, the Fintech Revolution Summit 2025. Scheduled for April 29-30, this summit is poised to bring together the brightest minds, boldest innovators, and most influential leaders in fintech. Against the backdrop of the Philippines’ fast-evolving digital finance landscape, the event promises to deliver fresh insights into how the next wave of fintech is reshaping everything from everyday transactions to global investments.

This year’s summit aims to highlight Southeast Asia’s unique role as a fintech powerhouse and a crucial part of the future of global finance. In the Philippines, the growth of digital wallets, mobile banking, and blockchain applications is creating a more inclusive financial system that connects millions who were previously unbanked. The summit will showcase these advancements and explore how fintech is transforming the broader economy, with sessions led by top executives, government officials, and pioneering startups.

The Summit’s Agenda 

40+ INDUSTRY EXPERTS

Thought-Provoking Keynotes: Renowned speakers will cover timely topics such as blockchain’s role in revolutionizing payments, the ethical and practical implications of AI, and how virtual banking is set to change the financial services industry. Leaders from prominent fintech companies will also discuss how digital solutions are driving financial inclusion and economic empowerment in Southeast Asia.

30+ SOLUTION PROVIDER

Innovative Product Showcases: The exhibit floor at the SMX Convention Center will be buzzing with demos of cutting-edge products and services. From blockchain-powered digital identity solutions to AI-based credit scoring tools, attendees can experience firsthand the innovations that are transforming the financial services sector.

250+ LEADING ORGANIZATIONS

100+ MEDIA MENTIONS

Interactive Workshops and Panels: These sessions will delve into practical applications of new technology, covering everything from building secure blockchain solutions to designing user-friendly digital wallets. The workshops also offer a unique chance for hands-on learning from experts in the field.

16+ HOURS OF NETWORKING

350+ PRE-SCREENED DELEGATES

Unparalleled Networking Opportunities: With structured networking sessions and informal meetups, attendees will have plenty of opportunities to connect with industry peers, potential partners, and investors. In the fintech world, connections are crucial, and this summit is designed to bring together people with a shared vision for the future of finance.

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Why the Philippines? 

A Growing Hub for Fintech Innovation and Expansion

With fintech adoption projected to exceed 72% by 2024, the Philippines is positioned as one of Southeast Asia’s most promising markets for digital finance. As a fast-developing nation with a young, tech-savvy population, the Philippines offers fertile ground for fintech solutions aimed at bridging financial inclusion gaps. With a significant portion of its population unbanked or underbanked, fintech innovations are empowering individuals and small businesses with improved access to financial services like digital wallets, microloans, and mobile payments.

This ecosystem is supported by progressive government policies, such as the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP)’s Digital Payments Transformation Roadmap, which sets ambitious targets to digitize 50% of all payments by 2023. The Philippines’ commitment to open finance and digital banking is transforming its financial landscape, making it an ideal location for fintech companies to innovate, grow, and make a meaningful impact.

USD 44BN Fintech Market Value in 2025

72% Adaption Rate Of Cashless Payments in 2024

USD 31.68BN Transaction Value Of Digital Payments

USD 241MN Total Value Of Deals For Digital Payments 

USD 185.30M Digital Assets With An Aum in 2024

65M+ Unique Digital Wallet Users By 2025

WHO WILL ATTEND ?

• Ministry & GOV Authorities
• Central Banks
• Commercial Banks
• Foreign Banks
• Regional Rural Banks
• Cooperative Banks
• Public & Private Sector Banks
• Small Finance Banks
• Micro-Finance
• Insurance
• Retail & E-Commerce
• Telecommunication
• Financial Institutions
• SME’s
• Transportation
• Healthcare
• FMCG
• Investors

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Look to the Future of Finance in Southeast Asia

The Fintech Revolution Summit 2025 is more than just an event; it’s a moment for the fintech community to come together and shape the future of financial services. By hosting it at the SMX Convention Center, Manila is reinforcing its role as a key player in Southeast Asia’s fintech evolution. From promoting financial literacy to supporting an inclusive digital economy, this summit will address the biggest challenges and celebrate the most exciting developments in the field.

Join the movement in Manila this April to experience firsthand the future of finance and be part of the transformative wave sweeping across Southeast Asia. The Fintech Revolution Summit 2025 awaits those who are ready to innovate, connect, and lead.

This is brought to you by Traicon, you may buy a pass at Traicon Events.

Hong Kong FinTech Week 2025 to Spotlight Groundbreaking Innovations

Image credits: HKFW/Your Ledger

Heads up fintech fans! This is a chance to gear up for a major opportunity! 

The Hong Kong FinTech Week (HKFT5W) 2025 promises to be an exciting event for Filipino fintech entrepreneurs, investors, and innovators around the world. With over 37,000 global participants, it's set to be one of Asia's most influential fintech gatherings.

Details for a 5-day Hong Kong FinTech Week '2025:

Dates: November 3-7, 2025

Organized by: Finnoverse

Pre-registration Link : Hongkong Fintech Week '2025

Participants: Over 37,000 global leaders from 100+ economies

Focus: Connecting fintech entrepreneurs, investors, and innovators, with a focus on the latest trends, innovations, and opportunities in the global financial technology space.

Key Organizers and Co-Organizers:

• Finnoverse: Appointed Event Organiser
• Fintech HK
• Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR)
• Invest HK, HKSAR
• Hong Kong Monetary Authority
• Securities and Futures Commission (SFC)
• Insurance Authority

Why Should Filipino Investors and Innovators Attend?

• Networking with Global Leaders: Meet and collaborate with leading fintech experts, regulators, and investors from across the globe.
• Exploring Investment Opportunities: Delve into opportunities within the rapidly expanding fintech sector in Hong Kong, Asia, and beyond.
• Learning from Industry Pioneers: Gain insights from thought leaders and innovators in fintech, blockchain, AI, digital payments, and more.
• Showcasing Innovation: If you're a fintech entrepreneur, this is a prime opportunity to showcase your products or services to an international audience.

If you or your team missed the 2024 event, now is the perfect time to start planning for 2025. Secure your spot early by pre-registering now, and mark your calendars for one of the biggest fintech events of the year. For those interested parties, you may capture the full event agenda at www.fintechweek.hk!

LTCM Story: Nightmare on Wall Street

Haunted by Hubris! When Wall Street's most trusted LTCM Algorithm became a financial nightmare in the late 1990s.

LTCM was a hedge fund founded by finance legends, including Nobel laureates Robert Merton and Myron Scholes, whose pioneering work on financial risk had led them to develop groundbreaking trading models. They used advanced algorithms to predict market behaviors, giving the fund an air of mystery and scientific invincibility. The fund promised astronomical returns and attracted billions in investments from Wall Street's elite, who trusted LTCM's "genius" algorithms to make unprecedented profits.

LTCM’s models were highly complex, designed to exploit tiny pricing inefficiencies across various global markets. For years, the algorithm-driven trades yielded incredible profits. Investors and analysts believed LTCM was on the cusp of revolutionizing the finance industry with a near-supernatural ability to predict and exploit market trends. However, their strategy had a terrifying flaw—they were over-leveraged, borrowing vast sums to magnify their positions based on the assumption that the markets would behave in predictable ways.

Then, in 1998, a series of unexpected events, including the Russian financial crisis, sent shockwaves through global markets. LTCM’s models couldn’t handle the volatility, and the fund’s highly leveraged positions began to unravel at an alarming pace. Their algorithmic "magic" turned into a nightmare, as billions of dollars evaporated overnight. In a chilling turn, major banks and even governments intervened, fearing that LTCM’s collapse would trigger a global financial meltdown.

The dramatic collapse of LTCM highlighted the risky reliance on algorithms that once seemed almost infallible. When their predictions faltered, it revealed the dangers of depending too heavily on mathematical models without considering real-world uncertainties. This shook investors, showing that even the most advanced models can’t fully predict the unpredictable, human-driven chaos of financial markets.

In response to the crisis, William McDonough, President and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, convened a secret meeting with seven major banks to prevent the LTCM collapse from spiraling out of control. This intervention sent shockwaves through Wall Street, raising concerns about the limitations of technology in finance—an issue still relevant in today’s fintech landscape.

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Reference:

Lowenstein, Roger. When Genius Failed: The Rise and Fall of Long-Term Capital Management. New York: Random House, 2000.

Fintech Ecosystem at a Glance: Accountability, Transparency and Consumer Protection

Your Ledger’s insights on Transparency, Accountability, and Consumer Protection for the Fair Fintech landscape

How Apple Inc. and Goldman Sachs' missteps serve as a Fintech Accountability, as a face of the investment ecosystem for the attention of all investors and customers.

On October 23, 2024, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) issued enforcement orders against Apple Inc. and Goldman Sachs, penalizing them for misleading practices tied to the Apple Card. This case not only underscores the importance of transparency and regulatory compliance in fintech but also serves as a significant lesson for the global fintech ecosystem, including the rapidly evolving Philippine fintech scene.

Background of the Case

In 2017, Apple and Goldman Sachs partnered to launch the Apple Card, a credit card integrated into Apple’s ecosystem, offering competitive APRs and interest-free financing for eligible Apple products. Apple managed the user-facing elements, like the "Report an Issue" function in the Wallet app, which enabled consumers to dispute charges directly. However, warnings on August 16, 2019, highlighted that the Apple Card dispute system was “not fully ready,” with unresolved technical issues. Despite these concerns, the card was launched just days later on August 20, 2019, leading to consumer difficulties and financial harm.

Furthermore, when Apple and Goldman introduced the Apple Card Monthly Installments (ACMI) in December 2019, many consumers mistakenly assumed Apple device purchases would automatically qualify for ACMI’s interest-free financing. The CFPB found Apple responsible for misleading and hindering consumers' understanding of ACMI enrollment, qualifying these acts as “abusive” under the Consumer Financial Protection Act.

CFPB's Enforcement Actions

Apple Inc.: The CFPB ordered Apple to pay a $25 million civil penalty and come into compliance with federal law, as the company’s lack of transparency and poor dispute resolution system ultimately misled consumers.

Goldman Sachs: For its role in marketing, offering, and servicing the Apple Card, Goldman Sachs must pay $19.8 million in redress to consumers and a $45 million civil penalty. The company must also submit a compliance plan before launching any new credit products, ensuring safeguards for consumer protection.

For the Attention to Philippine Fintech 

As the Philippine fintech industry grows within the global fintech ecosystem, this case is a critical reminder for local companies to prioritize transparency and ensure robust consumer protections. In this space, we believe that global fintech developments are essential learning points for our local fintech scene. Our mission extends beyond fintech investment to serve as a voice of conscience, advocating for an ethical investment ecosystem that empowers fintech companies, stakeholders, and consumers alike. By standing for transparency and fairness, Your Ledger reinforces that the benefits of fintech innovation should uplift everyone, from companies and investors to the communities they serve.

Final Thoughts

In an era where fintech drives financial transformation, Your Ledger remains dedicated to creating an informed, equitable environment for all. This enforcement action highlights the need for vigilance in fintech, reminding all players—from global giants to emerging local firms—that innovation should go hand in hand with consumer protection. As the Philippine fintech scene evolves, Your Ledger will continue to spotlight significant global fintech news, advocating for accountability and a balanced share of benefits that truly enhance lives.

What is Peer-to-Peer Electronic Cash System?

Image credit: etsy.com

The concept of Bitcoin as outlined in Satoshi Nakamoto's "Bitcoin: A Peer-to-Peer Electronic Cash System" was groundbreaking because it introduced a way to facilitate digital transactions directly between individuals without involving any central authority. Traditional digital payment systems rely on intermediaries like banks or payment processors to verify and process transactions, which can lead to high fees, delays, and even the risk of censorship or restrictions on transactions.

Bitcoin's peer-to-peer model uses blockchain technology to decentralize and secure the network. Here’s how it works: every transaction is verified by multiple participants, known as nodes, within a distributed network. Each transaction is grouped into a "block" and added to a continuous chain of blocks—hence the name blockchain. This design makes the system transparent and resistant to tampering, as altering any transaction would require changing every subsequent block, which is practically impossible with a distributed network.

This peer-to-peer cash system solved the "double-spending problem," a critical issue in digital currency systems where the same digital asset could theoretically be spent twice. Bitcoin achieves this by using a consensus mechanism known as proof of work, where miners (participants with computational power) compete to validate transactions and add them to the blockchain. Miners who successfully add a block are rewarded with newly created bitcoins, an incentive that helps secure the network while gradually increasing the supply of Bitcoin.

Through this decentralized approach, Bitcoin gives users greater financial control, lower transaction fees, and the ability to transact globally without restrictions from central authorities. As a result, it has become more than a digital currency; it represents a new way to think about ownership, security, and freedom in financial transactions, inspiring countless developments in blockchain technology and digital finance.

This peer-to-peer cash system is often viewed as the first viable alternative to traditional fiat currency and banking systems, appealing to those who value privacy, security, and financial autonomy in a digital economy.

How Omnichannel Strategy Transforming the Filipino Investment Experience

 

In today’s digital age, omnichannel strategies are changing how businesses operate, especially in the finance and investment sectors. For Filipino investors, this approach brings convenience, accessibility, and a better overall experience. So, how exactly does an omnichannel strategy benefit Filipino investors?

1. Seamless Access to Investment Platforms

One of the biggest advantages of an omnichannel strategy is the ability for Filipino investors to access their investment accounts from multiple devices. Whether they prefer using a desktop, mobile app, or visiting a branch, omnichannel ensures they can manage their portfolios anytime, anywhere. For example, an investor could start researching stocks on their laptop at home, then continue tracking their investments via a mobile app while commuting. This flexibility allows them to stay connected to their finances, no matter where they are.

2. Personalized Investment Experience

With omnichannel, financial institutions can track an investor’s behavior across different platforms. This data allows for personalized recommendations and updates. Filipino investors benefit by receiving relevant market news, investment tips, and even stock alerts that are tailored to their preferences. This personalized approach helps investors make better decisions and feel more confident in their investment strategies. For example, a platform might suggest a new stock based on an investor’s previous interests or notify them of market trends that align with their goals.

3. Better Customer Support

An omnichannel strategy also improves customer service. Filipino investors can get consistent support across different platforms, whether it’s through email, chatbots, social media, or direct calls. For instance, if an investor begins a query through email but prefers to continue the conversation over the phone, omnichannel makes this transition smooth. This seamless support reduces frustration and ensures that investors get their concerns addressed quickly. Having multiple support options makes it easier for investors to resolve issues, regardless of the platform they’re using.

4. Access to Financial Education

Omnichannel also improves access to educational resources. Many Filipino investors are eager to learn more about the stock market, mutual funds, and other investment vehicles, but may not know where to start. With omnichannel, they can access webinars, tutorials, articles, and other educational materials across various channels. Whether they’re browsing social media, checking their email, or using an investment app, learning resources are readily available. This easy access to information helps investors improve their financial literacy and make informed decisions.

5. Faster, More Efficient Transactions

In a fast-moving market, timing is everything. Omnichannel strategies allow Filipino investors to perform transactions—such as buying and selling stocks—quickly across different devices. Whether they’re using a mobile app, website, or even visiting a branch, the process is seamless. This speed and efficiency are essential, especially in a dynamic market like the Philippine Stock Exchange, where even a small delay can impact investment returns.

6. Enhanced Security and Trust

Finally, omnichannel strategies often come with stronger security measures. Since financial transactions are involved, security is a top priority. Omnichannel systems ensure that data and transactions are protected across platforms, providing Filipino investors with peace of mind. Knowing that their investments are secure builds trust and encourages investors to use the platform more confidently.

Wrapping Up

In summary, omnichannel strategies greatly benefit Filipino investors by providing seamless access to their investments, personalized experiences, better customer support, and more efficient transactions. As the financial landscape in the Philippines continues to evolve, investors can look forward to a more integrated, secure, and educational investment journey with omnichannel platforms. This combination of flexibility and security is key to helping them grow their portfolios and stay informed in a fast-paced world.

e-KYC's Impact on Filipino Communities and Entrepreneurs

Fast, Secure, Easier, Inclusive.

e-KYC is transforming Filipino lives and businesses.

e-KYC (Electronic Know Your Customer) is a digital method of verifying the identity of individuals through electronic processes, eliminating the need for face-to-face or paper-based verification. In the context of Philippine fintech, e-KYC plays a crucial role in increasing financial inclusion by making it easier and faster for Filipinos to access digital financial services like bank accounts, e-wallets, and loans.

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Here are some key aspects of e-KYC in the Philippines

1. Streamlined Onboarding: e-KYC allows users to complete identity verification remotely using mobile apps or websites, which is especially useful for people in rural areas who may not have access to traditional banking services. This process is typically faster than physical KYC, taking minutes instead of days or weeks.

2. Biometric and Digital Verification: Technologies like facial recognition, AI-based identity matching, and document scanning are used to authenticate customers’ identities digitally. These processes significantly reduce fraud and error rates in identity verification.

3. Compliance and Security: e-KYC adheres to global anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorism financing (CTF) regulations, ensuring that financial institutions can meet compliance requirements while securely onboarding customers. This digital process also helps cut operational costs for fintechs and banks by reducing manual processing.

4. Financial Inclusion: The adoption of e-KYC is helping the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) achieve its financial inclusion goals, enabling more Filipinos to open accounts and access formal financial services. The BSP has set a target of 70% financial inclusion by 2025, and e-KYC is one of the key tools to help meet this target.

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Benefits to Filipino Communities

e-KYC significantly increases financial inclusion in the Philippines, especially for rural areas. Many Filipinos struggle to open bank accounts or access financial services because of the lack of documents or long processes. e-KYC makes it easier by enabling people to use their smartphones or computers for digital verification. This means more Filipinos can now create digital bank accounts, use e-wallets, and apply for loans without needing to travel to distant bank branches.

More accessible financial services mean Filipinos can participate in the digital economy, using tools like online banking, digital payments, and even small loans. This promotes better money management and encourages savings, helping improve the overall quality of life in these communities.

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Benefits to Local Entrepreneurs

For local business owners, especially micro and small businesses, e-KYC simplifies access to critical financial products like loans and business accounts. Entrepreneurs can now quickly verify their identity online and apply for loans faster. This is crucial for small businesses, which often need quick access to funding to grow and succeed.

With faster and more secure onboarding, entrepreneurs can focus on expanding their business instead of dealing with paperwork. Plus, e-KYC’s use of biometric verification (like facial recognition) adds a layer of security, reducing the risk of fraud in financial transactions.

By leveraging e-KYC, Philippine fintech companies are breaking barriers to access, allowing a larger portion of the population to participate in the digital economy while ensuring security and regulatory compliance.

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