Money20/20 Asia Part 2 of 2: Scaling Digital Assets, AI and Payments Across Asia

Ying Ying Tan, Global Head of Product Management and Co Financing and Security Services, Standard Chartered Bank

with Ying Ying Tan, Standard Chartered Bank

Ying Ying Tan discusses the challenge of turning digital asset strategy into practical, scalable solutions that solve real client problems. She explains how her role focuses on connecting emerging technologies with tangible use cases, whether through settlement efficiency, collateral mobility or enabling around the clock financial services.

She also highlights the complexity of delivering digital asset initiatives across 41 markets, each with its own regulations, operational workflows and market maturity. Rather than applying a one size fits all approach, Standard Chartered focuses on identifying common foundations while adapting to local nuances.

The conversation also explores the importance of moving beyond sandbox environments and ensuring digital asset projects are commercially sustainable. Ying Ying explains why ecosystem participation, long term investment and institutional grade controls are essential for turning innovation into scalable financial infrastructure.

Tuan Bui, Director of Products and Solutions, Techcombank

with Tuan Bui, Techcombank

Tuan Bui shares insight into Vietnam’s rapidly evolving banking sector and explains how the country’s relatively young banking industry has shaped its approach to transformation. He discusses the challenges many banks now face as earlier technology investments struggle to scale alongside growing customer expectations.

Techcombank’s transformation journey has centred heavily on building strong data foundations, modernising infrastructure and preparing the organisation for AI adoption. Tuan explains how the bank’s next phase of strategy is focused on becoming an AI first bank, with every division exploring how AI can improve operations and customer experience.

The discussion also touches on Vietnam’s growing innovation ecosystem, including government backed sandbox environments and the creation of International Financial Centres designed to encourage experimentation with emerging technologies.

Phitha Tanpairoj, Head of Products, Transactional Banking, Krungsri Bank

with Phitha Tanpairoj, Krungsri Bank

Phitha Tanpairoj explains how Thailand has become one of the region’s leading digital payments markets, driven largely by the success of PromptPay and accelerated further by behavioural changes during Covid.

He discusses the country’s shift from cash based payments towards a mobile first ecosystem, where digital payments are now deeply embedded into daily life. Rather than expecting customers to come directly to banking platforms, Krungsri is focused on embedding financial services into the digital channels customers already use.

The conversation also explores how open banking, open data and alternative credit information could improve financial inclusion across Thailand and the wider region. By allowing consumers to securely share wider datasets, including utility and tax information, banks are gaining new ways to assess customers who may previously have struggled to access financial services.

Vivien Tan, Senior Vice President, Alliance Bank Malaysia

with Vivien Tan, Alliance Bank Malaysia

Vivien Tan reflects on the realities of large scale digital transformation within traditional banking institutions. She explains that transformation is not an overnight process, particularly for banks managing decades of legacy systems and historical data.

The discussion highlights the importance of balancing technology with customer trust and human interaction. While digitalisation continues to accelerate, Vivien argues that successful transformation still depends on maintaining strong relationships with customers and ensuring trust remains central to the banking experience.

She also discusses how Covid accelerated digital adoption across society and banking, but stresses that sustaining transformation requires discipline, investment and long term commitment across infrastructure, software and operational readiness. AI, cybersecurity and fraud prevention are also highlighted as key challenges banks must continue addressing as digital ecosystems evolve.

Closing Summary

Across the episode, the guests share a clear message: successful digital transformation is not just about adopting new technology. It requires strong foundations, trusted ecosystems, scalable infrastructure and a clear understanding of how innovation delivers real value for customers, businesses and the wider financial system.