- The Singapore FinTech Festival 2025 attracted approximately 65,000 visitors and 600 businesses, highlighting two key trends: tokenization and AI.
- The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) emphasized that tokenization and AI will be the two themes defining the next 10 years, accompanied by a call to build a stable regulatory framework for stablecoins.
- StraitsX demonstrated an orange juice vending machine that accepts USDT and USDC via QR code scan; stablecoins will be converted to XSGD, and the seller receives SGD. The service launched in September 2025 through a partnership between GrabPay – OKX Singapore – StraitsX.
- Since 2024, StraitsX has collaborated with GrabPay and Alipay+ to facilitate stable cross-border payments for tourists. On November 4th, the company announced a partnership with Kasikornbank of Thailand and plans to expand to Taiwan and Japan.
- Previously, cross-border payment fees were around 1%–1.5%, with a processing time of 2–3 days; stablecoins help reduce this to 0.5%–1% and allow money to be received on the same or the next day.
- On November 18th, StraitsX and Grab announced the development of infrastructure for stablecoin payments across the entire GrabPay network in Southeast Asia.
- The StraitsX CEO forecasts a strong increase in the tokenization of RWA (Real-World Assets – bonds, stocks, mutual funds), which will be denominated in local currencies, promoting local application.
- The US passed the Genius Act in July 2025; MAS finalized the requirements framework for stablecoins and is preparing a draft law, emphasizing backing reserves and convertibility.
- AI is booming in banking: internal automation, market analysis, credit screening, fraud detection, and personalized services.
- The Digital Frontiers 2030 Report surveyed 2,436 people in 6 Southeast Asian countries: 53% prefer “smart budgeting tools,” 48% want “investment advice,” and 43% need “spending insights.”
- HSBC anticipates that AI, digital assets, and quantum will converge; future AI agents will execute better on blockchain and programmable money.
- MAS announced the Guidelines for AI Risk Management, requiring risk identification and AI lifecycle control based on the level of exposure and application scale.
📌 Summary: Fintech in Southeast Asia is accelerating with tokenization and AI, evidenced by stablecoin payments reducing fees to 0.5%–1%, processing within 1 day, and expanding across the region via Grab, Alipay+, and Kasikornbank. The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) emphasizes that tokenization and AI will be the two defining themes of the next 10 years, having finalized the requirements framework for stablecoins and preparing a draft law. HSBC anticipates that AI, digital assets, and quantum will converge; future AI agents will execute better on blockchain and programmable money. MAS has announced Guidelines for AI Risk Management.
