SALUTATION
1. Mr James Lanigan
Chief Executive Officer, Luno
2. Yang Berbahagia Datuk Harjit Singh Sidhu
Chief Executive Officer, HSS Advisory
3. Mr Aaron Tang
General Manager (APAC), Luno
4. Ms Scarlett Chai
Country Manager, Luno Malaysia
Member of the Media,
Ladies and Gentlemen.
Salam Perpaduan, Salam Malaysia MADANI and a very good Morning.
1. It is an honour to be here, at the Luno Institutional Digital Asset Conference 2025.
2. This gathering of industry leaders from traditional finance and the Web3 ecosystem is both timely and important. Globally, we are seeing digital assets mature from a concept, to a niche product, into what is now a significant pillar of the financial system.
3. For Malaysia, this represents an opportunity to build a future-ready digital economy, aligned with our national digital policies.
4. Digitalisation has always been at the core of our national agenda. Under the Financial Sector Blueprint 2022-2026, Malaysia is positioning itself as a forward-thinking nation ready to embrace digital finance innovations - where digital assets will play a key role in the evolution of financial markets.
5. In 2019, Malaysia became one of the first countries in the region to regulate the digital asset industry. This ensured Malaysians could access digital assets safely and securely, while allowing the industry to grow in a regulated environment.
6. Through the Securities Commission of Malaysia’s Recognised Market Operator (RMO) framework, we have also introduced clear guidelines to regulate digital asset exchanges. We continue to strengthen this regulatory landscape, with a clear focus on 3 ensuring security within responsible innovation.
7. As a result, nearly 2 million Malaysians, to date, have safe access to digital assets.
CREATING TRUST AND INTEROPERABILITY
Ladies and Gentlemen,
8. The long-term and sustainable growth for the digital assets industry will depend on institutional buy-in and adoption. This is where governance, capital, and innovation from established financial institutions can accelerate the next phase of development.
9. There are several factors that can encourage digital asset adoption. The two key elements are trust and interoperability.
10. On this note, we have clear legal and regulatory frameworks to build trust and prevent misuse. But trust must be earned. As such, more efforts must be carried out to win the hearts and minds of the users, ensuring them that our digital space is safe, secured and trusted.
11. Besides trust, consumers today also expect a seamless digital experience. Thus, it is equally crucial to have interoperability standards that will ensure the smooth integration of digital asset systems. This will result in compatibility with existing payment systems and mobile wallets.
12. Undeniably, the digital asset ecosystem is maturing rapidly. Digital assets offer a unique opportunity for traditional financial institutions to diversify their portfolios.
13. With digital currencies, decentralised finance, and blockchain technology driving innovation, digital assets are now a growing asset class that must be embraced for long-term sustainability.
14. Today’s conference provides exactly this - a platform to deepen understanding, exchange ideas, and explore how institutions can responsibly integrate digital assets into their offerings. This event can also help strengthen public trust in digital assets.
DIGITAL ASSET AND BLOCKCHAIN WORKING COMMITTEE TO ENCOURAGE INNOVATION, DEVELOP STRUCTURES
Ladies and Gentlemen,
15. Malaysia is uniquely positioned to play a key role in the regional and global digital asset landscape. National-level directives such as the AI Nation Framework and the Financial Sector Blueprint emphasise the importance of integrating emerging technologies such as blockchain, AI, and digital assets into the financial ecosystem.
16. With these frameworks, Malaysia aims to be at the forefront of technological innovation, ensuring that we remain competitive on the global stage.
17. Our policies will continue to evolve, guided by the principles of security, innovation, and inclusivity. Your feedback is key to this evolution.
18. As such, I invite all those in attendance — whether founder, regulator, investor, or innovator — to continue working together to build an ecosystem where digital assets drive efficiency, attract investment, and create sustainable growth.
19. Together, we can ensure that Malaysia not only keeps pace with the digital age, but also sets the standard for innovation and trust in the region.
20. With that, I officially open the Luno Institutional Digital Asset Conference 2025, and look forward to a strong digital future for Malaysia.
Thank You.
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