Event Details
On 24 February 2025, SMUCDL had the pleasure of hosting The Wharton School for the Reg@Tech Asia roundtable on the future of digital asset regulation and innovation. The event opened with welcome remarks from Assoc Prof Jason Grant Allen, Director of CDL, and Prof Kevin Werbach, Director of Wharton BDAP, leading into a series of insightful discussions.
Key discussions from the event:
• The Evolution of Digital Asset Regulation – Moderated by Daniel Resas (Senior Fellow at Wharton BDAP), this session examined key regulatory shifts, including the impact of the new U.S. administration, MiCAR implementation in Europe, and regulatory developments in Asia. As these frameworks take shape, a key question emerged: Will the future of digital asset regulation be marked by greater regional specialization, or are we moving toward global regulatory consistency?
• The Reality and Potential of Stablecoins – Moderated by Dimitrios Psarrakis (Senior Fellow at Wharton BDAP), this discussion explored stablecoins as a major success story in digital assets, having a profound impact on both the traditional financial system and the broader digital asset ecosystem. With global regulators implementing new stablecoin regimes, the conversation examined how these policies could reshape their role in the financial landscape. Will stablecoins become a more significant force in the global economy, particularly in relation to CBDCs, tokenized assets, and fintech payment systems?
• Rethinking the Financial Crime Regime – Moderated by Prof Kevin Werbach, this session addressed the long-standing tension between digital assets and existing AML/CFT, identity verification, and cross-border financial crime frameworks. As digital assets become more deeply integrated into mainstream finance, questions arose about whether current regulatory mechanisms are equipped to adapt. Is there room to reassess the effectiveness of these regulations, and what are the prospects for stronger cross-border coordination in tackling financial crime?
• Is Programmable Finance the Future? – Moderated by Prof Kevin Werbach, this final session examined the transformative potential of DeFi and AI in reshaping financial systems. While finance is already highly digitized, the integration of AI and programmable finance is accelerating automation in unprecedented ways. What does this shift mean for the future of financial services, and how must regulation evolve to keep pace with these advancements?
The event concluded with a wrap-up roundtable, reflecting on key takeaways and identifying future opportunities for collaboration. It was a highly productive and engaging event and we look forward to continuing these important conversations to shape the future of digital asset regulation and innovation.
