Bugra is a digital product professional with over 16 years of experience. He launched the first tokenized real-world asset from a bank for retail investors: HSBC Gold Token and led HSBC’s participation in retail CBDC pilot Project e-HKD+. Currently looking after digital assets and currencies initiatives across the bank at HSBC; previously he has done end-to-end product execution for two digital banks in two continents starting from the foundation work; digital transformation for one of the leading telecommunications operator in Europe.

• Launched the first tokenized real-world asset from a bank for retail investors: HSBC Gold Token.
• Led HSBC’s participation in HKMA’s retail CBDC pilot Project e-HKD+.
• Led the Digital Products of OSL - the world’s first SFC-licensed, listed, digital asset wallet-insured, Big-4 audited digital asset trading platform.
• Launched the highest rated virtual bank in Hong Kong – Mox Bank. Gathered customer insights in the field, developed strategy, created propositions, defined product specifications, drove branding and experience development.
• Launched the fastest growing bank in the UAE – Liv. by Emirates NBD. Managed the product proposition and customer experience.

He enjoys bringing difference and creative ideas in his work to enhance customer experience and drive commercial success further. He believes in execution and results rather than keeping ideas on slides.

George Chou has been appointed as Chief Fintech Officer of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) since September 2023, with responsibilities for facilitating the healthy development of the fintech ecosystem in Hong Kong and promoting Hong Kong as a fintech hub in Asia.

He joined the HKMA in 2009 and had since taken up different positions, including overseeing technology risk management of banks, and licensing and supervision of stored value facilities, before being appointed as Chief Manager of the Financial Infrastructure Development Division in 2022.

Prior to joining the HKMA, Mr Chou served various roles in the private sector of financial industry for over 10 years. Mr Chou holds a Bachelor of Computer Science and Engineering degree and a Master of Business System degree from the Monash University, and a Master of Management degree in Financial Management from the Macquarie University.

John Deng is the Director, Co-Head of HK Client Management at Dun & Bradstreet in Hong Kong. As a member of Dun & Bradstreet’s Greater China leadership team, John is responsible for business management, operations, and development within the Hong Kong market. Since joining in 2022, his key focuses have been on improving data quality, product and sales strategy, operational efficiency, and developing tailored solutions to assist both local and global clients.

With nearly a decade and a half of experience in leading international financial institutions including HSBC and National Australia Bank, John has held client-facing and leadership roles, originating, and executing significant client deals across Melbourne, Singapore, and Hong Kong.

His past coverage includes industries such as real estate, trade, consumer and retail, technology, professional services, and most recently private equity or venture capital funds in the non-bank financial institution ecosystem. He also has extensive knowledge in credit risk, financial crime compliance, and operational risks.

Mr Ryan Fung is Deputy Chief Executive and Chief of Retail & Digital Strategy of Shanghai Commercial Bank, overseeing retail banking and digitalization with over 25 years of management experience in the banking and finance sector. Prior to joining Shanghai Commercial Bank, Ryan was Chief Executive of Ping An OneConnect Bank and has held various executive positions in retail banking and distribution network functions across Hong Kong, Greater China and North Asia at Standard Chartered Bank as well as Chief Executive Officer of PrimeCredit Limited.

Currently a board member of Bank Consortium Holding Limited, BC Reinsurance Limited and Hong Kong Life Insurance Limited, Ryan also previously served as a board member of Hong Kong Mortgage Corporation from 2016-17 and also 2010-12, a board member of Joint Electronic Teller Services Limited from 2015-17, a board member of EPS Company (HK) Limited from 2013-17, and Chairman of DTC Association from 2010-2011.

Vivi Hu is the co-founder and CEO of YoujiVest and serves as the Chief Director of New Energy Platform Software Engineering Research Center at the Tsinghua Cross-strait Research Institute , Vice Chairman of the Special Committee of the Greater Bay Area Listed Companies Association and Deputy Director of ESG Special Committee of China Enterprise Management Research Association. An early advocate of ESG and sustainable investment since 2012, she has been at the forefront of developing ESG investable products and climate analytics for global asset managers. She is nominated as the 10 finalists of 2023 UBS global Female Founder award.

Prior to the inception of YoujiVest, Ms Hu held various roles at top-tier financial institutions. Her roles included serving as the Director of Product Sales for AsiaPac at the London Stock Exchange, Head of Fund Rating for AsiaPac at Lipper, and Sales Director for the Greater China Region at FactSet.

Ms Hu holds a Master's degree in Financial Engineering from Durham University and a Bachelor's degree in Economics from Fudan University.

Gisella Lai is an Associate Investment Director of Digital Assets at Fidelity International, where she has been supporting the firm's digital assets strategy from crypto solutions to tokenisation since 2022. Giselle drives client engagement in digital assets and support the distribution of Fidelity digital assets solutions globally. Additionally, she actively contributes to the development of educational content and research in the field of digital assets.

Giselle has a strong passion for emerging technologies. Since 2018, she has been actively engaged in the digital assets space. She holds a Master of Science in Blockchain and Digital Currency from the University of Nicosia and is an active member of the Web3 Women association. In addition, she serves as a guest lecturer for a digital assets course at the University of Hong Kong.

Prior to her current role, Giselle was an Associate Investment Director in the Asian Fixed Income team, specialising in Asian Investment Grade and China bonds markets. She led the day-to-day product responsibilities for the Asian Investment Grade franchises, including investor communications, client engagement, and portfolio manager support.

Giselle joined Fidelity as a graduate associate and gained experience across various areas, including Multi Asset Investment Directing, Institutional Business & Consultant Relations, Digital Solutions, and Intermediary Sales in both Hong Kong and Singapore.

She holds a BSc degree in Economics and Finance from the University of Hong Kong and is a CFA and CAIA charterholder.

Esther Mai is a leader in the Hong Kong retail banking industry. She has rich experience in Digital, Customer Experience & Operations.

Esther joined Standard Chartered as International Graduate, and has held leadership positions in Risk Management, Operations and Digital Banking. She was the founding member and Chief Operating Officer of Mox Bank since its inception in 2018. Together with the team, she built the Bank from scratch and made it one of the top virtual banks in Hong Kong.

Esther rejoined Standard Chartered Hong Kong in early 2023, with the aspiration to transform banking via technology, innovation, and a sustainable operating model. Under her leadership, the Bank has launched its new mobile app in early 2024, and elevated the customer digital experience since. In 2024, Standard Chartered Hong Kong was named the Best Mobile Banking Service by The Asian Banker, and has taken home the EuroMoney Award for Excellence as Hong Kong’s Best Digital Bank.

Chad is an industry leader in financial crime, transformation, and regulatory risk in the KPMG global network. For close to 30 years, he has been a staunch advocate in the fight against criminal and unethical activities.

He is an active thought leader and works tirelessly in collaboration across the industry as a trusted advisor to regulators, chief executives & business leaders at banks, digital payments, law enforcement, as well as, universities, tech startups ups, law firms and NGOs.

As a thought leader in this domain, he has worked in-house with Tier One Banks as well as in professional services roles that require knowledge leadership, change advocacy and expertise. As a result, he has led high profile and complex assignments related to Deferred Prosecution Agreements, Consent Orders, Enforcement Actions, Audit Committees and Special Disciplinary Enquiries. He is also at the forefront of advising and transforming the industry at combatting financial crime through the adoption of artificial intelligence.

He is an active contributing member of the Cyber Action Task Force led by the Hong Kong Police Force. He is the lead coordinator of the Hong Kong United for Wildlife Chapter presided by the Princes of Wales Royal Foundation.

Sandeep is a banking professional and consultant with over three decades of experience in the financial services industry out of which twenty years have been in Hong Kong. Sandeep is MD of Sustainable Solutions (SS) Consulting Limited, a consultancy specialising in sustainable solutions for financial services firms, fintechs and corporates.

In the past, Sandeep has held leadership roles across corporate banking, cash management and transaction banking operations in a top global bank where he worked for over 27 years. Sandeep was recognised as the ‘Best Relationship Manager’ by The Asset Magazine in 2020.

Sandeep is a certified expert in Sustainable finance, a winner of sustainable finance leadership award and holds a specialist certificate in Green Finance and Sustainability from the Hong Kong Institute of Bankers. Sandeep is a frequent speaker at business forums across APAC and co-chairs the GreenTech and ESG Committee in the Fintech Association of Hong Kong.

Sandeep is also International Resources Director and Contributing Editor for The Asian Banker where he has written on a vast spectrum of topics including banking, fintech, corporate treasury, sustainability, decentralised finance and digital assets.

Sandeep holds degrees in Electronics and Electrical Communication Engineering and an MBA from the Faculty of Management Studies, Delhi, India. Sandeep has also done courses from other leading global universities including certified expert in Sustainable finance from Frankfurt School of Finance and Management, Germany; Fintech course on Innovation and transformation in Financial Services from National University of Singapore and Leadership development programme from London Business School, UK.

Alfian is a senior technology and operations professional with experience in implementing large group-wide programs and projects and for defining technology and operations road maps and strategies for financial organisations.

Experienced in building high performing teams of technologists and operations professionals who operate well in high pressure situations delivering the operational backbone of the bank.

Experienced in leading large operations and technology teams to deliver end to end, highly scalable technology and operations digital platforms in the area of financial services.

Alfian is also actively involved in charity activities and regularly participates in activities with charity organisations helping various initiatives around Asia.

Alfian is currently based in Hong Kong since 2019. Prior to Hong Kong, Alfian spent 3 years in Mumbai and 16 years in Singapore with DBS.

Ronald is Head of Sustainable Banking Development at the Hong Kong Monetary Authority. He is responsible for the formulation and implementation of policy to promote sustainable banking activities and facilitate the banking sector’s management of climate related financial risks.

Prior to his current role, Ronald was Head of Sustainable Finance for Asia at a major international bank based in Hong Kong, leading the bank’s sustainable banking activities in the region. During his time as a financier, he was an active contributor to the sustainable finance community, playing leadership roles in industry associations, championing improvements in market standards, and spearheading campaigns for capacity building.

Ronald has over 20 years of experience in international banking, finance and investment based in New York, London, Hong Kong and Singapore, focusing on sustainable finance and transactions in the energy, infrastructure and natural resources sectors.

He received a BS in Economics majoring in Finance from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, as well as a BSE in Civil Engineering from the same university. He is a CFA charterholder.