Southeast Asian financial regulators advance digital asset and AI frameworks

Financial institutions in Southeast Asia are advancing digital asset and artificial intelligence frameworks. In Malaysia, the Luno Institutional Digital Asset Conference (LIDAC) is scheduled to return to Kuala Lumpur in 2026. This follows a period of significant growth in Malaysia’s regulated digital asset exchanges, which saw trading values reach RM17.14 billion in 2025. The Securities Commission Malaysia has recently revised its exchange framework, allowing operators to list eligible digital assets without individual approval, provided they meet stricter investor safeguard and financial requirements.

Additionally, Bank Negara Malaysia is testing several initiatives through its Digital Asset Innovation Hub, including ringgit stablecoins and tokenized deposits for wholesale payments. Collaborations involving Standard Chartered Malaysia and Capital A are among the active pilots.

In the Philippines, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Eli M. Remolona, Jr. has called for responsible AI adoption within the financial sector. Speaking at the central bank’s AI Summit 2026, Remolona emphasized that strong governance is essential to managing AI risks and ensuring the technology complements human decision-making. The BSP is building on its STARS framework—covering sustainability, transparency, accountability, responsibility, and security—to provide voluntary guidance for supervised institutions.