Real-time payments are transforming digital payments for consumers, businesses and governments by delivering new levels of speed, innovation and efficiency. Today more than 60 countries already have instant (or "fast") payment systems (IPS) that allow these transactions to happen in mere seconds. But sending money abroad is often still slow and expensive.

In this roundtable, participants will seek possible solutions to connect these domestic IPSs internationally, with the goal of improving the speed, cost and transparency of cross-border payments.

Stablecoins and tokenised deposits have both revolutionised the way we store and transfer value. Stablecoins bring about much needed stability to the agility and democracy of cryptocurrencies while tokenised deposits have brought the speed and efficiency of blockchain technology to traditional banking rails. However, the question remains: Which digital currency can best deliver payment utility for a variety of use cases while minimising associated risks? Tokenised deposits may benefit from the trust that depositors have in the established banking system, but are they quick enough to incorporate capabilities like programmability and interoperability? Fiat-backed stablecoins could offer more inclusive reach but at what cost – can the cryptocurrency industry mitigate risks comprehensively enough to hit critical mass in time to realise its full potential?

The debate will feature industry veterans from the crypto and banking sectors who will champion their native currency. Join us for an opportunity to hear arguments from our top experts and cast your vote to crown the ultimate digital currency winner on stage, live at the Singapore FinTech Festival.

As digital payments become increasingly prevalent, QR payments have emerged as a popular and convenient way to pay for goods and services. However, with the proliferation of QR payment solutions, including offerings from payment service providers as well as national QR payment schemes, there is now a pressing need to consider how greater interoperability among QR payment solutions can be achieved. Private and public stakeholders, including payment service providers, financial regulators and merchants, will need to collaborate closely to achieve the vision of a truly interoperable QR payment solution, that can provide consumers and merchants with an efficient, seamless and inclusive way to make payments domestically and across borders. 
 
Join us at this panel where experts across the public and private sectors will discuss developments in QR payments and share their views on how the quest to drive greater interoperability in the QR payments space will shape the future of payments in Singapore and beyond. The panel discussants will also discuss efforts to enhance the interoperability of the Singapore Quick Response Code Scheme (SGQR), Singapore’s unified payment QR code scheme, including through the SGQR+ proof-of-concept conducted in conjunction with the Singapore FinTech Festival 2023.
 
Winners of the SGQR+ Lucky Draw will be drawn at the end of the panel discussion. To stand a chance to win a complimentary delegate pass to Singapore FinTech Festival 2024, simply 
- take a photo of the SGQR+ wobbler at participating merchants in District 16 and 17 (including in the SFF venue), 
- share this photo on LinkedIn with the hashtag #SGQR+; and 
- show this LinkedIn post to staff at the NETS booth (Hall 2) from 15 – 17 November 2023. 
Click here for more details on the SGQR+ Lucky Draw.