Angela Ang

As technology advances, so do the tactics of illicit actors. Criminal networks are leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain to launder money, conduct fraud, and evade detection at unprecedented speed and scale. At the same time, these same technologies hold the key to turning the tide—enhancing transparency, accelerating detection, and strengthening financial crime controls.

This roundtable will explore the dual-use nature of AI and blockchain in financial crime, unpacking key questions such as:

• How criminals are weaponising AI for money laundering, fraud, and deepfake-driven scams—and how financial institutions can counteract these threats using AI-powered defenses
• How AI’s predictive capabilities and blockchain’s transparency can work together to enhance compliance, improve regulatory oversight, and disrupt criminal networks
• Emerging challenges, including AI bias, privacy risks, and the arms race between law enforcement and bad actors leveraging next-gen technology

By convening policymakers, financial industry leaders, and technology experts, this discussion will examine how we can turn these emerging technologies from a double-edged sword into a powerful force for financial security and integrity.

Observers can refer to these pre-reading reference materials to prepare for the roundtable:

• The Rise of AI-enabled Crime, TRM Labs
• The Changing DNA of Serious and Organised Crime, Europol
• AI Discussion Paper, JFSA
• Project Mandala, BISIH

The worlds of DeFi and TradFi are converging, and there is no better example than payments on blockchains, with stablecoin issuers pursuing bank charters, and banks embracing blockchain and tokenization. This confluence presents an opportunity to implement best practices from both, yet carries a risk of importing complexities from each.

This roundtable convenes experts from DeFi and TradFi to share learnings and discuss key topics that can lead to stronger alignment and collaboration as we work towards common objectives:

1. Standards and Interoperability: Connectivity is critical to unlocking the ecosystem benefits of blockchain, and standards is key to enabling connectivity. What is the right approach for standards with payment tokens? Is the approach of broad standards developed with industry-level consensus (like with ISO20022) viable in a decentralized world? How can we collaborate and drive convergence on token standards?
2. Detecting and Responding to Financial Crimes: Payment tokens on blockchain introduces greater transparency, real-time traceability, and enhanced enforcement capabilities, which could enable regulators and financial institutions to detect, monitor, and act on illicit activity more efficiently than ever before. What is the current state of play? What are the existing tools available, how well do they perform and what are the limitations?
3. Payment Controls: TradFi and DeFi take different approach towards payment controls, which has often been framed as efficiency versus safety. Is this still an appropriate characterization? Can we enable efficiency without compromising safety? How are payment controls applied currently by TradFi and DeFi players? How could regulations further evolve to account for these new techniques?

Join TRM Labs’ Ari Redbord for a morning run to gear up for an action-packed day at the Point Zero Forum! ​​This will be a conversationally paced run and runners of all fitness levels are welcome. Sign up here to join:

Meet at Lobby, Hyatt Regency Zurich Airport The Circle.

As the crypto space continues to mature, so too does the sophistication of its users. Once dominated by early adopters and tech-savvy investors, the industry is now welcoming mainstream consumers who demand not only innovative financial products but also heightened security and ease of use. This shift in consumer expectations is reshaping the future of crypto security, compelling businesses to adapt rapidly or risk losing user trust.

This panel will explore how evolving consumer needs are influencing security practices in crypto, from the demand for enhanced privacy protections to the increasing desire for intuitive user experiences. Panelists will discuss the key trends in consumer behavior, the growing emphasis on secure yet seamless interactions, and how the industry can strike a balance between robust security measures and user-friendly interfaces.