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.

Traditional AML/CFT frameworks for cross-border payments were built around correspondent banking, a model that relies on centralised oversight and intermediary controls. However, the rise of payment tokens on blockchain introduces greater transparency, real-time traceability, and enhanced enforcement capabilities—enabling regulators and financial institutions to detect, monitor, and act on illicit activity more efficiently than ever before. 

As the global financial system undergoes a paradigm shift toward tokenized payments, it is crucial to re-examine payment control mechanisms in this new landscape. This roundtable will convene leading regulators, financial institutions, and blockchain experts to explore: 

1.  How blockchain-based payment tokens enhance monitoring, detection, and enforcement – Are decentralized networks more transparent than traditional banking rails? What are the limitations? 
2. Redesigning payment controls for a tokenized world – Should AML/CFT rules evolve to account for programmability, smart contracts, and decentralised compliance models? 
3. Moving forward: Bridging regulatory principles with tokenized payments – How can policymakers, financial institutions, and blockchain innovators collaborate to ensure payment security without compromising efficiency? 

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.