Financial Center News #177

If you are in Dubai for DIFC's Future Finance Week, please join our World Alliance panel at the Dubai FinTech Summit: "How Technology is Rewriting the Impact of Financial Centers," at Innovation Stage 1 on Tuesday, 03 November 2026, 10:40-11:20. My fellow panelists will be An Kelles from Jersey Finance, Armand Muganga from the Kigali International Financial Centre, and Alya Al Zarouni from the DIFC. We will jointly examine how financial centers contribute to their national economies and how AI, digital assets, and tokenization are changing that contribution.

By the way, we still have a few free passes for our members.

On 04 November, our member Future Finance Poland will host the Future Finance Summit at the CIC Warsaw, as part of the Warsaw Finance Week. I will participate in the panel "The Future of Warsaw as an International Financial Hub" from 14:00 to 14:35 and look forward to an engaging discussion with Pawel Widawski, our board member and treasurer, Barbara Załęska-Szubert, Warsaw Stock Exchange (GPW), and Aleksander Mokrzycki, PFR Ventures, moderated by Piotr Jabłoński, BGK.

DIFC already hosted the AI Festival this week. Arif Amiri shared DIFC's ambition to become the world's first AI-native international financial center and how trusted governance, AI-enabled operations, future-ready talent, and intelligent infrastructure can redefine how financial institutions operate, connect, and grow. Please read his excellent article here: difc.com

🤝 The World Alliance to be an Association Partner of Dubai FinTech Summit 2026.

🇦🇪 On 2–3 November, the World Alliance of International Financial Centers (WAIFC) will join leaders from finance, technology and regulation at Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai, for one of the region's leading fintech gatherings.

Organised by our member DIFC as part of Dubai Future Finance Week, the Summit brings together global financial centers around the topics shaping the future of finance:

💡 Fintech and innovation

🛡️ Risk management

🔐 Cybersecurity

🌍 Cross-border cooperation between financial centers

As the global network of international financial centers, the World Alliance is proud to support this dialogue and connect our members with the fintech ecosystem in Dubai and beyond.

📍 Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai

📅 2–3 November 2026

📲 Register: www.dubaifintechsummit.com

11 years ago, ADGM began with a vision for what Abu Dhabi could become.

Today, that vision continues to take shape through the businesses that call ADGM home, the partnerships formed here and the opportunities created along the way.

And as we mark this milestone, we look ahead to new opportunities, stronger partnerships and continued progress for the businesses and people who choose to build their future here.

A new leadership appointment has been made at the AIFC Authority.

Yenlik Raimbekova has been appointed Chief Strategy & Policy Officer of the AIFC Authority.

She brings extensive experience in financial sector development, strategic planning and international relations. Throughout her career, she has held senior leadership positions at the AIFC Authority, including Deputy Chairman, Managing Director and Member of the Management Board. She has also worked at the National Bank of Kazakhstan and in the investment sector, and participated in negotiations on Kazakhstan’s accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO).

Yenlik holds an MSc in Finance from Warwick Business School, University of Warwick, in the United Kingdom, and a PhD in Economics.

The AIFC Authority is confident that her professional expertise and strategic vision will contribute to the continued development of the Centre, the advancement of its strategic priorities and the strengthening of its international standing.

We wish Yenlik every success in her new role!

Last week our newly elected Board of Directors took part in an official orientation day. It was an inspiring day of creativity, robust discussion and collaboration as we set our priorities for the upcoming two-year tenure.

Representing key pillars of our industry, from private wealth, law, and banking to digital assets, audit, and fund administration, our board is energized and ready to champion The Bahamas as a premier, resilient, and forward-looking international financial centre.

We invite you to join us in wishing our Board of Directors a productive and impactful term!

🌐 𝐓𝐰𝐨 𝐌𝐚𝐣𝐨𝐫 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐒𝐡𝐢𝐟𝐭𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 AI in Finance

Two major regulatory shifts are reshaping how financial institutions adopt emerging technology in South Korea.

1️⃣ Expanding AI Access

Under the Financial Services Commission’s 2nd Emergency Relaxation Measure for Network Separation Regulations, lower eligibility thresholds and the inclusion of electronic financial operators expand qualified firms from 49 to 75. Up to 15 selected institutions are set to test Generative AI tools and security SaaS using alternative controls under temporary exemptions.

2️⃣ Governance & Safety

To ensure security keeps pace with innovation, the Financial Security Institute has established Korea’s first Financial AI Safety and Reliability Evaluation Framework—setting tailored standards across 10 core areas (data privacy, model hallucination, algorithmic bias, and cyber risks), with pilot testing underway in 2026 ahead of full rollout in 2027.

Against this pivotal regulatory backdrop, a heartfelt thank you to Sarah Sinclair and Co-Labs Global for bringing together an exceptional room of AI and finance experts in London to engage in strategic dialogue with the Busan Finance Center.

Deep gratitude Shoosmiths and Kurt Ma and all participants for such an engaging and insightful session.

Looking to do business in Central Africa? Africa Tour makes it happen.

From Douala to Yaoundé to Libreville, the 3rd edition of Africa Tour connects you directly with the business leaders, public decision-makers and key players who can help turn your ambitions into opportunities.

The programme is designed to get straight to business: targeted B2B and B2G meetings, business forums to explore local markets, networking with key stakeholders, and site visits to discover projects and opportunities first-hand. A chartered flight connects every stop, making it easier to focus on what matters: building relationships and developing business.

Three cities. One delegation. Real opportunities to connect, collaborate and grow.

Seats are limited. To join the delegation, write to africatour@cfca.ma

Please note: this initiative is exclusively reserved for CFC members.

The Dubai AI Festival opened today, spearheaded by #DIFC and bringing the global AI community together to shape the conversation around the future of business, finance and the global economy.

In his opening remarks, His Excellency Arif Amiri, Chief Executive Officer of DIFC Authority, highlighted Dubai’s commitment to turning AI ambition into action, including DIFC’s vision to become the world’s first AI-native international financial centre, where innovation creates meaningful value for businesses and society.

Centralised Supervision vs Supervisory Convergence

Europe is again debating the architecture of financial supervision. Is greater centralisation the answer, or should national approaches continue to converge?

Pierre-Henri Conac will consider the implications for Europe’s markets and smaller jurisdictions such as Malta.

Join us at FMC19:

https://lnkd.in/eMjYk8Py

𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗡𝗢𝗪 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗙𝗦𝗗𝗖 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗗𝗮𝘆: 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗸 𝗱𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖-𝘀𝘂𝗶𝘁𝗲

Curious what top employers value, how to stand out, which skills set you apart, and how to stay ahead as AI transforms the world of financial services?

Make real connections and learn what really matters from the C-suite and decision-makers in financial services.

Join FSDC Talent Day 2026: A unique in-person opportunity to connect with CEOs and industry leaders from global institutions across banking, insurance, asset management, investment, fintech and professional services.

✨ 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗔𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱?

✅ 𝗗𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗖-𝘀𝘂𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 — Connect in person with leaders from Citi, HSBC, J.P. Morgan, and more at a dedicated networking session

✅ 𝗚𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 — Fresh insights and guidance from industry and government leaders

✅ 𝗔𝘀𝗸 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗤𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 — Hear real-world leadership journeys and gain insider hiring tips

✅ 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗦𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝗧𝗼𝗽 𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗔𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁 — Learn the skills and qualities employers value most

📅 13 November 2026 (Friday)

🕑 2:25 pm – 5:00 pm (Registration starts at 2:00 pm)

📍 35/F, SPD Bank Tower, One Hennessy, Wan Chai

👉 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗻𝗼𝘄: https://lnkd.in/gTdCF7bv

* 𝘚𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘮𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘰𝘯 𝘢 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵-𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦, 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵-𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘢𝘴𝘪𝘴.

🎤 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗱 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝗱𝗲:

• Mr Joseph HL Chan, Under Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, The Government of Hong Kong SAR

• Ms Aveline San, CEO & Banking Head, Citi Hong Kong; Board Member and HCC Convenor, FSDC

• Dr Rocky Tung, Executive Director, FSDC

• Dr Jia Hongrui, CEO, Shanghai Pudong Development Bank, Hong Kong Branch

• Ms Nelly Pai, Managing Director, Head of Hong Kong IPO & Corporate Finance Group, J.P. Morgan

• Mr Jacky Chan, Regional CE & group CDO, AIA

• Ms Anna LIU, CEO Hashkey RWA

• Mr Fred Ngan, Co-Founder, Bowtie

• Ms Daisy Ho, CEO, Asia & Middle East, HSBC Global Asset Management

• Ms Peggy Lee, CEO, Hong Kong, BNP Paribas Asset Management

• Mr Jonathan Zhao, Global Insurance Leader, Hong Kong Financial Services Managing Partner, Ernst & Young

• Mr Kenny Ho, Managing Partner and Founder, Carret Private Capital

Expand your network and unlock real C-suite connections — kickstart your career journey at FSDC Talent Day.

Your identity is becoming digital infrastructure. Who issues it, who verifies it, and who stays in control? 🪪

As Europe moves towards digital identity wallets, the question is no longer whether identity goes digital, but how it works in practice. For banks and fintechs this means faster onboarding, new tools against fraud, and a new standard of user trust.

This panel brings together the public sector, identity verification, digital wallets and payments:

“The Evolution of Digital Identity”

🔹 Moderator: Michał Tabor, Partner & Board Member, Obserwatorium.biz

🔹 Lucyna Janas, Head of EMEA Partnerships, Google Wallet

🔹 Maciek Mironiuk, Head of Identity and A2A Solutions, Visa

🔹 Rafał Sionkowski, Head of Electronic Identification Department, Centralny Ośrodek Informatyki

🔹 Jan Szajda, CEO, IDENTT

Join us and be part of the conversation 👉 https://lnkd.in/dHhqC2ae

📅 Future Finance Summit | 4 November 2026

📍 CIC Warsaw

Part of Warsaw Finance Week | 3–5 November

Discuss. Connect. Act.

We celebrate the 103rd anniversary of our Republic with pride and joy, and look to the future with hope, united as one. Happy Republic Day on October 29!

📣 We’re hiring: Events and Marketing Officer (6-month FTC)

Do you love bringing people together and creating events that make an impact? We’re looking for an organised and proactive Events and Marketing Officer to join our team on a 6-month fixed-term contract.

You'll be:

• Coordinating a portfolio of local and international events

• Working with colleagues, partners and sponsors

• Supporting event marketing and communications

• Helping to deliver high-quality events that strengthen Jersey’s global profile

If you have at least three years’ experience in events, marketing or a related role, thrive in a fast-paced environment and enjoy making things happen, we’d love to hear from you!

🔗 Find out more and apply: https://jsy.fi/4jvLlMz

RDB and Raffles Family Office have signed a strategic partnership agreement to mobilise international private investment in Rwanda, leveraging the firm's network of investors across Asia and Africa.

The partnership will facilitate investment opportunities in aviation, hospitality, tourism, entertainment, real estate, infrastructure and supporting services, including developments linked to the upcoming Formula 1 African Grand Prix.

Learn more: https://lnkd.in/dzgBCPKT

Luxembourg has become the first European state to issue a DLT-native sovereign bond.

With a total issuance of €1.7 billion, the transaction marks an important milestone for digital finance in Luxembourg and for the continued digitalisation of European capital markets.

The benchmark-size bond, issued by the Luxembourg State Treasury and listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange (LuxSE), shows how DLT can be integrated into established and regulated financial market infrastructure while maintaining legal certainty and operational reliability.

➡️

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗗𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗮 𝗙𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗿 𝗚𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺 𝗠𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗠𝗮𝗺𝗮 𝗠𝗯𝗼𝗴𝗮?

That question brought yesterday's discussion at The Trust Summit in Nairobi into sharp focus. For her, progress means affordable working capital, reliable payments and a business she can grow with confidence.

Kenya has an opportunity to lead the charge in mobilising African capital to finance African projects by creating investment structures that deepen our pools of capital, expand access to finance for startups and SMEs, and deliver greater impact.

We must also turn African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the Pan-African Payment & Settlement System - PAPSS into everyday tools for businesses to trade, pay and grow across borders.

At the NIFC Africa, this is our ambition: connecting capital with African opportunity.

Trust grows when people experience progress.

Korir SingOei Mary Kamari Arno Janssens Nalongo L. Nshuti Mbabazi

QFC continued its engagement across Asia with a strategic visit to New Delhi, India, aimed at strengthening business ties and exploring new avenues for investment and collaboration. 🇶🇦🇮🇳

The visit featured a series of high-level meetings with business and investment leaders, alongside a roundtable discussion with the PHD Chamber of Commerce & Industry (PHDCCI).

A key highlight was the participation of H.E. Sheikh Faisal bin Thani bin Faisal Al Thani, Minister of Commerce and Industry and Chairman of QFC, at Bloomberg's New Economy Forum, where he took part in a panel discussion titled “Resilience amid Turbulence – Building Economies Where Business Thrives” alongside Sunil Mittal, Founder and Chairman of Bharti Enterprises.

Through these engagements, QFC sought to strengthen relationships with Indian stakeholders, showcase Qatar’s growing business and investment ecosystem, and explore opportunities for companies and investors looking to establish or expand their presence in Qatar and the wider region.

Our ‘10 ideas for the 10-Year Plan’ sets out how UK-based financial and related professional services can help deliver investment and prosperity across the country.

Drawing on our work with members and partners, our proposals include:

🚧 Connecting capital to infrastructure, housing and energy through planning reform, clearer project pipelines and closer government–industry collaboration.

🤝 Strengthening local growth through more ambitious devolution, meaningful business engagement and skills provision that reflects local employers’ needs.

💷 Building a nation of investors through better financial education, a stable and simple ISA regime and fewer barriers to investing in UK businesses.

💡Turning technological leadership into productivity, with a joined-up approach to tokenisation, responsible AI adoption and digital identity.

We have shared these priorities with government to help shape its long-term plans. The focus now must be on translating ambition into practical delivery.

👇 Read our proposals below...

https://lnkd.in/ee_t_tpd