In Indonesia and many other developing nations, the conversation around technology is often focused on progress: smart cities, digital banking, and AI-powered industries. But beneath the excitement lies a quieter, more alarming shift—one that’s deepening inequality in ways we’re not ready for. This is the new digital divide: not just about access to the internet, but access to opportunity itself.

Technology, while a powerful enabler, is also a great disruptor. Automation, artificial intelligence, and digitisation are transforming industries at unprecedented speeds. And while white-collar workers adapt to new tools and platforms, low-skilled labourers, who form the backbone of Indonesia’s workforce, are being left behind.

A nation on the edge of displacement

Indonesia’s workforce heavily relies on low-skilled jobs, particularly in the informal sector. In many industrial and service-based jobs, machines and algorithms are now performing tasks once done by humans. In manufacturing, retail, agriculture, and even fisheries, I’ve noticed how digital tools are rapidly replacing human labour. What was once a stable job that put food on the table for millions has become increasingly uncertain.

This isn’t a distant future. It’s already happening. We see factory lines where humans are replaced by robots. Supermarkets where self-checkout counters reduce the need for cashiers. Farms and fisheries where apps manage feeding and irrigation more efficiently than seasonal labourers ever could. For people with limited education and digital access, this means fewer job openings and more competition for whatever is left.

Also Read: Unlocking business potential: Overcoming decision paralysis with technology transformation

The human cost

What troubles me the most is not the technology itself—it’s the pace and the imbalance of change. Those who have the means to adapt are doing fine. They find new opportunities, take online courses, and move up. But what about those who don’t? What about the father in rural Sulawesi who spent his life in logistics, now replaced by a conveyor belt? Or the mother in Lombok who sold fresh produce, now bypassed by digital grocery platforms?

When technology leaves people behind, poverty doesn’t just persist—it deepens. With limited access to digital infrastructure, education, or financial support, these individuals face an uphill battle. They end up in informal gig jobs with no protection or benefits. Many simply fall out of the workforce altogether. I worry that without thoughtful intervention, we’re not just losing jobs—we’re losing dignity, community, and purpose.

An overlooked generation

There’s another group we often ignore in this conversation: the elderly. They’re asked to adapt to apps and systems they never needed before. From accessing healthcare to banking, everything is now digital-first. And yet, many seniors struggle to use smartphones, let alone navigate government portals or e-wallets.

In my opinion, this is not only unfair—it’s inhumane. We shouldn’t expect our parents and grandparents to keep up with tech that wasn’t designed with them in mind.

Polarisation in the making

What concerns me deeply is the path this leads us to. We’re creating a society where two Indonesias exist: one, tech-savvy and upwardly mobile; the other, struggling and invisible. If we let this divide grow, it won’t just be an economic issue—it will become a social crisis.

Also Read: How immersive tech can boost your health and happiness

Rising unemployment, especially among the low-skilled and older populations, could lead to increased crime rates, mental health issues, and even unrest. When people feel abandoned, they turn to whatever means they can to survive. And in a system that values efficiency over empathy, the cost of that abandonment could be staggering.

My opinion

As I reflect on the rapid digital transformation happening in Indonesia, I can’t help but feel a deep concern for the many people who stand to be left behind. Technology is undoubtedly powerful—it can bring us into a new era of efficiency, innovation, and global connectivity. However, the speed with which it’s advancing is leaving behind the most vulnerable.

What truly troubles me is how silent this shift is. The people most affected—those with low education levels, informal jobs, and little digital exposure—don’t have the platform to voice their fears or seek help. They simply disappear from the workforce, replaced by machines or apps.

We often hear about the opportunities technology brings, but rarely do we hear about the human cost when those opportunities are out of reach. As someone who’s seen firsthand the challenges faced by underserved communities in Indonesia, it’s hard not to worry that we’re creating a society where only those with the right education, the right tools, and the right connections will succeed.

This isn’t just a technological issue—it’s a moral one. If we allow automation and digitalization to proceed unchecked without protecting the most vulnerable, we’re setting ourselves up for a future with deeper poverty, rising crime, and social fragmentation.

The question we must ask ourselves is this: can we truly call ourselves a modern society if we are not lifting everyone up with us as we advance? If we don’t take action now, I fear we’ll be looking back in a decade, facing a more divided, unstable, and impoverished nation. It’s time we made the future not just digital, but inclusive, humane, and equitable for all.

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For SMEs looking to grow across borders, volatility is a quiet tax. A single FX swing can erase margins. Unpredictable fees can complicate cash flow. Slow settlement can stall operations and strain supplier relationships.

While SMEs are most affected by the unpredictability due to hidden costs, many fintech innovations remain focused on consumers or larger enterprises. These challenges have long been accepted as the cost of participating in the global economy. However, new payment technologies are beginning to shift that balance.

Tranglo, a leading cross-border payment hub, has built its business around addressing these friction points. Its network spans 120 countries and comprises more than 2,500 payout partners. This includes over 80 digital wallets and 60 cash‑pickup providers, offering access to hundreds of thousands of touchpoints worldwide.

Tranglo processes payments for businesses ranging from academic institutions to e-commerce platforms. The company’s approach reflects a broader industry shift toward payment infrastructure that prioritizes speed, predictability, and value stability for SMEs competing in global markets. With its global payment infrastructure, Tranglo – originally built to simplify top-ups for migrant workers – have evolved to a full-scale payments hub that offers a backbone that can support stablecoin-enabled, predictable cross-border money flows.

Leverage Tranglo’s global payment network for broad reach and optimised cashflow

SMEs operate with tighter working capital than large enterprises. According to the World Bank, the average global remittance cost is 6.2% per transaction. Meanwhile, bank-to-bank transfers can cost twice as much as alternative solutions. When SMEs pay a supplier overseas or receive funds from a client in another market, they often pass through several intermediaries. Each conversion and each delay introduces uncertainty.

Traditional interbank networks typically take 1 to 5 business days to settle payments. This delay locks up much-needed liquidity at a critical time. Nearly two-thirds of SMEs cite late payments as a major obstacle to growth. Meanwhile the majority of large organizations admit to delaying supplier payments beyond agreed terms. For importers and exporters, this instability affects everything from order planning to negotiation power. For freelancers and service-based SMEs, it creates additional friction when trying to manage predictable income.

To really focus on nurturing relationships for growth, SMEs need a network that can ensure payout flexibility. This broad infrastructure must provide a foundation for a stable, layered and trusted payout system that can support compliance, liquidity and local fiat settlements. This is what modern payment rails are gearing towards as SMEs continue to drive global growth.

Stablecoins—digital currencies pegged to major fiat currencies like the US dollar—are gaining attention as a tool for cross-border payments. Unlike volatile cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, stablecoins maintain a consistent value, making them potentially useful for business transactions. 

Also read: Bridging global payment borders and remittances with Tranglo

Tranglo’s proprietary single-interface platform integrates payment instructions and automatically selects optimal local payment partners/methods for payout, reducing reliance on multiple intermediaries. By combining stablecoins (for value stability) and a single interface that hides backend complexity, SMEs can benefit from simpler, more predictable cross-border payments, thereby making cash-flow planning easier.

Recently, Tranglo rolled out an “enhanced payment solution” aimed to help SMEs overcome cash-flow challenges by offering fixed transaction rates, near real-time processing and a self-onboarding experience. With stablecoins pegged to major currencies and a fixed-fee payout, SMEs avoid hidden deductions or unpredictable currency conversion losses. In combination, this model allows more accurate budgeting, cost forecasting, and supplier/seller negotiations.

The reality: Adoption is still emerging through the benefits of modern payment rails 

Stablecoins show promise for cross-border payments, but adoption among SMEs is still uneven. Regulations differ across Southeast Asia; many suppliers still expect payouts in local currency; and managing digital wallets can be complex for lean teams.

For now, most SMEs experience the benefits of “stable-value” payments through modern fiat-based rails that offer faster settlement, clearer pricing, and more predictable costs. Small improvements here matter as many SMEs operate with tight margins and limited room for FX volatility.

Stablecoins can still serve as a value anchor, helping businesses protect against currency swings. Combined with Tranglo’s regulated payout infrastructure, its global network, compliance processes, and near real-time settlement, SMEs can access value stability while paying suppliers in the currencies they already use.

Modern rails already provide these advantages in familiar ways:

• Instant settlement: Tranglo processes cross-border transactions instantly and is able to process 24/7 reducing multi-day delays without changing how suppliers receive funds.
• Fixed fees: Solutions like Tranglo Business use fixed rates, helping SMEs more accurately forecast costs and avoid unexpected deductions.
• Transparent pricing with modern APIs: Upfront visibility into fees and FX rates removes the guesswork that often accompanies international payments. Volume discounts can reduce expenses with consistent payment schedules.
• Multi-currency support: SMEs can hold and convert between currencies in real time—delivering flexibility similar to stablecoins, but within regulated fiat systems.

Also read: How fiat and crypto are redefining cross-border payments

The evolution toward hybrid fiat-stablecoin systems

Tranglo’s current infrastructure delivers the benefits SMEs need today while building toward a hybrid future. Through Tranglo Business, the company provides instant incoming settlement to 60+ countries with transactions processed in real-time, 24/7. 

As stablecoin adoption matures and regulatory clarity improves, the company is positioned to incorporate these settlement mechanisms into its hybrid rails. The goal is to give SMEs optionality: the reliability of fiat when needed, and the agility of digital assets when appropriate.

Practical examples for SMEs can look like:

Importers and exporters can secure prices more confidently when payment settlement is predictable. A garment exporter in Bangladesh receiving payment from a European buyer can access funds within hours rather than days. This improves cash flow and enabling faster reorders of raw materials. Transparent fees mean they can quote prices accurately without padding for unknown transaction costs.

Freelancers and service providers working with international clients benefit from immediate access to earnings. A graphic designer in the Philippines completing work for a Singapore-based agency can receive payment the same day, without waiting for traditional bank transfers or paying high intermediary fees.

E-commerce businesses processing high volumes of small transactions need cost-efficient solutions. An online marketplace paying out to hundreds of sellers across Southeast Asia can use API integration to automate payments while maintaining low, predictable costs per transaction.

SMEs expanding into new markets need payment certainty during early operations. A Malaysian software company establishing clients in Indonesia can manage receivables and payables across borders without exposure to FX volatility during critical cash flow periods.

The road ahead for cross-border payments

Cross-border certainty is becoming a strategic advantage for SMEs. Stablecoins represent one promising tool in a broader evolution of payment infrastructure. While regulatory clarity and supplier acceptance are still developing, the core benefits—speed, transparency, and predictable costs—are already available through Tranglo.

For SMEs, the immediate opportunity is clear: moving from slow, expensive correspondent banking to optimized payment networks that settle instantly and charge fixed fees. As the industry evolves toward hybrid systems that incorporate both fiat and stablecoin settlements, businesses that have already adopted modern payment infrastructure will be positioned to take advantage of new options as they become viable.

Payment providers like Tranglo are building this future incrementally. They are delivering practical solutions today while preparing for the flexibility and choice that hybrid rails will offer tomorrow. For SMEs ready to move beyond traditional banking limitations, the time to act is now.

Want to see how modern payment rails can transform your cross-border operations? Explore Tranglo Business solutions at tranglo.com/tranglo-business or contact hello@tranglo.com to discuss your specific needs.

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The search for practical, outcome driven technology is rising across Southeast Asia. Cities are dealing with familiar pressures: buildings that need constant upkeep, rising energy use and the daily work of keeping people safe. Many teams on the ground look for solutions that make their jobs easier and deliver tangible benefits, whether that means fewer maintenance cycles, lower electricity bills, or safer inspection work. Especially in demand are tools that fit into existing routines without creating extra complexity.

Hong Kong teams are stepping into this space with technologies now being piloted and deployed in Singapore, including airDefender, Aurabeat and C3 Construction Robotics. Their entry was supported by HKSTP that helps Hong Kong innovators meet the right regional partners and test their ideas where they matter most: in live working environments. It is a practical model for cross border collaboration, giving companies the context and access they need to prove their solutions while offering Southeast Asian markets a steady stream of technology built to solve everyday challenges.

airDefender’s approach to long lasting surface protection

airDefender enters the Singapore market with a focus on one of the country’s most persistent building challenges: fast returning algae and mould. In a warm and humid climate, façades, glass and solar panels often need repeated cleaning, which creates higher labour costs and lost efficiency. Its nanostructure coating aims to slow this regrowth and keep surfaces cleaner for longer, offering a practical way to reduce maintenance cycles without changing existing workflows.

The company discovered its current formula through years of experimentation, eventually developing a water based coating designed to break down organic matter on contact. In early trials, it has shown the ability to increase solar panel output by six to seven per cent compared with untreated panels. According to founder Albert Wong, small improvements at this scale can translate into meaningful savings. “That number is big when you’re talking about a solar farm,” he said, noting that performance gains compound significantly when applied across large arrays.

Also read: How a 60-second pitch is turning Hong Kong into a global startup gateway

In Singapore, their structured pilot with The GEAR by Kajima is testing how the coating performs on façades, glass and solar panels. The GEAR were interested in trialling a solution that could reduce frequent cleaning and offer clear commercial returns in a climate where algae grows quickly. As Beth Henderson, Lead for Startup Programmes, explained, “We see potential for the technology’s ability to improve solar panel energy generation and reduce cleaning and maintenance costs.”

Cutting energy use through acoustic air filtration with Aurabeat

Aurabeat tackles a challenge faced by large buildings across Southeast Asia: as traditional air filters become clogged, ventilation systems consume more power to maintain airflow. Using acoustic vibration technology, Aurabeat’s filters allow air to pass more easily, reducing energy use without requiring changes to existing infrastructure. Each site undergoes a six-hour test installation to measure potential savings before commitment, with results showing an average thirty percent reduction in energy consumption.

The technology has been deployed at flagship commercial buildings sites including Marina Bay Financial Centre, One Raffles Quay, CDL Headquarters (Republic Plaza Tower 1 & 2), and City Square Mall, contributing to more than SGD 10 million in orders within a year. “Most clients come to us for sustainability and energy reduction, but we also provide equal or better indoor air quality,” says CEO Phil Yuen.

Its growth in Singapore is supported by First Choice, its local engineering and distribution partner. The partnership, facilitated by HKSTP, was driven by clear economics. “We see the facts of a ROI that is less than 2 years and no change in OPEX costs,” First Choice explains. “We believe and are confident that this is the product to meet the ESG requirements in Singapore.”

The partnership has found particularly strong traction among clients pursuing Singapore’s Green Mark Certification requirements, with demand concentrated in commercial offices, educational institutions, and hospitality sectors. First Choice notes that building operators using traditional filtration systems were experiencing higher energy consumption costs compared to Aurabeat’s technology. “By offering a lower OPEX cost and achieving a lower electricity bill, clients will be keen to explore,” they observe, adding that required indoor air quality standards are maintained or improved.

Also read: Hong Kong startups set their sights on SEA and beyond at GITEX Asia

Improving façade inspection safety with C3 Construction Robotics

Through partnerships with the Building and Construction Authority (BCA), Operva AI and Fong Consult Pte Ltd, C3 Construction Robotics trialed its autonomous RoBosun-Tapper on building façades in Singapore to make close-range inspections safer, eliminating the need to put workers at dangerous heights. The initiative represents part of Singapore’s broader drive for greater technology adoption in the construction sector, with robotic solutions offering the additional advantage of consistent performance without the human errors that can affect inspection accuracy and reliability.

Façade inspections are a routine but high-risk part of building maintenance in Singapore, often requiring workers to be suspended at height to physically tap external façades using tapping rods to identify hollowness in the concrete. This technology was tested under a trial run in Singapore, if it is proved to match the needs of the Singapore construction market, it could potentially benefit approximately 70% of concrete or plaster buildings in Singapore through significant cost savings and productivity improvements. C3 Construction Robotics, the robot technology company originated from the Chinese University of Hong Kong, developed and designed the RoBosun-Tapper to make close contact with the façade and replicate the hammer tapping needed to detect hollow or damaged areas. As founder Professor Darwin Lau explained, “During the pilot, the robot was operating on the façade of the building without any human intervention. That alone demonstrates the benefits for worker safety.”

BCA assessed that RoBosun-Tapper has the potential to enhance both safety and productivity for the 10% close-up inspections as required under BCA’s Periodic Façade Inspection (PFI) regime. Singapore’s Commissioner of Building Control and Group Director for Building Resilience of BCA, Er. Thanabal Kaliannan noted, “Close-up inspection of building façades does come with some safety considerations as workers have to work from height. Once we knew C3 Construction Robotics had a potential solution, BCA was keen to bring relevant stakeholders together to test it.” 

Concurrently, Operva AI was also keen to partner with C3 Construction Robotics to trial the RoBosun-Tapper, and they collaborated with Competent Persons (CPs) from Fong Consult Pte Ltd in the local trial. Additionally, Fong Consult Pte Ltd assessed how the robot could fit into existing inspection frameworks. Their involvement included verifying the data captured and understanding how robotic tapping could support long-term adoption. Collectively, the parties trialed C3’s hammer tapping technology for building façade inspection, setting the foundation for further discussions on sandboxing and broader industry use. 

Chief Technology Officer of BCA, Mr. Jonathan Cheng said, “In Singapore, we are open to testing and validating new construction technologies (ConTech). We welcome collaborations and partnerships with HKSTP and like-minded industry partners to drive the deployment of innovative technologies within the Built Environment.” 

Also read: How Hong Kong drives foreign startup success, student engagement, and international collaboration

Supporting cross border collaboration in the built environment

Behind these three projects is a wider shift in how technology moves across the region. Many companies in Southeast Asia want to adopt new tools, but finding solutions that are both practical and ready for deployment can be difficult. Likewise, innovators often need access to real sites to understand local conditions and prove what their products can do. Bringing the two sides together requires a mix of timing, market knowledge and trusted industry networks.

HKSTP helped create this bridge by introducing Hong Kong companies to counterparts in Singapore and supporting the early steps needed to line up pilots. For the companies involved, this meant being able to meet the right teams, understand specific market requirements and demonstrate their solutions in live environments. For the industry, it shows how structured collaboration can shorten the path from idea to implementation, helping cities adopt technology that addresses everyday challenges in maintenance, energy use and safety.

HKSTP Catalysing Tomorrow’s Innovation

Taken together, these examples reflect a broader momentum building across Southeast Asia. The region’s cities are facing similar pressures, and they are increasingly open to technology that can deliver measurable improvements where it matters most: in daily operations. The progress made by airDefender, Aurabeat, and C3 Construction Robotics in Singapore suggests that practical, well tested solutions can find a clear path into the market when the right partners are involved. 

HKSTP is home to 2,600 tech companies from more than 25 countries and regions, employing over 25,000 professionals. They are not only lining up partnership, but also building a thriving innovation and technology ecosystem, an engine that turn good ideas to market-ready solutions that benefit the community.

HKSTP provides comprehensive support from funding, infrastructure, partnerships opportunities and mentorship to park companies to support them from startup to IPO.

“Go global” is another initiative of HKSTP to support startups to expand overseas. Since April 2024, over 200 park companies joined world-class international exhibitions in over 10 countries, including IBEW and GITEX Asia in Singapore, CES in Las Vegas, VIVATECH in Paris. This enablers is connecting startups with resources, markets and opportunities, helping innovators to scale internationally.

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Cybersecurity is a critical concern for startups and growing businesses, especially as digital transformation accelerates. With more companies relying on cloud services, remote work and AI-driven tools, cyberthreats evolve at an alarming pace. One often-overlooked way to strengthen cybersecurity is by building diverse IT teams.

Teams with different experiences and problem-solving approaches bring fresh perspectives that help identify risks, improve threat detection and develop stronger defence strategies. Prioritising diversity in IT teams can build a more resilient framework, which reduces risks and ensures long-term success.

Broader perspective on cyberthreats

Diverse teams bring a wealth of perspectives that strengthen cybersecurity defences, helping enterprises anticipate and respond to a wide range of threats. Cybercriminals don’t operate with a one-size-fits-all approach. They adapt their tactics based on regions, industries and cultural behaviours, but many teams lack the diversity needed to recognise these evolving risks.

In Southeast Asia, for example, women make up only 34 per cent to 40 per cent of the tech workforce, which leaves a significant gap in representation. A more balanced team brings different ways of think, allowing brands to identify blind spots a homogenous group might miss.

Employees from different backgrounds and sectors can spot vulnerabilities others might overlook, providing a well-rounded approach to threat detection. Someone with experience in financial services may recognise banking-specific phishing scams, while a team member from the health care sector may be more aware of medical data breaches. This diversity in thought and experience leads to stronger problem-solving, more innovative security strategies, and a cybersecurity framework that evolves alongside emerging threats.

Improved problem-solving

Diversity fuels creative problem-solving and enables teams to think beyond traditional defense strategies. Cyberthreats constantly evolve, so a one-dimensional approach often falls short against sophisticated attacks. When the staff comes from different backgrounds, industries and cultures, they bring unique insights that help uncover unconventional solutions.

Cyberattacks require quick thinking and adaptability, and a team with varied experiences is more likely to approach problems from multiple angles. This diversity in thought reduces blind spots, strengthens risk assessment and improves overall resilience.

Also Read: What if cybersecurity included everyone it protects?

Increased innovation in cybersecurity tools and strategies

A cybersecurity team with diverse technical skills and perspectives is far better equipped to develop cutting-edge security solutions, especially as cyberthreats become more sophisticated. AI-powered attacks are dynamic, making traditional defence strategies less effective. However, many organisations face a major obstacle — “insufficient personnel to manage tools and alerts” is one of the biggest challenges in defending against AI-driven threats.

Without enough skilled professionals, security teams struggle to analyse threats in real time, leaving their employers vulnerable to breaches. A diverse IT team helps bridge this gap by bringing in expertise from varying fields, which ensures a well-rounded approach to cybersecurity. Exposure to various security frameworks and technologies also fosters innovation to help businesses stay ahead of emerging threats.

For example, a professional with cloud security expertise might identify risks a network security specialist could miss. Meanwhile, those with AI and machine learning backgrounds can enhance automation in threat detection and response. When cybersecurity professionals from multiple disciplines collaborate, they create a more adaptive and proactive defence strategy.

Enhanced understanding of social engineering attacks

Cybercriminals constantly refine their tactics, often using cultural and psychological manipulation to exploit human behaviour in phishing scams and fraud. Scammers tailor their messages to different regions with language, social norms and local events, tricking victims into clicking malicious links or revealing sensitive data.

In 2023, the US sent eight billion spam emails in a single day, highlighting the sheer scale of phishing threats. With cybercriminals deploying region-specific scams, brands must take a proactive approach to security hat accounts for cultural nuances and evolving attack patterns.

A diverse IT team is better equipped to recognise and mitigate these targeted threats. Employees with different linguistic skills and cultural insights can identify red flags in tone, structure or context that align with specific regional fraud tactics. Whether spotting financial scams in Southeast Asia or fake tech support calls in India, a well-rounded team ensures stronger protection across multiple markets.

Also Read: How an AI cybersecurity company harnesses the power of AI for optimal business performance

Stronger compliance with international cybersecurity regulations

Companies operating across borders face the challenge of navigating multiple data protection laws, each with its own set of regulations and penalties. Compliance is not optional — failing to meet legal requirements can lead to hefty fines and reputational damage. In Singapore, for instance, people can incur penalties of up to SG$1 million (US$747,097.87 approx.) for noncompliance with the Personal Data Protection Act. This underscores the severe consequences of data breaches and mishandling of personal information.

A diverse IT team can manage these compliance challenges. Professionals with experience in different regions bring valuable insights into global data protection laws, ensuring the enterprise adheres to multiple regulatory standards. Fostering diversity can reduce legal risks, strengthen data governance and build trust with customers across global markets.

Stronger cybersecurity leads to innovation and trust

Building a diverse IT team goes beyond meeting compliance requirements. It fosters innovation, strengthens cybersecurity strategies, and builds trust with customers and stakeholders. Embracing diversity can develop more adaptive security solutions, enhance threat detection, and create a resilient digital infrastructure that protects data and reputation.

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The US$1.5 billion hack of a major crypto exchange last month — possibly the largest digital theft ever — has once again revealed the weak spots in exchange security. And the timing couldn’t be worse. Bitcoin was hitting record highs, institutional investors are diving in, and mainstream adoption is accelerating. Yet, for all its progress, crypto remains dangerously vulnerable.

As digital assets shift from speculative investments to core components of the financial system, the industry has reached a turning point. The question now isn’t whether crypto will change finance, but whether exchanges can earn the trust needed to make that shift a reality.

Moving beyond quick fixes

Following the US$1.5 billion hack, Bitcoin dropped below US$80,000, and investor sentiment indices swung dramatically from “extreme greed” to “extreme fear” — erasing billions in market value virtually overnight.

This volatility exposes an uncomfortable truth: many exchanges continue operating with security frameworks designed for crypto’s early days, when stakes and attack sophistication were considerably lower. These approaches typically prioritise technological solutions while neglecting the equally important human element.

The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) recently highlighted how regulatory gaps create exploitable loopholes within the crypto ecosystem. These vulnerabilities demand urgent attention from both regulators and industry participants who genuinely care about the sector’s long-term viability.

Also Read: Why AI security demands a different playbook in Asia

Three pillars of next-generation security

Tomorrow’s exchanges must build security frameworks on three fundamental pillars:

• Multi-Layered Technical Infrastructure

Security must extend beyond basic key management to include comprehensive threat detection, real-time monitoring, and automated circuit breakers capable of halting suspicious transactions before they complete. Prevention, not just detection, needs to become the industry standard.

• Human-Centric Security Protocols

Most significant breaches begin with social engineering rather than technical vulnerabilities. Exchanges must implement rigorous staff training, rules-based access controls, and zero-trust frameworks that limit potential damage from compromised accounts or insider threats.

• Transparent Asset Management

Users deserve verifiable proof that their assets are secure. This involves conducting regular third-party audits, offering real-time proof of reserves, and providing 1:1 asset backing guarantees that can be independently verified at any time.

At progressive exchanges, this comprehensive strategy integrates technologies such as multi-party computation (MPC), cold storage custody, and enterprise-level encryption to enhance security and transparency. Equally important is maintaining platform independence by ensuring no customer funds are stored on external exchanges, significantly reducing potential attack vectors.

Regulatory engagement as competitive advantage

As regulatory frameworks evolve unevenly across different regions, forward-thinking exchanges should see compliance not as a challenge, but as a competitive advantage.

Asia is leading the way in thoughtful crypto regulation, with Singapore and Hong Kong offering balanced models that protect consumers while fostering innovation. Their approaches show that regulations can support, rather than hinder, the growth of the industry.

Also Read: Your job is not your safety net: Build your own security

Proactive compliance isn’t about mere box-ticking but building systems aligned with traditional financial protections while accommodating digital assets’ unique characteristics. This means going beyond minimum requirements to establish robust anti-money laundering (AML) / know-your-customer (KYC) processes, maintaining clear separation between client and operational funds, and creating transparent governance structures.

Rebuilding trust through education

Beyond technical and regulatory concerns, the most important factor is rebuilding user trust through education and empowerment.

Even the most robust security measures are useless if users don’t understand how to use them or aren’t aware of their importance. Exchanges must focus on creating user-friendly designs that make security straightforward, not a burden. They should also provide clear instructions and tools that help users manage their own security effectively.

As crypto adoption grows beyond experienced traders to the general public, exchanges need to strike a balance. They must offer strong security without making it complicated or frustrating for everyday users.

The path forward

The recent US$1.5 billion hack represents both a crisis and an opportunity. Those who don’t learn from it risk being left behind, while those who rise to the challenge have the chance to set new industry standards.

As the industry matures, security can no longer be seen as just a technical hurdle; it must become the bedrock of the entire crypto ecosystem. Security goes beyond protecting assets to safeguarding the vision of a more accessible and efficient financial system.

Technological solutions will keep evolving, but the real change will come from a shift in culture—putting user protection at the heart of every decision and creating systems where security is built in from the start, not tacked on later.

By adopting this approach, crypto exchanges can not only survive current challenges but also help drive the future of finance toward greater security and transparency. The industry’s long-term success won’t come from speculative booms but from earning and keeping the trust of users everywhere.

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The advent of emerging technologies such as automation, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) has drastically disrupted what it takes to remain relevant. Globally, enterprises are seeking strategies that can provide them with a competitive edge in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.  According to a recent report, the global hybrid cloud market is expected to reach US$262 billion in 2027, with the APAC region expected to grow at the highest rate.

Hybrid cloud strategies have gained popularity as they provide the flexibility, scalability, and redundancy businesses need for improved modern operations. By integrating the benefits of both public and private clouds, businesses can utilise the scalability of public cloud services while keeping sensitive data and applications securely within their private cloud infrastructure.

Notwithstanding the numerous financial and efficiency benefits of hybrid cloud solutions, a lack of proper data management practices can quickly manifest into significant cybersecurity hurdles. With widespread cloud adoption, organisations are exposed to increased cyber risks and are also introducing complexity into their operations.

Notably, cloud-related threats are among the top three cyber concerns for 51 per cent of APAC organsations. Hence, finding the right balance between leveraging hybrid cloud benefits and maintaining a secure network for cyber resilience is crucial. So how can businesses best pursue their hybrid cloud set up, while ensuring that their network remains secure?

New multi-cloud cyber challenges raining on businesses

Managing a multi-cloud ecosystem without effective data practices can hinder an organisation’s ability to implement sound security frameworks.

Clear data visibility is critical in enabling an organisation’s capacity to integrate frameworks, such as zero trust. In particular, zero trust frameworks operate on the principle that no entity, whether inside or outside the network, should be trusted by default, necessitating continuous monitoring and verification of every request. The ability to identify whether a user is verified or not can become complicated if an organisation does not have adequate oversight of their data.

Ensuring data is protected whilst it moves between public and private clouds is another significant challenge. The movement of data across different environments can often increase the risk of exposure to malicious actors. Robust encryption and secure communication channels are essential to protect data during transit and storage.

Also Read: How cybersecurity teams can involve HR to optimise incident response

For many, taking the first step in implementing security solutions across various cloud environments can be daunting, but it is increasingly necessary. Australia, in particular, faces heightened risks, with the new statistics from the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) showing the number of data breaches notified to the regulator in the first half of 2024 was at its highest in three and a half years.

Recent data breaches from high-profile organisations across the region proves just how critical strong data coordination is for security purposes. Business leaders must ensure that their security measures are uniformly applied across both public and private clouds to prevent such vulnerabilities and risks.

Strategies for enhanced security in hybrid cloud environments

To navigate the cybersecurity challenges posed by hybrid cloud strategies, businesses of any size should look to implement several key measures:

• Perform cyber risk assessments

Conducting thorough cyber risk assessments can help organisations understand how their data is stored and identify potential vulnerabilities. Regular reviews can enable businesses to stay ahead of potential threats and implement necessary security measures proactively.

• Implement Zero Trust Frameworks

Adopting zero trust frameworks ensures that malicious activities are detected promptly. By continuously monitoring and verifying every access request, organisations can prevent unauthorised access and reduce the risk of data breaches.

• Utilise robust encryption

Robust encryption protects data both in transit and at rest. By encrypting data, businesses can secure sensitive information and prevent unauthorised access, even if data is intercepted during transmission between public and private clouds.

Also Read: Embracing AI evolution: The crucial role of data management and cybersecurity in AI success

• Employ multi-factor authentication (MFA)

MFA adds an extra layer of security by requiring multiple forms of verification before granting access to critical or sensitive data. This significantly reduces the risk of unauthorised access, as attackers would need to bypass multiple authentication factors.

• Adhere to the principle of least privilege

The principle of least privilege ensures that users are granted the minimum level of access necessary to perform their tasks. By limiting access rights, businesses can minimise the potential damage caused by compromised accounts and prevent unauthorised access to sensitive data.

• Enhance security posture with AI capabilities

The integration of AI capabilities into cloud data protection and security solutions will significantly enhance efficiency. These tools not only alleviate tedious tasks but also swiftly identify patterns, trends and anomalies that might otherwise be undetected and autonomously adjust security parameters—such as multifactor authentication and multi-person authentication—to lock down access to data and protect it against attacks.

Hybrid cloud strategies are opening new doors for businesses looking to keep their competitive edge in a rapidly evolving market. Done right, businesses can optimise their operations by combining the flexibility of public clouds with the security and control of private clouds.

Embracing these new pathways necessitate proactive data monitoring and management. Effective data management, with expanded AI-driven capabilities to strengthen cyber resilience, is essential to fully harness the benefits of a hybrid cloud environment while mitigating potential risks.

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AI adoption across Asia is exploding. The region is now second only to North America in generative AI implementation, with spending projected to reach US$110 billion by 2028.

From tech giants in South Korea to manufacturers in Japan and finance firms in Singapore, AI is being rapidly integrated across key sectors.

Yet with this growth comes risk. Organisations aren’t just facing cyber threats anymore. They’re confronting something new and sneaky: adversarial threats specific to AI systems. These threats bypass traditional (cyber)security tools and expose fundamental weaknesses in how AI models are designed, used, and governed.

That’s where AI security comes in. And it’s not the same as cybersecurity.

Traditional cybersecurity tools can’t stop AI threats

AI security focuses on defending AI systems from manipulation. This includes input tampering, training data poisoning, and jailbreak prompts that exploit model behaviour, all without needing to breach a firewall or exploit a software bug.

Take prompt injection, for instance. An attacker can craft a seemingly harmless message that causes a chatbot to reveal sensitive data or bypass its guardrails. Unlike malware or phishing, these attacks work by exploiting the model’s helpfulness, not its vulnerabilities.

Hence, a starkly different attack approach in both scenarios:

Traditional cybersecurity simply isn’t designed to handle AI manipulation attacks. Legacy systems rely on rule-based detections, static infrastructure monitoring, and code-centric threat models.

AI threats move faster, scale wider, and morph with every prompt. The unfortunate outcome of this is that even the best-defended networks can become vulnerable when AI models are exposed.

Asia’s AI threat landscape

Nowhere is this gap more urgent than in Asia. The region’s proximity to China, home to some of the world’s most advanced and affordable AI models such as DeepSeek R1, Baidu ERNIE Series, and Alibaba QWEN Models, creates both opportunity and exposure.

Also Read: How my entrepreneurial failures led me to rethink learning and upskilling

China’s AI tools are increasingly used across borders, yet data stored or processed under Chinese law carries heightened regulatory and espionage risks.

Meanwhile, countries like Singapore, India, Japan, and South Korea are racing to implement AI in every corner of the enterprise. But fast adoption has outpaced governance. Shadow AI—the use of unauthorised AI tools by employees—has surged.

Consider these real-world examples:

• Samsung chip data leak: In May 2023, Samsung engineers leaked sensitive chip data by pasting code into ChatGPT to troubleshoot. Unaware (or ignoring, who knows?) that inputs could be retained and used to train the model, they exposed proprietary information outside company oversight—a clear case of Shadow AI. Samsung responded by banning external AI tools and began developing internal alternatives.
• GitHub copilot leak: A caching flaw in GitHub Copilot exposed private code snippets to unintended users. Over 16,000 organisations, including major firms in Asia, were affected. Leaked content included proprietary logic, API keys, and unreleased features. No breach happened, just AI mishandling sensitive data. It’s a sobering example of how AI systems can create security risks without traditional hacking.

These threats aren’t hypothetical. They’re already impacting some of Asia’s most advanced companies.

Shadow AI: The silent breach happening inside Asian enterprises

Shadow AI is the unauthorised use of AI tools outside the purview of IT or security teams. It’s exploding in Asia’s fast-moving economies, where employees turn to tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, or Copilot to move faster and meet tight deadlines.

Here’s the problem:

• 38 per cent of employees of 7,000 employees surveyed admit to sharing confidential data with AI tools without IT approval.
• From March 2023 to March 2024, there was a 485 per cent spike in sensitive data input into unauthorised AI applications.
• In fact, 27.4 per cent of data inputted into AI tools is considered sensitive.
• And according to IBM, breaches involving shadow AI took an average of 291 days to identify and contain, significantly longer than traditional breaches, resulting in higher costs averaging US$5.27 million per incident.

In places like Singapore, where 66 per cent of businesses say they’re not moving fast enough with AI, the temptation to bypass governance is even higher. Combine that with light-touch regulation in Japan, regulatory gaps in India, and regional competitive pressure, and you get a region-wide surge in invisible risk.

Actionable steps to mitigate AI security risks

Here’s how to assume a better AI security posture in the midst of these risks:

Real-time AI monitoring

You can’t protect what you can’t see. Deploy tools that continuously monitor how AI models are used, what inputs they receive, and what outputs they generate. This is especially critical for detecting prompt injection and data drift that legacy logging won’t catch.

Examples include model observability platforms that track prediction anomalies, latency shifts, and suspicious prompt behaviour in real-time.

Also Read: Levelling the playing field: How AI can transform SME hiring

Shadow AI governance

Catalog all AI tools in use—approved or not. Create an “AI Bill of Materials” to track model versions, data access points, and usage patterns. Block unsanctioned tools at the firewall or via endpoint controls.

Train employees on what’s allowed and why it matters. 90 per cent of shadow AI use comes from non-corporate accounts. That’s a policy failure, not just a technical one.

Token and API hygiene

Manage API tokens like you would encryption keys. Use expiration windows, rotating credentials, and revocation capabilities. Apply least-privilege principles and prevent token reuse across multiple AI environments.

APIs are the connective tissue of AI systems. If compromised, they become the fastest path to your most sensitive models and data.

AI-specific security frameworks

Don’t retrofit existing policies. Adopt AI-native frameworks that account for:

• Adversarial prompt testing
• Output validation pipelines
• Role-based model access
• Immutable audit trails for training data

Zero Trust principles apply here: Never trust an input, always verify an output.

The patchwork of AI regulations in Asia you can’t ignore

Asia’s data protection landscape is maturing fast, but remains fragmented. Some highlights:

• Singapore’s PDPA mandates consent and breach reporting, but excludes anonymised data.
• India’s DPDP Act (2023) imposes consent, localisation, and penalties up to US$6 million.
• Japan’s APPI applies globally to anyone processing Japanese citizens’ data.
• China’s PIPL is one of the strictest globally, with limits on cross-border transfers and heavy audit requirements.

More laws are coming. South Korea now regulates high-risk AI. Japan is drafting a Basic Law for Responsible AI. And China is moving toward regulating critical AI systems under national security concerns.

If you operate across Asia, this means:

• Higher compliance costs
• More explainability and audit requirements
• Tighter controls on sensitive data and cross-border transfers

Also Read: Breaking barriers: Empowering women in entrepreneurship with AI and automation

Final thoughts

Cybersecurity protects your perimeter. AI security protects your future. These are not the same job.

If you’re investing in generative AI, you’re already in the risk zone. And if you’re in Asia, that risk is magnified by regulatory ambiguity, workforce behaviour, and geopolitical complexity.

Now is the time to:

• Benchmark your AI risk surface
• Monitor models continuously
• Govern usage at every layer
• Build policies specifically for AI

AI is transforming Asia’s economy. But without AI security, it may just as easily transform into its biggest liability.

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Editor’s note: e27 aims to foster thought leadership by publishing views from the community. Share your opinion by submitting an article, video, podcast, or infographic.

Join us on Instagram, Facebook, X, and LinkedIn to stay connected. We’re building the most useful WA community for founders and enablers. Join here and be part of it.

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In the past month, I built more products than I would typically ship in a year.

Not mockups. Not pitch decks. Not “coming soon” landing pages. Actual working MVPs.

I didn’t suddenly hire a 50-person engineering team. I didn’t discover a secret growth hack.

I started vibe coding: consciously, deliberately, and with full awareness of the risks.

From “landing page MVPs” to real MVPs

Historically, when founders wanted to test an idea quickly, we launched a landing page.

Collect emails. Measure interest. Then maybe build the product.

But here’s what changed for me this year: With AI-assisted development, the time it takes to build a landing page is now roughly the same time it takes to build a usable MVP.

In the last month alone, I shipped or progressed multiple products concurrently, including:

• Seraphina AI
• Cultural and community platforms
• Games and identity-based apps
• Marketplace and advertising tools

Each of these would normally take 8-10 weeks minimum to reach a first usable version. Some would’ve taken months. And there’s no way I could’ve done them in parallel as a solo founder before.

Vibe coding isn’t “no-code” — It’s founder-led development

Let’s be clear: Vibe coding doesn’t mean “type vibes, ship magic.”

It means:

• I still design the system architecture
• I still create flowcharts and briefs
• I still review code
• I still handle security considerations
• I still document everything

Also Read: Vibe coding: Why Singapore needs more tech built for joy, not just utility

The difference?

I’m briefing an AI the same way I brief my engineers.

If you don’t understand systems, architecture, or product logic, this is dangerous. But that’s true whether your code is written by AI or humans.

Everything is dangerous if you don’t know what you’re doing.

Speed didn’t remove judgment — it amplified it

What surprised me most wasn’t speed. It was agency.

I no longer need to wait weeks just to see if something can exist. I can now go from: Idea → MVP → first dollar → decision … in a single cycle.

This doesn’t eliminate developers. It eliminates mindless iteration, waiting, and guesswork.

The bottleneck is no longer execution. It’s judgment.

The hidden risk most people miss

AI doesn’t magically produce clean code.

Just like human-written code, everything bloats if you’re not disciplined.

“Just because it works doesn’t mean it’s clean or scalable.”

The difference now is that founders who understand:

• Systems
• Product flows
• Real customer feedback

… can iterate faster with ownership.

You can export the code. You can refactor it. You can scale it properly.

The risk isn’t vibe coding. The risk is that founders who think they can skip thinking.

Also Read: The Agency: AI-augmented development in action

What shouldn’t be vibe-coded?

If a system already exists — refined by years of real customer feedback — don’t rebuild it.

I still use my own mature platforms for funnels and operations because you can’t vibe-code lived experience.

AI accelerates new ground. It doesn’t replace battle-tested systems.

The real shift isn’t technical — it’s cognitive

AI didn’t make me lazier. It made me more articulate.

The more I interact with AI, the better I’ve become at:

• Explaining intent
• Questioning assumptions
• Clarifying logic
• Thinking in systems

We’re not losing thinking skills.

We’re being forced to think more clearly.

A new year, a new baseline

Vibe coding isn’t a trend. It’s not a shortcut. It’s not a replacement for experience.

It’s a new baseline for founders who evolve with the tools.

If you adapt to change, you won’t be replaced. If you don’t — history has already answered that question.

2026 won’t reward the fastest typers. It will reward founders with clarity, judgment, and the courage to build in public — faster than ever before.

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Singapore-based digital finance platform Atome has closed a US$345 million syndicated debt facility, extending its funding capacity as it scales consumer credit products across Southeast Asia.

The new facility is a sizeable increase from the US$200 million raised in 2024 and comes at a time when growth-stage startups in the region are increasingly favouring debt over equity amid a constrained venture capital market.

Also Read: Atome defies market headwinds with 63 per cent income surge, US$4B GMV run rate

The financing was led by HSBC with DBS Bank joining as a co-mandated lead arranger. Other participants in the syndicate include Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC), Baiduri Bank, and Cathay United Bank, alongside new lenders Fubon Bank and Shanghai Pudong Development Bank.

Atome said the capital will be used to expand Atome Financial’s regional loan portfolio, including its Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) offering, consumer lending products, and the Atome Card, primarily across Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines.

Debt over equity in a tighter funding market

The decision to raise debt reflects a broader shift among Southeast Asian fintechs towards non-dilutive funding as equity financing becomes more selective. With its BNPL business now profitable, Atome has been able to tap bank-led facilities to extend its runway and support new product launches without issuing new shares.

Regional data shows that debt deals in Southeast Asia reached a six-year high of 54 in 2024, driven by a rise in venture debt and private credit as venture capital investment slowed. For growth-stage companies with stable cash flows, debt has emerged as a lower-cost source of capital compared to equity.

Financial performance underpins lender interest

Atome Financial, which houses the group’s BNPL business, Atome Card and Kredit Pintar, reported operating income of US$236 million in FY2024, up 63 per cent year-on-year. Over the same period, gross merchandise volume (GMV) processed across its platforms rose 50 per cent to more than US$2 billion.

Growth continued into 2025. By mid-year, the group’s annualised net revenue had exceeded US$500 million, while annualised GMV reached US$6 billion. In December 2025, Atome recorded its highest monthly GMV to date, posting over 70 per cent year-on-year growth compared with December 2024.

The company reached EBITDA profitability in the first quarter of 2024, supported by BNPL margins and expansion into cards and lending products.

BNPL expansion across Southeast Asia

Atome’s expansion is taking place alongside rapid growth in BNPL adoption across Southeast Asia, driven by rising e-commerce penetration and limited access to traditional credit. In Asia Pacific, the BNPL market is projected to reach US$211.7 billion in 2025, growing 14.5 per cent year-on-year.

Also Read: Scaling with purpose: Atome’s fintech evolution and future outlook

Within Southeast Asia, BNPL-enabled e-commerce spend is expected to grow almost ninefold to US$8.83 billion GMV by 2025. Indonesia accounts for around 58 per cent of regional BNPL spending, while Vietnam, the Philippines and Malaysia are seeing accelerated uptake from smaller bases.

Banking partnerships and regional reach

The latest facility builds on Atome’s existing debt funding base. Previous raises include a US$100 million facility from HSBC in 2023, a US$200 million syndicated facility in 2024, and a US$80 million accordion facility with BlackRock and InnoVen Capital in 2025. The company also has longer-term bank relationships, including a US$500 million, 10-year commitment from Standard Chartered.

Banks involved in these facilities provide syndicated capital, risk oversight and flexibility to scale lending across markets including Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines.

Credit access for underbanked consumers

Part of Advance Intelligence Group, Atome uses AI-driven credit assessment to underwrite consumer lending in markets where credit card penetration remains below 10 per cent in several countries. Across its platforms, the group has cumulatively disbursed over US$4 billion in financing to consumers and works with thousands of merchants across the region.

The company’s consumer-facing apps have recorded more than 40 million downloads, reflecting sustained demand for alternative credit products in Southeast Asia’s underbanked markets.

Also Read: Atome secures debt funding from EvolutionX to expand credit portfolio, launch new products

Backed by investors including SoftBank Vision Fund 2, Warburg Pincus, Northstar, and EDBI, Atome is positioning its expanding debt base as a way to maintain growth while preserving equity in an increasingly disciplined funding environment.

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The era of the “easy unicorn” is officially over in Southeast Asia, replaced by a new standard of efficiency and investor scrutiny. Only two unicorns were created in 2025, a 33 per cent drop from the three minted in 2024.

According to the “SEA Tech Annual Funding Report 2025” by Tracxn, these two new entrants — Supabase and Sygnum — represent a more technical and resilient class of billion-dollar firms than their predecessors.

Also Read: Jakarta trails as Singapore tightens its grip on tech capital

The path to unicorn status has become significantly longer and more capital-intensive. On average, it now takes 3.8 years from a Series A round to reach a US$1 billion valuation, a sharp increase from the 0.7 years seen during the hyper-growth period of 2024.

Furthermore, companies are raising far more capital before reaching the milestone; the average funding before a unicorn round rose to US$281 million, nearly double the US$146 million average of the previous year.

Investor selectivity has also intensified. 2025’s unicorns had an average of 8.5 institutional investors involved before their milestone round, up from 4.7 in 2024. Leading global names such as Coatue, Y Combinator, and Accel were identified as the top investors backing these successful ventures. This suggests that a US$1 billion valuation now requires a “consensus of excellence” from multiple top-tier global firms.

Also Read: Southeast Asia’s startup boom is becoming a closed club

Supabase, an open-source application backend platform, and Sygnum, a digital asset banking specialist, exemplify the trend toward specialised, high-utility technology. Both firms raised substantial sums — US$401 million and US$160 million, respectively — before their unicorn rounds, proving that even in a tighter market, capital is available for “category-defining” players.

Today’s new unicorns are not just fast-growing startups; they are battle-scarred warriors that have had to survive a more rigorous and selective gauntlet than ever before.

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