EPAA and Monash FinTech Lab Sign MoU to Shape and Strengthen the Future of APAC Payments

Emerging Payments Association Asia (EPAA) and Monash University Malaysia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to bring together payments leaders and academic experts to shape a more resilient, inclusive and forward-looking payments system for Asia Pacific (APAC).

Through a three-year partnership, the Monash FinTech Lab and EPAA will translate academic research into practical, policy-relevant insights in areas such as quantum-safe cryptography, stablecoins, scams and fraud, and cross-border remittances.

Signed on 25 March 2026 at Monash University Malaysia by Professor Nafis Alam, the university’s Head of School of Business, Monash University Malaysia, and EPAA CEO Camilla Bullock, the MoU also aims to prepare the next generation of payments professionals to support APAC’s global competitiveness.

EPAA CEO Camilla Bullock said bringing diverse perspectives to priority payments topics would help APAC’s payments system remain robust.

“APAC’s payments landscape is world‑leading, but new technologies are creating policy challenges that no single institution can address alone,” Ms Bullock said.

“Priority areas such as quantum‑safe cryptography, scams and fraud, cross‑border remittances and the emergence of stablecoins require collaboration across all parts of the ecosystem.

“By joining forces, EPAA and Monash FinTech Lab will offer informed, coordinated leadership that can bridge the gap between innovation and policy and build shared capability across the ecosystem.”

Professor of Practice at Monash University Malaysia’s School of Business and Co-Director of Monash FinTech Impact Lab Andreas Deppeler said the partnership was coming at a critical time for APAC payments.

“Payments across the Asia Pacific region are evolving rapidly, creating new opportunities as well as complex policy and regulatory challenges,” Professor Deppeler said. 

“This makes close collaboration between industry and researchers essential to understand the implications for consumers, businesses, and regulators. 

“By working together with the EPAA, we aim to strengthen policy development, build technical capability, and help prepare the next generation of payments professionals to support APAC’s global competitiveness.”