Emerging Payments Association Asia and Monash University Malaysia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to collaborate on payments research and policy work across the Asia-Pacific region.
The three-year partnership between EPAA and the Monash FinTech Lab is intended to translate academic research into “practical, policy-relevant insights” in areas including quantum-safe cryptography, stablecoins, scams and fraud, and cross-border remittances.
The MoU was signed on 25 March 2026 at Monash University Malaysia by Professor Nafis Alam, Head of School of Business at Monash University Malaysia, and EPAA chief executive Camilla Bullock. The organisations said the agreement also aims to help prepare future payments professionals.
EPAA CEO Camilla Bullock said bringing “diverse perspectives” to payments issues was important for the region.
“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 reflected the speed of change in payments across the region.
“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.”
As part of the partnership, the organisations said they will convene up to 200 senior leaders, academics and regulators at EPAA Connect – Payments Leaders Forum in Kuala Lumpur on 16 July 2026, with outcomes expected to inform joint research and capability-building activities.
