ASIATODAY.ID, BALI — Asia is rapidly emerging as the world’s leading hub for digital finance, and Indonesia is positioned at the center of this transformation.
The message was underscored during the OECD Asia Roundtable on Digital Finance 2025, hosted by the Financial Services Authority of Indonesia (OJK) in partnership with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in Bali on 1–2 December 2025.
The two-day forum highlighted Indonesia’s growing influence in shaping global digital finance, particularly through advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), digital asset governance, and tokenization frameworks that will underpin the future of the digital economy.
OJK Chairman Mahendra Siregar emphasized that rapid technological shifts—especially AI and digital assets—require regulators to balance innovation with market integrity, financial stability, and strong consumer protection.
Mahendra outlined OJK’s key initiatives, including:
AI Code of Ethics for Fintech (2023) to ensure fair, safe, and accountable use of AI.
Indonesian Banking AI Governance (April 2025) for stronger oversight and risk mitigation in banks.
A national tokenization program under the regulatory sandbox, covering gold, bonds, and real estate.
“OJK encourages innovation with caution, ensuring that technological progress does not compromise stability or public trust,” Mahendra said.
Government of Indonesia: AI as the New Pillar of Economic Development
Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto affirmed that Indonesia is building a strong policy foundation for AI adoption, including strategic planning for human capital enhancement.
He highlighted the financial sector’s role in: expanding digital banking access, strengthening MSME financing, and improving decision-making efficiency through AI-driven tools.
Airlangga also stressed that OECD’s support has been vital in aligning Indonesia’s regulatory reforms with global standards.
OECD: Asia Leads the Global Digital Finance Landscape
Director of Financial and Enterprise Affairs OECD Carmine Di Noia stated that Asia is now at the forefront of global digital finance, driven by a dynamic fintech ecosystem and rapid technology adoption.
“Collaboration such as today’s forum is essential to ensure innovation grows responsibly and inclusively, while strengthening public trust,” Carmine said.
The event also featured the launch of:
The OECD Report on Artificial Intelligence in Asia’s Financial Sector, and
The Code of Ethics for Responsible and Trustworthy AI in Financial Technology
Both documents reinforce Indonesia’s efforts to align national regulations with global best practices.
A Strategic Milestone for Indonesia’s OECD Accession
The forum also plays a pivotal role in Indonesia’s accession process to become a full OECD member—an aspiration supported by Indonesia’s status as a G20 economy and its integrated financial services supervisory system.
OJK and OECD have strengthened collaboration through MOUs, most recently renewed in 2021, covering regulatory development, consumer protection, and financial system stability.
Day Two: Indonesia Accelerates Tokenization and Distributed Ledger Technology
OJK Vice Chairman Mirza Adityaswara opened the second day by underscoring Indonesia’s commitment to developing an adaptive, safe, and inclusive asset tokenization framework.
“AI and tokenization are no longer concepts of the future—they are shaping today’s global financial architecture,” Mirza noted.
Global statistics show:
The tokenization market is projected to grow from USD 0.6 trillion to USD 18.9 trillion by 2033,
With the Asia-Pacific region leading growth at over 21% annually.
In Indonesia, OJK has advanced several tokenization business models through its regulatory sandbox, focusing on real-world assets such as gold, property, and government securities. Some models have passed the sandbox stage, signaling strong interest in fractional ownership.
Digital Assets Reshape the Future of Financial Infrastructure
OJK’s Chief Executive for Digital Financial Innovation, Digital Financial Assets, and Crypto Assets Hasan Fawzi presented Indonesia’s rapidly expanding digital asset market.
“Digital assets are fundamentally redefining the nature of assets and the infrastructure of exchange,” Hasan explained.
Panel discussions explored:
AI policies in the financial sector,
Balancing innovation and regulatory safeguards,
Tokenization and distributed ledger technology (DLT),
Central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) and their regional implications.
The event gathered more than 40 regulators and global industry experts from various countries.
Indonesia Positioned to Lead Asia’s Digital Financial Architecture
The forum was officially closed by OECD Head of Financial Markets Fatos Koc alongside Hasan Fawzi, reaffirming the importance of cross-border cooperation to build a resilient and inclusive digital finance ecosystem.
OJK emphasized that successful digital transformation relies on: strong governance, consumer protection, market integrity, and regulations that evolve in step with technology.
With its strategic position and comprehensive reforms, Indonesia is prepared to take a leading role in shaping Asia’s digital financial future. (AT Network)
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