Future of Finance Forum 2025: Redefining Digital Finance
Future of Finance Forum 2025: Redefining Digital Finance
Hosted by The Australian Financial Review
Coco Chen, Managing Director of LoanOne and Broker Bridge, joining leading voices in finance and technology at the AFR Future of Finance Forum 2025 in Sydney.
The 2025 Future of Finance Forum, hosted by The Australian Financial Review at the Shangri-La Hotel in Sydney, brought together some of the nation’s leading voices in finance and technology to discuss the future of digital transformation.
Representing LoanOne and Broker Bridge, Managing Director Coco Chen joined a distinguished line-up of experts to explore how artificial intelligence, digital trust, and tokenization are reshaping Australia’s financial landscape – and what this means for brokers, lenders, and consumers.
Leaders Shaping Australia’s Digital Finance Future
Speakers and participants at the forum included:
- Lynn Kraus, CEO, Australian Payments Plus
- Toby Walsh, Professor, UNSW AI Institute
- Shannon Scott, Senior Vice President, Airwallex
- Alan Machet, Group Country Manager, VISA
- Drew Bradford, CEO, Macropod
- Talis Putnins, Co-CEO & Chief Scientist, Digital Finance CRC
- Coco Chen, Managing Director, LoanOne & Broker Bridge
Together, they examined how innovation can help Australia reclaim its position as a global leader in digital finance transformation.
Key Insights from the Forum
Data, Convenience, and Trust
As financial services become more data-driven, consumers are sharing more personal information online than ever before. Lynn Kraus highlighted the growing tension between convenience and privacy – and the responsibility of institutions to manage data transparently and ethically to maintain trust.
Tokenization and Digital Assets
Experts explored how converting traditional assets into blockchain-based digital tokens can open up new investment opportunities and unlock greater liquidity. While tokenization is still evolving – especially in light of challenges such as the ASX’s halted blockchain project – the consensus was clear: digital assets will play a central role in the next phase of capital markets innovation.
AI in Compliance and Customer Experience
Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming both compliance and customer experience. Systems such as Know Your AI Agent (KYA) are helping institutions streamline verification, improve accuracy, and reduce costs when managing digital assets and complex regulatory obligations.
Customer Experience in a Real-Time World
Shannon Scott emphasised how AI is enabling instant transactions and hyper-personalised services across borders. At the same time, the panel stressed that speed and convenience must never come at the expense of security, robust controls, and responsible risk management.
Looking Ahead: Australia’s Opportunity
Across the day, one theme stood out: Australia has a renewed opportunity to lead in digital finance by combining AI, blockchain, and data innovation to build a more efficient, secure, and inclusive financial ecosystem.
For LoanOne and Broker Bridge, participation in the AFR Future of Finance Forum 2025 reinforces our commitment to helping brokers and their clients navigate this transformation – aligning smarter technology with practical, outcome-focused lending solutions.
Event Highlights
