What are the biggest lessons in your career so far?
One of my biggest lessons learned is to “let go”. Early in my career, I thought every decision had to be perfect before moving forwards. I realized over time that waiting for more information before making decisions in this fast-moving era often means missing the best or better opportunities. Letting go of perfectionism and focusing on “timely and well-governed” decisions are more powerful. Letting go of the need to control every detail also allows me to embrace uncertainties, move outside my comfort zone and explore emerging areas like virtual assets where no one has all the answers.
How did you come to join the virtual asset space?
My move into the virtual asset space began with a growing interest in how emerging technology could transform traditional finance. Then, I started attending relevant industry events, speaking with relevant stakeholders and taking relevant courses in blockchain, data analytics and virtual assets. Currently, my role in a regulated virtual asset trading platform as second-line risk function focuses on strengthening the company’s control environment, helping the business operations run reliably and ensuring people, processes and systems do not create any unexpected risk and compliance issues. It’s like being a guardian, closely partnering with various business and support units (e.g. product, finance, operations and technology teams), over the end-to-end processes.
How do you view stablecoins and their future development?
While USD-pegged stablecoins overwhelmingly dominate the market (with USDT and USDC together holding majority of the market share), growth of EUR, HKD, SGD and other currency-pegged stablecoins is expected to serve regional markets and provide forex hedging in DeFi. I think stablecoins becoming the “banknotes on blockchains”, integrated with tokenized real-world assets (bonds, equities and commodities), enable faster treasury operations and reduce friction in global trades. However, stablecoins will not replace but more likely complement the traditional financial system as a programmable, 24/7 settlement layer that connects banks, fintechs, payment firms and DeFi applications. Having said that, there are still challenges such as regulatory convergence, operational resilience of stablecoins issuers, transparency of reserve assets, and interoperability between chains and with local payment systems.
What are the most compelling advantages for CFOs who include digital assets in their corporate treasury mix?
A risk-managed allocation to digital assets (including stablecoins) could offer several benefits, including faster and cheaper cross-border payments; enhanced liquidity and improved working capital management; better data transparency; and access to new markets and ecosystems. These benefits have to be balanced with a robust risk management and governance framework that matches the company’s overall risk appetite, as well as clear policies.
How has your CPA qualification helped you in your current role?
It equipped me with a principal-based mindset, deeper understanding of professional integrity, rigorous analytical and problem-solving skills, which are all essential in any complex environment including the virtual asset space. The CPA training sharpens my ability to analyse financial information, identify risks and apply judgement that help navigating challenges at work.
