East Asian countries, especially Hong Kong, China and South Korea, have become global hotspots for fintech innovation, driven by rapid technological adoption, supportive regulatory environments, and robust consumer demand for digital financial services.
These countries are home to some of the world’s most prominent and fast-growing fintech firms. South Korea’s Kakao Bank, a fully digital bank, serves over 23 million users, or approximately 40% of the population, while Viva Republica, the creator of the Toss platform, is valued at KRW 10-20 trillion (US$7.2 billion–US$14.5 billion). In China, Ant Group, an Alibaba affiliate, owns the popular Alipay mobile payment platform which boasts over 1.3 billion users and 80 million merchants.
East Asian nations are also recording record high levels of fintech adoption. According to the World Bank’s Findex report, 82% of adults in China made digital merchant payments in 2021, highlighting the prevalence of cashless transactions. Similarly, in South Korea, 67% of digitally active citizens have adopted digital financial services in their day-to-day lives, according to researchers at Seoul National University.
As 2024 draws to a close, we’ve compiled a list of the already announced top fintech events and conferences taking place in East Asia in 2025. These events are expected to attract large audiences of industry leaders, offering a platform to share critical insights, explore collaborations and forge valuable connections.
11 Fintech Events to Attend in Hong Kong, Korea and Japan in 2024
International Financial Week 2025
January 13-17, 2025
Hong Kong
Taking place from January 13 to 17, 2025, the International Financial Week (IFW), coordinated by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), will bring together a series of events addressing a variety of topical issues facing the global financial and business communities, spanning from sustainability investment, private equity, alternative assets to family office.
Asian Financial Forum 2025
January 13-14, 2025
Hong Kong
The Asian Financial Forum (AFF) is the region’s premier platform that brings together influential leaders from government, finance, and business communities globally for ground-breaking discussions and exchange of insights on the global economy from an Asian perspective. AFF 2024 brought together more than 140 elite speakers from around the world and attracted over 3,600 visitors from more than 50 countries and regions, including over 70 overseas and Mainland China delegations, participating for thought leadership and discussions while witnessing the latest fintech advancements, emerging business strategies, and expanding their professional networks.
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Japan Innovation Study Tour 2025
February 17-19, 2025
Osaka and Tokyo, Japan
The Japan Innovation Study Tour 2025, taking place from February 17 to 19, will offer an unparalleled opportunity to delve into the heart of technological and financial innovation in Japan. This tour will take the participants to Osaka and Tokyo, two cities renowned for their advancements in technology and finance.
In Osaka, attendees will visit leading innovation hubs and prominent banks to understand how they are driving technological advancements and transforming the financial landscape. Tokyo, the capital city, hosts some of the world’s most innovative companies in AI, fintech, and digital banking. There, the participants will witness firsthand how these organizations are shaping the future of technology and finance.
Attendees will gain valuable insights into the latest trends and technologies, network with industry leaders, and explore collaborative opportunities. This tour is designed for C-level executives and decision-makers who are keen to stay ahead of the curve in an ever-evolving industry.
Digital Assets Week Hong Kong 2025
February 27, 2025
The GalaMuse, Hong Kong
Digital Assets Week Hong Kong 2025, taking place February 27, at The GalaMuse in Hong Kong, will focus on the intersection of digital securities, digital assets, and institutional crypto, bringing together traditional funding and listing players with emerging opportunities in digital exchanges and platforms. The event will explore both publicly listed securities and the private tokenization of securities while educating investors about the potential benefits of digital assets.
The sessions will delve into important topics such as tokenized money market funds and asset digitization. Notable sessions will include discussions on the benefits of asset digitization for the buy-side, the business case for asset managers digitizing assets, and the future of public and private markets, contrasting traditional finance exchanges with digital marketplaces. There will also be a keynote address and a series of project pitches through the Catalyst Programme, offering an opportunity for attendees to explore cutting-edge ideas.
Participants can also expect in-person networking with a highly curated, invite-only audience that includes financial institutions, institutional investors, brokers, private equity and venture capital firms, infrastructure providers, exchanges, and regulators.
GFTN Forum, Japan 2025
March 03-07, 2025
Tokyo, Japan
GFTN Forum, Japan 2025, taking place from March 03 to 07, will highlight the dynamic international fintech ecosystem in Japan, embracing the bold theme of “Building Financial Corridors Worldwide”. The forum will provide participants with the opportunity to discover, learn, and exchange ideas with global experts and peers.
GFTN Forum, Japan 2025 will focus on:
- Building Financial Corridors: Connecting South and North Asia, ASEAN, and the rest of the world through innovative solutions and capital.
- Exploring the Impact of Technology: Investigating how AI, quantum technology, and digital assets transform economies, focusing on practical implementation.
- A Deep-Dive Inquiry: Examining the future of technology transformation in three key areas: asset management, digital assets, and future tech stack.
- Expanding the Founder’s Peak Program: We are enhancing the highly successful Founder’s Peak program with a new partner segment called “We The Women” (WTW), dedicated to celebrating women impact makers.
- Driving Actionable Results: Collaborating on reports and initiatives that engage the public and private sectors to achieve meaningful outcomes.
Insurance Analytics and AI Innovation Asia Pacific 2025
March 18-20, 2025
Hong Kong
The Insurance Analytics and AI Innovation Asia Pacific (IAAI Asia) 2025, taking place from March 18 to 20, promises a leading event for professionals in the insurance industry. The event is expected to gather over 1,000 participants from across the APAC region and beyond, including a remarkable 80% of attendees at the vice president level or higher.
IAAI Asia will feature 100+ inspirational speakers who will address the ongoing digital transformation in the insurance industry, exploring emerging trends including the proliferation of data and the adoption of cutting-edge technologies including machine learning (ML), blockchain, and the Internet-of-Things (IoT), as well as the pressing challenges of climate change, cyber risks, inflation, and economic uncertainties.
Attendees will gain transformative insights from industry pioneers, cutting-edge solutions, and opportunities to build meaningful professional connections. They will also gain actionable knowledge to accelerate their organizations’ digital transformation and stay ahead in a competitive market.
IAAI Asia will begin on March 18, 2025, with pre-conference workshops that address critical topics in the field. These sessions will explore strategies to unlock AI’s full potential in insurance innovation, examine the benefits and risks of generative AI, and discuss how to create human-centric digital health experiences.
Following the workshops, the main conference will open on March 19, focusing on the theme of insurance transformation. Morning sessions will address the realities of digitalization and the development of data-driven organizations, while afternoon sessions will highlight the importance of collaboration and explore the disruptive impact of digital technologies on the insurance sector.
Hong Kong Web3 Festival 2025
April 06-09, 2025
5BCDE, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center (HKCEC), Hong Kong
The Hong Kong Web3 Festival 2025, the third edition of one of Asia’s largest and most influential crypto events, will take place from April 06 to 09 at 5BCDE, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center (HKCEC). Co-hosted by Wanxiang Blockchain Labs and HashKey Group, and organized by W3ME, this premier gathering promises to once again bring together the world’s brightest minds in the Web3 and crypto space.
Following the record-breaking success of its previous editions in 2023 and 2024, which attracted over 250 exhibitors, 800 speakers, 80,000 visitors, and 300 side events, the Hong Kong Web3 Festival 2025 is expected to draw tens of thousands of attendees from around the globe.
More than just a conference, the event is set to unite industry leaders and innovators to explore the future of Web3, while showcasing the latest advancements and solutions in the space.
AI+ Power 2025
June 05-06, 2025
HKCEC, Hong Kong
AI+ Power 2025, an innovative expo and conference, will take place on June 5 and 6, 2025, at the HKCEC. Presented by BGOV as part of the renowned Business GoVirtual (BGOV) Expo and Conference series, this event is dedicated to showcasing the transformative impact of AI on business and everyday life. With over 6,000 attendees expected, 80 professional sessions, and more than 120 respected speakers, AI+ Power 2025 promises to be a cornerstone event for understanding and leveraging the power of AI.
The event will explore cutting-edge AI solutions across a wide array of industries, including finance, marketing, retail, healthcare, education, and entertainment. By uniting thought leaders, innovators, and professionals, it aims to delve into the latest technological advancements and applications of AI that are shaping the modern world.
This event will also provide a unique opportunity to engage with these trends, learn from top experts, and explore how AI is revolutionizing industries and unlocking new potentials.
Bitcoin Asia 2025
August 28-29, 2025
HKCEC, Hong Kong
Bitcoin Asia 2025 will take place on August 28 and 29, at the HKCEC. This premier gathering promises to bring together thousands of Bitcoin enthusiasts, industry leaders, innovators, and media representatives from around the globe to explore the latest trends and opportunities in the Bitcoin and blockchain ecosystem.
Following its successful debut in Hong Kong last year, Bitcoin Asia has become a leading platform for dialogue, innovation, and collaboration in the cryptocurrency space. The 2024 edition attracted widespread participation and set the stage for high-level discussions on topics ranging from policy and technological advancements to market trends and investment strategies.
The 2025 conference is expected to surpass previous milestones, with over 5,000 attendees, 200 speakers, 500 companies represented, and more than 100 sponsors participating. It will also feature major media outlets and a curated art gallery showcasing groundbreaking ordinal art projects.
The main stage will host keynote speeches and panels from the biggest names in Bitcoin and blockchain, providing invaluable insights into the future of decentralized finance. The expo hall will serve as a hub for networking, allowing participants to engage with top companies, projects, and investors from across the industry. Attendees can also explore an exclusive Bitcoin Asia merchandise collection and enjoy immersive digital art installations in the Bitcoin Asia Art Gallery.
Korea Blockchain Week 2025
September 22-27, 2025
Seoul, South Korea
Korea Blockchain Week (KBW) 2025 will take place from September 22 to 27, in Seoul, South Korea. The event is expected to surpass previous milestones, following the success of last year’s highlights, which included over 61,700 attendees, 870 speakers, 300 sponsors, and 780 side events. The week-long program will provide exclusive opportunities for participants to exchange insights, explore groundbreaking projects, and forge meaningful connections within the global blockchain ecosystem.
Recognized as one of the most influential blockchain and Web3 events globally, KBW serves as a gateway to the vibrant and innovative Asian crypto market. This annual festival is a convergence of blockchain leaders, Web 3.0 pioneers, entrepreneurs, and a dynamic community of enthusiasts. It promises an unparalleled platform for dialogue, innovation, and collaboration, solidifying Korea’s position as a global hub for blockchain advancement.
KBW’s flagship conference, IMPACT, is a focal point of the event, featuring keynote speeches, engaging panel discussions, interactive workshops, project showcases, and immersive experiences that blend technology, culture, art, and music. This holistic approach makes KBW a distinctive and enriching event that goes beyond traditional conferences.
Hong Kong Fintech Week 2025
November 3 -7, 2025
Hong Kong
Join the tenth annual Hong Kong FinTech Week (HKFTW), the city’s largest and most influential gathering of international leaders in finance and technology. In 2024, they welcomed over 37,000 attendees from 100+ economies to explore opportunities in Hong Kong, across Asia, and beyond.
Featured image credit: edited from freepik