Emerging Payments Association Asia (EPAA) and Monash University Malaysia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to address key challenges in the Asia Pacific (APAC) payments landscape. The three-year partnership, announced on 26 March 2026, will focus on translating academic research into actionable insights in areas such as quantum-safe cryptography, stablecoins, scams and fraud, and cross-border remittances.
The MoU, signed on 25 March 2026 at Monash University Malaysia by Professor Nafis Alam and EPAA CEO Camilla Bullock, aims to prepare the next generation of payments professionals and enhance APAC’s global competitiveness. Bullock emphasised the need for collaboration, stating, “APAC’s payments landscape is world-leading, but new technologies are creating policy challenges that no single institution can address alone.”
Professor Andreas Deppeler of Monash University Malaysia highlighted the importance of the partnership, noting that the rapidly evolving payments sector presents both opportunities and regulatory challenges. “By working together with the EPAA, we aim to strengthen policy development, build technical capability, and help prepare the next generation of payments professionals,” he said.
The collaboration will also see the convening of up to 200 senior leaders, academics, and regulators at the EPAA Connect – Payments Leaders Forum in Kuala Lumpur on 16 July 2026. The outcomes from this forum will guide joint research and capability-building activities, supporting a resilient payments ecosystem across the region.
