A fireside conversation exploring the Asian Development Bank’s priorities on sustainable finance, regional development, and the role of digital innovation in strengthening financial systems across Asia.

Just as the internet transformed financial infrastructure 25 years ago, blockchain is now entering a decisive phase of adoption - shifting from promise to practical implementation and steadily becoming part of the core of financial infrastructure. While the essence of finance remains unchanged, the infrastructure of finance continues to evolve.

25年前、インターネットが金融インフラを変革したように、ブロックチェーンはいま決定的な普及段階に入りつつあります。構想から実装へと移行しながら、着実に金融の中核インフラの一部となってきています。金融の本質は太古より不変であるものの、金融インフラは進化が続いています

This flagship fireside brings together two of the most respected voices in capital markets. Kathy Matsui and Ravi Menon examine how capital markets must evolve to remain stable, competitive, and trusted in an era of climate transition, AI acceleration, and geopolitical fragmentation.

Both argue that sustainability is not an overlay — it is structural. Climate risk is financial risk. Diversity is economic growth strategy. AI governance is market stability. Capital allocation choices now shape not just returns, but the resilience of entire systems. 

The question is not whether finance is evolving.
It is whether we are redesigning it deliberately — or allowing political cycles and technological acceleration to dictate the outcome.

A dialogue about capital, power, and responsibility in a decade that will test financial leadership.