DeFi, Digital Assets, and Financial Crime
The rapid expansion of digital assets, decentralized finance (DeFi), and artificial intelligence is reshaping the landscape of financial regulation and financial crime. In this interview, the speaker examines how regulators around the world are responding to the growing integration of cryptocurrencies and digital assets into the global financial system. The discussion explores the opportunities created by financial innovation alongside the challenges posed by decentralized platforms, regulatory gaps, and the increasingly blurred lines between traditional and digital finance.
The interview also highlights the transformative role of artificial intelligence in both enabling and combating financial crime. As criminals leverage AI to create more sophisticated fraud schemes, synthetic identities, and cyber-enabled scams, financial institutions and regulators are adopting advanced technologies to improve detection, monitoring, and risk assessment. Looking ahead, the conversation considers whether regulatory frameworks, international cooperation, and technological innovation can keep pace with the speed of change, offering important insights into the future of financial security, compliance, and digital finance.
Speaker Biography
Priscilla Adams is Group Compliance Director at Bullish, where she built the company’s global compliance program across multiple jurisdictions following its launch in 2022. A financial crime compliance specialist, she previously helped develop AML/CFT programs at HSBC and has extensive experience in investigations, risk management, and regulatory compliance. She also serves on the board of the Fintech Association of Hong Kong, leads policy engagement with regulators, and is a frequent speaker at international forums including the World Economic Forum, INTERPOL, and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.
