Luno's Institutional Digital Asset Conference (LIDAC) 2026 is set to return to Kuala Lumpur on September 24th, bringing together over 600 professionals from finance, government, and the digital asset sector. This highly anticipated event promises to be a hub of innovation and regulatory insight, especially given the rapid evolution of Malaysia's digital asset landscape.
A Regulatory Landscape in Flux
Malaysia's digital asset market is experiencing significant growth, with trading value reaching RM17.14 billion in 2025, a 23% increase from the previous year. This surge in activity has prompted the Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) to revise its exchange framework, allowing operators to list eligible digital assets without individual approval for each one. However, this comes with stricter investor safeguards and financial standing requirements.
Dr. Wong Huei Ching, SC's Executive Director for Digital Strategy and Innovation, will address the new listing regime, regulatory sandbox, and the SC's approach to tokenized securities and institutional participation at LIDAC 2026. This session is crucial for exchange operators, fund managers, and compliance teams navigating the evolving regulatory environment.
Concrete Progress in Banking
The afternoon sessions will delve into concrete examples of Malaysia's banking experiments. Bank Negara Malaysia's Digital Asset Innovation Hub (DAIH) is testing three initiatives involving ringgit stablecoins and tokenized deposits for domestic and cross-border wholesale payments. Standard Chartered Malaysia and Capital A are leading one of these initiatives, exploring a ringgit stablecoin through BNM's hub.
John Ho, Head of Legal and Financial Markets at Standard Chartered, will discuss taking tokenized money beyond pilot projects. Meanwhile, Gerard Ang, Malaysia Head of Financing and Securities Services, will join a panel on stablecoins. Maybank, another key player, has already completed its first tokenized deposit transaction, converting ringgit to Singapore dollars on-chain and settling the payment in near real-time.
A Local Case Study in Tokenization
Capital markets have their own example of tokenization. Khazanah Nasional and the SC priced Malaysia's first tokenized sukuk on April 28th, a RM100 million issuance using distributed ledger technology. CIMB acted as the sole principal advisor, lead arranger, and facility agent on this groundbreaking deal.
An afternoon breakout session at LIDAC will explore the practical work involved in tokenizing securities and real-world assets across Malaysia and the region. This includes discussions on the Khazanah sukuk issuance, featuring speakers like Ranjit Gill from Kenanga, Teong Hng from Satori Research, and Lucas Ooi, Co-Founder of Halogen Capital.
A Malaysian Perspective on Shariah
The sukuk issuance also highlights Malaysia's expertise in structuring and regulating Shariah-compliant capital market products. Distributed ledger technology raises new questions around certification, governance, and the integration of new infrastructure within existing requirements.
A dedicated breakout session will bring together Dr. Azrul Azlan Iskandar Mirza from the SC, Suhaida Mahpot from Amanie Advisors, and Arham Merican from Sharlife Shariah Adviser. They will discuss tokenized sukuk, crypto fund certification, and programmable Islamic finance, offering a distinctly Malaysian perspective on these topics.
Beyond Stablecoins and Tokenization
While stablecoins and tokenization take center stage, LIDAC 2026 covers a broader spectrum of topics. A morning panel on institutional adoption features Halogen Capital, Luno, and Monochrome Asset Management. A compliance discussion will involve Inn Sann Yiow from Maybank Group and Faradina Ghouse from AmBank.
Former Deputy International Trade and Industry Minister Prof. Dr. Ong Kian Ming will analyze digital assets against the current macroeconomic backdrop after lunch. Institutional custody will be a key focus with sessions featuring Gambit Custody, BitGo, and Anchorage Digital. Regional and institutional perspectives will be shared by UOB, OCBC, and Franklin Templeton.
Empowering Malaysian Founders
The final panel will bring together Malaysian founders Siong Ong from Jupiter, Bobby Ong from CoinGecko, and Matthew Tan from Etherscan. They will discuss building products that have found users beyond Malaysia's borders, offering valuable insights for institutions considering their digital asset strategies.
A Timely Event for Institutions
LIDAC 2026 is particularly relevant for institutions still deciding on their digital asset integration. The event provides a unique opportunity to connect with regulators, custodians, fund managers, and banks already testing the technology. With BNM expected to provide greater clarity on ringgit stablecoins and tokenized deposits by the end of 2026, this conference is a must-attend for anyone navigating Malaysia's evolving digital asset landscape.
Register now to secure your spot at this influential event, which is also HRDC claimable. Don't miss out on the chance to be at the forefront of Malaysia's digital asset revolution!
