PwC’s Wanyi Wong highlights the need for synergy in a converging fintech landscape

She emphasises the value of scalable, risk-aware solutions that bridge startups and traditional finance.

The rapid evolution of fintech continues to reshape the financial services landscape, creating new opportunities and challenges for both startups and traditional institutions. As innovation accelerates, aligning agility with regulatory expectations has become crucial for sustainable growth.

Offering valuable insights is Wanyi Wong, PwC Singapore’s Fintech Leader and Banking and Capital Markets Partner within the Financial Services Practice. With extensive experience across PwC Network firms in Singapore, New York, and Sydney, she has developed a strong track record in delivering assurance and advisory services to a wide range of clients in the financial sector.

In her leadership role, Wong works closely with high-growth companies, emerging technology firms, venture capitalists, financial institutions, and regulatory bodies. Within the Fintech practice, which is supported by dedicated specialists across key verticals including payments, lending, web3, insurtech, and wealthtech.

As a judge at the ABF Fintech Awards 2025, Wong discussed aligning speed with risk controls, fostering cross-vertical collaboration, and leveraging technology to drive financial inclusion in digitalising economies.

What do you see as the biggest challenge when bridging the gap between high-growth fintech startups and traditional financial institutions?

I see the biggest challenge to be aligning speed versus risk management and controls. High-growth Fintech start-ups move swiftly but sometimes at the expense of formal risk management and controls. Whilst the agile model usually work for the Fintechs, a heavily regulated financial institutions may have control requirements to abide by.

With a team of specialists under your leadership, how do you ensure alignment and synergy across such diverse verticals within fintech?

Fintechs have blurred the lines between regulated financial institutions and technology players. Similarly, it is important for us to align with the ecosystem, by bringing our combined experience in regulatory compliance and also innovation in the technology space. For example, how do we help our clients to move fast but in a risk-controlled manner. We also cross-pollinate as the verticals are not so distinct and many Fintechs are broadening their product suite across different verticals.

How can fintech be leveraged to improve financial inclusion in underbanked communities, especially in rapidly digitalising economies?

For economies which are leapfrogging in digitalisation, the use of mobile platforms and alternative data analytics is the key factor in improving financial inclusion. The use of technology helps to lower costs and increase speed for the end users.

As a judge in the ABF Fintech Awards 2025, what qualities or innovations are you going to look for in the entries?

I look for innovations which can be sustained, scaled and also interoperable. It is important to show that these solutions are tested with real-life problems as well. They should solve financial challenges or improve traditional financial services.