Tech Talk:
How Blockchain Is Shaping the Future of Finance and Beyond

Azhar Abu Talib is a Malaysian technologist and public-sector innovator with over 26 years at MIMOS Berhad, currently serving as Chief Executive Officer of My Blockchain Infrastructure Sdn Bhd. He leads national-scale platforms in digital trust, including verifiable credentials, secure transactions, and trusted data, alongside initiatives in big data and cybersecurity for government and regulated industries.

At MIMOS, he delivered solutions for agencies such as the Royal Malaysia Police, the Ministry of Finance, the Immigration Department of Malaysia, the Ministry of Health, among others. His work spans analytics platforms, identity and credential systems, and mission-critical applications.

Azhar holds a B.S. in Computer Science (minor in Mathematics) from Ohio University, where he earned multiple academic awards. He has authored peer-reviewed papers on trusted computing and holds patents in cryptographic methods and secure platforms. His current focus areas include verifiable credentials (DID/VC), sovereign digital identity, blockchain-anchored ticketing/anti-scalping, and data platforms tailored for public services and national infrastructure.

Teong is the CEO and Founder of Satori Research, a Hong Kong–based digital asset platform with a growing presence in Tokyo and Kuala Lumpur. He founded Satori with a clear vision: to bridge institutional finance expertise with the rapidly evolving digital asset ecosystem.

Before launching Satori, Teong spent a decade at Goldman Sachs, trading macro strategies across global markets. He later joined J.P. Morgan as a Portfolio Manager, where he managed over USD 10 billion in currency and interest rate risk exposure across Asia, overseeing complex institutional portfolios in highly dynamic markets.

In 2018, Teong was headhunted by SBI Holdings Japan, one of Japan’s leading financial groups. He served as Chief Operating Officer of SBI VCTrade, a regulated cryptocurrency exchange in Japan, where he played a pivotal role in strengthening operations and regulatory frameworks. He subsequently established and led the firm’s first internal crypto trading desk, positioning the organisation at the forefront of digital asset innovation.

Ranjit Gill joined Kenanga Investors Berhad in 2020 to head the Product and Market Development team, where he oversees Kenanga Investors’ existing and new offerings, as well as expanding its presence across multiple channels and markets. Prior to this, he amassed over 10 years of experience in finance, with 8 years in investment banking within the field of Corporate Finance with Kenanga Investment Bank Berhad and subsequently Affin Hwang Investment Bank Berhad. He started his career as an Investment Associate in a government-backed venture capital firm.

Dr. Mufti Yousuf Sultan is a seasoned professional in Islamic finance with a strong background in Shariah, technology and Fintech. As a CSAA from AAOIFI in Bahrain, PhD & MSc in Islamic Finance from INCEIF Malaysia, and Mufti in Shari'ah, Yousuf offers a unique skill set. In addition, he's a Registered Shariah Advisor with the Securities Commission of Malaysia and Labuan Financial Services Authority. He’s also a CIFE from Ethica in Dubai.

As the Founder and CEO of Adl Advisory in Malaysia, Dr. Yousuf provides Shariah advisory, consultancy, and training services. He also co-founded IFA Consultancy in Bangladesh, promoting Islamic finance through training, workshops, seminars, and consultancy. Yousuf is experienced in teaching, training, and advising on Shariah and Islamic finance, focusing on Islamic Fintech.

Dr. Yousuf is a sought-after speaker and Shariah advisor in Malaysia, Indonesia, South Africa, UAE, and Bangladesh. He's an active member of two Working Groups at AAOIFI and holds professional memberships with ASAS and CIIF. He's also a respected member of several Shariah committees, including Standard Chartered Saadiq Malaysia, Bangladesh Bank and others.

Dr. Yousuf has been invited to speak at high-profile events organized by institutions and universities such as the Central Bank of Malaysia, Securities Commission of Malaysia, AAOIFI, INCEIF, World Bank, Cagamas, ISRA, ASAS, MATA, Bangsamoro Government, and Nadil Iqtisad Kuwait. He's a recipient of the BAFF 2023 Award for contributing to Bangladesh's Islamic Finance industry, and INCEIF President Award 2023 for the best PhD student. Yousuf has published several research reports on Islamic finance, including the highly-regarded "Responsible Finance - Ethical and Islamic Finance: Meeting the Global Agenda", co-authored with Tan Sri Dr Zeti, former Governor of the Central Bank of Malaysia.