Early in November of 2020, Sage, the market leader in cloud business management solutions, revealed its first-ever list of the most visionary finance professionals across the globe. The Finance Futurists, presented by Sage, are a diverse group of finance leaders selected from a variety of sectors and backgrounds. They have been recognized for driving innovation and showing leadership across businesses of all sizes.
The Financial Futurists were recognized for their contribution to their business and industry, demonstrated by a commitment to technological evolution and outstanding leadership qualities. Common among this year’s Finance Futurists was a drive to bring the finance function to the core of business success, and a unique combination of analytical and soft skills. The Finance Futurists also displayed the ability to thrive in uncertain times, and an openness to looking for tech solutions in new places.
To recognize these Financial Futurists Insightful Accountant is featuring them in a special Finance Futurist Fridays series, today we are looking at Aqsa Zubair, a FinTech Specialist at the Bermuda Monetary Authority.
Aqsa Zubair is one of the world’s first and youngest Blockchain regulators - on the leading edge of creating regulatory frameworks, technical solutions, and thought leadership for FinTech and Blockchain regulation globally. As a FinTech Specialist at the Bermuda Monetary Authority (BMA), Aqsa is responsible for the licensing and authorization of digital asset businesses in Bermuda and operates as a lead regulatory supervisor for digital asset business licensed entities. She delves heavily into internal innovation transformation projects to transform processes, build innovative products/solutions, and embed innovation within the organization.
Aqsa works with global consortiums like the Global Financial Innovation Network, comprising of 60+ regulatory organizations worldwide, on cross-border solutions testing, regulatory sandbox initiatives, thought leadership and RegTech. Previously, Aqsa built FinTech and Blockchain strategies and products. She worked with financial services institutions, start-ups, and the public sector to enable new lines of business, innovate existing processes, and understand how emerging technologies could enable access to financial services for underserved populations. Financial inclusion is a topic close to her heart and something she’s spoken about at conferences worldwide.
Last year, Aqsa co-founded Canada’s first Cryptocurrency un-conference called Cryptocamp, administering numerous FinTech and Blockchain learning sessions to hundreds of executives, students, and entrepreneurs. Her goal is to greater enable Blockchain and financial literacy in her community and discuss issues hindering the wide adoption of FinTech. Aqsa’s passion and progress have earned her a seat at the delegation of Blockchain for Impact at the United Nations Headquarters for discussions on using technology to support the UN’s sustainable development goals. She is currently writing a book for businesswomen across Canada, about how to navigate the corporate world as a millennial in a new industry.
(Biographical content reproduced and/or adapted from Sage: Meet the Finance Futurists with permission of Sage.)