Hi SupTech Community,
Welcome to the bi-weekly issue of the Cambridge SupTech Lab LinkedIn newsletter, a source for updates on recent innovations, breakthroughs, opportunities, upcoming events in the suptech field, and news from the Cambridge SupTech Lab team.
If you would like to flag any items for inclusion in the next newsletter, please email us at cambridgesuptechlab@jbs.cam.ac.uk. Occasionally, we email our global community of supervisors, data scientists, vendors, and suptech experts to share event invites, news, or new courses—subscribe here.
This edition includes news from the Alliance for Innovative Regulation, Bank of Ghana, Central Banking, Central Bank of the Republic of Azerbaijan, European Central Bank, Indonesia Financial Services Authority, Financial Conduct Authority, Global Government Fintech, International Organization of Securities Commissions, Securities and Exchange Board of India, Toronto Centre, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, and others.
Suptech Innovations
Indonesia’s Financial Services Authority (OJK) launches new suptech tool to enhance capital market surveillance. The OJK has introduced OSIDA PMDK, a new data analytics application designed to improve capital market monitoring and investor protection. The system will initially focus on investor profiles and market segmentation, with plans to detect market manipulation and integrate advanced technologies like machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI). The launch aligns with OJK’s strategy to modernise supervisory tools and strengthen market oversight. Read more here.
Central Banking & Technology
European Commission’s Digital Innovation Lab (iLab) empowers data-driven initiatives with comprehensive repository. The iLab provides a robust Data Innovation Repository with over 100 resources, enabling organisations to navigate data-driven projects through intuitive filters and cutting-edge tools. The platform supports public administrations, academia, and industry by simplifying access to innovative methodologies and best practices for digital transformation. Read more here.
The United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) launches cyber and emerging technologies unit (CETU) to protect investors. The SEC has created CETU to combat cyber-related misconduct and protect retail investors. The 30-person team will focus on fraud prevention in emerging technologies, including AI, blockchain, social media, and cybersecurity while facilitating responsible innovation and market efficiency. Read more here.
Half of central banks have central data collection systems, Central Banking survey reveals. The Fintech Benchmarks 2025 survey found that 16 out of 32 central banks have a central data collection system, with only 25.8% using fully automated regulatory filing systems. Forty-five percent of institutions employ a semi-automated data collection approach, while 29% lack automation in regulatory filings. Read more here.
Azerbaijan Central Bank unveils suptech roadmap for financial innovation. On February 20, 2025, the Central Bank of Azerbaijan approved a supervision technologies roadmap developed with the World Bank, targeting technological advancements in financial sector supervision from 2024-2029. The initiative aims to enhance supervisory efficiency, improve regulatory reporting, and strengthen financial system stability through innovative data-driven technologies. Read more here.
Nasdaq partners with AuRep to modernise Austrian banking regulatory reporting using cloud technology. Nasdaq has signed an agreement AuRep to help around 90% of Austrian credit institutions move their regulatory reporting infrastructure to the cloud, upgrading their legacy on-premises solution to Nasdaq AxiomSL. The cloud-based platform will support early compliance with the European Union’s Integrated Reporting Framework and enable banks to create and submit reports more efficiently. Read more here.
Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) launches ‘Bond Central’ to boost transparency in corporate bond market. SEBI has introduced the centralised database portal for corporate bonds, which the Online Bond Platform Providers Association developed in collaboration with market infrastructure institutions. The free, publicly accessible platform aims to enhance market transparency by providing comprehensive bond listings, price comparisons, and investor-centric information. The first phase went live in February, with additional features to be added based on stakeholder feedback. Read more here.
Study reveals suptech’s disciplinary impact on bank risk reporting. A study published as a working paper of the Central Bank of Brazil found that banks reduce risk-taking after suptech interventions. Banks tightened credit to less creditworthy firms and revealed inconsistencies in risk reporting, suggesting a moral suasion effect that helps regulators discipline bank behaviour through advanced technological supervision. Read more here.
The International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) reveals technological gaps in global market surveillance. IOSCO’s Thematic Review found that most market authorities have made significant progress in addressing technological challenges to market surveillance. Still, some regulators lack the necessary capabilities for effective cross-border monitoring. The review identified concerns about organisational limitations, data collection challenges across multiple trading venues, and the need for systematic surveillance of increasingly complex financial markets. IOSCO emphasises the importance of up-to-date tools and resources to combat market abuse in a rapidly evolving technological landscape. Read more here.
Ghana’s e-Cedi: Offline central bank digital currency (CBDC) to boost financial access in 2025. Ghana is preparing to roll out its CBDC, the e-Cedi, in 2025, focusing on offline functionality to enhance financial accessibility in rural areas. Learning from Nigeria’s eNaira challenges, the Bank of Ghana aims to create a digital currency that functions like physical cash, particularly for unbanked populations. The initial rollout will use a centralised system, with potential blockchain integration in the future. Read more here.
European Central Bank (ECB) launches ‘Supervision Spotlight’ newsletter to illuminate banking supervision trends. The ECB has introduced Supervision Spotlight, a new newsletter focusing on key trends and developments in banking supervision. The inaugural edition explores risk data collection and reporting, with future issues set to cover topics like securitisation, energy performance data for commercial real estate, and supervisory work insights. The newsletter aims to provide valuable information for supervisors and those interested in European banking stability. Read more here.
Thailand to launch tokenised government bonds, targeting diverse investors. Thailand’s government plans to issue Baht 5 billion in tokenised bonds by September 2025, allowing investors to participate with as little as Baht 1,000. The ‘sandbox’ initiative aims to reach diverse investors, raise capital, and leverage blockchain technology for more efficient government debt issuance. Read more here.
Eurosystem advances digital asset settlement with central bank money platform. The ECB is expanding its initiative to settle distributed ledger technology (DLT) transactions using central bank money. The two-track approach aims to develop an interoperable platform with TARGET Services and explore a long-term integrated solution for DLT transaction settlements, including international operations. ECB executive board member Piero Cipollone emphasised the goal of enhancing European financial market efficiency through innovative yet safe technologies. Read more here.
Study reveals Central Banks’ climate risk management driven by politics, not economic exposure. A new research publication examines how central banks across OECD and G20 countries manage climate and energy transition risks. The study finds that central banks’ approach to re-risking fossil fuel investments and de-risking clean energy investments is more influenced by national climate politics than by economic vulnerability. The research suggests central banks may act as political actors, potentially reinforcing national decarbonisation policies rather than operating as purely independent risk managers. Read more here.
Malaysia’s Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) and Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) unite to combat rising online scams. The two parties have agreed to enhance cooperation in fighting online scams, leveraging AI and strengthening enforcement capabilities. In 2024, the SC received 4,859 public complaints about scams, while online service providers took down 66,507 scam-related content. The regulators will collaborate on enforcement, prevention, and public education to address the growing threat of online fraudulent activities. Read more here.
United Kingdom (UK) Government Digital Service (GDS) launches tender for open banking integration in Gov.UK Pay. The UK’s GDS has initiated a procurement process to embed open banking technology into Gov.UK Pay – its central online payment platform. The £49.2 million contract, set to begin in July 2025, aims to enhance payment options for public sector organisations, currently serving 1,228 services across 440 organizations with £6.4 billion in processed transactions since 2016. Read more here.
EU funds cautiously embrace AI while increasing exposure to AI Companies. According to recent European Securities and Markets Authority research, EU investment funds show cautious AI integration in their operations, with only a small portion actively using AI in investment processes despite a peak in such funds in 2023. Asset managers primarily use generative AI to support human decisions rather than for autonomous strategies. Meanwhile, actively managed equity funds have increased their AI company holdings by over 50% since 2023, reflecting the broader AI market rally but potentially introducing new portfolio risks. Regulators and policymakers worldwide are monitoring AI implications as poorly managed systems can exacerbate vulnerabilities through algorithmic biases, feedback loops, and data quality issues, potentially impairing effective risk management. Read more here.
Events
Toronto Centre Leadership Program empowers women regulators in Sub-Saharan Africa. The Toronto Centre is offering an online leadership program for women supervisors and regulators from Sub-Saharan Africa via Zoom from February 17th to May 16th, 2025. The program develops key behavioural competencies, addressing workplace challenges through emotional intelligence, team management, gender equality, action planning, and women’s financial inclusion. It aims to strengthen leadership skills and empower women in regulatory roles. Read more here.
Webinar: Model risk management for financial institutions in the generative AI era. The Alliance for Innovative Regulation (AIR) and Google Cloud will host a 90-minute virtual webinar on March 13, 2025, examining risk management frameworks for generative AI in financial institutions. The event will discuss a recently released white paper addressing GenAI model performance, outputs, and compliance considerations. Experts will explore how financial services can adapt risk management strategies to the evolving generative AI landscape. Read more here.
Global regulators urge tech upgrades to match crypto oversight. Panellists at the Central Banking Spring Meetings held in Cape Town on February 26th highlighted the critical need for central banks to develop technological capabilities to effectively regulate and monitor cryptocurrency activities, particularly in combating money laundering and terrorist financing risks. Read more here.
