IMF Publishes Bali Fintech Agenda with 12 Policies for Banking Infrastructure

On October 11, 2018, the International Monetary Fund published the Bali Fintech Agenda, a comprehensive policy framework containing 12 principles for countries seeking to harness fintech opportunities while managing associated risks. The agenda covers key areas including enabling financial innovation, ensuring financial stability, addressing regulatory gaps, and promoting financial inclusion through technology. It explicitly addresses the role of banking infrastructure and digital platforms in expanding access to financial services globally.

The framework provides guidance relevant to banking-as-a-service models, API-based platforms, and cross-border embedded finance services. By establishing a multilateral policy consensus, the Bali Fintech Agenda gives regulators in emerging and developed markets a common reference point for fintech oversight. The publication was timed alongside the IMF's annual meetings in Bali, Indonesia, maximizing its visibility among global financial policymakers.