10 Things You Need to Know about the Future of Finance
Ryan Johnson-Hunt explored how finance is undergoing a structural transformation driven by technologies like blockchain, tokenisation, and artificial intelligence.
Rather than focusing on digital currencies or retail speculation, his session focused on how programmable infrastructure is being used to streamline core financial processes such as settlement, compliance, and customer engagement. These technologies are not just theoretical—they are already being trialled by institutional players, often quietly, as part of broader modernisation efforts.
Johnson-Hunt framed this shift as a move from rigid, centralised systems toward more flexible, decentralised models that are more aligned with how digital business is conducted today. He described this transition as equivalent to the move from compact discs to streaming in the music industry—not yet fully realised, but already reshaping expectations and infrastructure. While New Zealand is not at the forefront of global fintech adoption, he argued it is well positioned to act as a fast follower due to its regulatory environment and appetite for experimentation.
A key part of his talk looked at the role AI can play when combined with structured, on-chain data. He explained how AI agents can automate real-time risk management, financial reporting, and decision-making. He also explored the importance of wallets, decentralised identity, and smart contracts in building new financial products and services. For businesses, the core message was not about chasing trends, but about starting with practical use cases that create value now and build capability for what’s next.
Takeaways
Tokenisation is changing how assets are represented and transacted
Shares, commodities, and other financial products are being issued and managed on-chain. This reduces cost, enables fractional ownership, and allows for faster settlement, with implications for both public and private markets.
AI thrives in environments with structured, real-time data
As financial data moves onto digital rails, AI systems can automate monitoring and execution. This is already being used in treasury management, trading strategies, and credit assessments.
Treasury teams are experimenting with programmable finance
Corporate treasuries in the US and Europe are starting to allocate small percentages of assets into tokenised formats, allowing smart contract functionality and better automation across risk triggers and payments.
Smart contracts reduce ambiguity in financial relationships
Whether in freelance contracting or supply chain financing, code-based contracts can automatically execute when predefined conditions are met, ensuring transparency and reducing the need for intermediaries.
Wallets are becoming the primary user interface
Wallets don’t just store digital currency; they also manage identity, access, and consent. This reduces reliance on passwords and centralised logins, offering a more secure and portable financial experience.
Embedded finance is expanding across platforms
Non-financial platforms are integrating banking, lending, and payments into their products. This blurs the lines between fintech and traditional sectors, requiring new forms of partnership and regulation.
Compliance processes are being rebuilt with AI and digital identity
KYC and AML functions are moving from static documents to dynamic, AI-assisted processes. These tools can adapt to changing regulations and improve customer onboarding flows.
Decentralised identity frameworks will change data ownership
Instead of submitting ID to every service, users will carry verified credentials in a digital wallet and selectively share them. This approach improves security and regulatory compliance while giving users more control.
New Zealand can move quickly through targeted innovation
Its smaller scale and collaborative industry environment make it an ideal place to prototype new financial models. Johnson-Hunt emphasised that agility, not size, will determine who leads in the next financial phase.
Long-term strategy should include infrastructure participation
Owning or contributing to the infrastructure layer, whether through partnerships or investment—gives businesses more control over how they innovate and interact with customers in the future financial system.
