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SINGAPORE, Sept. 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Responsible Fintech Institute (RFI), a new global nonprofit organization based in Singapore, today announced its official launch for creating a safe, trustworthy, and reliable digital finance ecosystem. The launch was held at the welcome dinner of the inaugural Digital Assets Summit 2025, an event organized by the Digital Assets Association (DAA) for which RFI was the title sponsor. During the launch, RFI signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the DAA to formalize their collaboration.
The RFI is dedicated to developing foundational digital utilities and fostering collaboration among both digital and traditional finance industry players. The founding members include Bison Group, supported by its affiliate, Bison Bank, OKG Technology, Remi Technology, VerifyVASP and the SlowMist. This powerful alliance of traditional finance, fintech service provider, and Web3 leaders underscores RFI's mission to bridge the gap between traditional and decentralized financial systems.
The institute will bring together diverse groups—including financial institutions, regulators, technology firms and academia —to co-build the necessary standards and infrastructure for new digital financial tools, making the digital asset world sustainable and inclusive for everyone.
"We are proud to stand with our founding members—Bison Group, OKG Technology, Remi Technology, VerifyVASP and the SlowMist—who share our vision for a more responsible and secure digital financial future," said Chia Hock Lai, Chairman of the Responsible Fintech Institute. "Their commitment and expertise are invaluable as we begin the critical work of building shared utilities that can support responsible innovation, protect consumers, manage financial crime risks, and drive industry growth."
"Bison Bank is committed to leveraging technology to build a more inclusive and secure financial system," stated Mr Bian Fang, Chairman of the Board, Bison Bank. "The Responsible Fintech Institute is geared to integrate cutting-edge innovation with a strong commitment to regulatory compliance and consumer protection, and its efforts would help shape a future where digital finance is both dynamic and trustworthy."
"As a leading blockchain technology solutions provider, OKG Tech understands the critical importance of balancing innovation with responsibility," said Jeffery Ren, Chairman and CEO, OKG Technology. "We are honored to be a founding member of the Responsible Fintech Institute and to contribute our technical expertise to develop the shared infrastructure that will empower a more secure and resilient financial ecosystem. This partnership is a testament to our dedication to fostering sustainable growth and ensuring a responsible digital future for all."
"Remi Technology's mission is to provide the critical infrastructure that bridges traditional finance and the next generation of digital assets," said Sam Su, CEO, Remi Technology. "Our interbank stablecoin clearing system is built to provide banks and financial institutions with a compliant, secure, and efficient way to transact globally. By joining the Responsible Fintech Institute, we are committed to collaborating with our peers to establish the standards and safeguards needed to ensure that this new era of financial connectivity is built on a foundation of trust and regulatory certainty."
"As a leading Travel Rule service provider, VerifyVASP's objective is to support the responsible growth of the Virtual Assets industry by enabling our members with objectives-based compliance through verified transactional data," commented Shihyun Chia, CEO, VerifyVASP. "We are proud to be a founding member of the Responsible Fintech Institute, where we can contribute both expertise and thought leadership to help build the shared utilities that are essential for global compliance in a borderless industry. This collaboration is crucial for advancing the industry's ability to combat financial crime and foster trust."
"At SlowMist, our mission has always been to enhance the security and resilience of the digital asset ecosystem," said Blue Yang, Partner & CTO, SlowMist. "By joining as a founding member of the Responsible Fintech Institute, we are proud to contribute our expertise in blockchain security to help build a safer, more transparent, and trustworthy financial future. Together with our partners, we will strengthen the foundations needed for responsible innovation and sustainable growth in the global digital finance industry."
RFI's first major initiative is the Verified Identity & Trust Alliance (VITA). VITA is a network that helps member companies verify customer identities, manage risk, and comply with key regulations such as Know Your Customer (KYC) and payment transparency. By providing a shared "stamp of approval" for digital wallets, VITA eliminates the need for redundant checks, increases trust and safety across the ecosystem, and protects user privacy by sharing only essential verification status and compliance-related information.
By uniting a diverse group of stakeholders, the RFI is poised to become a central force in shaping the future of finance, ensuring that the next wave of digital innovation is built on a foundation of trust and accountability.
About the Responsible Fintech Institute The Responsible Fintech Institute (RFI) is a global nonprofit organization based in Singapore. Our goal is to create a safe, trustworthy, and reliable future for digital finance by building the digital utilities to support responsible innovation. Our work involves bringing together different public and private sector stakeholders to help build the necessary rules and technology for new digital financial tools, making the digital asset world sustainable and inclusive for everyone.
SINGAPORE, Sept. 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Responsible Fintech Institute (RFI), a new global nonprofit organization based in Singapore, today announced its official launch for creating a safe, trustworthy, and reliable digital finance ecosystem. The launch was held at the welcome dinner of the inaugural Digital Assets Summit 2025, an event organized by the Digital Assets Association (DAA) for which RFI was the title sponsor. During the launch, RFI signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the DAA to formalize their collaboration.
The RFI is dedicated to developing foundational digital utilities and fostering collaboration among both digital and traditional finance industry players. The founding members include Bison Group, supported by its affiliate, Bison Bank, OKG Technology, Remi Technology, VerifyVASP and the SlowMist. This powerful alliance of traditional finance, fintech service provider, and Web3 leaders underscores RFI's mission to bridge the gap between traditional and decentralized financial systems.
The institute will bring together diverse groups—including financial institutions, regulators, technology firms and academia —to co-build the necessary standards and infrastructure for new digital financial tools, making the digital asset world sustainable and inclusive for everyone.
"We are proud to stand with our founding members—Bison Group, OKG Technology, Remi Technology, VerifyVASP and the SlowMist—who share our vision for a more responsible and secure digital financial future," said Chia Hock Lai, Chairman of the Responsible Fintech Institute. "Their commitment and expertise are invaluable as we begin the critical work of building shared utilities that can support responsible innovation, protect consumers, manage financial crime risks, and drive industry growth."
"Bison Bank is committed to leveraging technology to build a more inclusive and secure financial system," stated Mr Bian Fang, Chairman of the Board, Bison Bank. "The Responsible Fintech Institute is geared to integrate cutting-edge innovation with a strong commitment to regulatory compliance and consumer protection, and its efforts would help shape a future where digital finance is both dynamic and trustworthy."
"As a leading blockchain technology solutions provider, OKG Tech understands the critical importance of balancing innovation with responsibility," said Jeffery Ren, Chairman and CEO, OKG Technology. "We are honored to be a founding member of the Responsible Fintech Institute and to contribute our technical expertise to develop the shared infrastructure that will empower a more secure and resilient financial ecosystem. This partnership is a testament to our dedication to fostering sustainable growth and ensuring a responsible digital future for all."
"Remi Technology's mission is to provide the critical infrastructure that bridges traditional finance and the next generation of digital assets," said Sam Su, CEO, Remi Technology. "Our interbank stablecoin clearing system is built to provide banks and financial institutions with a compliant, secure, and efficient way to transact globally. By joining the Responsible Fintech Institute, we are committed to collaborating with our peers to establish the standards and safeguards needed to ensure that this new era of financial connectivity is built on a foundation of trust and regulatory certainty."
"As a leading Travel Rule service provider, VerifyVASP's objective is to support the responsible growth of the Virtual Assets industry by enabling our members with objectives-based compliance through verified transactional data," commented Shihyun Chia, CEO, VerifyVASP. "We are proud to be a founding member of the Responsible Fintech Institute, where we can contribute both expertise and thought leadership to help build the shared utilities that are essential for global compliance in a borderless industry. This collaboration is crucial for advancing the industry's ability to combat financial crime and foster trust."
"At SlowMist, our mission has always been to enhance the security and resilience of the digital asset ecosystem," said Blue Yang, Partner & CTO, SlowMist. "By joining as a founding member of the Responsible Fintech Institute, we are proud to contribute our expertise in blockchain security to help build a safer, more transparent, and trustworthy financial future. Together with our partners, we will strengthen the foundations needed for responsible innovation and sustainable growth in the global digital finance industry."
RFI's first major initiative is the Verified Identity & Trust Alliance (VITA). VITA is a network that helps member companies verify customer identities, manage risk, and comply with key regulations such as Know Your Customer (KYC) and payment transparency. By providing a shared "stamp of approval" for digital wallets, VITA eliminates the need for redundant checks, increases trust and safety across the ecosystem, and protects user privacy by sharing only essential verification status and compliance-related information.
By uniting a diverse group of stakeholders, the RFI is poised to become a central force in shaping the future of finance, ensuring that the next wave of digital innovation is built on a foundation of trust and accountability.
About the Responsible Fintech Institute The Responsible Fintech Institute (RFI) is a global nonprofit organization based in Singapore. Our goal is to create a safe, trustworthy, and reliable future for digital finance by building the digital utilities to support responsible innovation. Our work involves bringing together different public and private sector stakeholders to help build the necessary rules and technology for new digital financial tools, making the digital asset world sustainable and inclusive for everyone.
** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **
Global Nonprofit RFI Launches to Bridge Traditional and Decentralized Financial Systems
HONG KONG, Jan. 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- As we move into 2026, Metis Global (Cook Islands) Limited ("Metis CI"), a subsidiary of Metis Global Group, has officially launched its brand-new regular savings trust plan, the "Starry Pro Plan." The plan integrates regular contributions, international trust protection, and diversified asset allocation arrangements to deliver an integrated solution for clients with medium- to long-term financial planning needs, balancing asset accumulation, structural stability, and legacy planning.
Amid rising market volatility and the increasing prevalence of cross-border allocation, clients are placing greater emphasis on the robustness of legal arrangements when planning for savings, education, or retirement objectives. Metis CI notes that the Starry Pro Plan is designed to help clients establish a forward-looking and disciplined financial structure with an accessible entry threshold.
20-Year Regular Contribution Design to Establish a Stable Financial Rhythm
The Starry Pro Plan adopts a 20-year regular savings trust structure with a standard Contribution Payment Term ("CPT"). Through consistent contributions, clients can gradually accumulate assets and establish a stable rhythm for financial planning under various market conditions. The plan is available for individual or joint applications of up to two persons and primarily targeting medium- to long-term financial goals.
Diverse Underlying Asset Design Supporting Different Financial Orientations
With respect to portfolio selection, the Starry Pro Plan provides two underlying asset options, allowing clients to make choices based on their personal circumstances and overall planning considerations at the point of application.
One option tracks the performance of the S&P 500 Index, representing a widely recognised benchmark of the U.S. equity market across multiple sectors and reflecting the long-term development of mature capital markets. The other is selected by clients from portfolios managed by third-party professional institutions, with allocations and adjustments made according to established investment strategies and market conditions.
Both approaches adopt a regular allocation mechanism to support the gradual accumulation of portfolio value across different market cycles.
International Trust Framework Strengthening Asset Protection and Legacy Arrangements
Metis CI serves as the trustee of the "Starry Pro Plan." Metis CI is a licensed trust company legally registered in the Cook Islands under the Trustee Companies Act 2014 and is regulated by the Cook Islands Financial Supervisory Commission ("FSC"). The Cook Islands is renowned for its mature common law system and the International Trusts Act 1984, and has long been regarded as an international jurisdiction with a robust legal foundation for trusts.
Under the trust structure, clients can appoint beneficiaries through a Letter of Wishes, significantly simplifying the asset transfer process. Assets are held under the independent custody of DBS Bank in Singapore and are fully segregated from the assets of Metis CI, thereby strengthening asset security.
Flexible Mechanisms Designed for Different Life Stages
Recognising that financial circumstances may change during a long-term contribution period, the "Starry Pro Plan" features several flexible options, including a Contribution Holiday, adjustments to contribution amounts, and a partial withdrawal mechanism. Throughout the CPT, clients can utilise up to 24 months of Contribution Holiday in total. Clients may also reduce the regular contribution amount or apply for partial withdrawals after the Initial Contribution Period, ensuring that their planning can adapt flexibly to changing life circumstances.
A Structure-Oriented Financial Tool
Metis CI states that the "Starry Pro Plan" emphasises structural design and medium- to long-term financial thinking. Through a defined contribution framework, a robust trust legal structure, and independent custody arrangements, the plan supports clients in building a more focused and resilient financial blueprint amid ongoing market uncertainty.
** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **
Metis "Starry Pro": Achieving Greater Wealth Stability in a Changing Landscape.
