Singapore Fintech Industry Leader and Co-Founder of EFGH, Chia Hock Lai, Becomes Fellow of British Blockchain Association
London and Singapore, (ANTARA/PRNewswire) - Embed Financial Group Cayman Holdings (“EFGH”), headquartered in Singapore, today announced that Chia Hock Lai (“Chia”), one of its co-founders and also serving as Chief Executive Officer Asia, has become a Fellow of the non-profit British Blockchain Association (FBBA), one of the most prestigious titles in the global blockchain and distributed ledger technology ecosystem.
The title, the highest individual honour from the BBA, was officially awarded to Chia at Portcullis House during the 8th Blockchain International Scientific Conference (ISC2026) held in London on 27 March 2026. Three individuals received this title after a rigorous selection process involving more than 90 nominations. The other two recipients are Jonathan Berry (Rt. Hon. Lord Viscount Camrose), Shadow Minister for Science, Innovation and Technology and member of the UK House of Lords, and Joshua Ashley Klayman, a globally recognised expert in digital asset law and member of the BBA Advisory Board.
The Fellow title is a nomination-based recognition typically awarded to senior industry figures, academics, and policymakers who have contributed to the development of the blockchain ecosystem and its application in regulated and institutional environments.
Chia is one of two recipients of this title from Asia to date, and the only representative from the financial internet (“Finternet”) sector and digital asset infrastructure. He joins an elite group that includes parliamentarians, central bank advisors, and leading academics.
This recognition strengthens EFGH’s status as an industry leader, a Finternet company building foundational infrastructure for the financial services sector in Asia and Africa.
On 3 December 2025, EFGH signed a business combination agreement with a publicly traded special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) in the United States, with a pro forma enterprise value of approximately US$425 million, ahead of plans to list shares on the New York Stock Exchange. EFGH builds and implements financial and administrative infrastructure that integrates payment, insurance, and digital finance services into systems used by governments, companies, and financial institutions in Africa and Asia, including national-scale digital infrastructure initiatives.
Why This Recognition Matters
As digital assets become increasingly integrated with the financial sector, influence is no longer determined solely by technology, but also by participation in shaping standards and governance frameworks that support their use.
The recognition achieved by Chia demonstrates that a Singapore-based industry leader is playing a role in this global discourse, contributing to the design, regulation, and implementation of digital asset infrastructure across various markets.
It also reinforces Singapore’s position as a financial hub that not only adopts but also shapes global frameworks for digital finance.
A Figure Building Systems, Not Just Companies
Chia has over a decade of experience across various industries, regulations, and institutions in fintech and digital assets.
Currently, Chia serves as:
Chairman, Responsible Fintech Institute, a global non-profit organisation focused on responsible fintech practices
Co-chair, Digital Assets Association, an institution connecting institutions, exchanges, and infrastructure providers
Contributor to various regional initiatives on digital assets, tokenisation, and responsible AI in the financial sector
He has always advocated for collaboration between regulators, financial institutions, and technology providers to build infrastructure supporting the use of digital assets in the real economy.
Implications for EFGH
The recognition achieved by Chia in the BBA fellowship network strengthens EFGH’s position as a company operating in institutional and regulated environments, with a primary focus on global standards and policy directions that are increasingly important.
EFGH is a Singapore-based financial infrastructure company building the “Finternet” concept, integrating payment, insurance, and financial services into digital and physical systems in Africa and Asia.
As the company expands and plans broader engagement in capital markets, including plans to list shares in the United States, this recognition further enhances EFGH’s credibility with institutional partners, regulators, and investors.
Management Perspective
Dennis Ng, Executive Chairman, EFGH, said:
“This recognition reflects our current level of operations.
Modern financial infrastructure is not determined solely by technology, but also by standards and policies. A leader recognised in global networks supports us in collaborating with governments, regulators, and institutional partners across various markets.
It also reflects the role of Singapore-based leaders in building the future of digital finance.”
Chia Hock Lai, Co-Founder and CEO Asia, EFGH, said:
“I am greatly honoured to receive recognition that reflects the direction of this industry.
As digital assets evolve, we must shift focus towards building trusted, interoperable infrastructure aligned with regulatory expectations.
This focus requires close collaboration between industry, policymakers, and academics. I look forward to further contributions through this fellowship network.”
About Embed Financial Group Holdings (EFGH)
EFGH is a Singapore-based financial infrastructure company building “Finternet” by integrating payments, insurance, and financial services into digital and physical systems in Africa and Asia.
Through partnerships with governments, companies, and financial institutions