Southeast Asia is in the early stages of a takeoff in e-wallet adoption that is likely to transform the financial industry. The competition for market leadership is wide open and furious. But for digital finance to make the next big leap in scale, both incumbent banks and new digital challengers must overcome obstacles. We speak to Aparna Bharadwaj, Managing Director & Partner, Boston Consulting Group; Global Leader for BCG’s Center for Consumer Insight on how we are driving the digital payment revolution here in South East Asia.

<a href="https://www.bcg.com/en-sea/publications/2020/southeast-asian-consumers-digital-payment-revolutions.aspx%20">Southeast Asia is in the early stages of a takeoff in e-wallet adoption that is likely to transform the financial industry</a>. The competition for market leadership is wide open and furious. But for digital finance to make the next big leap in scale, both incumbent banks and new digital challengers must overcome obstacles. We speak to Aparna Bharadwaj, Managing Director &amp; Partner, Boston Consulting Group; Global Leader for BCG&rsquo;s Center for Consumer Insight on how we are driving the digital payment revolution here in South East Asia.

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Helping you navigate the ever-changing universe of business, from headlines to the bottom line

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The Digital Payment Revolution

After 25 years in Malaysia, the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ Malaysia programme is no longer just a prestigious award. It's a strategic advantage and defining opportunity for every nominee, not just the winners.

We discuss:


EY's globally standardised framework, which measures what actually matters, gives founders a rare, rigorous outside view of where their business truly stands.


The "Short MBA" Effect: The application process forces founders to challenge their assumptions and rediscover their business purpose. Past entrepreneurs call it “one of the most clarifying experiences” of their entire journey.


Access to 25 years of Malaysia's top entrepreneurs, and a seat alongside global peers at the World Entrepreneur Of The Year event in Monaco.


Four categories: Emerging, Technology, Women, and Master. More businesses are eligible than you'd expect. Nominations close 15 June 2026.

After 25 years in Malaysia, the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ Malaysia programme is no longer just a prestigious award. It's a strategic advantage and defining opportunity for every nominee, not just the winners.We discuss:<ul><li>EY's globally standardised framework, which measures what actually matters, gives founders a rare, rigorous outside view of where their business truly stands.</li><li>The "Short MBA" Effect: The application process forces founders to challenge their assumptions and rediscover their business purpose. Past entrepreneurs call it “one of the most clarifying experiences” of their entire journey.</li><li>Access to 25 years of Malaysia's top entrepreneurs, and a seat alongside global peers at the World Entrepreneur Of The Year event in Monaco.</li><li>Four categories: Emerging, Technology, Women, and Master. More businesses are eligible than you'd expect. Nominations close 15 June 2026.</li></ul>

Could You Be Malaysia's Next EY Entrepreneur Of The Year?

Southeast Asia’s regional E-commerce GMV has hit USD$157 billion, but the market has reached a point where three platforms control most of it. Weihan Chen of Momentum Works joins the show to reveal why the record numbers hide a "growth without equilibrium".

Tune In To Find Out:


The AI Myth: Why artificial intelligence is reinforcing platform monopolies rather than democratising the marketplace for small-scale sellers.


The Take-Rate Gap: Why "official" 13.5% platform fees don’t reflect other costs that push the real burden on brands above 30%.


Moats vs. Commodities: Why physical delivery is now just a baseline requirement and the specific strategic value of "Orchestration" in the quick commerce war.


Content as the Storefront: How video and live streaming transitioned from marketing tools to core sales channels, now accounting for 32% of total GMV.


Renting vs. Owning: The defensive necessity of the Brand.com strategy and why established brands must stop "renting" customers from platforms that can change algorithms overnight.

Southeast Asia’s regional E-commerce GMV has hit&nbsp;USD$157 billion, but the market has reached a point where three platforms control most of it. Weihan Chen of Momentum Works joins the show to reveal why the record numbers hide a "growth without equilibrium".Tune In To Find Out:<ul><li>The AI Myth: Why artificial intelligence is reinforcing platform monopolies rather than democratising the marketplace for small-scale sellers.</li><li>The Take-Rate Gap: Why "official" 13.5% platform fees don’t reflect other costs that push the real burden on brands above 30%.</li><li>Moats vs. Commodities: Why physical delivery is now just a baseline requirement and the specific strategic value of "Orchestration" in the quick commerce war.</li><li>Content as the Storefront: How video and live streaming transitioned from marketing tools to core sales channels, now accounting for 32% of total GMV.</li><li>Renting vs. Owning: The defensive necessity of the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://Brand.com">Brand.com</a> strategy and why established brands must stop "renting" customers from platforms that can change algorithms overnight.</li></ul>

SEA’s $157B E-commerce Market: Unequal Growth?

Hiring your first, or even your 50th, employee isn't just about growth; it comes with legal obligations that many businesses underestimate. When those obligations are ignored, the consequences are both punitive and costly. Sara Lau of law firm Skrine joins the show to discuss where employers go wrong, accidentally or maliciously, including why a simple notice clause cannot protect you from an unfair dismissal claim.

Tune In To Find Out:


The 24-Month Penalty: Why permanent employees can secure up to two years of back wages if they fail the "just cause and excuse" test.


The PMR Protocol: A forensic breakdown of the three legal pathways to termination, Performance, Misconduct, and Retrenchment, and the specific evidentiary requirements for each.


The Statutory Minefield: Why commissions, bonuses, and long-term incentives are subject to EPF and how one oversight cost an employer millions.


The "Acquiescence" Trap: Why letting minor misconduct slide today prevents you from taking legal action tomorrow.


Ironclad Separation: How to utilise MSS and VSS schemes to avoid unilateral termination risks while ensuring documents are legally protected.

Hiring your first, or even your 50th, employee isn't just about growth; it comes with legal obligations that many businesses underestimate. When those obligations are ignored, the consequences are both punitive and costly. Sara Lau of law firm Skrine joins the show to discuss where employers go wrong, accidentally or maliciously, including why a simple notice clause cannot protect you from an unfair dismissal claim.Tune In To Find Out:<ul><li>The 24-Month Penalty: Why permanent employees can secure up to two years of back wages if they fail the "just cause and excuse" test.</li><li>The PMR Protocol: A forensic breakdown of the three legal pathways to termination, Performance, Misconduct, and Retrenchment, and the specific evidentiary requirements for each.</li><li>The Statutory Minefield: Why commissions, bonuses, and long-term incentives are subject to EPF and how one oversight cost an employer millions.</li><li>The "Acquiescence" Trap: Why letting minor misconduct slide today prevents you from taking legal action tomorrow.</li><li>Ironclad Separation: How to utilise MSS and VSS schemes to avoid unilateral termination risks while ensuring documents are legally protected.</li></ul>

The Digital Payment Revolution

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