Myanmar’s Fintech Sector Poised for Growth Despite Regulatory Challenges
Introduction
The rise of fintech in Myanmar has the potential to revolutionize the country’s financial landscape. However, this growth also poses significant challenges for regulators and supervisors, who must balance the need to foster innovation with the requirement to contain risks.
Digital Banks on the Rise in Myanmar
Digital banks, or neobanks, are becoming increasingly important in Myanmar’s financial markets. These entities offer more competitive services than traditional banks but are more exposed to risks from consumer lending, which can be uncollateralized and has fewer buffers against losses.
- Higher risk-taking in securities portfolios
- Lower liquidity levels compared to traditional banks
- Greater exposure to consumer lending risks
Regulators Face Daunting Task
The rapid growth of fintech firms poses a challenge for regulators, who must balance the need to foster innovation with the requirement to contain risks. Traditional banks are feeling the pressure from fintech firms, which can scale up quickly and offer more competitive services.
- Balancing innovation and risk management
- Ensuring proportionate regulation of fintech firms and traditional banks
Decentralized Finance Raises Concerns
Decentralized finance (DeFi) is a rapidly growing sector that offers the potential for innovative, inclusive, and transparent financial services. However, it also involves significant risks, including market, liquidity, and cyber risks.
- Market risks: volatility in cryptocurrency prices
- Liquidity risks: difficulty in converting assets to cash
- Cyber risks: vulnerability to hacking and data breaches
Regulators Must Step Up
As more financial-services activity moves from regulated banks to entities with little or no oversight, the stakes are raised for regulators. They must balance the need to foster innovation with the requirement to contain risks and protect consumers and investors.
Policies Needed to Regulate Fintech Sector Proportionately
Policies that target both fintech firms and traditional banks proportionately are needed to ensure that opportunities are fostered while risks are contained. For neobanks, this means stronger capital, liquidity, and risk-management requirements commensurate with their risks.
The Challenge for Myanmar’s Regulators
The growth of fintech in Myanmar presents a significant opportunity for innovation and financial inclusion but also poses complex regulatory challenges. As the sector continues to grow, regulators must step up to ensure that opportunities are maximized while risks are contained.