Maybank Singapore Joins MAS' BLOOM Initiative to Advance Programmable Cross-Border Settlements

Maybank Singapore has joined the Monetary Authority of Singapore's (MAS) BLOOM initiative to support the development of next-generation cross-border payments and transaction banking infrastructure through programmable settlement.

BLOOM, which stands for Borderless, Liquid, Open, Online, Multi-currency, is an industry initiative aimed at enhancing cross-border settlements using tokenised bank liabilities and regulated stablecoins to create a more interoperable and seamless financial ecosystem. The initiative, launched by MAS in October 2025, enables settlement in tokenised bank liabilities and well-regulated stablecoins, whilst effectively managing risks in the rapidly evolving digital settlement asset landscape through standardised approaches. Through BLOOM, MAS collaborates with the financial industry to address challenges and opportunities of common interest, extending settlement capabilities offered by financial institutions.

Building on ASEAN Tokenisation Momentum

Maybank's participation in BLOOM builds on its growing involvement in tokenisation initiatives across ASEAN, positioning the bank as a key player in the region's digital finance transformation.

The bank has already demonstrated its commitment to blockchain-based innovation through several landmark projects. In April 2026, Maybank anchored Malaysia's first tokenised sukuk pilot by sovereign wealth fund Khazanah Nasional Bhd and the Securities Commission Malaysia. With a nominal value of RM100 million, the tokenised issuance forms part of Khazanah's Sukuk Danum Programme, an Islamic medium-term notes programme of up to RM20.0 billion based on the Shariah principle of Wakalah bi al-Istithmar. Maybank participated as lead manager, custodian, and investor in the transaction, which tested how distributed ledger technology can support sukuk origination, settlement, and post-issuance activities.

Prior to that, in March 2026, Maybank completed the first real-time on-chain Malaysian ringgit-Singapore dollar foreign exchange conversion and cross-border payment for Yinson Holdings Bhd under Bank Negara Malaysia's Digital Asset Innovation Hub. The project integrated tokenisation of bank deposits with an on-chain FX conversion and a subsequent cross-border payment from Malaysia to Singapore in near real-time, utilising Maybank's permissioned blockchain. Yinson participated as the first corporate participant in the pilot, which explored on-chain cross-border payments involving ringgit and other ASEAN deposit tokens.

Strategic Alignment with ROAR30

Country CEO and CEO of Maybank Singapore Alvin Lee said the bank aims to help shape common standards and infrastructure principles for the future of digital finance in collaboration with MAS and industry participants, including fintech players.

"This aligns with ROAR30, our five-year strategic plan to deliver values-based offerings, making banking more efficient and accessible, especially for small and medium enterprises (SMEs)," he said in a statement.

As part of ROAR30, Maybank has committed to invest RM10 billion over five years in technology, data, and artificial intelligence (AI), including digital investments in tokenisation. The strategy, launched in January 2026, aims to deliver stronger and sustainable growth with a target return on equity of 13 to 14 per cent by 2030. The investment will be guided by four priorities: establishing a resilient foundation, embracing new technologies such as AI and machine learning to optimise productivity, delivering best-in-class user experiences, and enabling new ways of working for employees.

The BLOOM participation represents a natural extension of Maybank's digital ambitions, leveraging its experience in tokenisation to contribute to the development of regional standards for programmable settlement.

Global Recognition for Corporate Responsibility

Separately, the bank announced that it was recognised at the Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2026 as the World's Best Bank for Corporate Responsibility, Asia's Best Bank for ESG, and ASEAN's Best Bank for Large Corporates.

Leading the Group's achievements is its first-ever global recognition as The World's Best Bank for Corporate Responsibility, making Maybank one of only two Asia-headquartered banks to receive a global award this year. The bank also received three new regional recognitions, namely Asia's Best Bank for Diversity and Inclusion and Best Bank for ESG. Overall, Maybank secured 13 awards across various categories at the Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2026.

The Path Forward

Maybank's participation in MAS's BLOOM initiative marks another step in the bank's journey to becoming a digital-first financial institution. By contributing to the development of programmable settlement infrastructure, the bank is positioning itself at the forefront of the next generation of cross-border payments and transaction banking.

As ASEAN's digital economy continues to expand, the need for efficient, interoperable, and secure cross-border payment systems has never been greater. Maybank's involvement in BLOOM, combined with its track record in tokenisation and its substantial investment in technology and AI, suggests that the bank is well-positioned to play a leading role in shaping the future of digital finance in the region.