The tenacious and resourceful co-founder and CEO of Mauritius’ first digital exchange has been crowned Most Innovative FinTech CEO in the APAC CEO of the Year Awards, announced on 29 May 2024.
The APAC CEO of the Year Awards, now in their third consecutive year, seek to recognise and congratulate hardworking CEOs dedicated to innovation and success in the Asia-Pacific region. The APAC CEO of the Year Awards 2024 is a prestigious recognition that honours the accomplishments of CEOs who have made significant contributions to their organisations and the Asia-Pacific region. This award provides CEOs with an opportunity to demonstrate their exceptional leadership skills and be acknowledged for their hard work and dedication.
For her part, Jessica Naga is the brains behind MINDEX, which was the first licensed digital custodian in Mauritius as of December 2022 following the enactment of the Virtual Assets and Initial Token Offering Services Act (VAITOS) 2021 in February 2022. Since then, MINDEX has gone from strength to strength with three new licences under its belt:
– The Virtual Assets Marketplace licence in December 2023
– The clearing house licence in February 2023
– The digital securities exchange licence in February 2023
Overall, MINDEX is now well poised to offer a digital custodian, exchange, clearing and settlement facilities as well as a virtual assets marketplace under its three separate licensed group entities in Mauritius. As such, the MINDEX Group aspires to establish a fully regulated virtual asset ecosystem spanning Mauritius, Africa, and beyond.
The award to Jessica as Most Innovative FinTech CEO bears even greater significance as the awards jury notes that the remarkable success and prosperity of APAC countries can be attributed to their embrace of AI and digital technologies. “Experts predict that APAC will emerge as the leading region in the AI race, given that 30% of organisations within the region are expected to reap significant benefits from the introduction of AI technologies. Additionally, the introduction of GenAI will be yet another innovation that will help APAC stay ahead of its international counterparts. While new technologies and digitisation come with risks, organisations that approach them with confidence and careful strategic planning will reap the rewards of these innovations. By blazing new trails and embracing new technologies, companies in the APAC region will help to propel the region onto the world stage for AI.”
Commenting on the Award, Jessica Naga, co-founder and CEO of MINDEX, said: “It is not easy to build something for Africa, and in Africa. I am humbled by this win as most innovative FinTech CEO in the APAC region, which is leading the world in its adoption of disruptive technologies in response to the real needs of the masses, and not just for hype or incremental automation as it is in Europe. As the pioneering virtual assets player in the African continent for regulated digital assets, MINDEX has always led the way in financial services innovation, providing an inclusive ecosystem for retail investors. This award shows us that our work is being recognised, and gives us the motivation to intensify our efforts to reach into the remotest corners of the continent by building a complete and regulated financial infrastructure that can bridge the gap between the traditional financial system and the digital arena.”
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About MINDEX:
MINDEX aspires to establish a fully regulated virtual asset ecosystem spanning Mauritius, Africa, and beyond.
By leveraging Mauritius’ dual strengths as a regulated crypto asset jurisdiction and an International Financial Centre, MINDEX is dedicated to providing innovative financial solutions to a diverse clientele including global organisations, large companies, governments, and investors.
With a comprehensive suite of services encompassing listings, automated transactions, collateralisation, fund administration, asset management, and post-trade support, MINDEX harnesses blockchain technology to streamline financial services and products.
About APAC Insider:
APAC Insider was launched in 2015, marking the beginning of its journey as a leading platform for business insights in the Asia-Pacific region.
Since its inception in 2015, APAC Insider has published 36 magazines, highlighting its commitment to delivering timely and insightful content on a regular basis.
We now have a circulation of 105,000 business individuals, a testament to our growing influence and the value we provide to businesses and professionals across the Asia-Pacific region.
