The 24th International Conference of Banking Supervisors (ICBS) took place on September 30–October 1, 2026, in Bali, Indonesia. Hosted by Bank Indonesia and the Indonesian Financial Services Authority, the event gathered approximately 300 central bankers and banking supervisors representing more than 60 jurisdictions. The conference focused on the future of global bank supervision, emphasizing the need for strong prudential frameworks amidst rapid technological advancement and digitalization.
Erik Thedéen, Chair of the Basel Committee and Governor of Sveriges Riksbank, delivered a keynote speech advocating for strong and modern supervision. He highlighted the ICBS as a unique forum for exchanging experiences and strengthening collective abilities to safeguard financial stability. Friderica Widyasari Dewi, Chairperson of the Indonesian Financial Services Authority, noted that discussions covered challenges driven by crypto-related technology and frontier artificial intelligence. She emphasized the importance of maintaining regulatory balance to anticipate emerging risks associated with broader banking activities.
The convening of senior supervisory authorities in Bali underscores the growing urgency for regulators to adapt oversight mechanisms to the realities of digital finance. By explicitly linking business transformations to crypto-related technology and artificial intelligence, the ICBS signals that traditional prudential boundaries are being re-evaluated. The emphasis on 'forward-looking and agile supervision' suggests a shift away from static compliance models toward dynamic risk management capable of addressing the speed at which new technologies integrate into banking infrastructure.
For institutional participants, the dialogue indicates that regulatory expectations regarding innovation will likely tighten rather than loosen. The call for a balance between innovation and resilience implies that banks expanding into crypto or AI-driven services may face stricter scrutiny on governance and operational controls. This environment requires firms to demonstrate not just technical capability but also robust oversight structures that align with international standards, potentially raising the barrier to entry for new digital banking initiatives.
