APAC Fintech Hiring & Retention Trends to Watch in 2025

FinTech Talent Acquisition in APAC: Key Opportunities & Challenges

Is your FinTech business ready to compete for top talent?

The APAC region is fast becoming a FinTech powerhouse. As demand increases for personalised services and cross-border payments, the competition intensifies to find the right talent. The APAC FinTech market’s growth is expected to reach £171.32 billion this year and £359.83 billion by 2030. (Mordor – APAC FinTech market size & share analysis). This highlights the increasing growth of the sector.

As the market grows, competition intensifies. In 2025, over 100 new banking challengers are anticipated to emerge. This is in addition to the 66,000 FinTech start-ups in Asia. (IDC FinTech and Digital Banking Report 2025). The growing collaboration between banks and FinTech firms drives technology and hiring demand. Industry leaders, such as Shadab Taiyabi from HSBC, have highlighted the need for innovation. They believe staying ahead of trends is key to being competitive. (HSBC – Why Asia’s FinTech Landscape Is a Horizon of Opportunities).

Given these trends, businesses must rethink their talent strategies. Offering competitive compensation packages and adapting recruitment tactics will be vital in 2025 to stay ahead of competitors.

Emerging Trends in APAC FinTech Talent Acquisition

A key driver of tech roles across APAC is the rise in partnerships with large financial institutions. 87% of APAC banks plan to partner with FinTech firms in the next 12 to 18 months. However, 12% intend to develop in-house FinTech solutions (Financial Services Review).

Our market data shows the demand for FinTech talent in APAC is rising. New ideas in blockchain, payments, and digital assets drive this growth. In 2024, the talent pool increased by 61%. Among the top regions for hiring rate growth are Singapore, Hong Kong, and Greater Sydney, with roles in software engineering and product management the most in demand.

However, as talent pools grow, job opportunities in Asia-Pacific are still scattered. This shows the challenges of different regulations in each area. The differences in financial rules across APAC create problems for companies of all sizes. This is especially true for start-ups entering the market and for established businesses that want to grow quickly.

Navigating Regulatory Challenges in APAC’s Crypto & Digital Assets

Regulatory uncertainty remains a major challenge for FinTech companies. While countries like Singapore have embraced FinTech-friendly policies, other APAC nations still face inconsistent regulations. For example, Singapore’s Payment Services Act (PSA) clearly guides digital payment token services, setting a strong example for other countries. However, nations like India and Indonesia still lack comprehensive regulations for digital assets, leaving businesses uncertain about compliance.

This regulatory confusion is hindering innovation. Many financial institutions and crypto businesses are facing challenges. 52% say unclear rules are slowing their progress. This information comes from the Elliptic – State of Crypto 2025 report. The European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation is creating a unified crypto framework. This could lead to similar changes in APAC. Hong Kong, which recently became more crypto-friendly, is also leading the way with its licensing system for crypto exchanges.

To stay ahead FinTech companies must stay informed on regulatory changes. This includes working with local legal advisors, using proactive compliance measures, and following international trends like the MiCA framework. These steps could help shape APAC’s regulatory future.

As rules change, we expect more companies to benefit from hiring legal and compliance experts. This will help them simplify processes and stay compliant.

Shifting Toward Contract & Interim Professionals

We previously discussed how strategic contract recruitment has driven innovation and agility in the last year. However, this shift remains a theme for People Strategies in 2025 (EC1Partners- Strategic Contract Recruitment).

To stay agile and address any skills gaps, FinTech companies are increasingly embracing contract and interim roles. These flexible models offer cost savings and allow businesses to evaluate talent before committing to permanent hires. As the demand for expertise in digital assets and blockchain increases, these strategies will be critical for FinTech companies looking to scale effectively.

First-Hand Insights into Hiring Trends and Predictions for 2025

Simon Eglise, Co-Founder and Managing Director of EC1 Partners, shares key insights on the trends shaping APAC FinTech recruitment strategies in 2025:

“Crypto markets are gaining serious momentum. Since the US elections, there’s been a shift toward more crypto-friendly policies, which has boosted confidence across the industry. As a result, we’re seeing more investment in Web3 and blockchain, with firms prioritising partnerships, tech innovation, and commercial hires.

Payments continue to be one of the fastest-growing areas, especially for businesses integrating crypto. Companies offering crypto-linked payment solutions are scaling rapidly, which means demand is soaring for business development, partnerships, and sales roles. On the technical side, a lot of hiring is shifting offshore, with hotspots emerging in ASEAN and China. At the same time, compliance and legal professionals remain critical—particularly in regulated sectors like trading and payments.

AI is another big trend. More AI-native firms are entering the market, challenging traditional SaaS providers with faster, more efficient solutions. This is shaking up the competition and pushing companies to rethink how they leverage technology.

Regarding hiring, leadership roles are still centred in financial hubs like Singapore, Hong Kong, and Sydney. But we’re seeing more companies open up remote opportunities for non-leadership positions, which broadens access to talent and improves cost efficiency.

Singapore remains the go-to base for FinTech firms expanding into APAC—it’s the regional HQ of choice and a launchpad for innovation. Meanwhile, interest in UAE-based opportunities has cooled, with more professionals now looking to APAC for their next career move.”

These trends will redefine how FinTech firms hire in the APAC region in 2025.