2026 Policy Priorities and Solutions - Flipbook - Page 11
The Digital Economy: Financial Technology, Digital Assets, and
Artificial Intelligence
As technology innovations rapidly evolve the financial services landscape, financial technology (FinTech)
provides the opportunity to accelerate access to capital, financial inclusion, transparency, and compliance to
build a system that offers more affordable and efficient financial services to the communities most underserved
by legacy institutions. Where financial infrastructure is increasingly moving on-chain and harnessing AI,
we are tracking the responsible development of innovations that impact digital identity, privacy, and global
payments. The Institute supports the responsible development of the digital economy and continues to offer
recommendations on the comprehensive regulatory frameworks necessary for innovative technologies like
artificial intelligence and blockchains powering digital assets.
Fair, Accessible, and Efficient Capital Markets
Capital markets drive economic growth and provide access to the American Dream. Institute experts work with
government policymakers and regulators to ensure that the markets and the capital they provide are available
to those who need them when they need them. In the US, our technical assistance and capacity-building
programs for small businesses and community-focused financial institutions open access to the American Dream
for traditionally underserved entrepreneurs. Globally, our partnerships with international financial institutions
and global corporations continue to build capacity among financial policymakers, regulators, and public-sector
financial asset managers worldwide as we work to ensure that developing and emerging markets are full
participants in global capital markets.
Development, Debt, and Fiscal Sustainability
It is widely recognized that the cost of investing in economic development, poverty reduction, and combating
climate change runs into the tens of trillions of dollars globally. Simultaneously, many nations have faced
ballooning debt challenges in the post-pandemic era, along with a rising interest rate environment, minimizing
their ability to make development and climate-related investments. We work with government partners to build
and strengthen the nexus between financial markets and public finance, supporting innovative strategies that
mobilize capital through the existing international financial architecture for investment in development.
Global Growth Through Capital Market Development
Robust capital markets and innovative finance drive prosperity by helping ensure that national savings are
efficiently allocated to the best private-sector growth opportunities. The Institute works with government
partners to build and strengthen emerging financial markets that promote private-sector-led growth while
supporting innovative financing and other development strategies. Over the past 10 years, our partnerships with
international financial institutions, world-class universities, and global corporations have built capacity among
more than 300 financial policymakers, regulators, and public-sector financial asset managers around the world.
Our rigorous training programs, supplemented by a tight-knit alumni network and a global convening platform,
provide rising financial leaders across more than 70 developing and emerging markets with the knowledge,
tools, and connections they need to create a step-change in financial market development, job opportunity, and
long-term economic growth in their home countries.
MILKEN INSTITUTE
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