Venom Foundation Proposes Blockchain Solutions to Southeast Asia Central Banks

Venom Foundation, a blockchain infrastructure provider based in Abu Dhabi, has formally proposed to central banks and financial regulators across Southeast Asia to collaborate on developing sovereign-grade digital financial systems. This initiative aims to tackle long-standing issues in the region, such as payment fragmentation, delayed settlements, and regulatory oversight, by introducing a public-sector-ready Layer-1 blockchain protocol.

The proposal, addressed to key institutions including the Monetary Authority of Singapore, Bank Negara Malaysia, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, and the State Bank of Vietnam, outlines Venom’s vision for a compliant, modular infrastructure platform. This platform is designed to support essential government functions, including stablecoin issuance, cross-border payments, and on-chain KYC/AML compliance, while maintaining full interoperability with existing banking systems.

Central to Venom’s proposal is a governance structure that grants partial validator control to designated public-sector entities. This approach is intended to bridge the trust gap between regulators and blockchain infrastructure, allowing governments to maintain oversight without compromising the efficiency of decentralized architecture. According to the foundation, this model ensures that governments can leverage the benefits of blockchain technology while adhering to regulatory standards.

“Our mission is to empower governments and institutions through next-generation blockchain technology, strengthening their sovereign capabilities and unlocking new opportunities for their citizens,” said Christopher Louis Tsu, CEO of Venom Foundation. Venom’s platform is already operational and includes features tailored for institutional adoption, such as ISO 20022 compatibility for integration with SWIFT-connected banking systems and a modular framework that allows governments to adopt components individually.

Pilot programs are already underway in the Philippines, where Venom is collaborating with local financial institutions on stablecoin applications and real-time settlement experiments. A broader regional rollout is anticipated in 2025, beginning with the deployment of a cross-border payment and settlement layer designed for use by public-sector entities. This initiative underscores Venom’s commitment to supporting national autonomy while enabling cross-border cooperation, positioning blockchain as a neutral infrastructure layer rather than a disruptive alternative.

However, challenges remain in the path of public-sector blockchain adoption. Historical barriers include institutional hesitancy, integration complexity, and a lack of regulatory clarity. Venom’s emphasis on modularity, standards compliance, and formal government partnerships is aimed at mitigating these risks, making the adoption of blockchain technology more feasible and beneficial for governments in the region.