The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), in collaboration with the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP), has launched the IADS Developer Hackathon, with a Kick-off Ceremony held on October 2.
The event marks the start of a multi-month programme aimed at fostering innovation in the Interbank Account Data Sharing (IADS) initiative and advancing banking services through secure, customer-consented data sharing.
Organised by HKSTP, the IADS Developer Hackathon will run from October 2025 to March 2026.
It brings together participants from the banking sector and fintech firms globally to develop solutions leveraging IADS to support digital transformation in Hong Kong’s banking industry.
Competitors will create use cases for retail, corporate and SME customer segments, with guidance from banking professionals.
Finalists will present their solutions at the IADS Developer Conference in March 2026, while winning teams may gain access to business expansion support, investor engagement platforms, and future pitching opportunities through HKSTP and partner organisations.
The IADS initiative, developed by the HKMA with support from the banking sector, establishes standards for interbank customer-consented data sharing.
It allows customers to securely share account data between participating banks, subject to their consent, and aims to digitalise banking operations, improve risk management, and enhance customer experience.
Nelson Chow, Executive Director (Financial Infrastructure) of the HKMA, said,
“The IADS Developer Hackathon represents an exciting opportunity for the financial and technology sectors to converge and drive innovation in IADS. We look forward to this event uncovering novel solutions that will benefit both the industry and the community.”
Eric Or, Acting Chief Corporate Development Officer of HKSTP, added,
“The IADS Developer Hackathon embodies the spirit of innovation and collaboration that HKSTP strives to foster. It will help catalyse innovation, providing valuable opportunities for startups to exchange and collaborate with the industry, and propelling Hong Kong’s position as a hub for financial technology and innovation.”
Featured image credit: HKMA