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Sam Lin
CTO
Adroitly navigating the intricacies of the digital ecosystem, CTOs in Singapore drive innovation and guarantee strong, secure technological foundations for their enterprises by keeping a close watch on new trends and potential hazards. In his current role as Chief Technology Officer at dtcpay, Sam Lin has created a core system architecture, assembled an affordable IT team from the ground up, and matched technological strategy with financial and business objectives. Driving development and guaranteeing security in a rapidly changing market, his work at dtcpay sits at the nexus of fintech and crypto.
With a strong interest in technology, Lin began his career in business and eventually found success in the finance industry. Having laid the foundation for his entrepreneurial spirit, he co-founded SHOWIT Network Technologies in 2008, where he oversaw marketing and sales. He moved into the tech sector and became a fintech specialist after gaining knowledge of system architecture and mobile payment solutions.
Embarking in an engaging interaction with CEO Insights Asia magazine, Lin shares his strategies, future roadmap, and much more. Here is an excerpt from the conversation.
As the CTO, how do you ensure data security and privacy from external and internal attacks?
Data security is an ongoing challenge for which there is no ideal answer. I therefore employ a dynamic defense approach considering the shifting landscape and the expansion of our company.
We must adopt the mindset of an attacker—that is, consider their goals, potential rewards, and costs. This viewpoint helps us to formulate a defense plan that would be appropriate for the degree of possible threat.
Costs in terms of time, money, and tools are incurred by both attackers and defenders when using malware, social engineering, or hacking. In the beginning, we put in place simple security measures because we were a startup with little exposure. We did, however, considerably raise our security spending as our firm developed to match the increasing risk and potential interest from attackers.
Another important concern is Internal Security, particularly in the cryptocurrency sector. Internal attacks frequently start, whether because of staff carelessness or security flaws. We place a great deal of emphasis on internal controls and view every employee as a possible threat due to the risk of bribery or accidental violations.
Our goal is to provide a seamless experience while ensuring that advanced technology is safe & easy to use
What is your take on the dynamic technology trends in the sector and how would you describe its interventions in your organization?
Technology trends in the fintech sector are about how technology works in integration with business to develop solutions. It is this integration, not a particular technology like AI, that sets the trends.
Our goal is to unite the Web2 and Web3 sectors by concentrating on cross-border transactions, remittances, and payments. Here, blockchain technology matters not so much for cryptocurrencies as for its use in settlements. The benefit of blockchain is that it allows all parties to see transactions, something that organizations like Alipay and the Singaporean government are testing out in trial programs.
For example, Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) are being discussed globally. Our job is to integrate such infrastructure into daily life seamlessly. Users don’t care about the technology behind their transactions, but they care about security and user experience.
Our mission is to simplify and make complex technologies such as blockchain and CBDCs invisible to the user. Whether the money is from Paytm, WeChat Pay, or a CBDC, users want secure and seamless transactions. This is what we focus on in our organization. We aim to bring advanced technology into easy-to-use solutions for everyday people.
Tell us about your leadership approach. What are the methodologies you follow as a leader?
Understanding and adjusting to the many needs of my team and the company are the cornerstones of my leadership style. Everyone has different customs, behaviors, and work schedules. As a result, there isn't a single approach that works for everyone.
When my team members want independence and a feeling of accomplishment, I give them more power. I offer structured guidance for people who would rather have explicit directions. I modify my approach accordingly.
Beyond this, I must understand the bigger picture of business as a CTO. Although many people think of the CTO position as solely technical, it involves a thorough understanding of all aspects of the system, including sales, operations, compliance, technology, and finance. Everything in the fintech sector is automated and networked across departments. Developing a strong infrastructure requires understanding how each department of the company runs and making sure that all stakeholders are aligned.
What is the future destination you are headed towards?
I hope to take our company from being a top fintech company in Singapore to a major player on the global fintech scene. I am committed to driving this growth by leveraging our innovative capabilities and expanding our market presence worldwide. Eventually, we want to be listed on the NASDAQ, which would be an incredible achievement and a big step forward.
Considering your strong experience within the industry, what advice would you give to the upcoming industry leaders?
It is essential to uphold a strong ethical foundation in the fintech business, as it deals with both traditional banking and cryptocurrency and experiences substantial money flow. Particularly about cryptocurrency, there are a lot of unfavorable connotations, such as money laundering and criminal activity. These problems are genuine and result from the inherent temptations in the field.
Future industry leaders should constantly keep their bottom line in mind. It's easy to succumb to the promise of instant money in this profession, where billions may move quickly. But you must keep reminding yourself of your objectives and the reason you are in this field. Recognize your mission and allow it to direct your activities.
The most important part is to ask yourself what you want to achieve and what you are willing to do or not do to get there. Maintaining your integrity and ethical standards is vital. This industry is unique in that it constantly tests your values with numerous opportunities and temptations.
Remember that losing your ethical grounding can lead to disastrous consequences. Stay true to your principles, and let them guide your decisions, even when faced with lucrative but questionable opportunities.
In the end, the compass that guides your path in the finance business should be your integrity and purpose. You will protect your reputation and make a good contribution to the legitimacy and success of the industry if you remain loyal to your principles.
Sam Lin, CTO, dtcpay
Sam Lin holds a Master of Technology in Information Technology Leadership from the National University of Singapore. He has previously served as Chief Technology Officer at Mobile Credit Payment and held key roles at FEDEX and the Institute for InfoComm Research.
- Hobbies: Travelling, Playing Basketball
- Favorite Cuisine: Chinese
- Favorite Book: Romance of the Three Kingdoms by Luo Guanzhong
- Favorite Travel Destination: Japan