RD Technologies' Rita Liu on Leadership, Regulation, and the Future of Tokenized Payments

Welcome back to Digital Vanguards, a series by Hivemind spotlighting the visionary founders and leaders who are shaping the future of digital assets and the blockchain industry.

Today, we are excited to feature Rita Liu, CEO of RD Technologies, one of Hivemind’s portfolio companies driving the evolution of global payments and tokenized money. RD Technologies is tackling the complex challenges of cross-border payments with innovations like the HKDR stablecoin and their stablecoin payment platform, creating seamless solutions that bridge traditional finance with emerging digital ecosystems.

In this conversation, Rita shares her insights on navigating the intersection of compliance and innovation, scaling transformative financial technologies, and her vision for a future where tokenized money drives global economic efficiency.

Dive in below!

You joined Mode Global Holdings, a digital asset company, in 2020, before which you were at Alipay for nearly 10 years. What was it that drew you to the world of blockchain and eventually to RD Technologies?

Getting into the blockchain space was actually a coincidence when I joined Mode, but when I first read the Bitcoin white paper, I was captivated by the revolutionary potential of blockchain technology. It was clear to me that this innovation had the power to transform productivity and redefine ownership in profound ways. Bitcoin sparked my imagination, inspiring a new perspective on how money could move cross borders and without intermediaries. And since then I went down the rabbit hole of the crypto world.

Today, this field excites me more than anything else, it’s my belief that tokenized money will revolutionize payment and finance, this is what drives my passion and commitment in shaping this ?future with RD Technologies.

You first joined RD Technologies as COO and were appointed CEO just a few months later—a trajectory that mirrors your previous transitions into CEO roles at both Alipay UK and Mode Global. What do you think enabled you to make such an immediate impact? For those aspiring to follow a similar path toward leadership, what advice would you offer on preparing for and succeeding in these types of roles?

The blockchain and Web3 industry is constantly evolving, offering countless opportunities for those ready to adapt and contribute. This dynamic landscape requires leaders who can navigate change, identify opportunities, and drive innovation. My background in payments, and fintech, witnessing the breakneck speed of growth and innovation of fintech in China, has equipped me with the agility and goal-oriented mindset needed? in such environments.

This industry transformation, especially the shift toward institutional adoption, creates immense opportunities for experienced leaders from traditional finance who are open to embracing blockchain and Web3 technologies. For those aspiring to leadership roles in this space, my advice is simple: be proactive, step up when opportunities present themselves, and stay committed to continuous learning and adaptation. Leadership in Web3 requires a tireless curiosity, willingness to take calculated risks and a passion for driving change.

You are also a champion of female leadership in technology, what advice would you offer to women aspiring to lead in the blockchain and fintech industries?

For women aspiring to lead in the blockchain and fintech industries, my advice is simple:

1. Step Forward: Opportunities often come to those who take the initiative. Don’t hesitate to step out of your comfort zone and pursue roles or projects that challenge and inspire you.
2. Believe in Yourself: Confidence is key. Trust in your skills, expertise, and ability to make a meaningful impact in these rapidly evolving industries.
3. Go the Extra Mile: Success in any field requires dedication and resilience. Be willing to go above and beyond to overcome challenges and deliver results that set you apart.

The blockchain and fintech sectors are dynamic and full of opportunities, and female leaders have a vital role to play in shaping their future.

Bridging Web2 and Web3 is a central theme for RD Technologies. With your experience across traditional financial systems and emerging technologies, what do you think are the most critical challenges in making this connection seamless for users?

Bridging Web2 and Web3 is an exciting yet complex challenge that requires addressing two key issues:

1. Education and Collaboration: For Web2 and Web3 to converge seamlessly, we need to foster mutual understanding between both communities. This demands continuous communication, education, and open-mindedness, coupled with patience. Talent convergence is essential bringing together expertise from both realms to drive innovation and integration, and mutual understanding
2. User-Centric Solutions: In Web3, it's crucial to focus on solving real-world, everyday problems with simple, intuitive user interfaces. Instead of prioritizing flashy technology or relying on industry jargon, we need to design accessible solutions that make Web3 approachable and practical for users from all backgrounds.

At RD Technologies, we are committed to tackling these challenges head-on, ensuring a seamless connection between traditional systems and emerging technologies.

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Your experience spans diverse markets, from Europe’s established systems to Asia’s dynamic tech landscape. What’s the key to adapting business models for different regions while maintaining a consistent vision?

Throughout my career, I have been dedicated to making payments more seamless, inclusive, and cost-efficient. Regardless of the market, success begins with identifying and addressing users’ pain points to create real value for them. Having lived and worked extensively in both Europe and Asia, I’ve witnessed firsthand how cultural differences shape the problems that need solving.

For instance, QR code payments were a transformative solution in Asia, addressing the region’s need for accessible digital payments. In contrast, Europe, with its established credit card infrastructure and later the adoption of Apple Pay, focused more on reducing high merchant fees. At RD Technologies, we aim to leverage stablecoins to enable seamless and efficient cross-border payments. This aligns with my career-long vision of improving global payment systems by adopting the latest technologies to address specific challenges for specific customer groups, all while maintaining a global perspective.

Navigating regulation is one of the most complex challenges for blockchain startups. What lessons have you learned from working with regulators, and what advice would you give to founders trying to build trust in this space?

Navigating regulation is undoubtedly one of the most complex challenges for blockchain startups. At RD Technologies, we are fortunate to be based in Hong Kong, where the government is known for its openness and willingness to engage with the market. Hong Kong fosters a two-way dialogue between regulators and industry practitioners, creating a collaborative environment for progress.

We actively provide market insights to regulators, and they, in turn, are receptive to feedback. Both regulators and market participants are learning and adapting together in this evolving space. Building trust requires consistent communication, patience, and a shared commitment to finding paths for mutual understanding. For founders, my advice is to embrace transparency, invest in open dialogue, and prioritize collaboration to align with regulatory frameworks effectively.

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RD recently closed their Series A1 Round, which Hivemind is proud to be a part of, and benefits from strong investor backing and a robust ecosystem network. For founders building in high-compliance environments, what’s your advice for attracting the right partners and stakeholders?

Attracting the right partners and stakeholders, especially in high-compliance environments, requires diligence and a strategic approach. At RD Technologies, we’ve been very deliberate in focusing on building meaningful relationships rather than overspending on flashy marketing campaigns. As a B2B company, our emphasis is on connecting directly with partners and stakeholders on the ground. This process involves significant effort, countless conversations, and a commitment to understanding mutual goals.

We are privileged to have the support of a robust ecosystem of investors, including Hivemind, whose contributions have been pivotal to our growth. Their backing not only reinforces our mission but also enhances our network and bolsters our credibility. To fellow founders, I recommend focusing on authenticity, fostering trust through direct and meaningful engagement, and seeking partners who truly align with your vision and values.

For blockchain founders seeking funding, what do you believe investors are looking for in this space, and how can founders best position themselves for success?

The Web3 industry has transitioned from its initial phase of rapid and speculative growth to a stage where investors are increasingly seeking projects that address real-world problems while demonstrating potential for long-term growth and meaningful impact.

At RD Technologies, we’re in for the long game. We believe stablecoins and tokenized money in general has the potential to revolutionize the payments landscape, fundamentally changing how money moves across borders. It’s not an easy task—it requires heavy lifting and a commitment to building something sustainable. The traditional payment systems we know today took decades to develop, and achieving similar success in this space demands patience and resilience.

My advice to blockchain founders is to focus on solving genuine challenges with a clear, impactful vision for the future. Investors value teams and projects that are not only innovative but also committed to delivering lasting solutions in this evolving industry.

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The HKDR stablecoin is a centerpiece of your efforts to bridge Web2 and Web3. How does it differentiate itself from existing stablecoins like USDC or Tether, and what impact do you expect it to have on the global financial ecosystem?

The HKDR stablecoin is designed to bridge Web2 and Web3 in a transformative way, setting it apart from existing stablecoins like USDC or Tether through several key differentiators:

1. Regulatory Recognition: HKDR is one of the first compliant stablecoins recognized by regulators, emphasizing trust and transparency in the evolving blockchain space.
2. Focus on Non-USD Currencies: While many stablecoins are pegged to the US dollar, HKDR pioneers as one of the first stablecoins tied to the Hong Kong dollar, diversifying the stablecoin ecosystem and addressing new use cases.
3. Strategic Roots in Hong Kong: As a product born in Hong Kong—a global financial hub with robust infrastructure for cross-border trade—HKDR is uniquely positioned to solve real-world challenges. From the outset, our mission has centered on enhancing cross-border payments and enabling seamless trade transactions.

What else is RD working on that excites you?

One of the most exciting initiatives we’re working on at RD Technologies is the launch of our stablecoin payment platform. This platform is designed to enable institutional clients to seamlessly send and receive stablecoins or fiat anytime, anywhere, creating a truly borderless and efficient payment experience.

We believe that fiat and stablecoins will coexist for a long time, and bridging these two worlds is foundational to shaping the future of tokenized money. By driving innovation in this space, we aim to empower businesses with the tools they need to thrive in the evolving financial ecosystem.

What is your vision for the payments space in the next 5-10 years?

We believe that fiat and tokenized money will coexist for a long time, and bridging these two worlds is foundational to shaping the future of tokenized money. That’s why within our group, we are not only building our own stablecoin, but also building the infrastructure to enable more adoption of stablecoins, by our stablecoin payment platform. This platform is designed to enable institutional clients to seamlessly send and receive stablecoins or fiat anytime, anywhere, creating a truly borderless and efficient payment experience.

By driving innovation in this space, we aim to empower businesses with the tools they need to thrive in the evolving financial ecosystem.

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Quick Hits:

• Morning Routine Must-Have: Stretching
• One Book Everyone Should Read: Human action
• What’s one tool or app you can’t live without in your workday: My calendar :)
• One myth about blockchain you’d love to debunk: In my view most myths have been debunked, the time for mass adoption is NOW !

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