31st International Seminar (Virtual) on Digital Finance, Emerging Technologies and Regulatory Governance

Kerala Law Academy Law College (KLA), established in 1966 and affiliated with the University of Kerala, is a centre for legal studies, legal research and law reforms. Its peer-reviewed Research Journal has been published continuously since 1977. KLA invites papers for its 31st International Seminar (Virtual) on "Digital Finance, Emerging Technologies and Regulatory Governance: Legal, Policy and Global Perspectives", to be held on 22nd August 2026.

The seminar aims to provide a multidisciplinary platform for academicians, researchers, legal practitioners, policymakers, regulators, industry professionals, financial institutions, technology experts, research scholars and students to deliberate on the legal, regulatory and governance challenges arising from the rapid advancement of digital finance and emerging technologies.

It seeks to foster critical dialogue on contemporary legal and policy issues, comparative regulatory frameworks and global governance mechanisms shaping the future of FinTech, blockchain, cryptography, artificial intelligence, digital assets, decentralized finance (DeFi), Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) and Web3 technologies.

Papers may be submitted on any topic aligned with the central theme. Illustrative sub-themes include:

• Digital Finance and the Future of Financial Systems
• Financial Technologies (FinTech): Opportunities and Regulatory Challenges
• Blockchain Technology: Legal, Commercial and Governance Perspectives
• Comparative Approaches to the Regulation of Digital Finance
• Anti-Money Laundering (AML), Counter-Terrorist Financing (CTF) and Compliance
• Data Protection, Privacy and Digital Financial Ecosystems
• Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs): Legal and Policy Perspectives
• Cross-Border Digital Transactions and Private International Law

• Papers must align with the theme, in Times New Roman (heading 14 pt, text 12 pt), A4 size, single line spacing, justified, not exceeding 2500 words including title, author details and footnotes.
• Footnotes in Times New Roman 10 pt; The Bluebook (20th ed.) citation style is encouraged.
• An abstract not exceeding 250 words, with a cover page, must be submitted for consideration.
• Only one paper per participant. Co-authorship is permitted up to two authors.
• Papers must be original, unpublished and written in English. Plagiarism leads to disqualification.

Selected research articles will be published in the Seminar Book with ISBN. All registered participants (presentation and participation) will be awarded certificates.

• Paper Presentation (Author): Rs 1250
• Co-Author: Rs 1000 per co-author
• Seminar Participation only: Rs 250

Email the abstract along with a cover page (title, sub-theme, author name, institution, designation, email, postal address and contact number) to internationalseminar31@gmail.com. Submission must be in Word format. Registration is completed through the official Google Form.