LexisNexis® 40 UNDER 40 2023

Samson Leo

Chief Legal Officer

FAZZ

LexisNexis® 40 UNDER 40 2023

Samson started his legal journey in Wongpartnership, in debt capital markets and financial services regulatory matters. His key matters include establishing a bank’s US$2b medium-term note programme, advising a French-listed financial group’s restructuring of Singapore regulated subsidiaries.

Samson subsequently co-founded Xfers, a fintech firm. Under his leadership as Chief Legal Officer, Xfers went from a startup in the YCombinator accelerator programme to a key player in the financial industry, developing into the first fully-digital Widely Accepted Stored Value Facility (WASVF), and subsequently, obtaining the Major Payment Instituition licence from the Monetary Authority of Singapore and the successful launch of the first stablecoin - the XSGD, under the StraitsX branding. An accomplished strategist, Samson successfully led Xfers in a merger deal to form the Fazz Financial Group (Fazz) in 2020 and most recently, in a Series C fundraising deal worth USD100m in 2022.

Samson is known for his commercial acumen and strategic vision. He is adept at product and business structuring, driving his team towards their organizational objectives. His leadership has seen the company seal impressive deals with renowned investors such as Tiger Global, MUFG, EDBI, BCapital, and Insignia, among others. He hones his team's abilities through strategic alignment while fostering a nurturing environment that encourages innovative problem-solving.

His dedication extends beyond Fazz and Xfers, earning him recognition for his anti-cybercrime efforts from the Ministry of Home Affairs and Singapore Police Force. His commitment to the betterment of the legal industry is well-regarded, regularly contributing in thought-leadership panels, mentorship, scholarly works and encouraging operational excellence within his team. Endorsements describe Samson as a key figurehead in the Singapore fintech scene, admired for his professionalism, civic duty, tenacity, and inspiring leadership style.