Exciting times at the Unchain Festival and EDFA Meetings in Budapest and Oradea!
Exciting times in Budapest and Oradea as our Fintech Belgium team joined the GA and Supervisory Board Meetings of EDFA and Unchain Festival!
Alessandra Guion, along with our Board Members Robert Masse and Xavier Corman, travelled to Budapest and Oradea for the General Assembly and Supervisory Board Meetings of the European Digital Finance Association (EDFA). They also participated in the Unchain Festival, organised by one of EDFA members and dear friend Cosmin Cosma.
EDFA is quickly shaping up into an incredibly promising and dynamic association of fintech hubs, focusing on boosting member benefits through strong networking opportunities. The association focuses on providing services related to Business Development, Market Access, Exchanges, Public Affairs, and Support for Associations. Notably, EDFA is also a part of the Global Fintech Alliance, which was presented on stage at the Unchain Festival in Oradea.
One of the trip's highlights was Alessandra moderating an insightful panel discussion on "The Fintech Perspective." She was joined by Rodrigo García De La Cruz (Asociación Española de FinTech e InsurTech), Sergio Zocchi (Italia Fintech), Takeshi Kito (Elevandi Japan), and Nic Balaceanu (RoFintech). The panel explored the latest trends and developments in the fintech industry, regulatory challenges and opportunities across various markets, and successful fintech case studies.
Key takeaways from the discussion included:
Consistent challenges remain prevalent across the globe.
An increasing weight of regulation, particularly strong in the EU.
Access to talent and training continues to be a major hurdle, with Takeshi providing insights into Japan's ageing population.
Fintech companies face ongoing struggles with market expansion and go-to-market strategies.
Alessandra emphasised that addressing these challenges requires creating functional ecosystems by bringing all stakeholders to the table and fostering healthy communication. This approach will lead to meaningful collaborations between fintechs and financial institutions, including academics and regulators.
Additionally, the Unchain Fintech Festival hosted the Stars of Fintech competition, an exclusive interview series showcasing the three most innovative and exciting fintechs among EDFA member countries. This unique opportunity highlighted the trailblazers and visionaries within the EDFA community and beyond. The selected Stars of Fintech were Robert Masse, Founder of Paynovate from Belgium; Patrick Mollard, Co-founder of Fipto from France, and Keiu Kalaus, CPO of Mifundo from Estonia. These interviews were conducted by Koen Vanderhoydonk.
It was very special to meet at the Unchain Festival and EDFA meetings Jose M. Moreno de Barreda, Koen Vanderhoydonk, Szabolcs Károly Pápai, Roxana Olaru, Ioana Rus, Cristina Reichmann, Walter Salicath, Jozsef Czimer, Jiri Hauptmann, Nikola Iva Zuimaca, Niklas Sandqvist, Daniel Furset, Don Ginsel, Kristen Charvin, Gabor Dávidházy, Rodrigo García de la Cruz, Sergio Zocchi, Tina Luse, APNÚ, Bulgarian FinTech Association, Czech Fintech Association, Finance Estonia, France FinTech, Holland FinTech, Hungarian Electronic Payment Service Providers Association, ItaliaFintech, Fintech Latvia Association, Fintech Norway, FinTech Poland, Romanian Fintech Association, Spanish Fintech and Insurtech Association, Swedish Fintech Association, Ukrainian Association of FinTech and Innovation Companies.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our dear friend Alex Panican, who remains the master of ceremony for his dynamic and clever management of the content and care for all the speakers. Special thanks and congratulations to Cosmin Cosma, Madalina Sumedrea, and the entire Unchain team for orchestrating such a relaxing, refreshing, well-connected, and inspiring event!
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