As the second stop in the HIPTHER Baltics 2026 series, the Riga edition builds on the momentum of Vilnius and sharpens the conversation around what comes next: operating, scaling, and staying compliant in an increasingly complex and tightly regulated environment.
Latvia 2026: Regulation, Risk & Innovation in Motion
The Riga agenda is designed around a simple reality: in today’s market, compliance is no longer a checkbox — it’s the foundation of sustainable growth.
Bringing together regulators, legal experts, fintech leaders, operators, and technology innovators, the one-day conference delivers a high-impact program across two parallel stages:
- Compliance & Operations Lab
- TechXperience Stage
Together, they explore how businesses can remain competitive while navigating regulatory pressure, technological disruption, and shifting market expectations.
From Theory to Practice: What the Agenda Delivers
Across a tightly curated schedule, HIPTHER Baltics: Riga 2026 dives into the real operational challenges shaping the Baltic and wider European ecosystem.
Key sessions include:
- Baltic Gaming Law & Regulatory Outlook – A grounded look at regional frameworks and enforcement realities
- FinTech Supervision in Practice: AI, Risk & Regulation – Moving beyond buzzwords into actual implementation
- Player Protection in Practice – What responsible gaming looks like in real-world operations
- AML Directives & Data Protection – Practical compliance strategies that actually work
- Cross-Border Licensing & Regulatory Harmonization – Navigating multi-jurisdictional complexity
- Fraud Prevention & Emerging Technologies – Staying ahead of increasingly sophisticated threats
- Marketing, Affiliates & Growth in Regulated Markets – How to grow when visibility is restricted
- Payments, Digital Assets & Fintech Innovation – Building resilient financial infrastructure
The agenda also addresses one of the most pressing shifts in digital strategy:
- From SEO to AIEO – The transition from ranking websites to becoming the direct answer in AI-driven search environments
Four Core Pillars Defining Riga 2026
The conference is structured around four key pillars shaping the future of regulated industries:
- Gaming Law & Player Protection – The leading theme: Enforcement, licensing, fraud prevention, and responsible gaming
- FinTech & Payments – Supervision, digital assets, and financial infrastructure
- AI & Compliance – Automation, risk, taxation, and operational workflows
- Growth & Visibility – Market intelligence, affiliates, SEO, and AI-era discoverability
A Boutique Conference Built for Real Conversations
HIPTHER Baltics: Riga continues the series’ commitment to focused, high-level dialogue in a boutique environment, prioritizing meaningful interaction over mass-expo noise.
Attendees can expect:
- Senior-level panels with regulators and industry leaders
- Practical, implementation-driven discussions
- Curated networking with decision-makers across gaming, fintech, and compliance
- A full-day experience culminating in a Golden Hour Mixer and evening social gathering at the Skyline Bar
Part of a Larger Baltic Vision
HIPTHER Baltics 2026 spans three key cities — Vilnius, Riga, and Tallinn — each designed to address locally relevant challenges while contributing to a broader regional dialogue on regulation, innovation, and growth.
“This agenda was built for companies that understand growth today depends on getting compliance, technology, and player protection right at the same time. We’re bringing together decision-makers who want honest conversations, practical insights, and partnerships that actually move business forward“ said Zoltán Tűndik, Co-Founder & Head of Business at HIPTHER.
Event Details
HIPTHER Baltics: Riga 2026 – Cross-Border Compliance & Player Protection
Date: 11 May 2026
Location: Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga
More information & tickets: https://hipther.com/events/riga/
About HIPTHER
HIPTHER is a leading events and media brand connecting professionals across iGaming, fintech, blockchain, AI, cybersecurity, and regulatory sectors. Through its boutique conferences across Europe, HIPTHER delivers high-value learning, cross-industry dialogue, and meaningful networking opportunities that drive real business outcomes.
]]>BOLOGNA, 04/29/2026
The Expo Area of WMF – We Make Future, a certified International B2B Fair on AI, Tech, and Digital innovation, scheduled from June 24 to 26, 2026, at BolognaFiere, is taking shape. With the announcement of the first exhibitors and sponsors and the first previews of the expo area, the event reveals the multiple business and discovery opportunities it will offer again this year as an international reference B2B platform for the meeting between companies, startups, research centers, and institutions.
The international presence is already significant, with over 20 foreign delegations announced in collaboration with ITA – Italian Trade Agency, coming from various countries including Belgium, the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, the Netherlands, Estonia, Albania, Guatemala, and Greece, which will join the first exhibitors and sponsors already confirmed. Collaborations with the network of Italian Chambers of Commerce abroad are also active, including those of Thessaloniki, Belgrade, and Zagreb, thanks to which international startups and companies will be present. Among the various international pavilions that will animate the event are also Turkey, with the participation of Invest in Turkey and Boğaziçi Ventures, and the Palestinian territories, represented by Flow Ventures and made possible thanks to the collaboration with AICS – Italian Agency for Development Cooperation of Jerusalem, for the international promotion of startups and companies from the area.
Among the entities already announced are also Dell Technologies and Intel, Qonto, Intesa Sanpaolo Innovation Center, ESA – European Space Agency and CNR – National Research Council, Credem Banca, BNP Paribas, Netval, Invitalia, ITA Agency, AB Innovation Consulting, Kahuna, ALTEN Italia, Cosmofarma, OPENAPI, AVASK, Arsenalia together with entities such as humans.tech, the UNIBO university, Alma Mater Studiorum of Bologna, present with the Startup Day event, and an international network of institutions, research centers such as IIT – Italian Institute of Technology.
Innovative tech and AI solutions applied to different sectors are therefore on display, in consistency with the 14 industries identified by WMF and on which the event develops.
Space is given then to Robotics and AI solutions and services, fintech and space industry, or even agritech and mobility, cleantech, tourism and health, up to e-commerce and retail, digital business and media, outlining the main directions of innovation development in the different productive and industrial sectors.
“The Expo Area of WMF represents a concrete meeting place between companies, startups, SMEs, research centers, and institutions, where innovation becomes an opportunity for development, collaboration, and growth for the different actors involved,” states Cosmano Lombardo, Founder and CEO of Search On Media Group and creator of WMF – We Make Future. “A context that encourages connections between skills, technologies, and business models, facilitating the meeting between industries and international markets and the birth of shared projects.”
In this direction, the Expo Area actually expands the opportunities for meeting and collaboration during the three days, thanks to spaces and formats dedicated to business matching, the meeting between job demand and supply, with the Digital Job Placement service, and networking. Companies, startups, institutions, and research centers present at WMF will be able to enter into direct contact and organize B2B meetings, with the aim of starting new collaborations, developing shared projects, and generating commercial opportunities with markets from all over the world.
WMF – We Make Future is conceived, organized, and produced by Search On Media Group.
The event takes place under the patronage of the European Commission and the Comune di Bologna. With the support of the MAECI – Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, ITA – Italian Trade Agency, and the Regione Emilia-Romagna. In partnership with Visit Emilia-Romagna. With the collaboration of BolognaFiere, Cineca and ESA – European Space Agency. Main sponsors of the 2026 edition: Dell Technologies and Intel.
Thematic districts: AI, manufacturing, fintech, and entertainment
To make the exploration of the Expo Area even more structured and accessible is its organization into thematic districts, dedicated to the main fields of innovation and designed to favor the meeting between companies, startups, SMEs, research centers, and investors. Among these, the AI District and the Manufacturing & Automation District represent the technological heart of the event, with advanced solutions related to artificial intelligence, robotics, and industrial automation, flanked by spaces dedicated to emerging technologies, mobility, and automotive. The martech, fintech, digital agency, and e-commerce districts instead offer an overview of the evolutions of digital services and business models, while a specific area will be dedicated to entertainment and digital culture, with a focus on gaming and publishing. Among the reference points of the Expo Area, the Startup & VC District confirms itself as one of the main hubs at an international level, with selected startups from all over the world and the presence of institutional and private investors, offering concrete opportunities for meeting and development for the innovation ecosystem.
Sports & Gaming: entertainment, competition, and video game culture
The Sports & Gaming area enriches the Expo Area with an experiential offer that combines digital entertainment, video game culture, and sports activities. Between competitive tournaments and latest-generation gaming stations – including PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch – participants will be able to experience a path that integrates contemporary gaming and great classics.
The fulcrum of the experience will be the Gamers Arena, an immersive space with virtual reality simulators and interactive installations, flanked by activities that combine sport, innovation, and inclusion. The program involves national federations and entities such as Vero Volley, FIGH – Italian Handball Federation, FIPAV Territorial Committee of Bologna, and Aero Club Pavullo, together with projects dedicated to inclusive sport such as Baskin, promoted by the Italian Inclusive Sports Body, and the activities of G.R.D. – Parents of Children with Down Syndrome Association and In.Da.Co. Among the most awaited appointments, Drone Soccer returns, a discipline that combines robotics and sports competition: after the international expansion of the project, WMF 2026 will host the first European tournament, flanked by demonstration areas dedicated to drone piloting.
Future Show and technologies of the future
The Future Show represents the most experimental space of the Expo Area, where the public can interact directly with humanoid and quadruped robots, conversational artificial intelligence systems, and immersive installations. Among the experiences also the made in Italy flying motorcycle EFLYKE, dedicated to aerial sports mobility, and One Love Machine, a robotic band made with recycled materials that proposes musical performances between engineering and creativity, Vitruvian, a 360° motion simulator, and Extraceleste, an installation by the artist Marco Nereo Rotelli, in which AI and biometric sensors generate poems in real-time reacting to human contact and the visitor’s heartbeat. Among the most spectacular demonstrations of the Future Show, the exhibition of the Jet Suit developed by Gravity Industries returns to WMF, which allows controlled flight of the human body through a propulsive suit. A technology that represents one of the most advanced experimentations in the field of personal mobility and applied aerospace engineering.
Mobility of the future and engineering innovation
On the theme of the mobility of the future, participants will be able to live direct experiences thanks to dedicated test drives with Tesla vehicles and driving simulators that will allow them to test themselves on competition vehicles, from two to four wheels. Completing the offer are the activities developed by the Department of Industrial Engineering of the University of Bologna, with the presentation of prototypes created within international competitions such as the Solar Challenge and the Rocket Challenge, projects oriented towards technological challenges linked to sustainability, renewable energy, and reduction of environmental impact. Students and professors will accompany the public in an interactive path that will illustrate the engineering principles behind the vehicles, from design to realization.
These first previews represent only a part of the WMF 2026 Expo Area, which in the coming weeks will be enriched with new exhibitors, sponsors, and content. A path that confirms the international dimension of the event, after the 2025 edition which recorded over 700 exhibitors and sponsors and more than 70,000 attendees from 90 countries.
The last Top Visibility spots within the WMF – We Make Future 2026 Expo Area are available; to request information, it is possible to fill out the form on the dedicated page by 05/15.
Useful Links
WMF – We Make Future,is the largest International Trade Fair and Festival dedicated to Artificial Intelligence, Technology, and Digital Innovation.
From June 24 to 26, 2026, WMF returns to BolognaFiere (Italy) as a certified international event fully focused on the future of innovation. A global hub for the AI and tech ecosystem, WMF brings together each year the most advanced developments in artificial intelligence, digital and social innovation, alongside leading international companies, startups, scaleups, investors, institutions, universities, and non-profit organizations. With over 73,000 attendees from 90 countries in 2025, more than 700 exhibitors, 1,000+ speakers and guests from around the world, 2,800+ organized B2B meetings, and 3,000 startups and investors involved, WMF represents a unique convergence point for innovation-driven business and policy dialogue.
Its partner network includes organizations managing a combined €1.5 trillion investment portfolio, €304+ billion in assets under management (AUM), $72.8+ billion in funded transactions, and over 17,000 investment rounds, positioning WMF as a global benchmark event for the innovation economy.
Saudi Makes Future – The Largest AI Expo in the Middle East
Saudi Makes Future is the Saudi edition of WMF – We Make Future, a certified international trade fair and global platform for innovation, artificial intelligence, and emerging technologies. Developed through the collaboration between Search On Media Group, WMF – We Make Future, and PNG Saudi, the event will take place December 14–16, 2026, in Riyadh at the Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Center. Building on WMF’s vision, experience, and thematic architecture, Saudi Makes Future adapts the format to a strong AI-driven focus, structured across 14 strategic sectors exploring the impact of artificial intelligence on business, industry, society, and institutions. Aligned with Saudi Vision 2030, the event positions itself as an international platform for dialogue, cooperation, and development, designed for companies, startups, investors, and stakeholders seeking new opportunities for growth, training, and innovation in the Middle East and on a global scale.
Search On Media Group – Humans Leading Innovation Founded in 2004, Search On Media Group works to advance digital culture and innovation by managing professional communities, supporting knowledge-sharing initiatives, and delivering strategic and operational consulting through its Search On Consulting division, specializing in Digital Marketing and Digital Transformation for large organizations. From the expertise of Search On Media Group stem both the Event Agency Business Unit—responsible for organizing WMF and other proprietary and client events—and Hybrid.io, a flexible and customizable platform designed to manage online, hybrid, and on-site events.
Per informazioni e materiale
Search On Media Group SRL
Via Ugo Bassi 7, 40121 Bologna (BO), Italy
Press Office: [email protected]
Tel: +39 051 0951294
en.wemakefuture.it
The format reflects the current landscape: Day One is dedicated to regulation and compliance, while Day Two splits into dual streams covering online operations and the Inaugural Gaming Retail Summit, recognising the growing convergence of digital and physical gaming environments.
Speaker Spotlight: Industry Voices Shaping the Conversation
A distinguished lineup of speakers will contribute practical insight and market perspective. Ahead of the event, we turn to five industry leaders to share what they will be exploring in Munich:
Dr. Damir Böhm, CEO, Tipwin Ltd.
On whether Germany’s current tax and regulatory model is genuinely fit for purpose, Dr. Böhm offered a measured but direct assessment:
“Germany deserves credit for building a serious regulatory framework and high player-protection standards. But sustainability is not measured by how strict a system looks on paper; it is measured by whether the legal market is competitive enough to channel customers away from illegal supply. Official sources still indicate that a meaningful share of online gambling remains outside the regulated market, so the legal market is functioning, but not yet strongly enough to justify complacency. In sports betting, the combination of a 5.3% stake-related tax, product restrictions, advertising limits and rising compliance costs has to be assessed against that reality. So my honest view is: the model can work, but only if tax policy and regulatory policy are judged together against one key KPI – channelisation.”
With retail betting continuing to hold its ground against digital competition, Dr. Böhm pushed back on the assumption that mobile has made the physical betting experience obsolete:
“A mobile app can deliver speed and convenience. A betting shop delivers something different: shared sporting emotion. For many customers, especially in retail, the shop is not just a point of sale; it is a place where sport is watched, discussed and experienced collectively in a controlled, face-to-face environment. The fact that retail still represents a material share of Germany’s regulated sports betting market shows that this channel remains highly relevant. Convenience can be digitised. Atmosphere, community and human presence cannot be fully replicated on a screen.”
Looking ahead to the 2026 Interstate Treaty evaluation and what it means for the broader DACH market, Dr. Böhm made the case for why structured industry dialogue is no longer optional:
“Munich matters because the market is at a point where legal precision and commercial reality have to be reconciled. Germany is moving toward the full 2026 evaluation of the Interstate Treaty, the debate around channelisation is intensifying, and practical issues such as permits, renewals, enforcement, advertising and retail viability are no longer abstract. A platform like iGaming Germany is valuable because it brings operators, lawyers, compliance leaders and policymakers into the same room to align on evidence, not ideology. In a market as regulated and interconnected as DACH, that kind of dialogue is not a luxury; it is infrastructure.”
Frank Schwarz, Managing Director, Sächsische Spielbanken GmbH-Co KG
Asked how a state-owned operator keeps pace with nimble, digital-first competition, Schwarz pointed to an advantage that no startup can replicate:
“We combine the best of both worlds: the stability and strong reputation of state operators. The flexibility and deep pockets needed to bring digital offerings to market. In addition, we’ve been operating in the gambling industry for over 300 years – so we bring a significant depth of experience.”
When asked if “Regulatory Rigidity” can coexist with a mandate to innovate, he answered:
“Yes. Basically, this coexistence requires a level playing field within a given market. What
we are currently seeing in Germany is that the application of regulation is being enforced
in a way that restricts legal operators, while the measures to block illegal operators are
too weak.”
On why a shared forum for land-based and online operators matters, Schwarz brought it back to the customer:
“All our offerings are dedicated to the German customers, land-based as well as digital-oriented ones. In the interest of offering the best experience for our customers, we look forward to the discussion with different types of operators in the iGaming industry in Munich.”
Daniela Lanzolla, CPO, OpenSlots
When asked how she balances the need for high-speed innovation with the technical “safety breaks” required by strict regulations, Lanzolla revealed an internal solution:
“I ship fast, but every feature goes through a risk and regulation tool before marketing. We have
developed an inhouse tool that blends in EU AI Act, GDPR and the main EU Gambling Regulator
Guidelines.”
On what will separate the next generation of player engagement from the current wave of product sameness, Lanzolla had a specific answer:
“A transparent personalisation layer on each game showing how it adapts to the player.
This would fight fatigue, instill trust and give players more agency.”
With regards to why the supplier and operator relationship needs to evolve beyond a transactional dynamic, Lanzolla made the case for earlier, deeper collaboration:
“Real gains are made when data, risk and product are decided together, not post‑sale. This
cohesion is especially crucial in a regulated environment where government changes have a
cascade effect on the entire chain.”
The full conversations continue on stage in Munich, at a platform that brings the full breadth of Germany’s gaming ecosystem into one room.
Registration Now Open
iGaming Germany 2026 takes place on 21 – 22 May at the NOVOTEL München Messe, Munich. Three weeks out, the conversations worth having are already taking shape.
Register to attend: https://www.eventus-international.com/igg
Sponsorship enquiries:
Lou-Mari Burnett, Chief Operating Officer
[email protected]
Agenda highlights: Must-attend sessions and new features
- Breaking news session
Kickstarting the first day will be a session with industry analysts that will provide an essential analysis of the latest stories impacting the fintech landscape. An opportunity to gain fresh and exclusive insights on the hottest topics and newsworthy headlines.
- Practical AI workshop: Harnessing AI to save time and money
Attendees of this limited space, interactive workshop will explore real-world applications of AI, experiencing firsthand how AI can save time, reduce costs, and improve decision making with AI expert and keynote speaker, Jon Lakefish. - Innovations for credit unions
Expanding on from the popular and exclusive credit union spotlight, Finovate have introduced a new stage for their breakout sessions on May 7 to provide more dedicated insights for credit unions. - Startup Demos: The future of fintech in 7 minutes
Witness the latest cutting-edge innovations in fintech as companies showcase their solutions in Finovates’ signature rapid-fire, 7-minute live demos. From fraud prevention to data management, these demos will highlight technologies poised to revolutionize banking operations. - Enhanced insights:
Executive briefings will run concurrent to networking breaks, allowing for more networking with like-minded attendees and to gain deeper insights on use cases and ROI on AI, women in fintech, embedded finance, innovation for community banks, and more.
Popular sessions from previous events will return with fresh updates including the analyst all stars session, financial crime and cyber security power panel, and AI everything, everywhere, all at once panel discussion. See the full agenda here.
In good company
Over 100 banks, community banks, credit unions, and financial institutions are already confirmed to be attending, including the top 10 US banks. Fintech professionals will have the chance to connect with the entire fintech ecosystem as 1,200+ senior-level decision-makers will be at FinovateSpring this May.
Save 20% with code FKV2794CRP
Group discounts: Book two tickets and the third, and additional, save 50% on theirs.
Banks, insurers and investors get special rates, discover more here.
Benefit from an additional 20% with our discount code: FKV2794CRP
]]>About the conference
Nordic Blockchain Conference is the leading blockchain & web3 conference in Northern Europe – bringing together key stakeholders from the global blockchain, web3, finance, and digital assets ecosystems. On May 26-27, the 8th edition will take place in Stockholm and features more than 125 speakers, 15 side events, and an audience of 1250 innovators, investors, regulators, industry professionals, and entrepreneurs.
NBC2026 centers on three core themes:
- Emerging Technologies: AI, protocols, and decentralized systems are driving the next wave of blockchain innovation – from tokenomics and DeSci to privacy, security, and national defense.
- Regulation & Policy: With MiCA and global rules taking shape, the focus is on compliance, tax, fraud prevention, and the Nordics’ role in shaping innovation-friendly policy.
- Digital finance: From Bitcoin and stablecoins to tokenized assets and DeFi, digital finance is redefining markets. Institutions are exploring custody, yield, and next-generation investment products.
Event details
Event Name: Nordic Blockchain Conference 2026
Date: May 26-27, 2026
Location: Stockholm, Sweden
Venue: Epicenter (Malmskillnadsgatan 44a, 111 57 Stockholm, Sweden)
Website: https://www.nordicblockchain.com/conference-2026
Nordic Blockchain Conference returns to Stockholm for its 8th edition, highlighting the future of digital finance, policy, and blockchain’s interplay with other frontier technologies.
Stockholm, Sweden – May 26-27 2026
The Nordic Blockchain Conference (NBC2026) – the largest and leading blockchain event in Northern Europe – returns to Stockholm on May 26-27th for its 8th edition, convening the most influential voices in blockchain, digital finance, regulation, and emerging technologies.
Organized and hosted by Nordic Blockchain Association, NBC2026 is set to welcome 1,250 attendees for two days of impactful dialogue, curated networking, and visionary collaboration.
This year’s conference is centered around three critical themes driving the next wave of decentralized innovation:
- Emerging Technology – exploring the convergence of blockchain with Artificial Intelligence, privacy-enhancing technologies, and much more.
- Regulation & Policy – navigating Europe’s evolving regulatory landscape and its global implications, with a focus on real implementation.
- Digital Finance – how blockchain is redefining capital markets, custody, and digital assets, including stablecoins, tokenized assets, and the future of finance.
Speakers include some of the most respected names in the global blockchain ecosystem, with executives and experts from BlackRock, JP Morgan, Cardano, eToro, Hashgraph, Stellar, IOTA, Gnosis, BSV, and many others.
NBC2026 is more than just a stage – it’s an experience. Alongside the main program, attendees can look forward to a rich array of side events and networking moments that extend the conversation beyond the two main stages – including policy roundtables, a pitch competition, the official After Party, an evening event for partners and VIPs, and much more.
With its ambitious agenda, top-tier speakers, and delegates from some of the leading-edge companies in the world, Nordic Blockchain Conference 2026 is poised to be one of the most impactful blockchain events in 2026.
Sample copy and hashtags
Sample copy for newsletters and social media:
- We’re thrilled to join forces with Nordic Blockchain Conference 2026! Stockholm, May 26-27 – the stage is set for the biggest conversations in blockchain, digital finance, and emerging tech. Can’t wait to connect with the innovators, regulators, and leaders shaping the future.
- Northern Europe’s premier blockchain event is back – and we’re part of it! Nordic Blockchain Conference 2026 (May 26-27, Stockholm) brings together visionaries, regulators, and innovators for two days of game-changing insights. Don’t miss the future unfolding.
About the organizers
Nordic Blockchain Association is the leading organization for blockchain, web3, and crypto stakeholders in the Nordic and Baltic regions. With 100+ members and partners, Nordic Blockchain Association is a strategic advisor to Nordic authorities on regulatory matters, while supporting the industry with strategic reports and best practices, aimed at implementing sustainable blockchain solutions. Nordic Blockchain Association organizes the annual Nordic Blockchain Conference – the largest blockchain and web3 event in Northern Europe – and works through partnerships with local and global organizations to advance responsible blockchain innovation and adoption.
Read more about Nordic Blockchain Association here: https://www.nordicblockchain.com/about-us
Contact
Any questions, please contact Community Manager, Christoffer Fentz, at [email protected]
]]>Oradea, Romania, 15.04.2026
This summer, Oradea Fortress will host the 5th edition of UNCHAIN Festival (on 17–18 June 2026), a high-level finance summit bringing together over 800 senior leaders and decision-makers from more than 40 countries, including financial institutions, regulators, technology providers, and industry leaders.
Marking its anniversary edition as the premier summit of CEE, UNCHAIN Festival 2026 is honoured to welcome as Keynote Speaker Prof. Marek Belka, former Prime Minister and Finance Minister of Poland—a leading voice at the intersection of economics and public policy, and an economist with a distinguished career spanning academia, government, and international institutions. Over the course of his career, he has held a series of influential international roles, including Head of Economic Policy in Iraq’s Coalition Provisional Authority, Executive Secretary of the UNECE, and Director of the European Department at the IMF, before going on to serve as President of the National Bank of Poland and later as a Member of the European Parliament.
He will be joined by prominent officials and central bank governors from across Central and Eastern Europe, as well as key decision-makers from private and international financial institutions, including the European Commission, the European Banking Authority, and regulatory bodies from Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Moldova, and the Czech Republic.
By fostering high-level dialogue and cross-border collaboration on the most pressing issues shaping the future of finance in the region, the UNCHAIN Festival reinforces its position as the premier summit for decision-makers in banking, fintech, insurance, and technology across Central and Eastern Europe.
The agenda will address key topics including the digital euro (Europe’s upcoming CBDC aimed at modernising payments and preserving monetary sovereignty), the European Unique Identifier (EUID) for streamlined cross-border KYC and verification, cybersecurity and operational resilience under DORA, AI governance and its responsible applications in banking, instant payments (SEPA SCT Inst), asset tokenisation using DLT to enhance capital market efficiency, and the evolving open finance framework under PSD3 to drive innovation and competition.
A dedicated section of the UNCHAIN Festival will spotlight the region’s most dynamic ecosystems, showcasing top disruptors and innovative companies driving transformation across financial services. This initiative is designed to give early-stage and stage disruptors a prominent platform to present regional business opportunities, innovation frameworks, and cutting-edge solutions poised to redefine the financial landscape.
Applications are open until May 15th via https://unchainfestival.com/startups/ inviting the most ambitious innovators to step forward and take part in shaping the future of finance on a regional stage.
Under this initiative, a carefully selected group of companies representing countries from across Central and Eastern Europe and the Baltics will take the stage to share their national perspectives on the future of finance and the disruptive technologies shaping the industry.
“UNCHAIN Festival was created as a platform for meaningful dialogue among financial industry leaders, and the 2026 edition marks a significant step in shaping the future of finance in the region. With our new initiative spotlighting top disruptors from across CEE and the Baltics, we aim to elevate national perspectives and connect ecosystems that can collaborate to accelerate innovation,” said Alexandra Pollack, Founder and CEO at UNCHAIN.
Continuing its annual tradition, UNCHAIN Festival 2026 will recognize excellence in financial services and technology, presenting awards to the most outstanding disruptors and innovators from Central and Eastern Europe.
All of this is made possible thanks to the essential support of key players in the fintech ecosystem, such as Visa—the event’s Main Partner—along with Raiffeisen Bank Romania, BRD Groupe Société Générale, and Banca Transilvania as Banking Partners, Payten Romania as Gold Partner. The event’s sponsors, who support innovation in the CEE region, are Garanti BBVA, fme Romania, SurePay, Worldline, Profile Software, Axe Finance, TSYS, Finshape, Namirial, CMS Cameron McKenna, and VeritaHR.
CEE finance leaders return to the UNCHAIN Festival each year. Early Bird tickets offering a 30% discount are available at https://unchainfestival.com/tickets/ for a limited period of time until April 22nd. Prices will increase after this date.
]]>As artificial intelligence systems grow in scale and complexity, the global race for computing power is accelerating. The summit will convene decision-makers from across industries to explore how organisations can scale, optimise and secure compute infrastructure while addressing the economic, environmental and geopolitical implications of the AI boom.
Powering the next era of artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence is transforming industries, but its rapid growth is placing unprecedented strain on global computing infrastructure. Demand for GPUs, specialised chips and high-performance computing continues to surge, while rising energy requirements are testing both power grids and sustainability commitments.
Taking place in just a few weeks, the AI Compute Summit will bring together leaders from technology, enterprise, finance and policy to examine how organisations can build scalable, resilient and sustainable AI infrastructure. Discussions will address critical challenges including compute scarcity, energy demand, data-centre innovation and the strategic importance of sovereign AI capabilities.
Distinguished speakers and thought leaders
The summit will feature more than 60 influential speakers from across the AI ecosystem, representing global technology companies, enterprise organisations, policymakers and infrastructure providers.
Confirmed speakers include:
● Lorenzo Servadei, head of AI for chip design and manufacturing, SonyAI ● Kamran Naqvi, chief network architect, EMEA, Broadcom
● Milena Harito, vice-president, IT and Networks, Orange Europe Countries ● Niresh Rajah, chief data & artificial intelligence officer, DLA Piper
● Rudi De Winter, chief executive, X-FAB SE
● Dimitrios Ziakas, vice-president and general manager of data center architecture, Intel
● Per Öster, director, advanced computing facility, CSC – IT Centre for Science ● Matt Foley, senior director, field application engineering, AMD
● Cara Mascini, chief sustainability officer, Switch Datacenters
● Dieter Kranzmüller, chair, board of directors, Leibniz Supercomputing Centre
Speakers will share insights on the future of AI infrastructure, the competition for advanced chips and accelerators, and how organisations are working to power AI responsibly and efficiently.
Key themes and agenda highlights
With the full programme now live, the summit will feature a dynamic mix of panel discussions, case studies and fireside conversations focused on the most urgent challenges in AI infrastructure.
Key topics include:
● Innovation in infrastructure and hardware
● Optimising AI workloads and compute efficiency
● Energy and sustainability
● The business of AI compute
● The next frontier—edge AI, ASICs and TPUs
● Expanding cloud horizons for scalability and flexibility
Attendees can explore the latest agenda updates here:
Networking and collaboration opportunities
With just weeks to go, the summit is set to bring together over 300 senior decision-makers from across artificial intelligence, cloud computing, finance, telecommunications, energy and data infrastructure.
Participants will benefit from curated networking sessions designed to foster collaboration, exchange insights and build partnerships across the global AI ecosystem.
Event details and registration
The AI Compute Summit is a must-attend event for leaders looking to understand and shape the infrastructure powering the future of artificial intelligence.
Join industry experts and policymakers in Amsterdam on May 19th 2026. Limited places remain.
Sponsors
This year’s summit is sponsored by:
● Platinum sponsors: FM, HP
● Gold sponsors: Orca Computing, Multiverse
● Associate sponsor: Arqit
● Exhibitor sponsor: TSL
● Roundtable sponsor: Kearney
About Economist Enterprise
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With a growing global circulation and a reputation for insightful analysis and perspective on every aspect of world events, The Economist is one of the most widely recognised and well-read current affairs publications. The paper covers politics, business, science and technology, and books and arts, concluding each week with the obituary. In addition to the web-only content such as blogs, debates and audio/video programmes available on the website, The Economist is available to download for reading on Android, Blackberry PlayBook, iPhone or iPad devices. The Economist Espresso, our daily briefing smartphone app, is also available for download via iTunes App Store or Google Play.
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]]>The event connects brokers, fintech companies, liquidity providers, payment service providers, and traders from across Africa and beyond, creating a central meeting point for the people shaping the region’s markets.
With 2,800+ attendees, 500+ global brands, and 60+ speakers, fmas reflects the scale of Africa’s continuously booming trading industry. Global names such as iFX Brokers, JustMarkets, XM, HFM, ATFX, Match Trade, AXI, and Prime XBT are already confirmed, highlighting the event’s role as a serious industry gathering for partnerships and market growth.
The conference remains a core part of the summit. While the full 2026 agenda will be announced closer to the event, previous editions have featured speakers from leading organisations including Mastercard, Visa, Binance, Exness, TD Markets, and ATFX Africa. Sessions focus on practical topics around trading, technology, payments, regulation, and market development, giving brands insights they can actually use, and traders the confidence and opportunities to enhance their strategies.
fmas is built for both sides of the market. For brokers, fintechs, and service providers, it is a place to meet partners and explore new opportunities across Africa. For traders, it offers direct access to platforms and industry experts, all in one place.
As Africa’s trading and fintech ecosystem continues to grow, fmas remains the event where the industry connects and moves forward together.
Registration for fmas 2026 is now open.
Industry professionals and traders can now register to attend and stay updated on speakers and programme announcements.
Register Now
The forum brought together 16388 participants, reinforcing its role as a key platform where market trends are shaped and the decisions defining the near future of the industry are discussed.
A major highlight of this year’s forum was the high-level dialogue between crypto businesses and government institutions. For the first time, such a scale of regulatory discussions took place within a single event. Representatives of the Central Bank of Russia, the State Duma, the Ministry of Energy, the Ministry of Digital Development, and other government bodies participated in panels focused on regulation, infrastructure development, and the integration of digital assets into the broader economy.
The stage featured leading figures from across the global industry — founders of crypto projects, top executives of major companies, investors, and public sector representatives. The event also brought together leaders from prominent Russian IT and fintech companies, including Yandex, Sber, Alfa-Bank, T-Bank, and MTS.
One of the key highlights was a talk by Errol Musk — entrepreneur, investor in AI and digital assets, and father of Elon Musk. His strategic perspective on technological development and market evolution attracted strong attention from the audience.
Garrett Bullish, one of the largest investors in crypto assets, also shared his outlook on the current market cycle and the key factors shaping its future.
The business program also featured the first large-scale AI Future Forum— a dedicated track exploring the role of artificial intelligence in shaping the future digital economy both in Russia and globally. Speakers included representatives from Rosatom, NTI, the State Duma, and other key institutions.
Beyond the conference program, Blockchain Forum once again proved to be a high-level networking platform. Over two days, participants held dozens of meetings and negotiations, forming new partnerships and business connections. The forum combined a strong conference agenda, an expo, and a professional environment for direct interaction between key market players.
Blockchain Forum proved to be:
— a meeting point for major investors, funds, and top companies
— a platform where deals are made and partnerships are formed
— a leading networking hub for the industry in the region
The event concluded with an official AfterParty, where participants continued networking in a more informal setting. The evening featured a live performance by L’One.
We would also like to highlight the companies that made the forum possible.
Promminer — an ecosystem of industrial mining solutions, including equipment supply, data center construction, its own mining pool, and advanced monitoring systems.
CoinW — a cryptocurrency exchange operating since 2017, offering spot and futures trading, Earn products, and ETF trading.
The next Blockchain Life event will take place on December 1–2, 2026, in Dubai, once again bringing together key players from the global market.
At the same time, registration is already open for the next Blockchain Forum in Moscow, where the industry will continue to shape its agenda and build strategic partnerships.Tickets and participation opportunities are available on the official website:
https://blockchain-life.com
Native, a payments and liquidity infrastructure company serving institutions, fintechs, and enterprises, spent the week meeting exactly that part of the market.
Over two days at the Carrousel du Louvre, the conference saw more than 10,000 attendees from banks, asset managers, infrastructure providers, startups, and policymakers. Most of the main-stage sessions circled the year’s theme, “The Bridge Between TradFi and Digital Assets.
Native used the week to hold meetings with enterprise clients, fintechs, and ecosystem partners across Europe, and capped the visit with a closed-door gathering on April 15.
That gathering, called The Limestone Hour, took place inside an 18th-century wine cellar beneath the Louvre, co-hosted with Paris Blockchain Week. Thirty guests attended, all working in stablecoin infrastructure, OTC and market-making, or crypto card programmes. Native picked guests across its three business lines, and the room gave the team a direct view of the European institutional crypto market it plans to grow into over the coming year.
Native operates three business lines that match what the Paris conversations kept returning to. Stablecoin infrastructure forms the foundation, with payment rails that route value for fintechs, payment firms, and enterprise treasury desks.
Above that layer, a market-making operation covers institutional clients who need deep liquidity and programmatic execution on stablecoin pairs and major crypto assets.
A crypto card product completes the stack, issued directly and through white-label partnerships for brands that want to offer crypto spend without building the backend.
Most of the near-term work happens in Europe. The plan is to win new business from fintechs, payment companies, and enterprise clients across the region, with local partners helping shorten the runway between a first conversation and a live integration.
Alongside that, the stablecoin-backed crypto card continues to grow. Native offers the product directly to users and also on a white-label basis for brands that want to give their customers crypto spend without building the backend themselves.
Next comes the market-making desk. Most firms in the industry would describe what the desk does as OTC, but Native set it up as a full market-making business, which gives clients tighter pricing, better depth on large trades, and programmatic execution across stablecoin pairs and major crypto assets.
The team is now preparing to broaden the desk’s client base across treasury, payments, and settlement, with a focus on firms that use crypto in ongoing operations rather than as a periodic allocation.
The Hong Kong license closes out the 2026 roadmap. Native is waiting on approval from the Securities and Futures Commission, and once the license is in place, the company will have the regulatory footing to expand across Asia.
“What we heard in Paris matched what we already see across our client base,” said Tommy Li, Co-Founder of Native. “Digital assets are now part of everyday financial operations, from treasury to payments and settlement. Native was built to serve exactly that, and we are well-positioned between traditional finance and Web3.”
About Native
Native is a payments and liquidity infrastructure provider built for institutions, fintech companies, and enterprises that use digital assets in real-world financial operations.
Its suite of services spans market-making, crypto card solutions, and treasury management tools. Through this stack, clients tap deep liquidity, execute large trades efficiently, and spend digital assets through familiar payment rails.
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