UNCHAIN Fintech Festival in Nagyvárad (Oradea) unlocks new opportunities for companies and customers

As fintech reshapes global markets, UNCHAIN Fintech Festival (June 17-18th in Oradea) challenges the Central and Eastern European business landscape to reflect on a new mindset where financial innovation is deeply intertwined with every industry that shapes our economies, unlocking new opportunities for companies and customers.

“The future of finance is no longer siloed. As economies recalibrate and fintech adoption surges, integrating digital financial solutions into traditional industries is becoming a critical driver of growth. UNCHAIN gives a voice to those advocating that cross-sector collaboration is no longer an option, but an essential path forward”, says Alexandra Pollack, Founder & CEO of UNCHAIN.

UNCHAIN Fintech Festival has grown to become the catalyst for cross-sector collaboration, market expansion, and regional resilience in the Central and Eastern part of Europe. With Ukraine’s fintech community standing strong amid conflict and fintech associations from across CEE joining forces, this fourth edition of UNCHAIN will bring forward new ideas aiming to shape the future of finance across CEE:

• Fintersections by UNCHAIN, a new debate concept breaking down how fintech is embedding into industries like retail, fleet & fuel, and agriculture and its potential to open new frontiers for business, retain customers and drive revenue.
• Market-moving announcements and regional expansions are set to be unveiled on site, reconfirming UNCHAIN role as connector and business launchpad for the CEE fintech community.
• Book launches – Enriching the festival’s conversations on innovation and transformation, internationally recognized author Rik Coeckelbergh will present “The New Ethos in Banking” at the festival, challenging traditional financial paradigms and inviting dialogue on the human side of innovation.

More than 50+ leading CEE commercial banks, 10+ national banks and financial authorities, and 200+ fintechs & tech innovators will fuel discussions in front of a vibrant community of 700 people hungry for innovation, ideas and strong connections.

Agenda

For two days, the UNCHAIN Festival will set the stage for high-level discussions on regional market integration, regulatory challenges, scaling fintech innovation, emerging technologies like blockchain and AI, sustainable finance, and startup-driven disruption across the Central and Eastern European ecosystem.

Across June 17 – 18^th, UNCHAIN Festival’s Fintersections track will explore how embedded finance is transforming traditional industries. From revolutionizing fleet management with integrated payments and insurance, to turning retailers into fintech hubs through loyalty programs, BNPL, and crypto, and unlocking new financing models for agriculture — the sessions will highlight how financial innovation is reshaping core sectors, creating new revenue streams, and redefining customer relationships.

“Visa has been a proud partner of the UNCHAIN Festival since its very first edition, and our commitment to fostering innovation and collaboration within the fintech ecosystem has only grown stronger over the years. By supporting and working closely with fintechs, we aim to break down boundaries across industries, fostering collaboration in order to integrate innovative financial technologies into diverse sectors such as agriculture, retail, and mobility, thereby creating seamless financial experiences that drive growth and resilience. The UNCHAIN Festival provides a unique platform to accelerate this vision, bringing together various industries to explore new opportunities and shape the future of finance,” says Catalin Cretu, General Manager Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia and Slovenia at Visa.

As part of its mission to strengthen regional interconnectedness, UNCHAIN continued the CEE Fintech Tour — a series of country-focused events across Central and Eastern Europe. With dedicated local ambassadors in each CEE market, the initiative fosters in-market collaboration, helps fintech companies navigate new regulatory landscapes, and accelerates cross-border expansion. By bringing ecosystems together and facilitating entry into new markets, UNCHAIN is actively building a stronger, more integrated regional fintech community.

“The ongoing UNCHAIN “Fintech Tour” has already connected to experts in Poland, Hungary, Romania, Moldova, and Ukraine, with upcoming stops in the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Slovakia, Slovenia, Croatia, Greece, and Austria. Strategic partnerships extend globally, with connections established in Switzerland, Singapore, and Hong Kong.” mentions David Pollack, Head of Growth & International Development at UNCHAIN.

Strong network of strategic partners

UNCHAIN Festival 2025 is proudly backed by a strong network of strategic partners. Visa, one of the world’s leaders in digital payments, continues its position as the main partner, reinforcing the critical role of cross-industry collaboration in driving fintech innovation. The festival is also supported by key players from the banking sector such as Raiffeisen Bank Romania, BRD Groupe Societe Generale, Banca Transilvania, Garanti BBVA, payments & technology innovators such as SIBS, BLIK, Payten, Digital Systems, Worldline, Global Payments, technology and cybersecurity such as Amazon Web Services and FORT, insurance such as RebelDot and Hellas Direct, and financial services specialists such as Imobiliare.ro Finance, CMS Cameron McKenna and VeritaHR, with others joining in their support.

Hosting partnerships further strengthen the event’s regional ties, with support from Visit Oradea and Make IT in Oradea — a collaboration reflecting the city’s ongoing commitment to fostering innovation — alongside LOT Airlines, Oradea Airport, Autonom, Izvorul Minunilor, RCS-RDS, and Mobexpert.

Read also:

• UNCHAIN Fintech Festival 2024 in Nagyvárad-Oradea: finance meets future in CEE – continue reading HERE