As fintech continues to reshape global financial landscapes, the UNCHAIN Fintech Festival is set to return to Oradea, Romania, on June 17–18, calling on Central and Eastern Europe’s business leaders to embrace a bold, forward-looking approach to innovation.
Now established as a flagship event for the region, the festival has emerged as a key hub for cross-sector collaboration, fintech adoption, and economic resilience. This year’s edition is expected to draw around 700 participants, including representatives from over 50 commercial banks, more than 200 fintech firms, and 10+ national banks and regulatory bodies.
Despite the challenges of ongoing conflict, Ukraine’s fintech sector remains an active contributor to the regional dialogue, reflecting the sector’s resilience and strategic importance.
One of the headline features of the festival will be the ”Fintersections” track, a thematic stream exploring how embedded finance is transforming conventional industries. Topics will include the integration of payments and insurance into fleet management platforms, the role of retailers in delivering financial services through loyalty tools, Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) models, crypto adoption, and the emergence of new financing solutions.
UNCHAIN’s reach extends beyond the event itself. Through close collaboration with national fintech associations across the CEE region, the festival also serves as a diplomatic bridge and promotional platform for local ecosystems. Its ”Unchain CEE Fintech Tour” initiative continues to foster cross-border relationships and amplify regional fintech voices.
Set against the historic backdrop of the Oradea Fortress, the festival offers both symbolic and practical value – highlighting the region’s past while shaping its digital financial future. Since its inception in 2022, UNCHAIN has positioned itself as a vital launchpad for fintech growth across Central and Eastern Europe.