On June 17–18, 2026, Oradea will host the fifth edition of UNCHAIN Festival, one of the leading finance and technology events in Central and Eastern Europe. The organizers expect more than 800 senior leaders from over 40 countries, including representatives from banks, fintech companies, regulators, payment networks, and technology providers.

This year’s focus is on closing execution gaps and addressing the structural risks created by legacy infrastructure and rapid AI adoption.

Over the past five years, the financial ecosystem across Central and Eastern Europe has undergone a quiet but profound transformation. What began as an urgent push for digitisation has evolved into a deeper reconfiguration of how finance is built, distributed, and experienced, from the unbundling of legacy banking infrastructure and the rise of embedded finance to the convergence of payments, credit, loyalty, and data-driven decision-making.

Insights gathered across previous editions of UNCHAIN Festival and distilled in its sector whitepapers point to a clear direction: finance in CEE is no longer defined by isolated products or institutions, but by ecosystems. Banks are navigating legacy “spaghetti” infrastructures while experimenting with parallel core systems and AI-driven internal automation. Retailers are moving beyond transactions toward experience-first models where payments, lending, and loyalty blend seamlessly into the customer journey. Meanwhile, fintechs are no longer challengers at the edges, but integral players shaping interfaces, expectations, and speed.

Against this backdrop, UNCHAIN Festival returns to Oradea on 17–18 June 2026, offering unparalleled networking opportunities, exclusive industry insights, and strategic connections for over 800 senior leaders and decision-makers from more than 40 countries. This event marks its 5th anniversary and has evolved into a comprehensive platform that connects financial institutions, regulators, technology providers, and industry leaders at a time when alignment has become a strategic necessity.

“During the first four years of the UNCHAIN Festival, we have seen a lot of international cooperation and merchant integration. Technology combines various verticals even more closely. Many non-banks are now entering the financial services market by offering embedded finance options or loyalty/crypto products to their customers. There are many challenges with regulation, but this is exactly why we’re bringing everybody to the same table – so law can keep up with innovation, and vice versa. Technology adoption, as in digital-first and customer-vertically specialized, continues to develop. Neobanks, digital brokers are getting more and more prolific,” says David Pollack, Managing Partner at UNCHAIN.

From Fintech Disruption to Financial Integration

As geopolitical uncertainty, regulatory pressure, and economic fragmentation continue to test Europe’s resilience, UNCHAIN 2026 positions itself at the intersection of these forces, fostering dialogue around regional integration, trust, and execution. The event aligns with the emerging EU Inc. vision and aims to strengthen Europe’s internal economic cohesion, making it a vital platform for stakeholders committed to regional resilience and innovation.

In its fifth year, UNCHAIN reflects the maturity of the ecosystem it serves. Fintech is no longer a vertical; it is embedded across banking, payments, retail, mobility, and public infrastructure. The 2026 agenda will cover critical topics such as programmable capital markets, embedded financial models beyond checkout, hybrid digital–human banking experiences, and the role of AI as an internal efficiency engine rather than a blunt customer-facing tool.

These discussions build directly on patterns observed over time at UNCHAIN: banks seeking clarity over ownership versus partnership, merchants pushing back against outdated loyalty and cashback mechanics, and regulators grappling with frameworks designed for a world that no longer exists.

Industry Voices on Innovation and Regulation

Erik Barna, Co-Founder of FaraGrija.ro, highlights the growing exchange between banking and insurance: “Insurance is the smallest brother of banking. Instead of borrowing from insurance, banking can inspire innovation in insurtech. Directives like PSD2 boosted fintech startups; we need something similar for insurance.”

Similarly, regulators are navigating new challenges at the intersection of data, AI, and innovation. Ivana Jolic, Director at the Croatian National Bank, explains: “Credit risk AI needs vast data, but GDPR restricts usage. We must find a balance for keeping systems safe while fostering innovation.”

Michal Vodrážka of the Czech National Bank adds: “Instant payments should be the norm without over-reliance on law. We focus on improving existing infrastructure while monitoring developments like the digital euro.”

From the merchant perspective, Ciprian Pîrv, Country Managing Director at Payten, observes: “Merchants want seamless payment methods that are stable and error-free. Innovation drives adoption when it delivers direct benefits and competitive advantage.”

Scale, Continuity, and Regional Relevance

What started as a 350-delegate gathering has grown into one of the most influential financial platforms in the region. Across its previous editions, UNCHAIN has brought together well over 2,000 participants, creating a cumulative, cross-border community of decision-makers shaping the future of finance in CEE.

With approximately 75% of attendees from the financial sector, UNCHAIN has become a reference platform for meaningful, outcome-driven conversations that can shape how finance is understood in CEE.

“The fifth anniversary represents more than just a chronological milestone; it marks a fundamental shift in our regional impact. We are moving beyond the ‘fintech’ label because the challenges of 2026 — liquidity, credit access, and risk management — require a unified ‘Finance’ front. By transitioning from the ‘Fintech Fortress’ to the Finance Fortress, we are inviting the entire spectrum of the financial industry to Oradea to ensure that CEE remains a cohesive, innovative, and resilient economic bloc within the European Union. EU Inc. will definitely be a big topic this year at UNCHAIN“, says David Pollack, Managing Partner at UNCHAIN. 

Reflecting on the momentum behind the 2026 edition, Eliad Saporta, Founder & CEO of Coriunder and long-time UNCHAIN contributor, notes: “What we are seeing across banking and payments is not a race for the next shiny feature, but a recalibration of roles. In 2026, the real competitive advantage will come from institutions that understand context, knowing when to automate, when to intervene, and how to stay visible in the moments that matter most to customers. This is exactly the type of conversation UNCHAIN.”

Mr. Saporta’s contribution at UNCHAIN 2026 will further explore how infrastructure choices, AI governance, and embedded finance models are reshaping short- and medium-term strategies across Europe’s financial institutions.

A Platform for Connection and Execution

Hosted within the historic Oradea Fortress, UNCHAIN 2026 continues to combine strategic content with a highly curated networking environment, offering brands and institutions full exposure to the CEE market in a single setting. The event brings together private-sector leaders alongside central banks, regulators, and global networks such as Visa, reinforcing its role as a bridge between policy, innovation, and real-world execution.

As Central and Eastern Europe moves from catching up to actively shaping Europe’s financial future, UNCHAIN Festival stands as the place where that future is debated, challenged, and built.

Tickets and registration are available here: unchainfestival.com/tickets/.

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The Unchain Fintech Festival‘s 2023 edition which took place in Oradea’s fortress, located in NW Romania, was hailed as the Davos summit for digital banking in the CEE region by its organizers and received great acclaim from the attendees. Taking place between 29-30 June, the event drew over 450 esteemed finance professionals who engaged in a two-day business marathon filled with fintech panels, networking opportunities, startup presentations, lively parties, and a plethora of other activities.

“The event is like a dream come true, as it was my dream to have a Central Eastern European forum, like a festival, where innovation springs out and all the people collaborate and discuss what’s next in FinTech in CEE. And my next dream is to establish it like the Davos summit for digital banking in the CEE region”, declared Cosmin Cosma, co-founder of Unchain Fintech Festival and CEO and co-founder of Finqware.

The event took place shortly after the European Commission introduced four regulatory packages that will have a significant impact on the banking sector in Europe in the coming years. These packages include the Open Finance Initiative, the PSD3 proposal, the green finance proposal, and the digital Euro. Consequently, discussions revolved around topics such as open finance, open banking, digital Euro, and CBDCs.

A prevalent viewpoint centered around digitalization, with certain banks expressing their ability to enhance digitalization. However, concerns were raised about potentially alienating individuals who have yet to fully embrace digital banking. Consequently, these banks are somehow slowing down the pace of digitalization to cater to all audiences, including those who have not fully transitioned to digital platforms. Similar sentiments were shared regarding CBDCs, with questions raised about the timeline for their implementation. Some central banks acknowledged the need for education and widespread adoption to achieve the desired outcomes.

Nevertheless, banks have undergone a significant transformation, shifting their focus towards prioritizing user experience and leveraging technology. This shift has propelled them to adopt a more akin approach to tech companies, continuously developing advanced solutions to enhance client satisfaction. In this process, banks have faced the challenge of effectively managing the delicate balance between compliance requirements and ensuring a seamless digital customer journey.

While last year witnessed fervent discussions around cryptocurrencies and widespread interest in them, this year the conversations surrounding cryptocurrencies were more subdued. However, a clear trend emerged indicating the rapid acceleration of mobile banking. Although people still rely on traditional payment methods such as plastic cards, there is an increasing shift towards mobile devices and wearable technology. Contactless payments have already become the norm, and the transition from cards to mobile devices is expected to occur swiftly. Additionally, the desire for instant gratification among consumers is driving the demand for instant payments and refunds

Regarding blockchain technology, there is now a broader range of applications being explored. Although blockchain has often been associated with cryptocurrencies, its potential extends beyond that. One notable use case is cross-border payments between companies, particularly in the context of the booming e-commerce industry. The convergence of face-to-face and online commerce has already been observed, but there are still numerous untapped use cases yet to emerge.

Within the field of financial technology, specialists identify two prominent trends. Firstly, there is a focus on B2B FinTech, where companies provide technology-based financial services to banks and financial institutions. This sector currently garners significant attention from investors and the industry, as it offers enhanced efficiency and additional services. Secondly, specialists foresee substantial potential for B2C FinTech in underbanked and underserved regions of the world, particularly in Africa, where accessing banking services and facilitating payments is challenging.

Banks and FinTechs are commonly perceived as competition, which holds true to a certain extent. However, it is essential to recognize the potential for collaboration and synergistic partnerships between banks and fintech companies. This collaboration can significantly enhance the ability to swiftly deliver enhanced services to customers, thereby creating a mutually beneficial environment.

“I think the first and the most fundamental thing is that banks and fintechs understand one crucial rule and this is that if you look at the overall revenues which are in the financial market, banks and fintechs are not fighting for the same amount of revenues, if there is a cooperation between bank and fintechs, the total revenues of services delivered on the market can grow. That means that if there is fruitful cooperation, then the total share of services on the market grows, the revenue grows and the client satisfaction grows, so it’s not fighting for the same resources, it’s enlarging what’s on the table for the whole financial market.”, said Martin Marek, Unicorn Attacks Co-Owner and Seed Starter Venture Capital Founder.

“In our case, for example, we’ve onboarded several fintechs in our applications, and not just in the wallet mobile application that we are delivering to the customers but also as layers towards the delivery of other services. We do need to improve every single day the experience that we deliver to our customers”, added Oana Ilas, Deputy CEO, Head of Retail Banking, Banca Transilvania, Romania.

The recognition for the Digital Bank of the Year in CEE went to Tatra Banka from Slovakia, for their exceptional commitment and ongoing activity in supporting digitalization and providing convenient digital banking experiences. Specifically, for having the highest penetration of mobile payments in F2F transactions in CEE and for taking the initiative to distribute NFTs to their staff.

Regarding the startup competition, the judges were impressed by the participation of teams from across Europe. These startups had already made considerable progress, demonstrating maturity, client experience, revenue generation, and extensive business expertise. The judges greatly appreciated these attributes, as they showcased the startups’ profound understanding of their respective domains. The selected winner of the competition was chosen Synapze GmbH, an end-to-end automation platform for the financial services industry which makes decision-making efficient with the power of AI.

The organizers of the Unchain Festival are bound to create the next year’s event with the same consistent mission of growing fintech in CEE and putting in motion the right wheels to generate innovation. Bringing leaders, doers and visionaries together in the right setup is the key to further accelerating the region`s potential for stellar fintech products.

“Unchain Fintech Festival is an excellent space to connect with industry leaders, share insights, and explore the latest trends and advancements that are shaping the future of payments. Visa is a longstanding champion of the fintech sector, playing an instrumental role in shaping the fintech environment that we know today. We work with fintech of all shapes and sizes to understand the challenges and opportunities they face, and provide the bespoke guidance and tools they need to scale and develop the next generation of seamless payment experiences that can benefit thousands of businesses and billions of consumers. Our “open” approach, means Visa partners can take advantage of our technology and security to constantly innovate and access best-in-class innovation”, stated Catalin Cretu, General Manager, Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia and Slovenia, Visa.

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