CEE is gaining a growing lead in FinTech and digital payments as technology evolves, making banking services increasingly digitalized. As such, more and more options for digital payments and the use of remote financial services are emerging, and according to Statista data, the value of digital payments in Romania alone is estimated at almost €37B in 2025 and is expected to grow year on year by an average of 24%. Further, artificial intelligence and blockchain technology are having a growing impact on the FinTech industry, with digital payments and e-wallets expanding, according to experts at Money Motion 2025, the FinTech event in CEE, where the latest trends in the field will be revealed.
“We are at a defining moment for the FinTech industry. Technology is changing the way we think about money, payments, and the exchange of value. Digital assets, such as cryptocurrencies, CBDCs, and tokenized funds, are already reshaping the financial landscape, and their potential is just beginning to be discovered,” says Christian Rau, SVP Global Partnerships Digital Assets, Blockchain and FinTech Enablement at Mastercard and keynote speaker at the third edition of the Money Motion conference in Zagreb.
Top key trends in FinTech:
- Expansion of digital payments and eWallets: Digital wallets and real-time payment solutions are becoming standard, being integrated into the everyday lives of consumers and businesses. Stable cryptocurrencies (stablecoins) and central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) are gradually being adopted in payment ecosystems.
- Artificial intelligence and financial services automation: AI plays a crucial role in financial data analysis, personalization of services, and fraud prevention. Virtual assistants and chatbots are evolving, providing 24/7 customer support.
- Open Banking and API integration: FinTechs are working with traditional banks through open APIs, facilitating access to personalized services and financial data, and improving the user experience.
- Embedded Finance: Financial services are increasingly integrated into non-banking applications such as e-commerce platforms, offering users payment and credit solutions directly at the point of sale.
Christian Rau adds:
“Over the next few years, I expect to see an increase in personalized payment experiences, making transactions easier and more secure – whether we’re talking about physical cards, mobile devices, biometric or blockchain solutions. Collaboration between industry leaders, regulators, and innovators is key. Our long-term partnerships with crypto platforms and traditional financial institutions demonstrate how technology can promote financial inclusion and create opportunities for all.”
Given the effects brought by technology on the banking system, the third edition of the Money Motion conference will take place on March 27-28, 2025, in Zagreb, Croatia. More than 90 experts, including representatives from Revolut and Mastercard, will share insights on four stages of the latest trends in user experience in the financial and payments industries; technological advances in AI and blockchain deployment; accompanying regulations and infrastructure sustainability; and the integration of related markets such as telecommunications, insurance, and retail.
At the same time, FinTech startups from the region are invited to apply by February 28th for the Startup Pitch Competition, which will take place on the Startup stage. The top 10 FinTech startups from around the world will compete for a €20,000 prize fund. The best startup will receive a share of the cash prize and secure a spot at the prestigious Fundraising Bootcamp, Europe’s top investor-readiness program with a 98% success rate. Finalists will present their ideas on the first day of Money Motion before a jury of six industry experts, investors, and mentors.
“We are in a completely different world from the last conference. In the last six months, we have witnessed unexpected changes in the FinTech industry and related sectors. Bitcoin has exceeded all growth expectations, and since the US election, Electrocoin’s growth has exploded. Traditional financial institutions are increasingly investing in crypto, which they previously firmly rejected. European regulations are constantly being re-evaluated compared to more nimble markets like the US,” says Nikola Škorić, founder and director of Electrocoin and co-founder of Money Motion.
In December 2024, Bitcoin crossed the $100,000 threshold for the first time, a rise influenced also by the victory of Donald Trump in the US presidential election, an outspoken supporter of the crypto market and of policies to relax technology regulations.
In parallel, global investment in FinTech reached $8.4Bin the last quarter of 2024, marking a 12% increase from the previous quarter, a first sign of stabilization after two years of maturation of the industry.
Tickets and detailed program information for Money Motion 2025 will soon be available on the official website.
