More than 1,200 representatives of financial institutions, regulatory authorities and technology companies from 40 countries are taking part in the 5th edition of the UNCHAIN Festival, held at Oradea Fortress between 17 and 18 June.

Opening the summit, former Polish Prime Minister Marek Belka highlighted the need for a more pragmatic approach by the European Union in addressing geopolitical and economic challenges, underscoring that Europe is not just about money, about monetary power, but about security.

Belka argued that supporting the European project and monetary integration is essential for the countries of Central and Eastern Europe.

Invited to the opening ceremony, member of the Board of the National Bank of Romania (BNR) Csaba Balint highlighted the importance of dialogue in the context of accelerating technological change.

'I believe this is a place, an opportunity to exchange ideas, share information and ensure, from a regulatory perspective, that these changes will indeed be positive,' the BNR official said.

Representing the event's main partner, Catalin Cretu said the most important technological transformations occur at the intersection of different industries and ecosystems, which is why Visa has supported the event since its first edition.

The company has assumed the role of a platform that facilitates collaboration between ecosystems and the expansion of financial services into areas such as retail, transport, agriculture and insurance.

'The most impactful innovation happens at the intersection of different industries, different people and different companies. This festival is an extraordinary opportunity for people to exchange ideas, listen to one another, learn and, above all, connect in order to create new partnerships, initiatives and projects,' Catalin Cretu told AGERPRES.

According to the organisers, the number of participants has increased by 30% compared with the previous edition.

'We have surpassed 1,000 delegates this year and already have 1,200 registered participants, making it the most important summit in Central and Eastern Europe, held in Oradea, and a strategic event for Romania,' Unchain Marketing Director Daniel Bujorean told AGERPRES.

The event agenda includes major topics such as the introduction of the digital euro, the simplification of cross-border verification through a European digital identity, cybersecurity and operational resilience, as well as the regulation and responsible use of artificial intelligence in the financial sector. It also covers innovations in instant payments, asset tokenisation and the development of the open finance framework at European level.

The topics are being discussed through a series of workshops, presentations, public sessions and round-table discussions hosted both in the inner courtyard and in other spacious areas of the Oradea Fortress.

As in previous editions, the event's conclusions and the information presented will be compiled into an annual report and distributed to participants. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Eugenia Pasca; EN - writing by: Rodica State)