The Fintech & Banking 2024 Forum was held for the first time in Uzbekistan.
On October 3rd, Tashkent hosted the Fintech & Banking 2024 Forum, organized by the Fintech Association of Uzbekistan and Axioma School with support from the Central Bank of Uzbekistan. The forum brought together leading experts in the fintech industry, banking sector, and technology to discuss the future of financial technology and its integration into Uzbekistan's economy. Participants included regulators, leaders from banks, payment systems, fintech companies, startups, and international organizations, highlighting the forum's strategic importance for the region and its global integration.
Grand Opening The forum opened with speeches from Shakhrukh Irnazarov from USAID, Sodir Meliboyev, Deputy Chairman of the Central Bank of Uzbekistan, and Nargis Dustmatova, Chairwoman of the Fintech Association of Uzbekistan. They emphasized the significance of innovation, sustainable growth, and collaboration across all levels of the economy.
Main Panels of the Forum
Next-Gen Banking Transformation This panel focused on successful cases of banking system transformation in Uzbekistan, discussing key signals for optimization, growth, and transformation. Topics included how to allocate resources effectively in a complex transformation process and how to measure its success.
Fighting Financial Crime and Cybersecurity In this discussion, experts addressed cybersecurity threats, prevention of financial crimes, and protection strategies for financial organizations.
Payment Innovations Experts from Click, Paynet, and Uzcard shared insights on how innovations in payment systems are helping to adapt to global uncertainties.
Arnold Gzirov, Business Development Manager at CityPay.io, gave an inspiring keynote speech on the future of crypto integration in urban commerce. He shared his vision of how crypto assets can be a catalyst for financial system transformation and growth in the digital age.
Blockchain and Crypto Assets One of the most anticipated panels of the day, this session focused on blockchain technology and crypto asset regulation and adaptation. Experts discussed finding a balance between innovation and economic efficiency in a regulatory environment.
A panel on Sustainable Fintech: How New Regulatory Standards Will Impact the Fintech Industry featured representatives from AIFC, IT Park of Uzbekistan, the Central Bank of Uzbekistan, Loialte, and the Central Bank of Azerbaijan.
Workshops and Sessions - Zone Two
Heemera Presentation: Compliance for Banks and Fintech Artem Klimenko, CEO of Heemera, presented strategies for ensuring crypto compliance in banking.
Financial Crime Workshop by Match Systems This workshop focused on financial investigation methods and compliance to prevent fraud in international banking structures.
Panel on Cybersecurity Threats Moderated by Bekzod Akhmadjonov, CTO of OFFBOX, this panel included speakers from Rakasta, MatchSystems, Group-IB, and IT-HUNTER discussing success stories and prevention methods for cyber threats.
Svetlana Ostrovskaya, Head of Education Practice at Group-IB, presented a book on cybersecurity during the forum.
Day Two of the Fintech & Banking 2024 Forum
On October 4th in Tashkent, participants gathered to discuss key topics on inclusion, artificial intelligence, and the role of women in fintech and traditional banking. The event continued its mission of strengthening the region's fintech ecosystem.
The morning session focused on the challenges and outlook for inclusive financial solutions for underserved segments, examining how technology can bridge the gap for underserved and unbanked populations.
Panel Discussion: Implementing AI in Uzbekistan: Compliance, Development, and Real Value This panel highlighted the importance of implementing AI in Uzbekistan, with participants from Uzinfocom, Alif Uzbekistan, USAID, and Paynt discussing strategies to overcome the AI talent gap.
Panel Discussion: Building Human Capital and Attracting Women in Tech Organized in partnership with Women in Tech and UN Women, this discussion addressed gender equality in technology and fintech. Panelists included representatives from Women in Tech Uzbekistan, Uzbekistan's IT community, UN Women Uzbekistan, Alif Uzbekistan, and Click.
Workshops in Zone Two
Several significant sessions took place in the workshop zone:
Startup Fintech Competition Ten fintech startups from Uzbekistan and Georgia presented their projects, and a jury from Aloqa Ventures, SwiftLaunch, USAID, Paynet, and BFC selected the winners:
Sponsor Support The forum was made possible with the support of the Central Bank of Uzbekistan and key sponsors, including USAID, CLICK, PAYNET, Group-IB, Tether, Citypay.io, MatchSystems, Uzum, Alif Uzbekistan, Mikrokreditbank, and AloqaVentures. The backing from these organizations helps promote innovation and enhance fintech infrastructure in the region.
The Fintech & Banking 2024 Forum concluded on a high note, underscoring the importance of key topics like inclusion, artificial intelligence, and sustainable growth in the financial sector. We eagerly anticipate next year's event and the continued development of fintech in Uzbekistan and Central Asia.
On October 3rd, Tashkent hosted the Fintech & Banking 2024 Forum, organized by the Fintech Association of Uzbekistan and Axioma School with support from the Central Bank of Uzbekistan. The forum brought together leading experts in the fintech industry, banking sector, and technology to discuss the future of financial technology and its integration into Uzbekistan's economy. Participants included regulators, leaders from banks, payment systems, fintech companies, startups, and international organizations, highlighting the forum's strategic importance for the region and its global integration.
Grand Opening The forum opened with speeches from Shakhrukh Irnazarov from USAID, Sodir Meliboyev, Deputy Chairman of the Central Bank of Uzbekistan, and Nargis Dustmatova, Chairwoman of the Fintech Association of Uzbekistan. They emphasized the significance of innovation, sustainable growth, and collaboration across all levels of the economy.
Main Panels of the Forum
Next-Gen Banking Transformation This panel focused on successful cases of banking system transformation in Uzbekistan, discussing key signals for optimization, growth, and transformation. Topics included how to allocate resources effectively in a complex transformation process and how to measure its success.
- Speakers: Representatives from Loialte, Foranx Technologies, MyBank, and Kapitalbank
- Moderator: Fintech Association of Uzbekistan
Fighting Financial Crime and Cybersecurity In this discussion, experts addressed cybersecurity threats, prevention of financial crimes, and protection strategies for financial organizations.
- Speakers: Central Bank of Uzbekistan, Loialte, Match Systems, and Group-IB
- Moderator: PraeLegal Uzbekistan
Payment Innovations Experts from Click, Paynet, and Uzcard shared insights on how innovations in payment systems are helping to adapt to global uncertainties.
- Speakers: Representatives from Click, Paynet, and Uzcard
- Moderator: Biz Network
Arnold Gzirov, Business Development Manager at CityPay.io, gave an inspiring keynote speech on the future of crypto integration in urban commerce. He shared his vision of how crypto assets can be a catalyst for financial system transformation and growth in the digital age.
Blockchain and Crypto Assets One of the most anticipated panels of the day, this session focused on blockchain technology and crypto asset regulation and adaptation. Experts discussed finding a balance between innovation and economic efficiency in a regulatory environment.
- Speakers: Representatives from NAPP, Tether, SINOFY, Heemera, and CityPay.io
- Moderator: Lockton Hub
A panel on Sustainable Fintech: How New Regulatory Standards Will Impact the Fintech Industry featured representatives from AIFC, IT Park of Uzbekistan, the Central Bank of Uzbekistan, Loialte, and the Central Bank of Azerbaijan.
Workshops and Sessions - Zone Two
Heemera Presentation: Compliance for Banks and Fintech Artem Klimenko, CEO of Heemera, presented strategies for ensuring crypto compliance in banking.
Financial Crime Workshop by Match Systems This workshop focused on financial investigation methods and compliance to prevent fraud in international banking structures.
- Led by Pavel Tokarev, Senior Advisor at MatchSystems
Panel on Cybersecurity Threats Moderated by Bekzod Akhmadjonov, CTO of OFFBOX, this panel included speakers from Rakasta, MatchSystems, Group-IB, and IT-HUNTER discussing success stories and prevention methods for cyber threats.
Svetlana Ostrovskaya, Head of Education Practice at Group-IB, presented a book on cybersecurity during the forum.
Day Two of the Fintech & Banking 2024 Forum
On October 4th in Tashkent, participants gathered to discuss key topics on inclusion, artificial intelligence, and the role of women in fintech and traditional banking. The event continued its mission of strengthening the region's fintech ecosystem.
The morning session focused on the challenges and outlook for inclusive financial solutions for underserved segments, examining how technology can bridge the gap for underserved and unbanked populations.
- Panelists included representatives from Mikrokreditbank, Apex Bank, the Indonesia Shariah Fintech Association, OZ Planet, and Business & Finance Consulting (BFC).
Panel Discussion: Implementing AI in Uzbekistan: Compliance, Development, and Real Value This panel highlighted the importance of implementing AI in Uzbekistan, with participants from Uzinfocom, Alif Uzbekistan, USAID, and Paynt discussing strategies to overcome the AI talent gap.
- Moderator: Tariq Qureishy, Global Fintech Expert and Futurist
Panel Discussion: Building Human Capital and Attracting Women in Tech Organized in partnership with Women in Tech and UN Women, this discussion addressed gender equality in technology and fintech. Panelists included representatives from Women in Tech Uzbekistan, Uzbekistan's IT community, UN Women Uzbekistan, Alif Uzbekistan, and Click.
- Moderator: CEO of Axioma School/Fintech 360
Workshops in Zone Two
Several significant sessions took place in the workshop zone:
- "FinTech Associations: Together We Thrive" - Representatives from the Fintech Associations of Uzbekistan, Georgia, and Azerbaijan discussed collaborative projects and fintech ecosystem development.
- NETSTRATUM Presentation: Empowering the Fintechs
- Diversity Panel: "Women in Startups, Fintech, and Traditional Banking," with speakers from Group-IB, Realt24, IpotekaBank, and Astana International Financial Centre.
Startup Fintech Competition Ten fintech startups from Uzbekistan and Georgia presented their projects, and a jury from Aloqa Ventures, SwiftLaunch, USAID, Paynet, and BFC selected the winners:
- 1st Place: Azma Finance (Uzbekistan) qualified for a $50,000 investment from Aloqa Ventures. Azma Finance is a fintech platform that automates accounting, tax management, and reporting for small businesses in Uzbekistan.
- 2nd Place: Ranko (Georgia) received a ticket to InMerge Summit in Baku and future qualification with Aloqa Ventures. Ranko is an AI-powered digital lending platform for more informed lending decisions.
- 3rd Place: Xaridor (Uzbekistan) received a ticket to InMerge Summit. Xaridor is a large ecosystem and marketplace for suppliers, business owners, and consumers.
Sponsor Support The forum was made possible with the support of the Central Bank of Uzbekistan and key sponsors, including USAID, CLICK, PAYNET, Group-IB, Tether, Citypay.io, MatchSystems, Uzum, Alif Uzbekistan, Mikrokreditbank, and AloqaVentures. The backing from these organizations helps promote innovation and enhance fintech infrastructure in the region.
The Fintech & Banking 2024 Forum concluded on a high note, underscoring the importance of key topics like inclusion, artificial intelligence, and sustainable growth in the financial sector. We eagerly anticipate next year's event and the continued development of fintech in Uzbekistan and Central Asia.