The integration of digital assets into the real economy is accelerating as markets move beyond the theoretical and investment-driven aspects of cryptocurrencies toward practical applications in payments, commercial transactions and modern financial services.
At the same time, collaboration between banks, Electronic Money Institutions (EMIs), payment institutions and digital asset businesses is becoming increasingly important, creating new opportunities while also introducing significant regulatory and risk management challenges.
This transition is reshaping the financial services landscape, where cooperation between traditional financial institutions and companies operating in the digital economy is emerging as a key prerequisite for the delivery of secure, efficient and fully compliant financial services. Issues such as access to banking services, the integration of digital assets into everyday payments and the development of new partnership models are now at the forefront of the global financial agenda.
These developments will form a central theme of the Digital Assets and the Future of Finance Summit 2026, taking place on 7 July 2026 at City of Dreams Mediterranean, Limassol, Cyprus.
One of the conference highlights will be the panel discussion entitled "The Mainstream Banking System, EMIs, Payment Institutions and Digital Assets in the Real Economy," which will explore the evolving role of banks, electronic money institutions and payment service providers in the rapidly expanding digital economy.
The panel will feature Panayiotis Theodosiou, Chief Operations Officer at Moneygate, Andreas Tserkezos, AMLCO/MLRO at SEPAGA E.M.I. Ltd and Francisco Cordoba Otalora, Marie Curie Researcher in Asset Tokenization , University of Nicosia while Vahid Basset, Strategic Operations Junior Director at ECOMMBX, will moderate the discussion.
The speakers will examine how EMIs and payment institutions are supporting businesses operating in the crypto and digital assets sector by providing regulated financial services, including electronic money issuance, payment accounts, transaction processing and other licensed payment solutions.
The discussion will also address the challenges that many digital asset companies continue to face when seeking access to traditional banking services, as well as the growing role of EMIs as an alternative financial infrastructure that facilitates the operation and expansion of the digital economy.
Further topics on the agenda include de-risking practices, regulatory compliance requirements, partnership models between banks, payment institutions and crypto businesses, as well as the integration of stablecoins and regulated digital assets into modern payment and settlement infrastructures.
From Investment Assets to Everyday Payments
As digital assets continue to find practical applications across the broader economy, financial infrastructures are evolving toward a new model in which payments, cross-border transactions and commercial services increasingly leverage blockchain technology and regulated digital assets.
Where Finance Meets the Digital Economy
The Digital Assets and the Future of Finance Summit 2026 will bring together regulators, banks, fintech companies, crypto-asset service providers (CASPs), payment institutions, EMIs, institutional investors and senior decision-makers from Cyprus and abroad, creating a platform for knowledge exchange and strategic dialogue on the future of financial services and the digital economy.
For further information and registrations, please click here.
Diamond Sponsor: Ecommbx
Gold Sponsors: ETORO, Hadron by Tether
Silver Sponsors: Copla, Teroxx, K. Treppides & Co Limited & Moneygate
Sponsor: IMR/University of Nicosia™
Ecosystem Partner: TechIsland
With the Support of: ACFE Cyprus Chapter, CFA Society Cyprus, ICPAC, STEP
Media Partners: CBN (Cyprus Business News), INBusiness Magazine, GOLD Magazine, The Cryptonomist
Organiser: IMH
Telephone: +357 77777741
Email: events@imhbusiness.com
Website: www.imhbusiness.com
