FIBE meets the European fintech sector at a turning point. After a prolonged market correction, investment activity is showing signs of recovery. In 2025, around €8.3bn flowed into European fintechs, with capital increasingly concentrated in fewer, larger and later-stage funding rounds. Landmark transactions such as Revolut’s recent funding round underline renewed investor confidence in Europe’s leading fintech platforms.

Against this backdrop, the confirmed speakers reflect current strategic shifts in European banking. FIBE will feature executives directly responsible for major transformation initiatives in digital banking, infrastructure and platform models from N26, Qonto or Circle. Among them is Murat Kalkan, Global Head of Digital Banks at BBVA, whose division recently presented one of Europe’s first banking applications designed to be accessed directly via OpenAI’s ChatGPT and has launched BBVA’s fully digital banking offering in Germany last year.

Together with leaders from digital banks, fintech scale-ups and banking infrasctructure providers, the speaker lineup represents different layers of Europe’s financial ecosystem at a moment when institutions are moving from experimentation to implementation – particularly around AI-driven customer interaction, scalable digital platforms and cross-border growth.

On stage, the programme will address topics such as stablecoins, private markets, defence finance and brokerage, complemented by discussions that bring together banks, fintechs, regulators and investors. Designed as a working platform rather than a traditional conference, FIBE enables cross-sector exchange and collaboration across the European finance and tech landscape.

Panels and hub talks cover topics from U.S. fintech developments to the future of venture capital, with speakers from established financial institutions, scale-ups, and regulatory bodies. The programme will be updated continuously as further sessions are confirmed. For more information, please visit our website.

FIBE is Europe’s finance and tech festival, bringing together banks, fintechs, regulators, investors and innovators for two days of panels, hub talks and networking. The third edition takes place on 15 - 16 April 2026 at CityCube Berlin. The festival provides a working platform for the European financial ecosystem, offering opportunities for cross-sector exchange, learning and collaboration. FIBE was created to highlight emerging trends, foster partnerships and connect decision-makers from across the continent.

You can apply for accreditation online. Please mind our accreditation guidelines. After successful registration and verification, you will receive the accreditation and your badge with your personal QR code for admission by email as a PDF file attachment.

Press badges for FIBE 2026 are valid on 15 and 16 of April 2026, from 9 am until the end of the festival at 6 pm and entitle the holder to free access to FIBE. The badges are non-transferable and only valid in conjunction with an ID card.

About Messe Berlin
Berlin has been a trade fair destination for 200 years, and has been one of the most important such hubs for many decades. Messe Berlin – the state’s own trade fair company – conceives, markets and organises hundreds of live events every year. It strives to be an outstanding host for visitors at all events, generate optimal business stimuli, and provide fair conditions for everyone. This concept is reflected in the company slogan: Messe Berlin – Hosting the World.

About Handelsblatt
Handelsblatt is the largest business and financial newspaper published in German. Around 200 editors, correspondents, and permanent staff ensure up-to-date, comprehensive, and well-founded reporting. With more than 70 domestic and foreign correspondents, Handelsblatt is represented on all continents. It is indispensable reading for decision-makers at first and second management levels. According to the crossmedial "Reader Analysis Decision-Makers in Business and Administration (LAE) 2024”, Handelsblatt reaches 1,035,000 top decision-makers every trading day.

About Berlin Finance Initiative
The Berlin Finance Initiative (BFI) sees itself as the umbrella of Berlin's fintech ecosystem, uniting traditional banks and fintech companies. As the voice of Berlin's finance and technology industry, the BFI actively advocates for its diverse interests and strengthens ties to global markets. The BFI is a proud partner of de:hub FinTech Berlin and Germany Finance and was founded in 2020 by Achim Oelgarth and Caroline Wahl.