Fintech Latvia Association

Could there be a better way to start spring in Riga than with Fintech Latvia Association and Latvian Business Angels Network joint Late Fintech Breakfast hosted by Magnetiq Bank full of great conversations, fresh ideas, and inspiring people from across Baltics? 🪻 Marine Krasovska, Head of the FinTech Supervision Department at Latvijas Banka, opened the event with a compelling introduction to the Latvian Fintech Strategy. Martins Valters, Co-founder and COO at Mintos, and Toms Jurjevs, Founder and CEO at Sun Finance, brought the strategy to life by sharing their real-world experiences — both in the local Latvian market and on a global scale. They spoke openly about their journeys of growth, lessons learned from mistakes, secrets to building great teams, and their visions for the future. 🔐Keynote Highlights: ✔️Succeeding in similar ways across very different markets ✔️Regulators are not asleep ✔️Every market needs its own CEO ✔️Be smart when investing in technology — and build your IT team wisely ✔️cut the bureaucracy at all costs Panel Discussion: Moderated by Emils Kragis (Latvian Business Angels Network), the panel featured Ansis Spridzans (LatBAN, Angel Investor), Jakub Więcław (Magnetiq Bank), Martins Valters (Mintos), and Toms Jurjevs (Sun Finance). Together, they explored the topic of collaboration and competition: unlocking the potential of Baltic synergy. 🔐Key Takeaways: ✔️Two key areas remain at the forefront for investment: crypto and AI ✔️However, once again: Regulators are not asleep ✔️The mindset of today’s investors is changing rapidly The evening continued with the startup pitches. Deniss Skokovs from Intrepid Fox presented AI agents for business onboarding automation in fintechs and banks (this absolutely confirms the ideas presented in previous presentations and the panel discussion about the role of artificial intelligence and the reduction of bureaucracy); Helmuts Buls from ZalaPay presented a tech-bank solution for retailers with great potential; We were happy to have also fellow Lithuanian startups represented: Mihkel Mandre from Lyfery presented next-gen life insurance and Margiris Laučys from CHASEIT.AI explained how AI powered automated debt collection tool for lenders is changing the game by handling the communication through email, calls, WhatsApp, Viber and SMS with the lender in a best identified way. All the startups chose a really creative way to present their idea - and we are extremely grateful to have such driven newcomers to the industry to watch out for! A huge thank you to Magnetiq Bank — Jakub Więcław & Julija Fescenko — for hosting this event and and Latvian Business Angels Network Managing Director Emils Kragis for fruitful cooperation in bringing together fintech leaders, innovators, and enthusiasts to exchange experiences, explore future trends, and strengthen cross-border connections within the region! 🫶 #FintechBreakfast #FintechLatvia #Innovation #Collaboration

👇 Important update shared by Ramona Miglane, member of our Fintech Development expert group. This proposal is a positive step toward strengthening Latvia’s competitiveness in the Baltics and across Europe.

Ziniet, kas ir kopīgs maksājumu jomas regulējumam un vācu valodas gramatikai? IZŅĒMUMI! Viss ir strukturēti, sakārtoti, loģiski, bet...ir jāpatur prātā un jāsaprot izņēmumi. 🔖 Šeit mazliet vairāk par komercaģenta izņēmumu maksājumu pakalpojumu jomā 💶 p.s. un ja saredzat citas analoģijas, droši dalieties komentāros 🖊️ #payments #maksajumi #maksajumupakalpojumi #agents

Tina Luse, our Managing Director, is heading to UN:BLOCK 2025 ⚡ We're excited to see such a high-calibre gathering of innovators, regulators, and legal minds shaping the future of blockchain and web3 — right here in Riga! See you there! 👋

🎉 We are pleased to announce that SIA xpate, a Latvian-licensed electronic money institution, has become the first non-bank payment service provider to join the Electronic Clearing System (EKS) operated by Latvijas Banka. Since October 17, 2024, Latvijas Banka has opened up the opportunity for non-bank payment service providers (licensed payment and electronic money institutions) and credit unions to participate in the EKS, ensuring equal opportunities for all Latvian payment service providers and fostering the development of payment services in the country. 💥 Latvijas Banka is the first central bank in the euro area to allow direct participation of non-bank payment service providers in a central bank-operated payment system. The EKS offers two key services: clearing and instant payment services, which are used across the SEPA region, including the European Union and the European Economic Area countries. Latvijas Banka's service has sparked interest among non-bank payment service providers, and the first non-bank service provider has already completed all the preparatory work and successfully joined the EKS, initially using the clearing service provided by the EKS. 🎯 Payment service providers wishing to join the system are advised to contact Latvijas Banka, ensure the technical readiness of their systems, and complete the required testing. Latvijas Banka offers professional support and guidance throughout the entire process. Necessary steps and useful information you can find here: https://lnkd.in/dXvgk2S7 🔗 More information: https://lnkd.in/dMMREVHz

📢 Speaker Lineup Announced: Late Fintech Breakfast – Start Local, Scale Global Join us on April 15 from 17:00 to 20:00 at Magnetiq Bank for a special evening edition of the Fintech Latvia Association and Latvian Business Angels Network joint #FintechBreakfast. Under the theme “Start Local, Scale Global”, the event spotlights Latvia’s 🇱🇻 growing role as a fintech hub in Europe 🇪🇺. We’ll bring together public and private sector leaders, successful founders, active investors, and emerging startups to explore how Latvia can accelerate fintech growth and expand its global footprint. The evening will feature keynote presentations: 🎤 Marine Krasovska, Head of FinTech Supervision Department at Latvijas Banka – “Latvian Fintech Strategy” 🎤 Martins Valters, Co-Founder & COO at Mintos – “Mintos Story: First 10 Years” 🎤 Toms Jurjevs, Founder & CEO at Sun Finance – “From Riga to the World: Sun Finance’s Path to Global Growth” 💬 Panel Discussion moderated by Managing Director at Latvian Business Angels Network (LatBAN) Emils Kragis, featuring: Ansis Spridzans, Latvian Business Angels Network Board Member, Angel Investor; Jakub Więcław,  CEO & Chairman of the Board at Magnetiq Bank; Martins Valters, Co-Founder & COO at Mintos; Toms Jurjevs, Founder & CEO at Sun Finance. 🚀 The evening will continue with Startup Pitch Session of five promising fintech startups — Intrepid Fox, ZalaPay, Lyfery, CHASEIT.AI — who will present their vision, showcase their innovation, and connect with investors and partners. This is where the next big ideas begin. Networking, insights, and community — all in one evening! Do not miss! #FintechLatvia #ScalingGlobal #StartupLatvia #LatBAN #FinancialInnovation #Riga #LateFintechBreakfast #LatviaTech

We’re thrilled to see Baltic Finance Center making this happen – giving students the chance to learn all about fintech straight from the source. The next event is already on April 16 – don’t miss it!

UN:BLOCK 2025 is just around the corner! On April 22-23, the blockchain and crypto world will gather in Riga for two days of high-impact insights, discussions, and networking. With MiCA regulations on the way and the industry rapidly evolving, this is your opportunity to stay ahead of the curve and connect with the people driving real change. Here’s what’s waiting for you at UN:BLOCK 2025: ✅ 1000+ Attendees: Network with global leaders, policymakers, and influencers shaping the future of crypto. ✅ Exclusive Networking: Connect with visionaries and innovators across the crypto and blockchain ecosystem. ✅ 250+ Companies: Explore the latest trends, solutions, and innovations from leading global companies in the blockchain space. ✅ Cutting-Edge Projects: Discover the latest developments and startups revolutionizing decentralized technologies. ✅ 50+ Industry Speakers: Gain valuable insights from key leaders in the crypto and blockchain space, including speakers from Binance, Ekonomikas ministrija/ Ministry of Economics of Latvia, Gravity Team, KuCoin Exchange, Latvijas Banka, and many more. ✅ Regulatory Insights: Gain valuable insights into MiCA, its implications for the European crypto market, and how Latvia is positioning itself to play a key role in shaping these regulations. Register now at: unblockeurope.com Don't wait – make sure you're in the room where the future of blockchain is being shaped.

We are incredibly proud to share that our member Sun Finance has been named Company of the Year at the Baltic Fintech Awards during Baltic Fintech Days 2025! 🏆 Bringing this award home to Latvia is a testament to the company’s remarkable journey and consistent global growth. Sun Finance has become a true Baltic fintech success story — scaling across continents, achieving record-breaking milestones, and continuously pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in the industry. Congratulations to the whole team at Sun Finance for this well-deserved recognition! 👏 And now — we’re already starting work on next year’s Baltic Fintech Days — preparing to welcome the community, encourage even more submissions for the Baltic Fintech Awards, and continue spotlighting outstanding fintech companies from across the Baltics!

Next stop… RIGA! ⚡ Yes - it’s official: Baltic Fintech Days 2026 will take place in Latvia’s vibrant capital city, and we couldn’t be more excited to host the entire fintech community right here in Riga! The announcement dropped live on stage during the closing of this year’s event — and our Managing Director Tina said it best: “Honestly, moments like these make me deeply patriotic — and this time, not just for Latvia, but for the entire Baltic region.” This isn’t just another event on the calendar. It’s a symbol of how far we’ve come — from a human chain that once demanded independence, to a united fintech force shaping the future of finance. Special thanks to Magnetiq Bank for backing this vision early on! Together with our Fintech Latvia Association members and incredible public and private sector allies across the Baltics, we’re getting ready to make 2026 something truly special. To our Lithuanian friends — you’ve set the bar high with a brilliant event in Vilnius.  To our Estonian friends — thanks for not being first this time 😉  To everyone else — Riga’s ready. Let’s make 2026 unforgettable! So… see you in Latvia next year? 😏