NextGen Nordics 2026 Agenda

As payments accelerate toward digital and alternative methods, security concerns are evolving rapidly. Social engineering attacks, vulnerabilities in new payment models like account-to-account transfers, and the growing sophistication of organised digital crime are reshaping risk strategies. At the same time, recent disruptions to critical infrastructure have exposed the fragility of fully online systems, sparking renewed interest in offline payment capabilities and cash resilience. Adding to this complexity is the tension between digital identification and verification: how do we ensure that identity frameworks are robust enough to prevent fraud without creating friction for legitimate users? This panel explores how banks, regulators, and technology leaders are responding, balancing innovation with security, convenience with trust, and preparing for a future where digital and physical safeguards must work hand in hand.

As global stablecoin adoption accelerates, the Nordics are charting a distinctive path, integrating the EU’s MiCA framework while safeguarding monetary sovereignty and financial stability. This keynote goes beyond stablecoins to examine the broader impact of digital assets, including the upcoming digital euro, Sweden’s e-krona, and the role of CBDCs in a world moving toward de-dollarisation. We’ll explore how these developments intersect with consumer protection, AML compliance, and geopolitical currency dynamics. Following the keynote, join us for a fireside chat with leading voices to discuss what these shifts mean for banks, fintechs, and policymakers as digital money reshapes the financial landscape.

Finextra unveils never-before-seen data from a bespoke survey tackling the questions everyone asks, but no one has answered, about the future of payments in the Nordics. From quantum-era security and influence on regional strategies to synthetic data for fraud prevention and infrastructure modernisation, this presentation offers a first look at insights that will shape boardroom decisions and technology roadmaps. Attendees will be the first to access the full survey results, followed by a discussion on what these findings mean for resilience, innovation, and competitive advantage in a rapidly evolving payments landscape.

Quantum computing is no longer a distant concept; it’s a looming reality that could render today’s encryption obsolete and expose critical financial systems to unprecedented risk. This expert talk goes beyond theory to show what quantum computing really means, with a live demonstration that illustrates its power and potential impact on current cryptographic standards. We’ll explore why “harvest now, decrypt later” is a real threat, what post-quantum cryptography looks like, and how quantum-enhanced security tools like Quantum Key Distribution can redefine resilience. Join us for an eye-opening session that combines deep insight with practical showcase, because preparing for the quantum era starts with understanding it.

Fraud prevention is entering a new era, and synthetic data is leading the charge. This fireside chat and live showcase will reveal how privacy-compliant, AI-generated datasets are solving one of the industry’s toughest challenges: training fraud detection models without exposing sensitive information. Discover how synthetic data enables scalable, bias-free testing, simulates emerging fraud patterns, and accelerates development cycles. We’ll also explore its role in pre-validation for real-time payments, ensuring accuracy and security before transactions go live. Join us for an interactive session that combines expert insights with practical demonstrations, because the future of fraud prevention starts in a synthetic sandbox.

Nordic payment systems are undergoing a major transformation to meet the demands of instant payments, cross-border efficiency, and enhanced resilience. Beyond Sweden’s adoption of ISO 20022 and domestic clearing upgrades, Denmark is implementing significant changes to its own infrastructure, and other countries are following suit, all under the shared Nordic rulebook. This harmonisation effort aims to align domestic systems with European standards such as SEPA, while enabling cost reduction and security in a digital-first economy. At the same time, the push for real-time capabilities and frictionless cross-border transactions is reshaping expectations for speed and interoperability across the region. In this interactive panel, we’ll explore how these initiatives collectively shape the next generation of Nordic payment infrastructure and engage attendees in scenario-based discussions on what a truly interoperable, future-ready ecosystem should look like.

When every second counts, resilience isn’t optional; it’s essential. This lightning talk dives into how advanced outage management strategies keep real-time payment systems running, even under pressure. Learn how technologies like outage management systems, predictive analytics, and AI-driven dispatch are transforming fault detection, recovery, and customer communication. We’ll also explore how EU regulations such as DORA influence resilience planning and ask a critical question: what does it take to design a truly “always-on” payments ecosystem? Join us for practical insights and forward-looking ideas on building systems that withstand, recover, and adapt in a digital-first world - because downtime is not an option.

AI is transforming payments from a back-end process into a front-line experience, but its role should be balanced. This panel explores how predictive intelligence, personalisation, and proactive service can create payment journeys that feel effortless and human, while acknowledging that technology is only part of the solution. We’ll debate whether AI is being pushed too hard and how it can complement - not overshadow - customer experience and design thinking. From dynamic payment options and adaptive authentication to personalised financial advice and real-time issue resolution, we’ll discuss how innovators are using AI to anticipate needs, remove friction, and build trust at every touchpoint. The conversation will also address underserved segments like SMEs, where redesigning payment experiences could unlock significant value. Through interactive discussion and case studies, discover how AI can move beyond fraud prevention toward customer-centric ecosystems that redefine convenience and loyalty.

The Nordic region’s instant payment systems and ISO 20022 adoption have laid the foundation for the next big leap: programmable payments and tokenised assets. This panel explores how these technologies are moving from concept to reality, enabling conditional, automated payment flows, real-time settlement, and new business models. From escrow-like conditional releases to automated liquidity management and BNPL innovations, we’ll showcase real-world applications and discuss how APIs, smart contracts, and tokenisation can transform payments into dynamic, data-rich experiences. Join us for an interactive session where experts and attendees will map out what a truly programmable payment ecosystem could look like.