FinTech is at a crossroads, with AI and blockchain driving a technological revolution that is only beginning to take shape. While some speculate about emerging trends, Luka Sučić, co-founder of the Money Motion (MoMo) conference, sees no competition—these two forces will dominate every financial transaction in the years ahead.
Last year, main FinTech trends included advancements in banking, personal finance, cybersecurity, and AI, setting the stage for even greater developments in 2024. MoMo 2025 is now expecting more participants than ever, with an expanded lineup of international speakers, further solidifying its role as the premier FinTech event in CEE.
In an interview with IT Logs, Sučić outlines why blockchain will underpin every settlement, transfer, and payment, while AI automates and enhances every financial decision. He also discusses the unique challenges facing the CEE region, from regulatory hurdles to the lack of large-scale success stories, and explains why these very obstacles could make the region suitable for innovation.
IT Logs: AI and blockchain have been the dominant forces in FinTech, but recent trends suggest new technologies are taking center stage. What innovations should we be watching in 2025?
Luka Sučić: There are no larger disruptions or dominant forces in the FinTech industry than blockchain and AI—none. Anyone claiming otherwise likely hasn’t been paying close attention. In the next 15 years, every single transaction that is settled, processed, or executed will be based on blockchain technology. It’s simply that efficient—orders of magnitude better than existing systems. Similarly, every manually performed task today will eventually be automated, enhanced, or abstracted by AI. This isn’t just an opinion; it’s an inevitable fact.
These two technologies are still in their early stages and have barely been implemented at scale in the FinTech industry. The key innovations to watch in 2025 will revolve around their practical applications—especially where they converge. One prime example is zkML (zero-knowledge cryptography combined with machine learning), which enables ultra-cheap, fast, private, and compliant transactions.
What unique challenges and opportunities does the CEE region face in FinTech adoption compared to Western Europe?
LS: The unique challenges in CEE are the same ones faced by all smaller and less developed markets. A major issue is the lack of historical success stories—large companies that have scaled to unicorn status or major enterprises employing thousands of people. In this entire region, there are maybe five or six such companies, and only a few of them are in FinTech.
However, this also presents an opportunity. Smaller, underdeveloped markets can be fertile ground for radical innovation. Being on the “edge of the EU” offers the advantage of seeing the best of both worlds: the highly regulated and structured environment of the EU and SEPA, and the more flexible approaches found elsewhere. This is one of the reasons why crypto adoption is highest in CEE compared to the rest of Europe, and why significant innovations in that space have emerged from this region.
The region has strong tech talent but fragmented regulatory frameworks. How can startups and policymakers work together to accelerate FinTech growth?
LS: They don’t. The role of startups is to push the boundaries of innovation and explore what’s possible, while regulators and policymakers are there to observe and, after the fact, create guardrails to protect users. This relationship is symbiotic, but not necessarily collaborative.
If startups are too cautious due to regulatory concerns, their innovation becomes incremental rather than disruptive (in the best sense of the word). Conversely, if policymakers attempt to regulate a nascent market before it has achieved product-market fit, they risk stifling its growth or focusing on areas that would naturally fade away. The key is balance—startups must innovate first, and regulators must step in at the right time to provide structure without stifling progress.
What makes Money Motion the leading FinTech conference in CEE, and how has it evolved since its launch?
LS: We designed Money Motion as a neutral ground for all players in the FinTech space, in the broadest possible sense. Banks, neobanks, payment processors, regulators, scaleups, startups, crypto companies—everyone has a place here. It’s a space where industry professionals can network, stay relevant, and become future-proof. More importantly, it helps break down the perception that competitors or threats are anything more than people with different perspectives.
The conference itself hasn’t seen major structural changes—we’ve stayed true to our original vision. However, it has gained significant recognition and reputation across the region (and beyond), giving it a more international profile.
With over 90 experts attending this year, how has the event grown in terms of scale, impact, and influence on the regional FinTech ecosystem?
LS: With a few exceptions, this region lacks events of this magnitude—both in terms of the topics covered and the caliber of companies attending. In CEE, things tend to move both quickly and slowly at the same time.
As the saying goes: the first time is an anomaly, the second time means there might be something there, and the third time makes it serious enough to demand attention. We are now at that third stage, and I hope we continue on this trajectory.
What impact do you hope Money Motion 2025 will have on the CEE FinTech ecosystem?
LS: I truly hope it evolves into a conference of Money20/20’s magnitude—an event that is impossible to miss if you have any connection to the FinTech industry. My vision is for it to become the default event where professionals go to stay up to date, meet industry leaders, close deals, and, of course, have a great time.
Secretly, my ultimate goal is for Money Motion to become as large and as important as Money20/20 one day.
