Deputy Governor Dardan Fusha held a lecture at the EU Winter School 2025 on the Future of Payments and Financial Innovation

Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of the Republic of Kosovo (CBK), Mr. Dardan Fusha, delivered a lecture today at the EU Winter School 2025 titled “Designing the Future of Payments: How Regulation Can Drive Innovation.”

The EU Winter School titled “FinTech and the Digital Economy – Blockchain, Innovation, and the New Geopolitics of Digital Finance”, organized by YCS Team and EYCA Kosovo, and supported by the European Union in Kosovo in partnership with the University of Pristina, brought together students and young professionals to explore key developments in FinTech, digital transformation, blockchain, cybersecurity, regulatory framework, and innovation in financial services.

In his presentation, Deputy Governor Fusha highlighted the global evolution of digital payments, the growing examples of fast-payment systems, and the essential role of principles-based regulation in fostering innovation while safeguarding financial stability. He also underlined Kosovo’s efforts to modernize its payments ecosystem, including:

• Alignment with EU standards and progress toward SEPA integration;

• Implementation of Open Banking and the national QR Code standard; and

• Regional cooperation to adopt instant payments through the TIPS Clone initiative, supported by the Bank of Italy and the World Bank.

“These reforms are essential for creating a competitive, transparent, and inclusive financial system. Investing in modern payment infrastructure and regulatory alignment not only enhances efficiency, but also strengthens Kosovo’s integration with the European financial market,” stated Deputy Governor Fusha.

The CBK considers strengthening transparency and advancing financial literacy as essential pillars of market development, therefore it supports and contributes to events like this, which increase the awareness, involvement and capacities of the new generation in the field of finance and its growing digital transformation.

The CBK remains committed to supporting financial innovation, improving market access, and expanding digital financial services for citizens, businesses, and the economy as a whole.