On 1 October, the European Digital Finance Association (EDFA) hosted the fourth edition of the Fintech Café, continuing its mission to unite fintech associations, networks, and experts for open dialogue and strategic alignment across Europe and beyond.
Spotlight on CBDCs, Stablecoins & the 28th Regime
The Café provided a space for members to reflect on the regulatory landscape and share coordinated responses. This month’s theme centered on CBDCs & Stablecoins, with a deep dive into the 28th Regime, the European Innovation Act, and the Financial Data Access (FiDA) proposal. Discussions explored how these evolving frameworks are reshaping digital finance, with particular attention to the DLT Pilot Regime and the role of financial literacy, savings, and investment accounts in building inclusive ecosystems.

During the meeting, EDFA also presented its official response to the European Commission’s consultation on the 28th Regime, reinforcing the Café’s role as a platform for collective advocacy.
GECA: A Global Voice for Equity Crowdfunding
This edition welcomed the presentation of GECA – the Global Equity Crowdfunding Alliance, a coalition of platforms, service providers, and stakeholders committed to enabling seamless equity crowdfunding across borders.
GECA recently concluded its Architects of Change content series—five global roundtables that will inform a forthcoming whitepaper identifying key priorities for the coalition’s future work.
Member Highlights
As always, the open-floor format allowed members to share updates and initiatives, including the Fintech Roundtable: Latvia & Hamburg held on 24 September in Hamburg. This event was co-hosted by Digital Invest Germany and Fintech Latvia Association, both EDFA members. The roundtable explored regulatory collaboration and ecosystem complementarity between Hamburg and Riga, followed by company pitches from leading fintechs in both countries, showcasing innovation and fostering cross-border partnerships.

Looking Ahead
The Fintech Café is becoming a cornerstone for Europe’s fintech community—where ideas converge, voices align, and impact multiplies. We look forward to welcoming even more associations at the next session on 3 November 2025.
📅 Register once to join all sessions via Zoom:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/HUPayZ_YSuCBzeo0LbqiKQ#/registration