Crypto, digital assets and agentic AI are taking up more space on the Nordic fintech agenda. Here is a practical guide to the sessions at Norway Fintech Festival on 22 April in Bergen most relevant to those working with digital assets and next-generation financial infrastructure.
This article provides a practical guide to this year's Norway Fintech Festival programme – focusing on sessions most relevant to those building, investing or working with digital assets, regulation and next-generation financial infrastructure. We also include sessions on agentic AI in banking and finance, as well as broader discussions about the future of banking and finance, because we believe stablecoins and digital currencies will become payment methods for AI agents.
Rea Parashar, Festival Director and CEO of Finance Innovation, sets the stage for two days of discussions at Norway Fintech Festival 2026.
Wednesday 22 April, 09:00–09:05, Atlantis.
Digital identity is becoming critical infrastructure. With eIDAS 2.0 and new digital wallets, it is not just the rules that are changing – it is who controls identity, data and access to services. The panel explores what is being built, who it benefits, and what it means for users, businesses and the financial sector.
Speakers: Øyvind Westby Brekke (Stø), Kalev Pihl (SK ID Solutions), Jon Ølnes (Signicat), Brage Strand (Mobai), Ida Paulsen (DNB) and Nina Mathiesen (Norwegian Tax Administration).
Wednesday 22 April, 10:00–10:45, Speakers' Corner.
Robert Eikheim from Firi shares his perspective on where the crypto market stands today, what is actually working, and how a Nordic player navigates a rapidly changing market.
Speaker: Robert Eikheim (Firi).
Wednesday 22 April, 10:00–10:10, Dalucci.
Two of Norway's leading crypto founders meet a seasoned investment director who believes crypto has no underlying value – and therefore no future. The result is a genuine discussion about what crypto is worth, where it is heading, and whether it has a long-term role in the financial system.
Speakers: Kaja Vagle (CryptoClarity AS), Torbjørn Bull Jenssen (K33), Robert Næss (Nordea) and Robert Eikheim (Firi).
Wednesday 22 April, 10:10–10:45, Dalucci.
Crypto has long operated outside traditional financial rules. That is now changing. Daniel Næsse explores what the regulatory shift means in practice, how oversight is shaping the future of digital assets, and what companies need to understand to operate in a more demanding regulatory environment.
Speaker: Daniel Næsse (Advokatfirmaet Kyrre).
Wednesday 22 April, 11:00–11:05, Dalucci.
Crypto may feel digital and borderless, but tax obligations are very real. This session provides a practical overview of how crypto taxation actually works, what to watch out for, and how to avoid costly mistakes.
Speaker: Marius Johansen (Norwegian Tax Administration).
Wednesday 22 April, 11:05–11:10, Dalucci.
Crypto is often seen as speculative, but can it be used as real financial collateral? Torbjørn Bull Jenssen looks at how digital assets can be used as security, what it takes to make this work in practice, and which challenges still need to be resolved.
Speaker: Torbjørn Bull Jenssen (K33).
Wednesday 22 April, 11:10–11:15, Dalucci.
Not everyone on this panel agrees that crypto is the future – but they do agree it needs rules. Perspectives from law, crypto and traditional finance come together to discuss what the right framework should look like and what it will mean for digital assets going forward.
Speakers: Robert Næss (Nordea), Daniel Næsse (Advokatfirmaet Kyrre), Torbjørn Bull Jenssen (K33), Marius Johansen (Norwegian Tax Administration), Rune Stavenes (Advokatfirmaet Kyrre) and J David Paton (KryptoCore).
Wednesday 22 April, 11:15–11:45, Dalucci.
Panagiotis Kriaris (Unzer) looks at what is actually changing in fintech and payments – including how agentic AI is beginning to shape the infrastructure. From user growth to monetisation, from standalone products to integrated ecosystems.
Speaker: Panagiotis Kriaris (Unzer).
Wednesday 22 April, 12:30–12:45, Atlantis.
In a world that is becoming more transactional, competitive and unpredictable, leaders from Revolut, Vipps and Klarna discuss how they are adapting. Growth is no longer just about scaling fast – it is about deeper customer relationships, broader ecosystems and long-term engagement.
Speakers: Panagiotis Kriaris (Unzer), Andreas Meland Talseth (Revolut), Rune Garborg (Vipps Mobilepay) and Geir Østby (Klarna).
Wednesday 22 April, 12:45–13:15, Atlantis.
Magnus Jones from the Nordic Blockchain Association breaks down the key developments in digital money and what they mean for financial institutions, fintech companies and the broader economy.
Speaker: Magnus Jones (Nordic Blockchain Association).
Wednesday 22 April, 13:30–13:37, Dalucci.
The digital economy is evolving rapidly – from stablecoins to tokenised assets. The panel explores where things are heading and what it means for financial institutions, fintech companies and the broader economy.
Speakers: Magnus Jones (Nordic Blockchain Association), Lars Marius Sæverhagen (DNB), Robert Næss (Nordea) and Suela Kristiansen (Norges Bank).
Wednesday 22 April, 13:37–14:15, Dalucci.
Revolut is one of Europe's fastest-growing challenger banks, with a valuation three times that of Norway's largest bank. Andreas Meland Talseth shares how Revolut sees the future of banking – from product expansion to how they think about growth, customers and scale.
Speaker: Andreas Meland Talseth (Revolut).
Wednesday 22 April, 14:37–14:44, Atlantis.
Payments feel simple to users. Behind the scenes, standards, partnerships and infrastructure determine how they actually work. This session looks at what it takes to build the next generation of payment standards.
Speakers: Øyvind Westby Brekke (Stø), Bente Josefsen (Visa) and Bent Ove Jørgensen (Deloitte).
Wednesday 22 April, 15:40–16:00, Dalucci.
Let us know if there are additional sessions you think touch on digital assets, stablecoins, blockchain or agentic AI.
