When we think about fintech, the conversation often focuses on technology. Faster payments, digital assets, artificial intelligence, and new business models dominate the discussion.
Yet some of the most significant advances in financial innovation are driven not by technology alone, but by collaboration.
This perspective is reflected in the work of Olga Veprek, representative of the Swiss Fintech Association, independent International Development Advisor, focused on Ukraine, and Founder of the program Fintech for Social Impact initiative. Through her work across multiple fintech ecosystems, she has witnessed how cross-border partnerships can accelerate innovation, strengthen resilience, and create opportunities that extend far beyond financial services.
Switzerland’s fintech sector sits at the intersection of trust, innovation, and international collaboration. While the country is well known for its financial expertise and strong regulatory environment, one of its greatest strengths lies in its ability to connect innovators, institutions, and policymakers across borders.
Through active partnerships with European and international organisations, the Swiss fintech community has enabled:
- Knowledge exchange on regulation, digital assets, and infrastructure
- Faster alignment on standards
- Cross-border innovation that no single market could achieve independently
One example that demonstrates the spirit and impact of this approach is the Swiss fintech community’s collaboration with Ukraine, spearheaded and developed by Olga. As Ukraine accelerated its digital and financial transformation under extraordinarily challenging circumstances, Swiss fintech stakeholders sought to play a constructive role, not as observers, but as partners. Through Olga’s work, information exchange channels were established between the Swiss and Ukrainian fintech ecosystems, creating opportunities for organisations to share experiences, learn from one another, and identify areas for collaboration.
The partnership has also encouraged dialogue on digital finance frameworks and innovation resilience, with aims to facilitate direct connections between Swiss and Ukrainian fintech companies. These relationships have helped strengthen ties between the two ecosystems at a time when international cooperation was more important than ever.
The work has highlighted the determination and ingenuity of Ukraine’s fintech community. Despite significant challenges, innovation continued to advance, demonstrating how digital finance and partnerships can support economic resilience and maintain critical connections during periods of uncertainty.
In recognition of her leadership in building and strengthening the relationship between the Swiss and Ukrainian fintech communities, Olga Veprek received the ‘Best Cross Border Collaboration‘ Award during Ukrainian Fintech Week. The recognition reflected not only her individual leadership, but also the broader value of international partnerships in supporting innovation, resilience, and shared progress. Olga shared, ‘It is one of the most meaningful awards we could receive as it reflects our ability to collaborate effectively and deliver impact alongside partners in wartime conditions and an increasingly uncertain geopolitical environment.’
The relationship continues today. In addition to fintech-focused collaboration, Olga has set up a social tech NGO and works with several Ukrainian (and other US and Australian groups) on impact-driven initiatives supporting veterans, women entrepreneurs, and business organisations seeking international partnerships and opportunities for growth.
These experiences highlight an important lesson for the global fintech sector. Too often, fintech is discussed primarily in terms of efficiency, competition, or growth. While these outcomes are important, they tell only part of the story. Fintech can also serve as a tool for resilience, recovery, inclusion, and economic opportunity. It can help communities remain connected, support businesses through periods of disruption, and create pathways for collaboration that would not otherwise exist.
The same principles are informing Swiss fintech engagement beyond Europe. The Swiss fintech community is increasingly strengthening relationships across the Australia-Pacific region, also initiated by Olga Veprek, exploring opportunities for collaboration on digital payments, regulatory innovation, and market access. These efforts are creating new opportunities for mutual learning, bringing together different experiences, perspectives, and approaches to solving common challenges. In addition to these, Olga’s efforts have resulted in other international partnerships and ecosystems in Iceland, Latvia, Japan, the UK with more to come.
As financial systems become more interconnected, issues such as digital infrastructure, cybersecurity, financial inclusion, and regulatory innovation require cooperation across jurisdictions and sectors. No single organisation or country has all the answers. AllianceDFA fully agrees with Olga’s view that “The future of finance will be shaped by connected ecosystems, not isolated markets.” Trust, partnership, and a willingness to collaborate across borders will increasingly determine which innovations succeed and which ecosystems thrive.
AllianceDFA is delighted to work alongside the Swiss Fintech Association as a member organisation. Reflecting on the partnership, AllianceDFA CEO Sarah Corley highlighted the value that the Swiss Fintech Association brings to the network: “Their experience fostering collaboration across markets, particularly through initiatives supporting innovation, resilience, and international partnerships, brings valuable perspectives to our network. We look forward to continuing to work together to strengthen connections between fintech communities and advance practical solutions to shared challenges.”
Written by Olga Veprek, Australian, Representative of Swiss Fintech Association, Founder Fintech for Social Impact Initiative, International Development Advisor, Ukraine.