Fintech Week Dubai 2026, hosted at Radisson Blu Dubai Deira Creek, delivered a powerful panel discussion on “The Role of Open Banking & Open Finance in Driving Payment Innovation.” The session brought together leaders from financial services, governance, and capital strategy to explore how data-sharing frameworks and collaborative ecosystems are transforming the payments landscape.

The discussion was moderated by EmCee Pooja Sudha, CEO of PS Group of Companies, a renowned keynote speaker, public figure, and multilingual anchor known for engaging global audiences across India, the UAE, and the Middle East. With her dynamic stage presence and ability to translate complex subjects into compelling dialogue, Pooja guided the conversation with clarity and energy. Her experience hosting large-scale international events and conferences ensured a well-balanced exchange between strategic insight and practical implementation.

Tanvir Shah, CEO at XSquare, provided a financial services perspective grounded in decades of experience across banking and real estate finance. He highlighted how Open Banking frameworks are reshaping traditional banking models by enabling secure API-driven data exchange. Shah emphasized that customer-centric innovation, supported by strong infrastructure and institutional trust, is essential to unlocking long-term value in open finance ecosystems.

From a governance and compliance lens, Sheikh Mohsin Ali, Chief Operating Officer at COAE International, addressed the critical importance of regulatory alignment, data governance, and risk management. Drawing on his extensive experience in implementing international management standards and auditing frameworks, he stressed that sustainable Open Finance models must be built on transparency, security, and standardized compliance practices.

Adding a capital markets dimension, Oliver von Wolff, Partner at Handle AEand Founder & CEO of Helion Capital, discussed the investment implications of Open Banking. With over 25 years of global finance expertise, he examined how strategic capital deployment and cross-border partnerships are accelerating fintech growth. He noted that investors are increasingly prioritizing scalable platforms that integrate compliance, digital infrastructure, and collaborative ecosystems.

The panel concluded that Open Banking and Open Finance are no longer regulatory experiments — they are strategic catalysts for payment innovation. By enabling interoperability, fostering competition, and empowering consumers with greater control over their financial data, these frameworks are reshaping the future of financial services.

Fintech Week Dubai 2026 once again reinforced its role as a platform for meaningful dialogue, bringing together leaders who are defining the next chapter of digital finance across the region and beyond.