The Central Bank of Uzbekistan and GFTN launch the inaugural Forum in Tashkent, 24–26 August 2026, supporting Uzbekistan’s ambition to become the region’s FinTech capital.
Tashkent, Uzbekistan, 11 June 2026 - The Central Bank of Uzbekistan (CBU) and the Global Finance & Technology Network (GFTN), a not-for-profit entity established by the Monetary Authority of Singapore, today announced the inaugural Silk Road Finance & Technology Forum, to be held in Tashkent from 24 to 26 August 2026 at the Central Asian Expo Uzbekistan (CAEx) and the Islamic Civilization Centre. The Forum is Uzbekistan's premier convening platform for finance, innovation, and policy, bringing together leaders and decision-makers while positioning the country as Central Asia's anchor for FinTech.
Under the leadership of the Central Bank of Uzbekistan, the country has built one of the region's most dynamic FinTech environments, supported by a population of more than 37 million people, a large share of whom are under the age of 30, digital adoption nearing 70 percent, and a fast-growing ecosystem of firms. That momentum is now formalised under Presidential Decree which guides the sector toward 2030 targets of US$1 billion in foreign investment, 5,000+ professionals trained, 200+ licensed market participants, 100 startups graduating incubation, and the piloting of digital currencies and stable tokens.
FinTech sits at the centre of this strategy because Central Asia, a market of more than 80 million digitally savvy people, remains one of the few large, young and digital-native regions still early in its curve. To capture that opportunity, CBU is building a globally accessible Regulatory Sandbox 2.0, the QFinex Quantum Test Bed, a dedicated US$50 million venture fund, and forward-looking frameworks across payments, open banking, Buy Now Pay Later, and cyber resilience, an approach that consciously echoes Singapore's regulator-led rise to become the world's number three FinTech hub.
The Forum is anchored in the theme of Al-Jabr, the Arabic concept of "bringing parts together" that gave the world algebra, a nod to Al-Khwarizmi, the ninth-century mathematician from Khwarezm in present-day Uzbekistan. In that spirit, the three-day convening is built around five pillars: open banking, digital assets and stablecoins, cross-border payments, Islamic finance, and innovation and investment. Co-hosted with Ant International and joining GFTN's global network alongside the Singapore FinTech Festival, the Point Zero Forum (Zurich), GFTN Forum Japan and the Black Swan Summits, it will bring together heads of state, central bank governors, development institutions, investors and founders from across Central Asia, the GCC and beyond.
“Innovation flourishes when trust, talent and capital converge. Uzbekistan has demonstrated a clear commitment to building these foundations, and the Silk Road Finance & Technology Forum provides a timely platform to connect global expertise with regional ambitions. We look forward to supporting the emergence of Central Asia as a vibrant hub for financial innovation.” said Sopnendu Mohanty Group CEO of GFTN.
About the Silk Road Finance & Technology Forum
Uzbekistan's annual flagship FinTech convening, co-hosted by the Central Bank of Uzbekistan and the Global Finance & Technology Network, connecting policymakers, regulators, investors and founders to shape Central Asia's next financial corridor.
To find out more:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/119613917/
Website: https://www.silkroadfinancetechnologyforum.com/
About GFTN
The Global Finance & Technology Network (GFTN) is a Singapore-headquartered not-for-profit organisation established by the Monetary Authority of Singapore in 2024. With offices in Japan, Germany and India, GFTN’s mission is to bridge policy, capital, and technology to build financial systems that are resilient, efficient, and inclusive. GFTN Services hosts global forums across five continents, bringing together innovators, entrepreneurs, investors, and policymakers from over 130 countries. It offers policy advice to governments to promote financial technology innovation, inclusion, and capacity building. GFTN Capital will be a venture capital firm investing in growth-stage FinTechs globally. For more information, please visit www.gftn.co
For any media requirements please contact press@cbu.uz / cbu@montfort.london / comms@gftn.com
