Caroline Wehrle

Join us as we unfold the journey of the Green Fintech Network's inaugural year at the cutting edge of sustainable finance innovation. This round table will explore the milestones achieved and the collaborative efforts to bolster Switzerland's position in the global market. Join the discussion on the rich and unique Swiss ecosystem, share success stories, address the challenges faced, and chart a course for the future of green digital finance.
 
Session Objectives:
- To present a comprehensive overview of GFN's evolution, highlighting the strides made in developing a value proposition that resonates globally.
- To unveil the «Green Fintech Map» showcasing how Swiss startups address different steps of the sustainable finance value chain.
- To articulate the unique selling points (USPs) of the Swiss ecosystem and its role in driving forward the global sustainable finance agenda.
- To discuss the practical challenges and learning experiences in funding green fintech ventures.
- To affirm the strategic timing for investing in green fintech, supported by compelling market and policy developments.
- To highlight successful collaborations between green fintechs and financial institutions, serving as case studies for future endeavors.
- To compare and contrast the Swiss green fintech ecosystem with other international hubs, deriving lessons and best practices.
- To provide an outlook on GFN's goals and milestones for the coming year, setting the stage for ongoing engagement and growth.

In keeping with Elevandi's commitment to ensuring the development of inclusive systems, this roundtable focuses on how MSMEs can be empowered to conduct seamless business with a trusted digital identify & digital assets with stronger support from financial institutions and FinTechs.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) are working with leading central banks, bank and non-bank financial institutions, multilateral agencies and other stakeholders on the Universal Trusted Credential (UTC). The UTC is a data-driven, digitally enabled, characterisation of an MSME’s creditworthiness and business trust based on verified, traditional as well as alternative data. The goal is to provide MSMEs with an interoperable digital identity that can help them be considered for greater access to financial services and financial inclusion. In addition, MSMEs can use the UTC as an interoperable digital identity that will enable them to conduct cross-border trades with new partners.

In this roundtable operated under our theme of Decoding Digital Assets and Payments, discussants will explore the following:
- The unique potential of UTCs and how it can help MSMEs grow their business
- The challenges surrounding UTC implementation including data regulations, data infrastructure, as well as policy and domestic financial markets
- How the UTC can optimise financing, digital economy business, payments and forex settlements
- Current application of the UTC with smart contracts/purpose bound money conditions to provide cross-border payments and settlements with digital assets
- The eventual evolution of using UTC with different types of digital assets
- Identification of near-term collaborations between participants for UTC

Attendees who wish to familiarise themselves with the topic may refer to the reference materials below.
- Universal Trusted Credentials: Transforming Access to Finance for MSMEs and Beyond