The Future Of Money: How will the world pay in the next 10 years?

Around the world, the way we pay, save, and move money is changing rapidly. From digital wallets in African markets to biometric payments in Asia and the lingering attachment to cash in parts of Europe, financial habits are evolving in ways that reveal much more than just economic shifts. They reflect trust, identity, and deeply rooted cultural norms.

Cryptocurrencies and blockchain-based solutions have also entered this landscape, not as a standalone revolution, but as part of a broader transformation that challenges how we think about control, ownership, and value itself.

At the heart of the event lies a simple but powerful question: How will people pay and manage their money in the next 5 to 10 years?

Key topics

• The disappearance of cash: cultural, practical, and psychological implications
• Digital payment systems across regions: shifts in the Western world, Asia, and Africa
• Trust, surveillance, and control in fully digital financial ecosystems
• Cultural resistance to cashless systems, such as Germany’s attachment to physical money
• Cryptocurrency and blockchain: included as part of the broader landscape
• Comparative outlooks on global practices and emerging trends

Why You Should Attend

• Get a global perspective on how money is evolving across cultures, regions, and technologies
• Learn from real-world stories rooted in lived experiences and cultural context
• Explore recent research from the VIGS DEE Index on the FinTech landscape in the Danube Valley
• Connect with a diverse community of professionals, researchers, and forward-thinkers shaping the future of finance

Speakers

Hear from top voices from global financial hubs and the Central and Eastern European (CEE) region, individuals with hands-on experience and clear, relatable insights into how financial systems are evolving. Instead of abstract theories, expect grounded perspectives shaped by real-world challenges and cultural contexts. The complete lineup will be announced shortly.

Event Schedule

📍 Location: WeXelerate, Praterstraße 1, 1020 Vienna

🕔 Time: September 26, 2025 | 17:00 – 20:00

• 16:30 – Arrival & Welcome
• 17:00 – 19:00 – Main Program
• 19:00 – 20:00 – Networking & Refreshments

About VIGS Institute

The Vienna Institute for Global Studies (VIGS) is a cutting-edge research center at Modul University Vienna, founded by Professor Dr. Zoltán Ács. Inspired by institutions such as the Santa Fe Institute and the RAND Corporation, VIGS combines economic and complexity science approaches to understand and address the world’s most pressing global challenges.

Special Offer

As part of the program, we will also present key findings from the VIGS Danube Valley Digital Entrepreneurial Ecosystem (DEE) Index. This research offers a unique look into the region’s emerging FinTech landscape, providing a data-driven backdrop to our broader discussion on the future of money.

Reserve your spot today!

Your registration covers the panel, networking opportunities, and catering.We look forward to welcoming you to this engaging and forward-looking conversation on the future of money.