Fintech Forward: Panama Builds Bridges for Innovation

Panama’s Fintech Sector Receives Boost at “Fintech Forward” Event

Panama City – Panama’s fintech sector received a boost on May 14, 2025, as Cámara Fintech Panamá and Ciudad del Saber co-hosted “Fintech Forward,” a networking event designed to connect key players and promote innovative financial solutions. The event underscored the critical role of collaboration and forward-thinking regulation in fostering a thriving fintech ecosystem.

Driving Innovation Through Collaboration

The “Fintech Forward” event served as a nexus for entrepreneurs, regulators, and investors, all focused on advancing Panama’s fintech landscape. Javier Buitrago, secretario of Cámara Fintech Panamá, emphasized the importance of Panamanian startups in driving financial inclusion.

“Cada uno de ustedes es protagonista. Si Zinli, CuanttoApp o Tafi no existieran, muchos panameños no tendrían acceso a estos servicios digitales. Somos nosotros, desde Panamá, los que debemos construir las soluciones que el país necesita,”

Buitrago stated, highlighting the impact of local companies like Zinli, CuanttoApp, and Tafi in expanding access to digital financial services.

Cámara Fintech Panamá is also part of the Alianza Fintech Iberoamérica (FIA), which provides its members access to international networks and resources.

FINHUB: Navigating the Regulatory Landscape

A significant highlight of the event was the unveiling of the FINHUB platform. Cristóbal Gómez Gutiérrez, representing the Consejo de Coordinación Financiera, introduced FINHUB as a virtual guide for fintech companies navigating Panama’s regulatory environment.

“El FINHUB no es un requisito legal, pero sí una herramienta de valor. Permite a los interesados conocer cuál entidad estatal regula su actividad, si aplica alguna regulación o si su operación no está sujeta a supervisión. La certeza regulatoria es clave,”

Gómez explained, emphasizing that regulatory clarity is crucial for fostering innovation and attracting investment. The platform offers a streamlined process: fintechs fill out a form, receive a notification for a virtual meeting, and then get technical guidance from regulators.

A Regulatory Sandbox for Fintechs?

The event also featured a call for the creation of a regulatory sandbox in Panama. Aldo Ariel Ríos, exdirector de Estrategia y Transformación de la Superintendencia de Bancos de Panamá, stressed the importance of such a framework to encourage financial innovation.

“Esta es una iniciativa construida junto al BID, que tomó nueve meses de trabajo coordinado. El mayor valor es que permitirá recopilar datos precisos sobre las necesidades del mercado, fundamentales para diseñar futuras leyes y regulaciones,”

Ríos noted, highlighting the collaborative effort with the Inter-American Development Bank (BID) in developing FINHUB. He also pointed out that the FINHUB will play a vital role in gathering data to inform future regulations.

“Solo falta el mandato institucional para lograrlo. La asociatividad es el camino para incidir en la política pública. Este es apenas el primer paso,”

Ríos added, underscoring that establishing a regulatory sandbox requires institutional commitment and collaboration.

“Fintech Forward” highlighted Panama’s commitment to fostering a dynamic fintech ecosystem. The collaboration between Cámara Fintech Panamá and Ciudad del Saber, the launch of the FINHUB platform, and the push for a regulatory sandbox all signal a concerted effort to drive innovation and bridge gaps in financial services.

What are your thoughts on Panama’s growing fintech sector? Share your comments below.

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