Assiom Forex: 2026 Congress lands in Venice, Governor Panetta expected

(Il Sole 24 Ore Radiocor) - The 32nd annual Assiom Forex Congress lands in Venice where it will bring together the world of economics and finance, from 20 to 21 February 2026 in the setting of the Palazzo del Casinò, to address the challenges of the near future in the light of global uncertainty. At the heart of the debate, the evolution of scenarios, risks and opportunities in the financial markets in a phase of profound transformation of global balances, in which Europe is called upon to play an active role through its economic and political choices. In parallel, technological innovation is redefining the functioning of the markets, increasing the need for energy and opening up new prospects for growth.

The two-day event will open with a workshop in the afternoon (Friday 20) while the following day the focus will be on the traditional Talk to the financial community by Bank of Italia Governor Fabio Panetta (scheduled for the morning of Saturday 21 February). This will be followed by the customary in-depth round table discussion, organised in cooperation with Il Sole 24 Ore Radiocor. All the proceedings can be followed in streaming mode.

"We are convinced that Congress represents a valuable opportunity for debate in a context of profound transformation of global balances," says Assion Forex President Massimo Mocio. "A phase marked by uncertainty over the economic effects of the US administration's policies, by the new role that Europe is being called upon to assume in the international scenario and by the revolution in financial markets and intermediaries, driven by the spread of artificial intelligence, digital assets and the tokenization of financial instruments". Banca Ifis, as Main Partner of the Congress, will actively support the event and collaborate in the realisation of moments of confrontation aimed at offering an update on the issues of greatest interest.

Technological innovation, power generation and financial markets: this is the theme chosen for this year's round table (Saturday 21 February). The debate will address issues related to the impact of technological innovation on the financial system, in the light of the spread of artificial intelligence, the expansion of digital assets and the tokenization of financial instruments, which will change the role of intermediaries and the structure of markets. This evolution brings both challenges and opportunities: from operational efficiency to risk management and the need for adequate energy infrastructure. The editor-in-chief of Sole 24 Ore and Radiocor, Fabio Tamburini, will moderate the round table, whose guests include Marina Brogi, professor of Economics of Financial Intermediaries at the University of Milan-Bicocca; Anna Gatti, board member of the Intesa Sanpaolo group; Frederik Geertman, CEO of Banca Ifis; Renato Mazzoncini, managing director and general manager of A2a; Massimo Mocio, president of Assiom Forex, and Giuliano Noci, pro-rector of the Milan Polytechnic. Once again this year there will be no shortage of in-depth discussions on issues related to competitiveness and the evolution of capital markets, with a particular focus on opportunities and challenges for European growth.

The day of Saturday 21 February will start at 10.30 the welcome greetings of the Mayor of Venice, Luigi Brugnaro, followed by those of the President of the Region, Alberto Stefani, the Chairman of Banca Ifis, Ernesto Furstenberg Fassio, and the Chairman of Assiom Forex, Massimo Mocio, who will precede the address to the financial community by the Governor of the Bank of Italia, Fabio Panetta.