Over the past two days, the FiveWest team had the privilege of attending FMAS:25 in Cape Town. Hosted by Finance Magnates, this flagship event brought together the brightest minds in fintech, crypto, payments, and online trading from across the continent and beyond. From powerful panel discussions to cutting-edge tech showcases, the summit truly captured the momentum and innovation reshaping Africa’s financial ecosystem.

A Spotlight on Crypto, Compliance, and Cross-Border Payments

One of the standout moments for our team was FiveWest Co-Founder Pierre van Helden’s participation on the " The Future of Crypto, Lessons from Africa” panel, where he shared FiveWest’s vision for making crypto more accessible and practical across Africa. His insights into the real-world use cases of blockchain and the regulations of digital assets were met with genuine enthusiasm from attendees and fellow panelists alike.

Pierre emphasized the importance of local relevance, noting that while blockchain is global, solutions need to be built for African realities. From helping international employers pay South African staff in crypto or ZAR, offering seamless stablecoin infrastructure for cross-border eCommerce, to how the FiveWest wallet can be used as a one stop treasury management wallet, Pierre highlighted how FiveWest is solving real problems in real time.

A Community of Visionaries

Beyond the panels and product showcases, what truly stood out was the spirit of collaboration and optimism in every room. Whether it was conversations over coffee or debates on stage, FMAS:25 was filled with forward-thinking individuals building the financial rails of tomorrow. Regulators, builders, investors, and founders all shared a common mission: to unlock Africa’s potential through smart, secure, and scalable financial infrastructure.

For the FiveWest team, it was incredibly energizing to meet fellow fintech founders and innovators who are just as committed to shaping an inclusive financial future. From DeFi to digital identity, from cross-border payroll to payment gateways. Africa’s fintech ecosystem is not just growing; it’s thriving.

Looking Ahead

As we reflect on FMAS:25, we’re more excited than ever about the role FiveWest can play in this ecosystem. Whether it’s through crypto payment systems, wallet infrastructure, or business tools for global payouts; our goal remains clear: to help people and businesses across Africa move money smarter, faster, and more freely.

Thank you to the Finance Magnates team for organizing such a world-class event and to everyone who stopped to connect with us. We’re already looking forward to next year!

Eager to learn more about how FiveWest is powering Africa’s financial future? Explore our suite of offerings: fivewest.co.za