AIBC World in Rome signals Italy’s growing role in European tech economy

Global investors are looking at Italy, as regulatory progress, infrastructure development and high-profile events reshape its role in the global digital economy, according to AIBC World’s managing director Olga Yaroshevsky.

For years, markets such as Dubai and Singapore have been seen as leading hubs for crypto, blockchain and next-generation technologies. They secured capital through speed, regulatory flexibility and government backing. Europe, and Italy in particular, has often been viewed as more cautious in its approach.

Industry participants say that is starting to shift, with Italy increasingly positioning itself as an emerging tech hub in Europe.

AIBC World in Rome

A key signal of that shift is the return of AIBC World in Rome, which will take place for the second consecutive year from 2nd November to 5th November this year.

In an interview with Forbes Italy, Olga Yaroshevsky, managing director of AIBC World said: “For a long time, Italy was seen as ‘beautiful but lagging’, but that no longer reflects reality. We see a country ready to carve out a role in the European technological economy.”

The decision to host the event again in Rome, she said, is due to “a different level of interest from international investors and operators,” rather than a purely logistical choice.

Rome as a stable, powerful market

Cities such as Dubai have built their markets by offering streamlined regulation or aggressive policy support, leading to faster deployment of technologies such as blockchain infrastructure and digital finance platforms.

Europe’s approach has been more cautious, but also more structured.

“Dubai is moving at full speed,” Yaroshevsky said. “Europe has built a much more structured regulatory model, which could be a strength—but in the short term, it risks slowing down innovation.”

Italy is attempting to position itself between those models, not as the fastest-moving jurisdiction but as a stable environment within a large, regulated market.

Organisers are positioning Rome can act as a connecting point between Europe, the Middle East and Asia, rather than a direct competitor to established tech hubs.

“Each stop on our tour has its own identity,” Yaroshevsky said. “Rome is where we want to develop regulatory dialogue, particularly around frameworks like MiCA and the AI Act.”

That positioning reflects a broader trend in which innovation is becoming more geographically distributed, rather than concentrated in a handful of global centres.

Regulation Driving Interest

Part of Italy’s growing appeal is linked to the European Union’s rollout of key frameworks, including the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation and the AI Act.

“With MiCA fully operational and compliance timelines approaching, we are finally seeing regulatory clarity,” Yaroshevsky said. “Through institutions such as Consob and the Bank of Italy, Italy is offering a more credible framework.”

Executives say that clarity is beginning to attract more institutional players, who had previously been cautious about entering less predictable markets.

The changing profile of events like AIBC World reflects a broader shift across the industry.

“We see many more builders,” Yaroshevsky said. “Founders, technical teams, infrastructure experts. The focus is less on speculation and more on concrete solutions.”

Topics expected to dominate the Rome event include stablecoins, cross-border payments and artificial intelligence applications in business.

AI Moves to the Core

Artificial intelligence is also being seen as a foundational layer rather than a standalone technology.

“AI is no longer just a frontier innovation—it is becoming a transversal economic layer,” Yaroshevsky said.

From automated decision-making systems to real-time engagement tools, the sector is entering a more industrial phase, with practical deployment taking priority over experimentation, she added.

From Visibility to Execution

“Our goal is to create an environment where real connections happen,” Yaroshevsky said, noting that previous AIBC events have led to funding rounds for startups.

Still, she added, “building an ecosystem is a long-term process.”

As Rome prepares to host the next edition of AIBC World, organisers are positioning the event not just as a forum for discussion but as a platform for dealmaking and expansion. Are you a company that is interested in participating in this platform? Reach out today to exhibit at AIBC Rome.