P19 Neujahrsevent & Payment Awards: Exchange, Innovation & Key Topics Shaping 2026

With the P19 Neujahrsevent, P19 kicked off the content-driven start to 2026, addressing key industry topics and recognizing outstanding projects and personalities shaping the future of payments and the economy through the P19 Payment Awards.

Vienna, January 28, 2026 – With the P19 Neujahrsevent, the payment initiative P19 officially launched the payment year 2026. Representatives from the financial sector, retail, tourism and mobility gathered at Palais Eschenbach to discuss key developments in payments, exchange perspectives and identify the topics that will shape the industry throughout the year and beyond.

“We use the Neujahrsevent to set the strategic agenda for the payment year,” explains Birgit Kraft-Kinz, initiator of P19. “Payment is a central lever for economic development. That is why our goal is to identify topics that are relevant for companies and industries in the long term – and to consistently drive them forward.”

Exchange on Key Payment Topics at the Core

At the heart of the Neujahrsevent were the so-called P19 Streams – thematic focus areas that bundle the most relevant questions around payment. These range from regulatory developments and new payment infrastructures to the role of payments in retail, tourism and mobility.

During the event, industry experts addressed individual streams, shared practical insights and put current developments into context. Contributions included Petia Niederländer (Oesterreichische Nationalbank) on the Digital Euro, Chris Scheuermann (EPI Company) on the European payment initiative WERO, as well as representatives from retail, mobility and tourism such as Georg Hanschitz-Halikias (jö Bonus Club), Tobias Kühner (Schwarz Group), Patricia Kasandziev (Austrian Post), Veronique Haßler (Ant International) and Christian Pirkner (Bluecode).

The Neujahrsevent deliberately focused on dialogue-driven formats, including interviews and panel discussions, bringing together different perspectives and creating a shared basis for discussion. Topics such as financial literacy, regulatory frameworks and the European payment landscape were also addressed.

Recognition for Flagship Projects and Innovative Leaders

A highlight of the Neujahrsevent was the presentation of the P19 Payment Awards 2025, honoring projects and individuals actively shaping the future of payments and delivering meaningful economic impact.

The winners of the P19 Payment Awards 2025:

Newcomer of the Year: mocca-group.ai

Project of the Year: YOUNIQX
Project: EU Digital Identity & eID solutions

Pioneer of the Year: Matthias Dekan, Raiffeisen Bank International

Payment as a Lever for Growth and Competitiveness

P19 currently connects more than 1,200 Payment Pioneers across various industries. The platform’s mission is to position payment as a strategic success factor and to foster exchange between business, technology and regulation.

The Neujahrsevent marks the starting point for a year in which P19, together with its partners and community, will continue working on key payment topics – with relevance for companies, industries and the overall economic landscape.

Partners & Sponsors

We would like to thank all P19 partners, corporate members and sponsors of the P19 Neujahrsevent:

Bankenverband // BearingPoint // bluesource – mobile solutions // CEOs FOR FUTURE // coeo // EPI Company // exceet Card Group // Kill The Dragon // KRAFTKINZ // Oesterreichische Nationalbank // Raiffeisen Bank International // Raiffeisenlandesbank Oberösterreich // Swissbit