Financing the Future: Legal Insights into International Business in the Age of Fintech and Instant Transactions

Sao Paulo, Brazil

13 March 2025 - 15 March 2025


Thursday 13 March 2025

18:00 » 21:00 Welcome walking dinner at SEEN São Paulo 

Friday 14 March 2025

08:30 Opening of the registration desk
09:00 » 09:30 Welcome address by the AIJA Bureau representative and the Organising Committee
09:30 » 10:30 Panel 1 - Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning – lessons learnt and new challenges for the financial industry and international trade? 

This session will delve into the transformative impact of AI and ML on finance and global trade, highlighting key lessons from recent implementations. Experts will share their experiences, addressing both successes and pitfalls, and discuss how these technologies are reshaping risk management, fraud detection, and customer experience. The panel will also explore emerging challenges, such as regulatory compliance, ethical considerations, and data security.

Moderator: Jonathan Bench​​​​, Kirton McConkie, USA

Speakers:
  • Vivian Bocchio, Olympus, Brasil
  • Grégoire Tribolet, Schellenberg Wittmer Ltd, Switzerland
10:30 » 11:00 Coffee Break
11:00 » 12:00 Panel 2 - Embedded finance - a trampoline for e-commerce?

Embedded finance allows for seamless integration of financial products and services into non-financial platforms or applications, making financial functionalities an integral part of everyday experiences. This trend is breaking down silos between finance and other industries, offering users convenient access to financial services without the need to engage with standalone banking or financial applications. 

Moderator: Santiago Albán, HEKA Law firm, Ecuador

Speakers:
  • Vanessa R C Pereira Fialdini, Fialdini Advogados, Brasil
  • Fernando Naegele, Bastilho Coelho Advogados, Brasil
  • Fernando Tafur, MME, Switzerland

12:00 » 13:00 Lunch
13:00 » 14:00 Panel 3 - Instant transactions in international trade 

Instant transactions bring benefits for citizens and companies, as they allow for innovative added value services and for companies, as they accelerate business course to meet customers’ expectations.

The panel will explore legal challenges faced by professionals implementing instant transactions, and in particular transparency and understandability and limitation of credit or fraud risks. Considering they will also likely involve specialized third-party partners, such as financial institutions, payment service providers, logistics partners, etc., the clear split of roles and responsibilities in the contractual chains will also have to be addressed.

Moderator: Geraldo  Fonseca , FVA Advogados , Brazil 

Speakers:
  • Fernanda Pacheco, Galemeira Pelagio, Brazil 
  • Jose Miguel Algorta, ESTUDIO ALGORTA & Asociados, Uruguay 
  • Jaime Carey, Carey, Chile 
  • Eduardo Patricio Bonis, Deloitte, Argentina 

14:00 » 14:30 Coffee Break
14:30 » 15:30 Panel 4 - The Future of Digital Identity in International Trade 

The panel will explore the transformative role of digital identity in global commerce. The experts will discuss the impact of digital identity on security, efficiency, and trust in cross-border transactions. Key topics include advancements in blockchain technology, regulatory challenges, and the integration of AI for seamless verification processes. The panel will also address privacy concerns and the balance between transparency and confidentiality. Attendees will gain insights into future trends and innovations shaping the digital landscape, ensuring secure and streamlined international trade operations.

Moderator: Jorge Yaafar, Motta, Yaafar & Díaz, Panama

Speakers:
  • Nicolle Lafosse, Diaz Reus & Targ, USA
  • Gustavo Papeschi, Beccar Varela, Argentina
  • Juan Felipe Roldán, Gamboa, García, Roldán & Co, Colombia
15:30 » 16:00 Coffee Break
16:00 » 17:00 Panel 5 - How fintech reshapes global trade and the supply chain – balancing the risks and advantages of supply chain finance solutions

Over the past few years, supply chain disruptions have profoundly impacted businesses and logistics providers. Many challenges in supply chain finance stem from the complexities in accessing, standardising, and interpreting data. Fintech companies are revolutionising payments and working capital management by leveraging digital technology, enabling businesses to manage their supply chains with greater efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

Examining the risks (e.g., cybersecurity threats, technological failures, conflicts with traditional intermediaries such as banks and insurers, credit risk) and advantages (e.g., enhanced efficiency and transparency, improved accessibility for SMEs) of supply chain finance solutions from a legal perspective is highly beneficial, so that the risks are properly addressed, and the technology properly utilised.

Speakers:
  • José Luis Vega Garrido, Ramírez, Gutiérrez-Azpe, Rodríguez-Rivero y Hurtado, S.C., Mexico
  • Andrés Sotomayor, Porzio, Ríos, García, Chile
  • Giuliano Stasio, Studio Legale Dindo, Zorzi & Associati, Italy

20:30 Dinner at Rubaiyat

Saturday 15 March 2025

09:30 Opening of the registration desk
10:00 » 11:00 Innovations in Fintech Update – Brazilian and Global Perspectives

São Paulo is a global capital of international business, including Fintech, and has the most vibrant and well-capitalised startup ecosystem in the region. The city is home to 12 of the 17 Brazilian “unicorn” companies, many of which are now expanding internationally. This session will bring together the themes of international trade, financial innovation and technology explored in the panels the day before and will provide a market update from local and international speakers.

Brazilian and international practitioners will present short case studies outlining relevant recent technological or market developments. This range of perspectives will be carried forward into the interactive session which follows.

Speakers:
  • Rodrigo Felli Paes de Barros, Candido de Oliveira, Brazil
  • Julia de Luca, Itaú BBA, Brazil
  • Letícia Moschioni, Finscale, Brazil
  • David Salgado Areias, Areias Advogados, Portugal
11:00 » 11:30 Coffee Break
11:30 » 13:00 Mastering Behavior Change: Unlocking the Power to Influence Anyone in Your Legal Practice

In this dynamic workshop, leadership expert and executive coach Diego Pisano will reveal the science behind behavior change—what it really means, how it works, and how you can harness it to enhance your day-to-day interactions. Whether you're advising clients, negotiating with opposing counsel, or engaging with regulatory and supervisory authorities, understanding behavior change can be a game-changer.

Behavior change refers to the process of influencing people's actions, decisions, or attitudes, often through subtle but strategic shifts in communication or environment. By mastering these principles, you’ll gain powerful tools to drive more effective conversations, build stronger relationships, and achieve better outcomes in your legal practice.

Building on the key concepts and lessons from Friday’s sessions, this workshop offers a perfect chance to consolidate your learning. In the first part, Diego will guide the audience through a clear, theory-based introduction to behavior change, tailored specifically for legal professionals. Then, in the second part, theory will be put into action with interactive Q&A and practical exercises, where you'll practice influencing others in real-world scenarios—all with hands-on guidance from Diego.

 
Speaker: Diego PisanoC-nergy, Brazil 
13:00 » 13:15 Closing remarks on the seminar by the Academic Coordinators from the OC – a few comments on the most important aspects of the seminar
13:15 » 14:15 Lunch
14:00 » 18:00 Optional guided tour
Discover São Paulo’s vibrant charm on this immersive tour! Begin with a tranquil stroll through the lush Atlantic Forest, one of the city’s last remnants of original vegetation, leading to Paulista Avenue, São Paulo’s iconic financial hub. Hop on the subway to explore the world’s largest Japanese community outside Japan, then visit the historic Sé Cathedral, the geographic heart of the city.

Wander through the eclectic old downtown with its striking architecture, cross the Viaduto do Chá, and marvel at the stunning Municipal Theatre, inspired by Paris’s Opera Garnier. Conclude in Vila Madalena, the city’s trendiest neighbourhood, famous for Batman’s Alley street art and vibrant beer bars. A perfect blend of nature, history, and culture awaits!
20:30 Home Hospitality
Enjoy a dinner in an intimate setting with a local host