The International PLUS-Forum Digital Uzbekistan Will Be Held in Tashkent for the Sixth Time

Why It Matters

By showcasing regulatory progress and emerging fintech solutions, the forum accelerates Uzbekistan’s integration into the global digital economy, attracting foreign investment and fostering cross‑border commerce.

Key Takeaways

• Sixth PLUS‑Forum gathers 500+ fintech and e‑commerce leaders in Tashkent
• Uzbekistan unveils new blockchain pilot for trade finance
• Regulatory sandbox expands to include stablecoin payments
• AI‑driven tax tools highlighted for digital revenue tracking
• Embedded Visa cards targeted at European logistics fleets

Pulse Analysis

The sixth International PLUS‑Forum Digital Uzbekistan signals a pivotal moment for Central Asia’s digital transformation. Over the next three days, Tashkent will host more than 500 executives, regulators, and startup founders to discuss how blockchain, stablecoins, and AI can streamline trade and tax compliance. Recent policy shifts—such as the introduction of a sandbox for crypto‑based payments and a national blockchain ledger for import‑export documentation—are designed to reduce friction in cross‑border transactions and attract foreign capital. Attendees will evaluate real‑world pilots that aim to cut settlement times from days to minutes, positioning Uzbekistan as a testbed for next‑generation fintech.

A core theme of the forum is embedded finance, exemplified by the myTU and E100 partnership that plans to issue 50,000 Visa‑enabled business cards to European logistics fleets. This initiative illustrates how embedded payment solutions can enhance supply‑chain efficiency, a model Uzbekistan hopes to replicate for its own freight corridors. Meanwhile, DoorDash’s exploration of stablecoin payouts for gig workers highlights the broader shift toward programmable money, offering faster, lower‑cost remuneration that could be adapted for local gig economies. Such use cases provide a blueprint for Uzbek startups seeking to leverage digital currencies for payroll and vendor settlements.

Beyond technology, the forum addresses regulatory readiness. Mexico’s Hacienda agency recently deployed AI to monitor cryptocurrency activity and digital rentals, a move that resonates with Uzbekistan’s own efforts to modernize tax administration. By adopting AI‑driven compliance tools, the country aims to capture revenue from burgeoning digital services while ensuring transparency. The convergence of policy, innovation, and investment at the PLUS‑Forum underscores Uzbekistan’s strategic push to become a digital trade gateway linking East and West, a development that could reshape regional economic dynamics.