Mastercard For Fintechs 2025 Names Cense as Champion of European Innovation
Barcelona, Spain
From 244 applicants to one winner: Cense takes the spotlight in a Mastercard program that connects, educates, and accelerates fintechs across Western Europe.
We’re proud to share that we’ve been named the winner of the second edition of Mastercard For Fintechs 2025, the program that highlights the most promising fintechs in Western Europe.
The final event, held at Torre Glòries in Barcelona, brought together leading fintechs from Belgium, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, and the Netherlands, alongside key players in the European financial ecosystem.
At Cense, we help financial institutions safely onboard fiat flows from crypto. By automating compliance checks, reducing friction, and ensuring regulatory alignment, we make it easier to connect the traditional financial system with the world of virtual assets — without compromising on safety or control.
As winners, we’ll receive €100,000 in marketing support, exclusive access to Mastercard’s Start Path final selection day, and mentorship from industry experts and founders from the fintech ecosystem.
Six finalists presented their projects to a jury composed of Mastercard executives and external partners. Each solution was assessed on innovation, scalability, economic viability, and team experience.
Hugo Leijtens, Chief Strategy Officer at Cense, shared:
“We are very grateful for this recognition and the opportunity Mastercard gives us to keep growing. This award represents not only a boost to our mission, but also motivation to keep innovating and adding value to the fintech ecosystem. We firmly believe that collaboration and access to new resources will allow us to scale our impact and contribute to a more inclusive and sustainable financial sector in Europe.”
A program with growing impact
244 fintechs applied to the 2025 edition, of which 140 formally registered and 67 were shortlisted. 23 semifinalists advanced to local events in Madrid, Milan, Paris, and Amsterdam — covering a wide range of solutions across sectors including Web3, financial education, renewable energy, and SME services.
This year’s program also saw expanded participation from partners, with 68 companies joining (ten more than the previous edition) strengthening connections across the fintech ecosystem.
Mastercard For Fintechs is built around three pillars:
- Education: providing fintechs with the knowledge and tools to tackle key challenges
- Events: creating space for meaningful connections
- Competitions: offering visibility and recognition to standout innovations
Paloma Real, President of Mastercard’s Western Europe Division, noted:
“This second edition has shown the innovative talent of our fintechs and their potential to transform the sector with disruptive proposals. I congratulate Cense on this recognition, which will undoubtedly give them greater visibility and strengthen their position in the sector.”
Decoding Complexity. Empowering Finance.
Photo: L-R: Paloma Real, Western Europe Division President of Mastercard; Hugo Leijtens, Chief Strategy Officer at Cense and Kelly Devine, President of Mastercard Europe)
