The award recognizes the success of the long-standing partnership between the two parties. This collaboration addressed a challenge that allowed for no service interruptions: modernizing critical national payment infrastructure while ensuring that everyday card payments and ATM services continued to operate seamlessly from the very moment the Euro was adopted.
Since 2018, BORICA and OpenWay have worked together to modernize Bulgaria’s card transaction processing infrastructure, combining BORICA’s expertise in national payment services and ecosystem coordination with OpenWay’s Way4 real-time digital payment software platform and technical payment expertise.
The initiative was distinguished by its scale, the requirement for business continuity, and its tangible results. The partnership deepened over years of modernization and was put to the test in a unique operational environment when Bulgaria adopted the Euro on January 1, 2026.
The Euro transition program brought together over 35 organizations, including banks, payment service providers, fintech companies, government agencies, and technology partners. BORICA and OpenWay collaborated closely to prepare for and implement the transformation of the card transaction processing system, conducting extensive testing, rehearsals, and operational coordination prior to the system cutover.
The results were evident shortly after midnight. Just 20 seconds after the switch to the Euro, the first ATM cash withdrawal in the new currency was successfully completed. Within the first 48 hours, the system processed over 930,000 card and ATM transactions totaling nearly €42 million, with no unplanned downtime.
Miroslav Vichev, CEO of BORICA AD, stated:
“Our shared goal went beyond simply completing a successful technical transition. We wanted to ensure that a transformation of this magnitude could be achieved without disrupting the everyday payment experience. This was made possible through years of preparation, rigorous execution, and mutual trust between our teams and the various stakeholders across the wider ecosystem.”