Smart Money Stage at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026: A Hub for Fintech, Payments, and AI Innovation
Money has undergone a significant transformation in recent years, evolving beyond traditional banking and cash transactions. At TechCrunch Disrupt 2026, a dedicated stage, the Smart Money Stage, will delve into the latest developments in fintech, payments, and AI, bringing together industry leaders to explore the intersection of these technologies.
The Smart Money Stage will be a key feature of TechCrunch Disrupt 2026, taking place from October 13-15 at the Moscone Center in San Francisco. This comprehensive program will showcase the latest advancements in fintech, payments, and AI, featuring prominent speakers from leading companies such as Circle, Robinhood, American Express, Plaid, and Airwallex.
One of the key sessions at the Smart Money Stage will be ‘The Future of Money Movement: Stablecoins, Instant Payments & What’s Next.’ This panel discussion will examine the impact of stablecoins and instant payments on the global financial landscape. The session will explore how these new payment systems compare to traditional banking infrastructure, where FedNow and private networks fit in, and how regulatory and market changes could shape the future of payments. The panelists will also discuss where these new systems are gaining traction and which challenges remain.
Another notable session is ‘Winning the Modern Financial Consumer,’ where Abhishek Fatehpuria, Head of Product at Robinhood, will share insights on how technology and changing consumer expectations are reshaping financial services. Fatehpuria will discuss what it takes to build trusted products that hold up under massive growth, as seen in Robinhood’s evolution from a trading app into a comprehensive financial platform.
The Smart Money Stage will also feature a panel discussion on ‘AI, Trust & Verification in Financial Services.’ This session will explore how AI agents are changing financial workflows, why transparency and human judgment still matter, and how companies are approaching privacy, fraud prevention, and identity verification in an AI-powered world. The panelists will include Hannah Bozian, VP of Agentic Partnerships & Strategy at American Express, Pedro Sanzovo, Head of Fraud and Identity at Plaid, and Victoria Zuo, Partner at QED Investors.
Lastly, the Smart Money Stage will host a session on ‘Building the Infrastructure for Global Commerce,’ where Jack Zhang, Founder and CEO of Airwallex, will discuss how AI is reshaping payments and what it takes to build regulated financial infrastructure that powers millions of businesses. Airwallex, now valued at $11 billion, is building an AI-native financial operating system to help companies move money across borders, manage global finances, and embed financial products into their own platforms.
The Smart Money Stage at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 promises to be an exciting and informative experience for attendees, with a focus on the latest developments in fintech, payments, and AI. Whether you’re building the next payments rail, figuring out where AI fits into fraud and identity, or just trying to understand where momentum is headed within consumer finance, this stage is designed for founders and operators who need signal, not spin.
In addition to the Smart Money Stage, attendees will have access to all the networking, side events, and opportunities to learn from the rest of the extensive lineup of speakers at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026. It’s a three-day sprint in the heart of the startup community that will leave you ready for the next year of innovation.
