TechCrunch Disrupt 2026: Smart Money Stage dives into fintech, AI, and payments

Money is no longer just about what’s tucked in your wallet or sitting in a bank account. At TechCrunch Disrupt 2026, we’re dedicating an entire platform to that transformation. The all-new Smart Money Stage will be the epicenter where fintech, payments, and AI converge.

From October 13–15 at San Francisco’s Moscone Center, you’ll hear directly from leaders at Circle, Robinhood, American Express, Plaid, Airwallex, and many others as they unpack the evolving nature of money. Expect deep dives into how stablecoins and instant payments are revolutionizing money movement, the growing role of AI agents in financial decision-making (and the trust issues that come with it), and what it truly takes to build regulated financial infrastructure for a global audience.

Our current pricing window is closing fast, so grab the best Disrupt rates while you can. Check out ticket options here. And if you need a bit more convincing, here’s a closer look at what the Smart Money Stage has in store.

The Future of Money Movement: Stablecoins, Instant Payments & What’s Next

Stablecoins and instant payments are fundamentally reshaping global money movement. This session compares these emerging systems with traditional banking rails, explores where FedNow and private networks fit in, and examines how regulatory shifts and market dynamics could steer the future of payments. Hear where these innovations are gaining ground and which hurdles remain.

Featuring Nikhil Chandhok, Chief Product & Technology Officer at Circle; Rodney Robinson, Co-founder and CEO of TabaPay; and Lotti Siniscalco, General Partner at Emergence.

Winning the Modern Financial Consumer

How people pay, invest, and manage money is evolving rapidly. Robinhood, now valued at over $90 billion, has grown from a trading app into a comprehensive financial platform spanning investing, banking, credit, crypto, and prediction markets. Head of Product Abhishek Fatehpuria will share insights on how technology and shifting consumer expectations are redefining financial services, and what it takes to build trusted products that scale under massive growth.

Featuring Abhishek Fatehpuria, Head of Product at Robinhood.

AI, Trust & Verification in Financial Services

As AI moves beyond generating content into taking real-world actions, financial companies are rethinking trust, oversight, and security. Our panel explores how AI agents are transforming financial workflows, why transparency and human judgment remain critical, and how firms are currently tackling privacy, fraud prevention, and identity verification in an AI-driven world.

Featuring 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.

Building the Infrastructure for Global Commerce

Traditional financial systems weren’t designed for today’s borderless businesses. Airwallex, valued at $11 billion, is building an AI-native financial operating system that helps companies move money across borders, manage global finances, and embed financial products into their own platforms. Founder and CEO Jack Zhang will offer a firsthand look at how AI is reshaping payments and what it takes to build regulated financial infrastructure that powers millions of businesses.

Featuring Jack Zhang, Founder & CEO of Airwallex.

Whether you’re building the next payments rail, figuring out how AI fits into fraud and identity, or simply trying to gauge where consumer finance momentum is heading, the Smart Money Stage is designed for founders and operators who want real signal, not hype.

And when you join us at Disrupt 2026, you’ll also gain access to all the networking, side events, and learning opportunities from our extensive speaker lineup. It’s a three-day sprint at the heart of the startup community that will leave you energized for the year ahead. Register today.