Money has evolved into much more than cash in your wallet or bank account. And at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026, we’re dedicating an entire stage to this development. The brand new Smart Money Stage will be where fintech, payments and artificial intelligence collide.
From October 13-15 at San Francisco’s Moscone Center, join leaders from Circle, Robinhood, American Express, Plaid, Airwallex and more as they explore the details of how money changes. We talk about how stablecoins and instant payments are reshaping the movement of money, the ways financial decisions are (or aren’t) delegated to AI agents, and what it takes to create a regulated financial infrastructure built for a global market.
We’re nearing the end of our current pricing window — your chance to save on the best Disrupt prices is ending soon — so check out our ticket options here. And if you still need some convincing, let’s dive into the programming of the Smart Money Stage:
The Future of Money Movement: Stablecoins, Instant Payments & What’s Next
Stable currencies and instant payments are changing the way money moves around the world. This session examines how these new payment systems compare to traditional banking infrastructure, where FedNow and private networks fit, and how regulatory and market changes could shape the future of payments. Hear where these new systems are gaining traction and what challenges remain.
With Nikhil Chandhok, Chief Product & Technology Officer, Circle; Rodney Robinson, Co-Founder and CEO, TabaPay, Inc. and Lotti Siniscalco, General Partner, Emergence
Winning over the modern financial consumer
The way people pay, invest and manage money is changing rapidly. Robinhood, which currently has a market capitalization of more than $90 billion, has evolved from a trading app to a financial platform covering investment, banking, credit, crypto and prediction markets. Head of Product Abhishek Fatehpuria will share how technology and changing consumer expectations are reshaping financial services and what it takes to build reliable products that stand up under massive growth.
With Abhishek Fatehpuria, Head of Product, Robinhood
AI, Trust & Verification in Financial Services
As AI moves beyond content creation and begins to take action, financial firms are rethinking trust, oversight and security. Our panelists will explore how AI agents are changing financial workflows, why transparency and human judgment still matter, and how companies are currently approaching privacy, fraud prevention, and identity verification in an AI-powered world.
With Hannah Bozian, Vice President, Agentic Partnerships & Strategy, American Express. Pedro Sanzovo, Head of Fraud and Identity, Plaid; and Victoria Zuo, Partner, QED Investors
Building the infrastructure for global trade
Traditional financial systems were not built for today’s global business. Airwallex, now valued at $11 billion by its investors, is building a native artificial intelligence financial operating system, helping companies move money across borders, manage global finances and integrate financial products into their own platforms. Founder and CEO Jack Zhang will give you a look at how AI is reshaping payments and what it takes to create a regulated financial infrastructure that powers millions of businesses.
With Jack Zhang, founder and CEO of Airwallex
Whether you’re building the next payments rail, understanding where AI fits into fraud and identity, or just trying to understand where the momentum is headed in consumer finance, the Smart Money Stage is built for founders and operators who need signal, not spin.
Plus, if you join us at Disrupt 2026, you’ll also have access to all the networking, side events and opportunities to learn from the rest of our extensive speaker line-up. It’s a three-day sprint into the heart of the startup community that will leave you ready for the next year of innovation, so sign up today!
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