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TechCrunch Disrupt 2026’s new Smart Money Stage explores fintech, payments, AI, and everything between
TechCrunch has announced a new Smart Money Stage at its Disrupt 2026 conference, focusing on the intersection of fintech, payments and artificial intelligence. The stage is intended to examine how financial services are changing, including new payment systems, AI-led decision-making and global financial infrastructure.
– The event will run from 13–15 October at San Francisco’s Moscone Center. – Speakers are expected from Circle, Robinhood, American Express, Plaid, Airwallex and other firms. – Sessions will cover stablecoins, instant payments, FedNow, consumer finance, AI agents, fraud prevention, identity verification and regulation. – Robinhood is described as having a market capitalisation above $90 billion, while Airwallex is valued by investors at $11 billion. – TechCrunch is also promoting ticket sales, saying its current discounted pricing period is nearing its end.
In short
- TechCrunch adds a fintech and AI-focused stage to Disrupt 2026.
- Sessions will examine payments, trust, fraud and financial infrastructure.
- The conference takes place in San Francisco in October.
Explained simply
TechCrunch Disrupt is an annual technology conference where industry leaders discuss emerging trends. The event's new Smart Money Stage focuses on how financial services are evolving through technology, covering fintech, payments and artificial intelligence.
Money, payments and lending are changing rapidly as new technologies reshape how financial services work. These shifts matter because they affect how people invest, borrow and transfer money, which is why technology companies and investors closely follow this industry.
The conference will feature speakers from major financial and technology firms, including Robinhood and American Express alongside fintech specialists like Circle and Plaid. These organisations represent different parts of the financial system—from consumer investment platforms to payment networks to companies building new infrastructure for money movement.