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.