The new Smart Money stage at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 explores fintech, payments, AI and everything in between

Money has evolved into much more than just the cash in your wallet or bank account. And in techcrunch disabled 2026, We devote an entire stage to this progress. the A brand new smart money phase It will be the place where fintech, payments and artificial intelligence collide.

From October 13-15 at San Francisco’s Moscone Center, you can join leaders from Circle, Robinhood, American Express, Plaid, Airwallex and many more as they delve into the details of how money is changing. We talk about how stablecoins and instant payments are reshaping the movement of money, the ways in which AI agents are (or are not) being tasked with making financial decisions, and what it will take to create a regulated financial infrastructure designed for the global market.

We’re almost at the end of our current pricing window — your chance to save on Disrupt’s best rates is ending soon — So check out our ticket options here. And if you still need some convincing, let’s dive into the Smart Money Stage programming:

The future of money movement: stablecoins, instant payments and what’s next

Stablecoins and instant payments are changing how money moves around the world. This session looks at 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. Learn where these new systems are gaining traction, and what challenges remain.

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

Winning the modern financial consumer

The way people pay, invest and manage their money is changing rapidly. Robinhood, which currently has a market capitalization of more than $90 billion, has evolved from a trading app into a financial platform that includes investment markets, banking, credit, cryptocurrencies, and forecasting. Chief Product Officer Abhishek Fatehpuria will share how technology and changing consumer expectations are reshaping financial services, and what it takes to build reliable products that survive explosive growth.

With Abhishek Fatehpuria, Head of Product at Robinhood

Artificial Intelligence, Trust and Verification in Financial Services

As AI moves beyond just creating content and begins taking action, financial companies 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 now addressing privacy, fraud prevention, and identity verification in an AI-powered world.

With Hannah Bozian, Vice President of Agent Partnerships and Strategy at American Express; Pedro Sanzovo, Head of Fraud and Identity at Plaid; and Victoria Zhou, Partner at QED Investors

Building global trade infrastructure

Traditional financial systems were not created for today’s global companies. Airwallex, now valued at US$11 billion by its investors, is building a native financial operating system based on artificial intelligence, helping companies move money across borders, manage global finances, and embed financial products into their own platforms. Founder and CEO Jack Chang will give you a look at how AI is reshaping payments, and what it takes to build a regulated financial infrastructure that supports millions of businesses.

With Jack Chang, Founder and CEO of Airwallex