Money has evolved to become much more than the cash in your wallet or bank account. And at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026, we will dedicate an entire stage to that progression. The new Smart Money Stage will be the place where financial technology, payments and artificial intelligence collide.

From October 13-15 at the Moscone Center in San Francisco, 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’re talking about how stablecoins and instant payments are reshaping the movement of money, the ways AI agents are (or aren’t) trusted with financial decisions, and what it takes to create a regulated financial infrastructure built for a global market.

We are approaching the end of our current pricing window; Your chance to save on the best Disrupt prices will end soon, so check out our ticket options right here. And if you still need 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 the way 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, 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 and Technology Officer at Circle; Rodney Robinson, Co-Founder and CEO of 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 grown from a trading app to a financial platform spanning the investment, banking, credit, crypto, and prediction markets. Chief Product Officer Abhishek Fatehpuria will share how technology and changing consumer expectations are reshaping financial services, and what it takes to create trusted products that withstand massive growth.

With Abhishek Fatehpuria, Head of Product, Robinhood

AI, trust and verification in financial services

As AI moves beyond generating content and begins to take 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 continue to matter, and how companies are currently addressing privacy, fraud prevention, and identity verification in an AI-driven world.

With Hannah Bozian, vice president of agent strategies and partnerships at 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 created for today’s global businesses. Airwallex, now valued by its investors at $11 billion, is building an AI-native financial operating system, helping businesses move money across borders, manage global finances, and integrate financial products into their own platforms. Founder and CEO Jack Zhang will explain how AI is reshaping payments and what it takes to build a regulated financial infrastructure that powers millions of businesses.

With Jack Zhang, Founder and CEO of Airwallex

Whether you’re building the next line of payments, figuring out where AI fits into fraud and identity, or simply trying to understand where the momentum is heading within consumer finance, Smart Money Stage is designed for founders and operators who need signal, not deception.

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 lineup. It’s a three-day sprint in the heart of the startup community that will leave you ready for the next year of innovation, so sign up today!