
TechCrunch Disrupt 2026’s new Smart Money Stage explores fintech, payments, AI, and everything between
Quick Answer
TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 introduces the Smart Money Stage, focusing on fintech, payments, and AI from October 13-15 in San Francisco.
Quick Take
Key discussions will include the impact of stablecoins, instant payments, and AI on financial services, featuring leaders from Circle, Robinhood, and Airwallex.
Key Points
- Smart Money Stage features leaders from Circle, Robinhood, and American Express.
- Sessions cover stablecoins, instant payments, and AI in financial services.
- Robinhood's market cap exceeds $90 billion, evolving into a comprehensive financial platform.
- Airwallex is valued at $11 billion, focusing on AI-driven global financial infrastructure.
- Disrupt 2026 offers extensive networking and learning opportunities for fintech professionals.
DeepSignal Analysis
What happened
TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 will feature the Smart Money Stage from October 13-15 in San Francisco, focusing on fintech, payments, and AI. Key discussions will include the roles of stablecoins and instant payments in transforming financial services, with participation from leaders at companies like Circle and Robinhood.
Key evidence
- The Smart Money Stage will host discussions on how stablecoins and instant payments are reshaping money movement, featuring leaders from companies like Circle and Airwallex.
- Robinhood, valued at over $90 billion, will discuss how technology and consumer expectations are evolving financial services, presented by their Head of Product, Abhishek Fatehpuria.
- Airwallex, valued at $11 billion, is developing an AI-native financial operating system aimed at helping businesses manage global finances and cross-border payments.
Why it matters
The discussions at the Smart Money Stage will address significant trends in financial technology, including the integration of AI and the impact of new payment systems. Understanding these developments is crucial for industry stakeholders as they navigate the rapidly changing landscape of financial services and consumer expectations.
Source Excerpt
Money has evolved into far more than the cash in your wallet or your bank account. And at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026, we’re devoting an entire stage to that progression.
Want this in your inbox every morning?
Daily brief at your local 8am — bilingual EN/中文, free.
More from TechCrunch
See more →
AI chip startup Etched defies skeptics, hits $10.3B valuation from big-name investors
AI chip startup Etched has achieved a $10.3 billion valuation after a $300 million Series C funding round, led by Sequoia and supported by notable investors like Andreessen Horowitz. The company claims to have developed innovative low-voltage chips for AI inference, significantly enhancing performance and reducing costs, with $1 billion in orders already booked.

