TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 to Debut 'Smart Money' Stage Focused on AI and Payments
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Industry leaders from Airwallex, Robinhood, and American Express will discuss the intersection of AI agents, stablecoins, and global financial infrastructure.
TechCrunch has announced a new "Smart Money" stage for its Disrupt 2026 conference, scheduled for October 13–15 in San Francisco. According to TechCrunch, the programming will focus on the convergence of fintech, payments, and artificial intelligence.
Key discussions will center on the evolution of money movement, specifically comparing stablecoins and instant payments to traditional banking and examining the roles of private networks and FedNow. This session will feature Nikhil Chandhok, Chief Product & Technology Officer at Circle; Rodney Robinson, Co-founder and CEO of TabaPay, Inc.; and Lotti Siniscalco, General Partner at Emergence.
Other sessions will address the integration of AI into financial workflows and the resulting challenges in security and trust. Panelists include Hannah Bozian, VP of Agentic Partnerships & Strategy at American Express; Pedro Sanzovo, Head of Fraud and Identity at Plaid; and Victoria Zuo, Partner at QED Investors.
The event will also highlight company growth and infrastructure. Jack Zhang, Founder and CEO of Airwallex—a company valued at $11 billion by investors—will discuss building an AI-native financial operating system for global commerce. Additionally, Abhishek Fatehpuria, Head of Product at Robinhood, will speak on the company's transition from a trading app to a full financial platform. TechCrunch notes that Robinhood currently holds a market capitalization exceeding $90 billion.