The Money20/20 Asia 2026 event held in Bangkok this year not only clearly demonstrates that the center of financial innovation has concretely shifted to Asia but also signals a major turning point in the global financial system.
The year 2026 marks a period when the industry is moving from "building" to "delivering real outcomes" under the theme From Infrastructure to Impact. Market players are no longer focused solely on infrastructure—such as payment systems, platforms, or technology—but are increasingly concerned with the more significant question: do these technologies truly create economic impact and improve people's lives?
/* No translation needed; fragment only */ Tracey Davies, Chairperson of Money20/20, stated that in the past, the financial world looked westward for its future, but today the "ideas, scale, and momentum" of the industry are happening in Asia. This year’s event grew significantly, with participants from 87 countries, a 20% increase from last year, and over 70% of attendees coming from Asia. Additionally, more than 4,000 participants attended—over 30% higher than the previous year—with over 1,400 companies present, ranging from global financial institutions, growing fintech firms, investors, infrastructure developers, to over 80 regulators collaborating closely with the private sector.
One of the clearest transformations in the financial world showcased at this event is the blurring line between traditional finance (TradFi) and technology-driven digital asset finance (DeFi), as both worlds merge into a "new ecosystem" seamlessly connected.
The event featured dedicated stages that delved directly into this topic, focusing on collaboration between traditional banks and new technology companies, the practical application of AI and blockchain technologies, as well as experimentation and development of new business models within the financial system.
Scarlett Sieber, Chief Strategy and Growth Officer of Money20/20, explained through the launch of the book"The New Intersection of Money: Where TradFi and DeFi Converge"that the industry is entering a new era where banks, financial institutions, and technology firms must work together to build a seamlessly connected financial ecosystem.
She further explained that for many years, the financial industry focused on building foundations—systems, infrastructure, platforms, or networks—but Asia has now moved beyond that point and is concentrating on the real impact these have on people's lives, including how people pay, borrow, save, invest, trade, and transfer money across borders.
Moreover, another key signal of this transition is the evolving definition of "money." Looking forward, money no longer needs to be physical; it can exist digitally, as tokens, or in new asset forms like stablecoins.
However, what remains unchanged is "trust." Regardless of money’s form, value is created only when users have confidence in the system. For this reason, this year's event placed great emphasis on discussions about regulation, policy, and governance to ensure that new financial systems are built on trustworthiness and transparency.
Another significant development is the collaboration between Money20/20 and FXC Intelligence to launch the report"The New Era of Asia's Cross Border Payments"which forecasts that Asia's cross-border payments market will grow to reach 24 trillion U.S. dollars, or approximately 776 trillion baht, by 2033.
The report highlights that the industry is transitioning from pilot projects to widespread adoption, driven by key factors such as real-time payment systems, international infrastructure connectivity, and new technologies like stablecoins and AI. This reflects that cross-border payment remains a core market focus, with many organizations continuously launching partnerships and new solutions to enhance the efficiency and speed of international transactions.
As the host of Money20/20 for the third consecutive year, Tracey Davies noted that Thailand has made remarkable progress, setting new records for participant numbers this year and increasing sponsors from 105 last year to 150 this year, supported by government agencies and the central bank, as well as active involvement from major commercial banks and startups.
This year received strong backing from leading Thai banks, with executives from Siam Commercial Bank, Bangkok Bank, and Kasikornbank serving as keynote speakers, alongside startup representatives participating on international stages, reflecting the readiness of the country’s financial ecosystem.
Regarding financial infrastructure development, Thailand has taken a proactive role, especially in linking its PromptPay system with neighboring countries’ payment systems, such as Singapore’s PayNow, which helps strengthen the financial system amid global economic volatility.
/* No translation needed; fragment only */ /* Fragment only, no translation */ Dr. Warotai Kosonpisitkul, International Economic Advisor at the Fiscal Policy Office, Ministry of Finance, portrayed Thailand as moving beyond merely building infrastructure toward creating a transparent financial ecosystem that attracts investment, emphasizing the country’s potential and strategy to become a "Global Financial Destination."
Thailand’s strengths lie in its strategic location as the ASEAN hub, effectively connecting to global markets and capital sources, complemented by proven financial infrastructure.
Additionally, Thailand prioritizes security through the "Connect the Dots" initiative, a framework integrating financial data to prevent international financial crime, alongside government incentives such as tax benefits under the International Business Center (IBC), exemptions and deductions from the Board of Investment (BOI), and 10-year Long-Term Resident (LTR) visas, all transforming Thailand’s image from a tourism destination to a center of innovation and investment.
/* Fragment only, no translation */ Daranee Saejoo, Assistant Governor for Strategy and Special Projects at the Bank of Thailand (BOT), presented the vision of "Humanize Finance," aiming to leverage integration of Thai people's financial data to create real benefits and opportunities for everyone, with the ultimate goal of using technology to generate tangible positive impact, making the financial system safer, more inclusive, and beneficial for society as a whole. This aligns with global agendas and will be further expanded at the IMF-World Bank annual meeting in Bangkok this October.
Over the next three to five years, the most discussed trend is that AI will drive profound industry-wide change, no longer a passing fad. Meanwhile, the convergence of TradFi and DeFi—or from another perspective, Web2 and Web3—will become increasingly evident.
These changes will create new opportunities for both new players and established organizations, especially traditional banks that are beginning to adopt and learn from AI technology and fintech solutions to develop services that better meet customer needs.
In summary, the overall announcements and directions this year reflect that the financial industry is entering a new era where technology, regulation, and organizational collaboration work closely to elevate financial systems to be faster, more connected, and more accessible, while managing risks in a volatile world and preparing for digital economy growth in the future.
Moreover, "FinTech" is evolving beyond just new technology to become a vital tool for creating broad economic opportunities, especially in Asia, regarded as a region seriously and comprehensively driving financial inclusion—not only increasing bank accounts but also improving small business lending access, women's opportunities in finance, and genuinely enhancing people's financial health.
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