Dive into our 2026 content pillars

Our content vision for Money20/20 Asia 2026

At Money20/20 Asia 2026, we ask: What good is innovation if it never touches the people it was built to serve? It speaks to how financial institutions must strategically connect technological advancement with tangible human outcomes, creating financial ecosystems that not only transcend traditional boundaries but also reach those who need them most.

Our content theme, From Infrastructure to Impact (Where Technology Meets Humanity), explores the full stretch of the journey – from innovation to implementation, from potential to practice, from ‘nice to have’ to ‘must have’ – and why delivering impact must be our first priority.

From Infrastructure to Impact (Where Technology Meets Humanity)

This theme marks a pivotal moment in Money20/20 Asia's narrative — the transition from celebrating what technology can do to showcasing what it can mean for real people. Our research validates this critical inflection point, with 85% of respondents indicating they "prioritise financial inclusion and social good in business strategy," demonstrating the industry's readiness to deliver on fintech's original promise.

At its core, this theme explores three fundamental shifts:

  • From Technical Innovation to Human-Centered Solutions: Moving beyond technology for technology's sake to solutions that address real human needs and challenges across diverse Asian communities
  • From Potential to Measurable Impact: The fusion of data, AI capabilities, and human expertise to deliver not just efficient services but meaningful and measurable outcomes that transform lives and livelihoods
  • From Isolated Systems to Inclusive Ecosystems: Ensuring that as financial infrastructure becomes increasingly seamless across borders, it simultaneously becomes more accessible to previously underserved populations

Pillar 1: Building Intelligent Infrastructure – From Digital Foundations to Human Connections

Across Asia's vibrant tapestry of cultures and economies, we're witnessing something truly remarkable – technology finding its heart. The impressive numbers tell part of the story, according to our Money20/20 survey: 92% of respondents are prioritising payment systems that work seamlessly across borders, 94% are committed to keeping our financial data safe, and 72% are embracing blockchain's potential.

When traditional finance joins hands with new digital systems, magic happens. We're creating pathways that bring financial services to people who've been overlooked for generations. With regulators increasingly partnering with financial services innovators to drive economic growth, we're weaving a new economic fabric across Asia.

What we're focusing on:

Human-Centred Infrastructure: Designing foundational systems that prioritise accessibility and real-world utility whilst ensuring digital trust Digital Identity & Mobile Solutions: How secure, portable digital identities and mobile-first approaches are unlocking financial access for the previously excluded Cross-Sector Collaboration & Regulatory Engagement: Breaking traditional industry boundaries whilst working with regulators as partners rather than gatekeepers Trust as Infrastructure: Creating security frameworks that protect vulnerable populations whilst enabling innovation Interoperability for Inclusion: Breaking down technical barriers to create seamless financial experiences across platforms

Pillar 2: SME Empowerment as Economic Catalyst – Unlocking Asia's Economic Backbone

Small businesses aren't just part of Asia's economy; they are its heart and soul. Yet they've been historically underserved by traditional finance. This pillar examines how fintech is finally addressing this gap, with an overwhelming 90% of industry leaders recognising SME-focused solutions as critical economic drivers. From the night market vendor in Taiwan to the growing manufacturer in Vietnam, we'll showcase the technologies that are removing barriers to growth for millions of entrepreneurs. These aren't just business stories; they're stories of dreams realised, communities strengthened, and economies transformed.

What we're focusing on:

  • Beyond Traditional Banking: New financial models designed specifically for small business realities and challenges
  • Technology as Equaliser: How digital tools are levelling the playing field between SMEs and larger enterprises
  • Community-Powered Finance: Leveraging social connections and local knowledge to drive financial inclusion for small businesses

Pillar 3: Hyperlocal Ecosystem Orchestration – One Region, Many Markets, Countless Communities

Asia isn't a monolith; it's a tapestry of distinct markets with unique needs, regulations, and cultural contexts. With 84% of CEOs confirming that hyper-localisation is essential for success, this pillar celebrates the companies that have mastered the art of being both pan-Asian and deeply local. We'll explore how cross-sector partnerships are creating financial ecosystems that reflect the rich diversity of Asian communities, and how the most successful players are conducting complex symphonies of collaboration across multiple countries, technologies, and business models. The strategic implementation of open APIs has become a critical enabler in this ecosystem, allowing for standardised core functionality while supporting market-specific adaptations that respect local nuances.

What we're focusing on:

  • Cultural Intelligence in Fintech: Adapting global solutions to reflect local values, behaviours, and market realities
  • Collaborative Ecosystem Building: Models for sustainable partnerships that respect local market dynamics
  • Regulatory Diversity as Opportunity: Navigating varied regulatory landscapes as a catalyst for innovation rather than obstacle
  • Scaling Through Localisation: Strategies for maintaining operational efficiency whilst delivering market-specific experiences

Pillar 4: Last-Mile Financial Solutions – Humanising Fintech For Those Who Need It Most

The promise of financial technology means nothing if it doesn't reach the farmer in rural Indonesia or the small shop owner in the Philippines. Our industry is mastering the algorithms, with 71% of organisations already deploying AI solutions, but now we face the harder challenge: making that intelligence meaningful in people's daily lives. This pillar explores how organisations are transforming sophisticated technologies into simple, intuitive experiences that work for everyone, regardless of digital literacy. We'll showcase the pioneers who are proving that the most advanced technology often delivers the most human experience, with 86% of leaders now prioritising human-centred design in their innovation strategies.

What we're focusing on:

  • Technology with Purpose: How AI and advanced technologies are being reimagined to serve fundamental human needs across diverse communities
  • Bridging the Digital Divide: Strategies for overcoming literacy, access, and adoption barriers in underserved populations
  • Design for Inclusion: Principles and methodologies that transform complex financial tools into intuitive experiences for all users
  • Impact Beyond Numbers: Frameworks for measuring meaningful human outcomes rather than just technological deployment

Pillar 5: Beyond Web Boundaries – Harmonising Traditional and Decentralised Finance for Inclusive Growth

The walls between Web2 and Web3 are crumbling across Asia, not through revolution but through practical necessity. Our industry has moved past theoretical debates to embrace solutions that simply work—evidenced by 87% of respondents recognising that partnerships with non-traditional players create better financial ecosystems. The digital assets journey has reached a critical inflection point with "Crypto Spring" blooming into real applications.

The most inspiring innovators aren't choosing sides in some artificial technology war—they're blending the security and trust of traditional finance (with 79% recognising open banking's transformative power) with the accessibility and efficiency of decentralised systems (where 86% of blockchain specialists see tokenisation transforming markets).

What we're focusing on:

  • Pragmatic Innovation: Moving beyond theoretical debates to practical applications that solve real problems
  • Convergence Strategies: Approaches for blending traditional finance strengths with decentralised advantages
  • Trust in the New: Building confidence in emerging technologies across diverse stakeholder groups Regulatory Evolution: How policy frameworks are adapting to accommodate hybrid financial systems