Fintech Forward 2026

Mark your calendar for 7–8 October 2026, as Fintech Forward 2026 returns to Bahrain for its fourth edition. The fintech event will provide a platform for banks, fintech companies, investors, regulators, technology leaders, and innovators to explore AI-powered finance. The event offers an insightful discussion on how technology is changing financial services, from AI-powered banking, stablecoins, tokenization, and digital payments to financial infrastructure, digital identity, cybersecurity, and independent finance. Organised By Forbes is a global media and business platform covering finance, leadership, entrepreneurship, technology, and investing, is programming the event through Forbes Middle East. Event Highlights • Connect with global fintech leaders, policymakers, investors, and innovators. • Explore how AI, stablecoins, tokenization, and digital assets are transforming finance. • Discover Bahrain’s progressive and business-friendly fintech environment. • Identify new investment, partnership, and cross-border business opportunities. • Gain practical insights into the future of resilient, intelligent financial infrastructure. Agenda Highlights • Day 1- 7th October 10:00–10:10 am: Building Resilient Financial Infrastructure in the Age of Intelligence 10:40–11:00 am: Stablecoins and Payment Rails: From Promise to Practical Use 11:05–11:25 am: Tokenized Finance and Programmable Settlement 12:10–12:30 pm: Agentic AI in Finance: Who Decides, Who Explains, Who Is Accountable? • Day 2- 8th October 10:05–10:15 am: The Regulator View: Turning Innovation Into Investable Markets 10:20–10:40 am: Smarter SME Finance: Data, Credit and Working Capital Access 11:10–11:30 am: The Identity Layer: Verifying People, Businesses and AI Agents 12:50–1:10 pm: Rewiring the Bank: Core Systems for an Always-On Financial Sector Why Participate in Fintech Forward 2026? • Learn helpful advice from prominent fintech and financial industry professionals. • Develop good connections with banks, regulators, investors, and innovators. • Assess new business, collaboration, and investment opportunities. • Learn how tokenization, open finance, digital assets, and AI are transforming the financial industry. • Learn about Bahrain's innovative and business-friendly fintech industry. Speakers • Usman Ahmed – Group CEO, National Bank of Bahrain • Shanker Ramamurthy – Global Managing Partner, Banking and Financial Markets, IBM Consulting, IBM (USA) • Mohamed Mansour – Regional Head of Banking & Expansion – Middle East, Wise (UAE) • Osama Ali Nasr – Chief Digital Banking Officer, GFH Bank (Bahrain) Don't miss Fintech Forward 2026, where fintech innovation meets opportunity. Join the discussion that will shape the next generation of intelligent finance.

• UAusman ahmed
• SRShanker Ramamurthy
• MMMohamed Mansour
• OAOsama Ali Nasr
• DRDr Reto Cueni