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Money20/20 Middle East, hosted in Riyadh, marked a historic moment for the region’s financial landscape, welcoming global leaders across fintech, banking, investment, and digital innovation. With more than 38,500 attendees, the event became the largest fintech gathering ever staged in the Middle East, and the second-largest globally, setting a powerful benchmark for future financial events across the world.
This year’s gathering brought together more than 450 global fintech brands and over 1,050 investors, signaling a surge in international engagement. Participation from global brands increased by 207 per cent compared to last year’s event at 24Fintech, while investor attendance tripled, showcasing unprecedented levels of international capital interest in Saudi Arabia’s fintech ecosystem.
Read more-Money20/20 Middle East kicks off as fintech momentum builds in Saudi Arabia
The event facilitated an impressive 2,288 pre-scheduled meetings between investors and startups, helping to create strong momentum for deal flow, partnerships, and value creation that will extend far beyond the headline figures.
These figures represent not only a significant increase in volume but also a powerful endorsement of Riyadh as a dynamic and increasingly important hub for global finance and innovation.
Saudi Arabia emerges as regional fintech epicenter
This record turnout reinforces Saudi Arabia’s position as the epicenter of fintech in the Middle East and a rising player on the global stage. The country now supports more than 280 active fintech firms and boasts a capital market valued at $640bn, highlighting Riyadh’s strategic role as the primary gateway for global investors seeking access to Middle Eastern financial markets.
Money20/20 Middle East provided a dynamic platform for transformative announcements and product launches. Over three days, Tamara made headlines by announcing a $2.4bn asset-backed facility, supported by global banking giants Goldman Sachs and Citigroup. In a similarly groundbreaking move, STV and Wamid, a subsidiary of Tadawul, revealed plans to build the Kingdom’s first private asset trading platform, a development with far-reaching implications for the region’s investment landscape.
As part of the event’s wave of innovation, Visa introduced a first-of-its-kind acceptance capability in Saudi Arabia. The new feature is designed to accelerate the enablement of digital commerce and significantly enhance how merchants accept and manage payments in the region.
Global technology powerhouses such as Google and Alipay also chose this platform to enter the Saudi market. Google Pay and Google Wallet were officially launched in partnership with Al Rajhi Bank and Riyad Bank, further validating the Kingdom’s growing importance in the global financial technology landscape. Collectively, these announcements underscore both international confidence in Saudi Arabia’s market potential and the ambitious local drive to build next-generation financial infrastructure.
Top global and regional leaders take the stage
Money20/20 Middle East convened the most influential voices in global finance, regulation, and technology to set the agenda for the next era of fintech. The opening day featured a focus on Saudi Arabia’s surging capital markets, AI-driven innovation, and major reforms. High-profile speakers included H.E. Mohammed Aljadaan, Minister of Finance and Chairman of the Financial Sector Development Programme Committee; H.E. Ayman M. Al-Sayari, Governor of the Saudi Central Bank; and H.E. Mohammed A. Elkuwaiz, Chairman of the Capital Market Authority.
On day two, discussions shifted to regulatory developments, inclusive innovation, and strategic capital deployment. Notable speakers included Hon. Caroline D. Pham, Acting Chairman of the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission; Mario Nobile of Italy’s Digital Agency; and Colin Payne from the UK Financial Conduct Authority.
Day three brought attention to stablecoin resilience, AI-powered infrastructure, and the importance of digital trust. Speakers included Dr Mohammed Rahim of Standard Chartered Bank; Nameer Khan, Chairman of the MENA Fintech Association; Tony Ashraf from BlackRock; and Sandra Ro, CEO of the Global Blockchain Business Council. Throughout the event, panel sessions and discussions reinforced how digital transformation, regulatory insight, and strategic partnerships are fundamentally reshaping financial services, with Saudi Arabia playing a leading role.
Aligned with Vision 2030: A strategic leap towarda diversification
These landmark developments are deeply aligned with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, the country’s bold strategy to diversify its economy beyond oil and build a future-ready, globally competitive financial sector. Vision 2030 emphasizes attracting capital, talent, and technological innovation, and Money20/20 Middle East demonstrated that these goals are being actively realised.
Annabelle Mander, Executive Vice President at Tahaluf, stated:
“Money20/20 Middle East has redefined what a fintech event can achieve. Hosting more than 38,500 attendees, including global leaders, this is where the future of finance is being built. The scale of ambition on display is unprecedented. This event has proven that Saudi Arabia is not only a major fintech hub in the Middle East, but a driving force shaping the future of global finance.”
Steve Durning, Portfolio Director at Tahaluf, commented on the event’s concrete impact:
“Money20/20 Middle East has proven to be a catalyst for capital and collaboration. With more than 1,050 global investors and over 150 startups on site, the return on investment for participants is clear. This is where major partnerships are forged and where new entrants gain the visibility to scale. At Tahaluf, our focus is on building platforms that drive measurable growth for our partners, and this week Riyadh has set a new global benchmark for fintech investment and opportunity.”
Founding partners and innovation ecosystem
Founding partners of the event include Al Rajhi Bank, Riyad Bank, STC Bank, Saudi National Bank, Tamara, Visa, and Vision Bank, each demonstrating firm commitment to advancing fintech innovation across the region.
Strategic sponsors and partners powering the event’s innovation ecosystem include Abdul Latif Jameel, Barq, Banque Saudi Fransi (BSF), BIM Ventures, Elm, Ejada, Enjaz, MasterCard, Neo Leap, Saudi Tadawul Group (STG), SCCC by STC, SIMAH, Tamam, and Tiqmo.
Under the theme “Where Money Does Business”, Money20/20 Middle East featured dedicated partnership pavilions, executive networking lounges, and curated meeting programs, ensuring high ROI for both sponsors and exhibitors.
With billions now committed to new platforms, digital infrastructure, and high-value partnerships, the impact of Money20/20 Middle East is expected to drive job creation, enhance foreign direct investment, and firmly establish Saudi Arabia as a global fintech powerhouse.
