The Start of a Fintech Comeback: Takeaways from Money20/20

While Money20/20 takes place in the same hotel every year (the Venetian in Las Vegas) and draws many repeat attendees among its 11,000 visitors, it can often feel like a completely different event each time. It’s a reminder of the dramatic change that fintech both drives, and must react to.

In 2018-19, crypto and blockchain were everywhere you looked. (Let’s pour one out for the Long Island Iced Tea Corp’s transition to become Long Blockchain Corp.).

Last year, fraud prevention was top of mind, and it remained a hot topic this year, along with cross border payments. Not surprisingly, AI was the subject du jour.

There was talk about AI as a driver of financial inclusion, AI as both an enabler of fraud and a defense against it, and AI as either a driver of efficiency or a “shiny object” distraction, depending on how it’s used.

During a fireside chat about AI in global banking, Standard Chartered US CEO Mandy DeFilippo advised that AI should not be treated differently than any other product when it comes to development and integration. Business leaders should vet it, understand the potential impact, then decide whether to prioritize. Standard Chartered added another layer on top of that by having an AI Council analyze the investment as well.

More than any particular topic, what came through this year was a sense of optimism. After several years where the IPO window was closed, fintech valuations were slashed, and regulation was heavy, there was a palpable sense that the industry has made it through to the other side. A few high-profile exits and a lax regulatory regime will do that.

It’s worth noting that the number of people on the conference floor seemed smaller than in years past. It’s unclear if this is a sign of conference fatigue or businesses cutting back on spend during an uncertain environment – but it’s a trend to keep an eye on.

If you are interested in learning more about Money20/20 and other prominent events or need support planning a conference strategy for 2025, contact Prosek’s Conference Concierge team at Pro-ConferenceConcierge@prosek.com.