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PRESSR: Riyadh welcomes over 38,500 attendees at the region’s biggest fintech event Money20/20 Middle East
PRESSR: Riyadh welcomes over 38,500 attendees at the region’s biggest fintech event Money20/20 Middle East
About this update from Al Rajhi Bank
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – Money20/20 Middle East in Riyadh welcomed global leaders in fintech, banking, investment, and digital innovation, drawing more than 38,500 attendees, the largest fintech event regionally.This year’s gathering convened more than 450 global fintech brands, alongside more than 1,050 investors. Global brand participation surged 207% from last year at 24Fintech, while investor attendance tripled, reflecting unprecedented international capital interest in Saudi Arabia’s fintech ecosystem. The event also facilitated 2,288 of pre-scheduled investor-startup meetings and many partnership signings, ensuring deal flow and long-term value creation well beyond the headline figures.The record-breaking turnout marked the largest fintech assembly ever staged in the Middle East and the second globally. The close cements Saudi Arabia as the Middle East’s fintech epicenter and a rising force in global finance, with headline statements from the most powerful voices in the industry. The Kingdom’s fintech market now anchors more than 280 active firms and a capital market valued at $640 billion, positioning Riyadh as the primary gateway for global investors into the Middle East.Across the three days, Tamara announced a landmark $2.4 billion asset-backed facility supported by Goldman Sachs and Citigroup, while STV and Tadawul’s Wamid revealed plans for the Kingdom’s first private asset trading platform. Visa unveiled a first-of-its-kind acceptance capability in Saudi Arabia, designed to accelerate digital commerce enablement and enhance how merchants accept and manage payments. International tech giants including Google, and Alipay made their Saudi market debuts, with Google Pay and Google Wallet launching through Al Rajhi Bank and Riyad Bank. Together, these milestones signal both global confidence and local ambition.Money20/20 Middle East brought together the world’s most influential voices in finance, technology, and regulation to define the next era of global fintech. Day one spotlighted Saudi Arabia’s surging capital markets, AI-driven innovation, and landmark reforms, with opening remarks by H.E. Mohammed Aljadaan, Minister of Finance, Chairman of the Financial Sector Development Programme Committee, and H.E. Ayman M. Al-Sayari, Governor of the Saudi Central Bank, and H.E. Mohammed A. Elkuwaiz, Chairman of Capital Market Authority.Day two focused on r...