Fintech Forward – 4th Edition, 7-8 October 2026

As global economies navigate shifting capital flows, technological change and geopolitical uncertainty, the foundations of competitiveness are being redefined. This keynote would explore how Bahrain is positioning for the next phase of growth through investment, diversification, stronger financial infrastructure and private-sector development, while highlighting the role of financial services and fintech in supporting a more connected, innovative and resilient economy.

H.E. Shaikh Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, Minister of Finance and National Economy

Bahrain’s financial-services proposition is built on the intersection of economic development, investment and a regulatory environment designed to support responsible innovation. This discussion explores how the Kingdom is strengthening its position as a regional financial centre by attracting international capital, enabling new fintech and AI-driven business models, developing talent and capability, and creating the conditions for sustainable sector growth. It will also examine how economic development and regulation can work in parallel to support innovation, competitiveness and long-term investor confidence.

Fintech is moving from the edge of financial services into the operating core of banks, payment companies, platforms and global institutions. As the sector matures, the focus is shifting from disruption to scale, resilience, regulation and long-term relevance. This panel explores how financial institutions, technology platforms and investors are responding as fintech becomes part of mainstream financial infrastructure, and what this means for competition, consolidation, partnerships and trust.

Stablecoins are moving from digital asset discussion to practical payment infrastructure. Regulated stablecoins could support a wide range of services, from cross-border transfers, merchant settlement and remittances to treasury flows, digital commerce and digital asset transactions. This session explores how stablecoin applications can connect safely with existing payment systems, banking rails, national payment infrastructure, compliance controls and customer protection frameworks.

Franz Bergmeuller, CEO, Amina Bank AG (Switzerland)

Tokenization is no longer limited to asset issuance; it is beginning to affect the infrastructure banks use to process, settle and support digital financial services. As financial institutions prepare for programmable finance, panellists discuss the measures banks and market participants need to take across core banking systems to support digital securities, tokenized funds, deposits and bonds, and smart contract-enabled settlement flows.

Cross-border finance is being reshaped by real-time payment rails, digital assets, stablecoins, tokenized value and more interoperable payment networks. However, interoperability standards can either widen access for new entrants or create a barrier when systems are fragmented, expensive or difficult to access. What will it take to build faster, smarter and more trusted financial corridors that can support the next phase of regional and global growth?

A former Premier League and France international footballer turned entrepreneur, Louis Saha brings a unique perspective on reinvention, resilience and the opportunities that emerge after a successful career. Drawing on his journey from the pitch to building technology-enabled platforms that support athletes, entertainers and other high-profile professionals, Louis will explore how personal experience can reveal unmet needs and inspire scalable solutions. The conversation will look at how trust, guidance and digital platforms can help individuals navigate career transition, make better financial decisions, and turn short-term achievement into long-term resilience and opportunity.

AI agents are moving from recommendation engines into financial workflows where they may initiate or support transactions. But who authorizes agentic payments, AI-assisted commerce or credit decision-making? Who is accountable when compliance agents and operational copilots act inside a regulated financial system? This session examines live and emerging case studies of autonomous agentic payments and AI-led transaction workflows to address whether responsibility and liability sit with the financial institution, model provider, technology vendor, platform or customer. Put another way: does the market need principles-based guidance or harder rules for AI-led financial activity?

As financial institutions automate more of their operating core, AI is being deployed across authentication, fraud detection, transaction monitoring, compliance checks, payment routing and back-office workflows. Join this discussion to learn how banks and fintechs are using AI in real-world deployments to improve control functions, reduce false declines, detect threats earlier and strengthen operational resilience without weakening regulatory oversight.