PAY360 2026: Shaping the Future of Payments

PAY360 2026 will convene at ExCeL London on 24–25 March 2026, marking a significant milestone for the global payments ecosystem. For fintech professionals, the event serves as a critical forum for navigating the convergence of AI, instant transfer infrastructure, and tightening regulatory landscapes, directly impacting how businesses scale and secure their payment operations.

What was announced

PAY360 2026 is positioned as a major gathering for the payments industry, expected to attract more than 6,000 innovators, stakeholders, and thought leaders. Hosted by The Payments Association, the two-day event will feature a refreshed agenda designed to address the most pressing shifts in the financial landscape. The speaker lineup includes over 200 representatives from fintech firms, financial services, and regulatory bodies. Key themes for the 2026 edition include the Future of Money, which examines the impact of stablecoins, CBDCs, and digital wallets, and Open Payments, focusing on the role of APIs and embedded finance.

The agenda also prioritises operational concerns, such as Financial Crime prevention, AML compliance, and Operational Resilience. Furthermore, the event will explore Predictive Intelligence, highlighting how AI and data analytics are being integrated into risk management and customer experience. Beyond the stage sessions, the event will host more than 150 exhibitors showcasing new technologies. Networking is a central component, supported by an AI-powered matchmaking application for scheduling meetings. The Fintechs’ Pitch Live competition will also return, providing a platform for emerging companies to present their solutions to an audience of global investors and industry decision-makers. Interactive workshops and merchant-focused roundtables are included to provide practical, hands-on problem-solving opportunities for attendees.

The companies involved

The Payments Association is the host and organiser of PAY360 2026, serving as a central coordinator for the global payments ecosystem. By facilitating this large-scale event at ExCeL London, the association brings together a diverse range of participants, from fintech innovators and technology leaders to regulatory bodies and financial services professionals. The association is responsible for curating an agenda that addresses critical industry themes such as the future of money, open banking, and financial crime. Through the inclusion of over 150 exhibitors and the Fintechs’ Pitch Live competition, the association provides a platform for both established players and emerging startups to showcase their solutions to a global audience of investors and decision-makers.

The association’s role extends to providing networking infrastructure, such as AI-powered matchmaking tools, to help stakeholders connect and collaborate. As the host, the association positions itself at the intersection of technology and regulation, helping the industry navigate the challenges of digital transformation and operational resilience. By bringing together over 200 global speakers, the organisation facilitates the exchange of practical insights intended to help businesses stay ahead in a shifting regulatory and technological landscape.

What this means

The thematic focus of PAY360 2026 indicates that the payments sector is entering a phase of high-stakes consolidation. The emphasis on operational resilience and financial crime suggests that the industry is no longer just chasing speed, but is now forced to prioritise systemic stability in the face of sophisticated fraud and regulatory scrutiny. As instant transfers become the expected standard rather than a premium feature, the pressure on traditional banks to modernise their underlying infrastructure will only intensify. The event will likely highlight a growing divide between firms that can successfully leverage AI for predictive intelligence and those struggling with legacy constraints. For the market, the challenge remains balancing frictionless user experiences with the robust security required by a shifting regulatory landscape.