Melbourne to Host Inaugural Money20/20 Australia in February 2028

Melbourne has been selected to host the inaugural Australia and New Zealand edition of Money20/20 in February 2028. For fintech professionals, this marks a significant shift in the global event circuit, positioning Victoria as a primary hub for financial innovation and connecting the region's advanced ecosystem with international decision-makers and capital.

What was announced

Money20/20 Australia will take place at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre from 15-17 February 2028. The event was secured for the city by the Melbourne Convention Bureau, with formal support from the Victorian Labor Government and Tourism Australia. The conference is designed to bring together global leaders across the technology, payments, commerce, and finance sectors to drive innovation and influence the future of financial services.

Melbourne was selected due to its established fintech ecosystem, which includes major brands such as Afterpay, Square, Up Bank, Judo Bank, and MYOB. The financial and insurance services sector is a significant driver of the local economy, contributing $57.4 billion to Victoria’s economy in the 2024-25 period. The industry currently employs approximately 162,200 Victorians. The arrival of Money20/20 follows other significant industry gatherings in the region, such as Intersekt and the inaugural Australian Data Center World and AI Summit, which are expected to bring more than 1,800 delegates to the city in early September.

The event is expected to attract thousands of international delegates and industry decision-makers, providing a platform for networking and investment. By hosting the inaugural ANZ edition, Melbourne aims to showcase its world-class business events infrastructure and strengthen its international connections within the global financial community.

"Australia and New Zealand have built one of the world's most advanced fintech ecosystems, and Money20/20 Australia will showcase this innovation to the world. We're bringing together the region's brightest innovators, leading institutions, forward-thinking investors and visionary policymakers with our global community of decision-makers."

Tracey Davies, President Money20/20 at Informa PLC (LON:INF).

The companies involved

Money20/20 is the world’s leading fintech event series, operating under the parent company Informa PLC. The expansion into the Australian market follows the brand's successful footprint in Europe, Asia, and the United States. Melbourne, the host city, serves as a major hub for financial technology; it is the home of Judo Bank and the business management platform MYOB. The city also hosts significant operations for Square and Afterpay, the latter being one of the most prominent names in the global buy-now-pay-later sector.

The Melbourne Convention Bureau, which led the bid for the event, works in tandem with Tourism Australia to secure high-profile business events that drive the visitor economy. Supporting the local industry is FinTech Australia, the national peak body for the sector. Led by CEO Rehan D’Almeida, the organization advocates for the commercial and policy settings necessary to grow the Australian fintech industry. According to D’Almeida, the sector has the potential to become a $37 billion industry over the next decade if the right conditions are met.

What FF News has reported before

FF News has previously tracked the global influence of the Money20/20 brand and the regulatory challenges facing the Australian market. We reported on how Money20/20 Europe’s Policy 20 Summit Brings Central Banks and Tech Titans Together, emphasizing the event's role in shaping international financial policy. In the ANZ region, we have highlighted industry concerns, specifically when FinTech Australia Warns CGT Reforms Pose 'Existential Threat' to Local Innovation. Our coverage of major Melbourne-based players includes reports on how Uber and Block Expand Global Partnership to Launch Cash App Pay and Streamline Restaurant Operations, involving Square's parent company. We also noted the brand's geographic expansion in Visa Reaffirms Commitment to GCC Fintech as Founding Partner of Money20/20 Middle East 2026.

What this means

The decision to bring Money20/20 to Melbourne is a clear signal that the ANZ fintech corridor has reached a level of maturity that demands global attention. While Singapore has long been the primary APAC hub for major financial summits, this move puts pressure on other regional centers to defend their status. The 2028 timing suggests a long-term confidence in Australia’s regulatory environment and its role as a testbed for payments innovation. However, the ultimate impact will depend on whether the local industry can resolve ongoing tensions regarding tax reforms and investment incentives that currently threaten to stifle the startups the event intends to highlight.