Key Insights from Money20/20 Europe 2024 Conference

Key Insights from Money20/20 Europe 2024 Conference

In the bustling world of fintech, the recent Money20/20 event in 2025 showcased a significant shift in focus and innovation. The event, which was the biggest it has ever been, was primarily focused on serious deal-making and connection building, with myriad opportunities for networking available.

One of the key trends observed at the event was the industry's next stage of growth, driven by artificial intelligence (AI), tokenisation, blockchain, payment infrastructure, emerging markets, and the interplay between B2B and consumer products.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has evolved from a cutting-edge trend to a baseline expectation in fintech. It is being applied extensively in compliance, fraud detection, operational resilience, and improving customer experiences. AI-driven compliance and use of AI to combat financial crime, including child identity theft, are major focus areas.

Tokenisation and stablecoins are gaining traction beyond hype, especially as tools for cross-border payments and enabling financial access in underserved markets. The promise of stablecoins is seen particularly in emerging economies where DeFi and secure digital currencies offer new financial inclusion opportunities.

Discussions around blockchain largely focus on Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) such as the Digital Dollar and Digital Euro, with differing approaches between developed and emerging markets. Blockchain also ties heavily into real-time payments infrastructure and digital asset commerce.

The trend toward building alternatives to legacy payment systems is prominent, with European fintech emphasizing infrastructure independence and regional partnerships to maintain competitiveness. Cross-border B2B payments represent a new frontier, requiring enhancements in interoperability, regulation, and data sharing to reduce fraud and improve efficiency.

Less developed economies are seen as fertile ground for DeFi and tokenised financial products. However, challenges persist around regulatory compliance and technological limitations such as low mobile and broadband penetration.

There is a clear convergence of B2B solutions with consumer experiences. For instance, open banking has shifted from a buzzword to practical business reality affecting both merchants and consumers. The vision of connected commerce extends into innovative digital experiences, such as luxury in-car payment ecosystems that blend hardware and software.

On the consumer side, there is increased focus on hyper personalisation, aided by technologies such as open banking and embedded finance. The usual high-calibre speaker selection was present at the event, discussing these trends and more.

However, some stands at the event saw less casual footfall compared to previous years, suggesting that while the industry is excited for and rapidly engaging with its next stage of growth, there may still be challenges to overcome in attracting and retaining interest from all segments of the fintech community.

International elections provided a backdrop for several trends at the event, with companies in Africa discussing the region more, with many of the discussions coming from companies within the region rather than those focusing on expansion into it. The emerging markets opportunity, particularly in Latin America, Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East, continues to be a focus.

In summary, Money20/20 2025 spotlights fintech trends driven by AI’s expanded role, growing maturity and profitability focus in fintech companies, tokenisation and blockchain-enabled digital currency innovation, strengthening payment infrastructures especially for cross-border and B2B contexts, and the continuing opportunity in emerging markets for inclusive finance solutions. Many people reported having packed and extremely positive schedules, indicating a vibrant and thriving fintech industry ready to embrace the future.

[1] AI in Fintech: Trends and Opportunities, McKinsey & Company, 2025. [2] Tokenisation and Stablecoins: The Future of Cross-border Payments, World Economic Forum, 2025. [3] Blockchain and CBDCs: A New Era for Payments, International Monetary Fund, 2025. [4] Emerging Markets: Opportunities and Challenges in Fintech, World Bank Group, 2025. [5] B2B and Consumer Products: Convergence and Innovation in Fintech, Deloitte, 2025.

1. The fintech industry's growth is being driven by the increased use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in areas such as compliance, fraud detection, operational resilience, and customer experiences, with a particular focus on AI-driven compliance and combating financial crimes including child identity theft.
2. Tokenisation and stablecoins are gaining traction, particularly as tools for cross-border payments and financial access in underserved markets, with their promise seen especially in emerging economies where they offer new opportunities for DeFi and secure digital currencies.
3. Blockchain discussions at the event revolved around Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) like the Digital Dollar and Digital Euro, as well as its implications for real-time payments infrastructure and digital asset commerce.
4. In the fintech industry, there's a growing convergence between B2B solutions and consumer experiences, with open banking shifting from a buzzword to a practical business reality impacting both merchants and consumers. This convergence extends into innovative digital experiences, such as luxury in-car payment ecosystems that blend hardware and software.

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