Money20/20 Middle East Debuts in Riyadh, Primed for Fintech Revolution

Riyadh is preparing for a big moment: the first-ever Money20/20 Middle East is set to arrive in the Saudi capital from the 15th to the 17th of September 2025. If you’ve ever found yourself in a room buzzing with fintech enthusiasts—the kind who can talk payments and digital wallets ‘til the cows come home—you’ll know just how electrifying the air can get. Well… I mean, this time it’ll be even bigger, with everyone from global leaders to policymakers, startups, and, of course, investors, all convening under one buzzing roof.

Money20/20 may have got its start in Las Vegas back in 2012, but its influence has snowballed faster than you can say “blockchain.” Over just a dozen years, it’s expanded beyond the bright lights of Nevada to anchor landmark fintech events in both Amsterdam and Bangkok—each one acting as a who’s who for the money ecosystem. And now, finally, it’s the Middle East’s turn, with Riyadh poised to play host to more than 450 brands, a whopping 600 investors, and a line-up of 350 speakers who are itching to set the agenda.

I’ve seen plenty of networking events over the years (some less exciting than watching paint dry, if I’m honest), but Money20/20’s reputation means people are chuffed to bits just to get in the door. It’s not just about swapping business cards—this is where the sausage gets made: strategies drafted, partnerships inked, and deals move at a brisk pace. It’s a bit of a faff for the organisers, no doubt, but the rewards for Saudi Arabia could be huge.

Much of this springs from Saudi’s Vision 2030, which puts digital transformation and fintech slap bang in the centre of the country’s long-term plans. We’re not talking small change either—billions have been poured into modernising finance and payments, with Riyadh increasingly viewed as the go-to hub for major industry players. That said, there’s still work to be done. At Arageek, empowering MENA startups is what drives us day in, day out, so watching events like this land on our doorstep gives a real sense of momentum.

Tracey Davies, President of Money20/20, seemed spot on when saying their customers are clamouring for a slice of the regional action. According to Davies, “With the power of Tahaluf and its ability to expand Money20/20 into new geographies at pace, 2025 is the perfect time for us to bring this show to life and serve more customers than ever in this vibrant market.” Nice to see the message is loud and clear: the region is open for business, and everyone’s eager to put their stamp on it.

The September event isn’t just another series of keynote speeches, either. It promises everything from heated panel debates to hands-on demos of new digital payment systems, with topics spanning AI, blockchain, and digital currencies. Expect heavy hitters like Mastercard, Visa, and Adyen sharing the stage with promising regional startups—there’s a real chance for scrappy newcomers to share ideas and perhaps snag a game-changing partnership right out of the gate.

On the flip side, I reckon it’ll be a steep learning curve for those not yet fluent in the ever-changing fintech lingo. Still, if recent MENA investment trends are anything to go by, this could be the moment many local entrepreneurs have been waiting for, whether they’re hunting for funding or simply hoping to learn what’s around the corner.

Of course, this might sound a bit grand to some ears, but I do believe the momentum is real. There’s no doubt events like this help put the region firmly on the innovation map—and as anyone who’s wrestled with old banking systems knows, that’s not a bad thing, is it?

So, for anyone keeping a close eye on Riyadh’s fintech scene, September 2025 is already shaping up to be a turning point. And if things go as planned, there’s every chance the Middle East could become the go-to place for global money movers and shakers—watch this space, because it could be quite the ride.

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