Education, openness, and innovation have enabled Switzerland to develop one of the world’s most competitive financial centers and become a leading fintech hub.
The country is home to top-ranked universities such as the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH Zurich) and the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL), both consistently ranked among the top 20 worldwide. Zurich, the largest city in Switzerland and its main financial and cultural hub, hosts major tech companies, including Google, Microsoft, and IBM. And according to data from the government, over 3% of GDP is spent on research and development (R&D) annually, reflecting strong commitment to innovation and technological advancement.
Today, Switzerland’s financial sector contributes 9.1% of GDP and employs around 200,000 people, while its fintech industry houses over 500 firms and more than 1,200 blockchain companies. Zurich and Geneva, in particular, are standing among the world’s the top four fintech hubs.
Switzerland’s long-standing position as a global financial center, combined with its culture of innovation and dynamic fintech ecosystem, has made it a premier destination for fintech events, attracting industry leaders from around the world to explore opportunities and address emerging challenges.
Among the many conferences scheduled in the coming months, the following 12 stand out as the most significant gatherings in 2026. These events are expected to bring together top decision-makers, regulators, and innovators to shape the future of the sector and foster collaboration.
FINANZ’26
February 25-26, 2026
Kongresshaus Zurich, Claridenstrasse 5, Zurich, Switzerland
FINANZ’26 will take place on February 25-26, 2026, at the Kongresshaus Zurich. The event is designed as an exclusive business-to-business (B2B) meeting platform for professional investors and financial experts.
FINANZ’26 will bring together forward-looking speakers and relevant industry topics, offering insights into key trends, challenges, and innovations shaping the future of finance. Through expert discussions, in-depth presentations, and interactive training formats, participants will gain practical knowledge and new perspectives from leading professionals.
Sponsors and partners, meanwhile, will benefit from new, integrated presentation opportunities within the conference program. These include participation in curated expert panels, dedicated presentations, and breakout sessions.
FINANZ’26 will also offer a platform to network with leading figures in the industry. Attendees will get to engage in direct conversations with industry leaders, sponsors, and partners throughout the event, supporting the development and maintenance of valuable professional relationships.
24th NextGen Payments and RegTech Forum
March 05, 2026
Marriott Hotel, Zurich, Switzerland
The 24th NextGen Payments and RegTech Forum will take place on March 05, 2026, at the Marriott Hotel in Zurich. The event will bring together senior professionals from banks, fintech startups, payment service providers, technology firms, and regulatory bodies to examine how innovation and regulation are reshaping the payments and compliance landscape.
The 24th NextGen Payments and RegTech Forum will focus on how market participants are optimizing operations and enabling sustainable growth through technological and regulatory advancements. The forum will offer a curated environment for global decision-makers, strategists, and industry influencers to exchange insights and benchmark strategies.
Participants will get to engage in practical discussions on market shifts, regulatory change, and large-scale execution, with the aim of leaving the event with actionable next steps that can be implemented immediately. Discussions will cover instant payments and open finance, the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in compliance and fraud prevention, developments in stablecoins and central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), data privacy considerations, and practical approaches to turning innovation into measurable business value.
In addition to the conference content, the event will place a strong emphasis on networking and professional exchange. Structured networking breaks, one-to-one meetings, a networking lunch, and an evening reception will provide opportunities for participants to build new relationships and strengthen existing ones in an informal setting.
The 24th NextGen Payments and RegTech Forum is expected to feature more than 50 keynote speakers, over 1,000 minutes of senior-level content, and participation from more than 400 industry leaders representing over 100 organizations.
IFZ Fintech Symposium 2026
March 11, 2026, 12:00-18:00 CET
The Institute of Financial Services Zug (IFZ), Zug-Rotkreuz, Zug, Switzerland
The IFZ Fintech Symposium 2026 will take place on March 11, 2026, at the Institute of Financial Services Zug (IFZ) at the Zug-Rotkreuz campus in Zug. The event will focus on the role of fintech in addressing current challenges within the banking and financial services industry.
The event will examine recent trends and developments in the Swiss Fintech ecosystem, as well as the practical and structural challenges associated with digital transformation. Particular attention will be given to the impact of fintech on the broader economy, everyday professional practice, and the opportunities innovation creates for Switzerland as a financial centre.
The program will be structured around two parallel tracks. The Business Session will concentrate on practical applications of fintech within organizations, featuring case studies, implementation strategies, and real-world experiences. The Academia Session will be dedicated to academic research and theoretical perspectives on fintech, digital finance, and innovation.
In addition, the symposium will include a presentation of the latest IFZ Fintech Study, providing up-to-date statistical insights into the Swiss fintech market.
The IFZ Fintech Symposium 2026 will be held in a hybrid format, allowing participants and presenters to attend either on site or online. Presentations in the Business Session will be held in either English or German, while all presentations in the Academia Session will be conducted in English only.
START Summit 2026
March 19-20, 2026
SGKB Hall, St. Gallen, Switzerland
START Summit 2026 will take place on March 19 and 20, 2026, at the SGKB Hall in St. Gallen. The event promises one of Europe’s leading conferences for entrepreneurship and innovation and brings together early-stage startups, venture capital (VC) firms, corporate leaders, policymakers, and operators from across Europe and beyond.
Organized by START Global, a student-led initiative of the University of St. Gallen, the summit has developed into a flagship platform for the startup ecosystem. Each year, several thousand participants gather in St. Gallen to exchange ideas, establish professional relationships, and engage with emerging technologies and business models.
The 2026 edition, which is expected to welcome more than 7,000 participants and facilitate over 12,000 meetings, will be structured as a multi-format platform rather than a traditional conference. The program will combine keynote speeches, panel discussions, workshops, startup pitches, a startup fair, and structured networking sessions.
The summit will address topics including AI, deeptech, sustainability, fintech, and digital infrastructure, and reflect the most pressing challenges and opportunities facing today’s startup ecosystem.
Confirmed speakers for START Summit 2026 include:
- Felix Ohswald, Co-Founder & CEO of GoStudent GmbH;
- Verena Pausder, Board Member, Startup-Verband;
- Thomas Clozel, Co-Founder & CEO of OWKIN;
- Daniel W. Dippold, Founder & CEO of EWOR;
- Helmut Schoenenberger, Co-Founder & CEO of UnternehmerTUM;
- Melanie Gabriel, Co-Founder of Yokoy & Follow the Gradient;
- Dirk Hoerig, Founder of commercetools;
- Simon Michel, CEO of Ypsomed AG & National Councillor;
- Philipp Schröder, Founder & CEO of 1KOMMA5°; and
- Péter Fankhauser, Co-Founder & CEO of ANYbotics.
SGF Conference 2026
March 27, 2026
SIX ConventionPoint, Pfingstweidstrasse 110, 8005 Zurich, Switzerland
The SGF Conference 2026 will take place on March 27, 2026, at the SIX ConventionPoint in Zurich. The event will mark the 28th Annual Meeting of the Swiss Society for Financial Market Research and is organized by the Department of Finance of the University of Zurich.
Bringing together researchers from across the field, this annual event aims to promote collaboration and facilitate the exchange of recent research findings and methodological advances in financial market research.
The 2026 conference program will include a dedicated poster session featuring eight accepted posters. This session will is designed to give doctoral students and early-career researchers the opportunity to present their work and engage directly with conference participants.
The academic content of the conference will be structured across several research tracks, including asset pricing, corporate finance and governance, financial intermediation and institutions, behavioral and household finance, and general topics in financial markets. Each track will be overseen by internationally recognized scholars from leading universities.
The SGF Conference 2026 will be accompanied by a pre-conference dinner held by invitation only at the Zunfthaus zur Waag in Zurich’s city centre. In addition, a formal conference dinner will also take place at the Zunfthaus zur Waag and will include a special performance by Pat Perry, a world champion magician.
2026 Crypto Valley Conference
May 28-29, 2026
Rotkreuz, Switzerland
The 2026 Crypto Valley Conference will take place on May 28 and 29, 2026, in Rotkreuz. Now in its seventh edition, the conference focuses on the current state and future development of blockchain technology under the theme of setting the foundation for the next phase of the blockchain ecosystem.
The 2026 Crypto Valley Conference will bring together participants from startups, established corporates, academia, and government institutions for two days of in-depth discussion and knowledge exchange. It’s expected to welcome approximately 1,500 attendees representing more than 200 companies, alongside over 25 exhibitors.
The conference will feature more than 40 presentations and seven master classes delivered by over 125 speakers from around the world. Content will be distributed across multiple stages and cover a broad range of topics spanning technology, economics and finance, and legal and regulatory considerations.
Key thematic areas will include institutional approaches to yield generation in digital assets, global regulatory frameworks, geopolitical and macroeconomic trends affecting digital assets, institutional-grade infrastructure, real-world asset tokenization, stablecoins and CBDCs, on-chain asset management, blockchain-focused VC strategies, interoperability and protocol development, and the role of AI in blockchain scaling.
In addition to the conference sessions, the event will include an exhibition, and networking opportunities designed to encourage informal exchange, including a closing boat cruise on Lake Zug.
DigiAssets Connect 2026
June 16-17, 2026
The Kameha Grand, Dufaux-Strasse 1, 8152, Zurich, Switzerland
DigiAssets Connect 2026 will take place on June 16 and 17, 2026, at the Kameha Grand in Zurich. The event is an invitation-only forum designed for institutional buy-side participants, including private banks, asset managers, and hedge funds, who are actively shaping the future of digital assets.
DigiAssets Connect 2026 will focus on scaling digital assets for institutional adoption and provide a closed setting for senior decision-makers to exchange practical insights and strategic perspectives. The program will be built around real-world use cases and peer-level discussion.
Participants will engage in off-the-record sessions that examine how digital assets are being integrated into institutional portfolios, how tokenization is moving from pilot initiatives to scalable products, and how regulatory, operational, and infrastructure challenges are being addressed. Topics will include tokenized assets and cash, market and custody infrastructure, decentralized finance (DeFi), AI in asset management, interoperability, and emerging digital investment products.
DigiAssets Connect 2026 will feature keynote contributions, leadership panels, and closed working groups exclusively for buy-side participants. These sessions will be complemented by interactive formats including live solution demonstrations and moderated roundtable discussions, allowing attendees to assess practical implementations alongside strategic considerations.
The agenda will also include focused discussions on private wealth, examining how high-net-worth client demand and risk considerations are being managed by leading private banks, as well as dedicated collaboration sessions, networking opportunities, and an invitation-only VIP dinner.
Confirmed speakers for DigiAssets Connect 2026 include:
- Sven Wuerttemberger, CEO, and Head of Client Coverage Switzerland, DWS CH AG;
- Uraitz de Julian Garate, Head of Digital Investments, Coutts;
- Laurence Arnold, Global Head of Innovation, Client Operations, Performance & Reporting, AXA Investment Managers;
- Diana-Cezara Toader, Head of Digital Assets, Director of Alternatives Product Structuring, UBS Asset Management;
- Kim Hochfeld, Senior Managing Director, Global Head of Cash, Digital & Securities Lending, State Street Global Advisors;
- Giuseppe Tedone, Head of Innovation and Data Insights, Barings;
- Charles-Henry Monchau, Chief Investment Officer, Syz Group; and
- Philippe Meyer, Head of Digital & Blockchain Solutions, BBVA Switzerland.
Swiss Fintech Week 2026
June 19-25, 2026
Zurich, Switzerland
Swiss Fintech Week 2026, a joint initiative of the Swiss fintech ecosystem, will take place from June 19 to 25, 2026, in Zurich. The week-long event aims to serve as a launchpad for innovation, collaboration, and strategic partnerships within the Swiss Fintech ecosystem.
Over the course of seven days, Swiss Fintech Week 2026 will unite leading Swiss fintech experiences and independent events to promote entrepreneurial thinking, support young businesses, and foster connections within the ecosystem. The event, which is expected to host over 1,500 participants across eight integrated events, will bring together startups, investors, corporate leaders, policymakers, and other industry influencers to exchange ideas, showcase innovations, and shape the future of finance.
A key highlight of the week is SwissHacks 2026, running from June 19 to 21. This 48-hour, government-backed hackathon will bring together students, professionals, and industry experts to collaborate on real-world challenges in areas such as fintech, regtech, and sustainability. Participants will develop innovative solutions under the guidance of mentors, culminating in project presentations to a jury and opportunities to win prizes.
The Point Zero Forum 2026, held from June 23 to 25, will focus on dialogue and collaboration around pressing issues in finance, policy, and technology. Over three days, participants will explore actionable pathways to advance sustainability, inclusivity, innovation, and efficiency across the global financial system.
IFC Conference
August 20-21, 2026
Bank for International Settlements, Basel, Switzerland
The IFC Conference will take place on August 20 and 21, 2026, at the Bank for International Settlements in Basel.
The event is designed to be a premier gathering for finance professionals, regulators, and policymakers to discuss the evolving global financial landscape.
The IFC Conference will gather thought leaders and experts from around the globe to discuss the latest trends and challenges in the international financial landscape.
Attendees can expect a series of insightful presentations, engaging panel discussions, and ample networking opportunities, all aimed at fostering collaboration and innovation in finance.
CV Summit 2026
September 29-30, 2026
Kongresshaus Zurich, Switzerland
CV Summit 2026 will take place on September 29 and 30, 2026, at the Kongresshaus Zurich. Recognized as Switzerland’s largest conference on blockchain, AI, and digital assets, this year’s summit will bring together over 3,000 participants, including executives, innovators, investors, institutions, and policymakers from around the world.
The two-day event will feature more than 250 speakers presenting across four stages and workshops, supported by over 1,000 square meters of exhibition space. It will provide a platform for knowledge exchange, networking, and collaboration for anyone interested in the future of Web3, blockchain, AI, and digital assets, from newcomers to seasoned professionals.
The program will be organized into several thematic tracks:
- The Blockchain track will highlight the newest trends in decentralized tech and crypto innovation, and connect participants with visionary founders and industry leaders;
- The Investments and Wealth track will offer insights from leading investors and experts on digital wealth management and strategies for the evolving financial landscape;
- The AI track explores cutting-edge AI advancements that are transforming industries and shaping the digital future; and
- The Institutions and Digital Assets track will focus on how banks, financial institutions, and other organizations are pioneering the adoption of digital assets.
Digital Finance Day 2026
November 03, 2026
Zurich, Switzerland
Digital Finance Day 2026, scheduled on November 03, 2026, will bring together leading voices from finance, technology, and regulation to explore and debate the future of financial innovation in Switzerland
This event, organized by the Swiss Bankers Association, will be held in English and will cover the topics of digital finance and cybersecurity.
Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on image by zashanali1111 via Freepik
