5 Payments and Fintech Conferences You Can't Miss in 2025

With the global payments industry projected to surpass $3 trillion by 2026, staying connected with the latest trends isn’t just a competitive advantage—it’s a necessity. Payments conferences are the perfect opportunity to connect with thought leaders, explore the latest innovations, and stay ahead of industry trends. As the payments ecosystem grows in complexity, these events are essential for networking, learning, and sharpening your competitive edge.

To help you navigate the packed 2025 conference calendar, we’re sharing the top five US payments conferences we recommend. Whether you’re a developer, product manager, compliance expert, or executive, there’s something for everyone.

1. Money, Payments, Connections (MPC)

Dates & Location:
Event details were not confirmed as of January 1, 2025. The conference will likely take place in August 2025 in Atlanta, GA based on past events.

Overview:
MPC is where cutting-edge payments meet digital commerce. This conference dives deep into the latest advancements in mobile wallets, embedded finance, and payment technology, offering actionable insights for forward-thinking professionals.

Key Highlights:

• Dynamic panel discussions with fintech innovators.
• Emerging tech sessions on blockchain, tokenization, and real-time payments.
• Networking with C-suite executives from top financial institutions.

Why Attend:
If you’re focused on innovation and future-proofing your payment systems, MPC is a must. It’s perfect for professionals seeking a deeper understanding of the latest solutions and connections to stay ahead of the payments curve.

2. Finovate 2025

Dates & Location:
Attendees can choose from two US events; May 7-9, 2025, in San Diego, CA, or Sept 8-10, 2025, in New York City, NY

Overview:
Finovate is famous for its no-frills, live fintech demos. Companies showcase their latest solutions in just seven minutes, making it a fast-paced and engaging experience.

Key Highlights:

• Live product demos without PowerPoints—just actionable solutions.
• Insightful sessions on the business impact of emerging technologies.
• Networking opportunities with potential partners and investors.

Why Attend:
This conference is ideal for professionals seeking practical, ready-to-implement solutions and opportunities to form meaningful partnerships in the payments tech space.

3. PaymentsEd Forum

Dates & Location:
July 28-30th, 2025, in Anaheim, CA

Overview:
PaymentsEd Forum is the go-to event for professionals managing card-not-present transactions, including mail, phone, internet, and mobile payments. Attendees come from diverse roles like risk management, credit card operations, fraud prevention, and customer service.

Key Highlights:

• Workshops on PCI compliance and fraud prevention.
• Panels on regulatory updates and risk mitigation.
• Networking with industry peers across various payment disciplines.

Why Attend:
This conference offers practical strategies for enhancing security, ensuring compliance, and optimizing payment operations in a digital-first environment. Ideal for professionals tackling the complexities of modern payment systems.

4. Smarter Faster Payments by Nacha

Dates & Location:
Attendees can participate in-person on April 27-30, 2025, or join the virtual event on June 9-11, 2025.

Overview:
Covering everything from ACH and RPT, to fraud prevention, and AI’s role in payments, Smarter Faster Payments 2025 offers a comprehensive view of the payments industry, networking opportunities and fintech exhibitions, making it an invaluable resource for professionals across all sectors.

Key Highlights:

• Sessions on advancements in real-time payments (RTP) and FedNow.
• Tracks on treasury management and B2B payment innovations.
• Networking opportunities with leaders across the payments ecosystem.

Why Attend:
This conference is perfect for those looking for a broad understanding of payments systems while exploring cutting-edge innovations shaping the industry.

5. Money 20/20 USA

Dates & Location:
October 26-29, 2025, in Las Vegas, NV

Overview:
Money20/20 USA is the premier event for leaders across banking, payments, fintech, retail, and financial services. Hosted at The Venetian Resort in Las Vegas, it brings together industry professionals to explore innovations, forge connections, and shape the future of money.

Key Highlights:

• Opportunities to accelerate deal-making and partnerships.
• Insights from fintech innovators and industry leaders.
• Access to groundbreaking ideas and future-shaping innovations.

Why Attend:
Money20/20 is essential for professionals seeking to stay ahead in the financial ecosystem. It offers unmatched networking, cutting-edge content, and the chance to influence the industry’s direction.

Honorable Mentions

While these conferences didn’t make the top five, they’re still worth considering:

• MRC Vegas: Focused on fraud prevention and e-commerce payments, this is a great event for risk professionals and merchants.
• TRANSACT by ETA: The premier event dedicated exclusively to the business of payments technology, offering three days of networking, engaging on-floor education, dynamic keynote addresses, and connections with the largest players in the payments industry.
• Fintech Devcon: An event curated for fintech developers, engineers, and product teams, offering hands-on workshops, technical insights, and networking opportunities to drive innovation. (Plus, the provided food and drinks are excellent! Trust us.)

How to Choose the Right Conference for Your Needs

With so many events to choose from, finding the right fit depends on your goals and professional focus.

• Consider Your Role: Developers might benefit most from Fintech Devcon, while compliance professionals could prioritize PaymentsEd.
• Define Your Goals: Are you seeking networking opportunities, skill development, or product discovery? Each conference offers something unique.
• Plan Your Budget and Travel: Early planning ensures you maximize your return on investment.

Conclusion: Elevate Your Payment Strategy in 2025

The payments landscape in 2025 will continue to evolve rapidly. Attending these conferences ensures you stay informed, competitive, and connected to the industry’s most influential voices.

Connect with Clear Function at one of these upcoming events. Can’t wait? Get in touch with a payments expert right now!