Latin America’s Fintech Powerhouses and the Events Defining 2026

Latin America’s Fintech Boom and the Must-Attend Events of H1 2026

Over the last decade, fintech in Latin America and the Caribbean has moved from a promising niche to one of the most dynamic innovation engines in global finance. What was once a fragmented ecosystem is now a vibrant, interconnected network of startups, regulators, banks, and investors working to solve real financial inclusion and efficiency challenges at scale.

Several structural factors continue to fuel this momentum. High smartphone penetration has enabled mobile-first financial products to reach millions of previously underserved consumers. A young, entrepreneurial population has embraced startups as a vehicle for growth. At the same time, regulators across the region have modernized frameworks to support innovation while maintaining trust and stability.

The numbers tell a compelling story. In 2023, Latin America and the Caribbean were home to more than 3,000 fintech companies operating across 26 countries, marking a 340 percent increase since 2017, according to joint research from the Inter-American Development Bank and Finnovista. Brazil leads the region with roughly a quarter of all fintechs, followed closely by Mexico and Colombia, reinforcing the emergence of clear regional hubs alongside fast-growing secondary markets.

As the ecosystem matures, one trend has become increasingly clear: fintech events across Latin America are scaling rapidly, both in size and in global relevance. These conferences are no longer local meetups. They are international platforms where policy, capital, and technology converge.

Below is Fintech Forward’s curated guide to the most important fintech and technology events taking place in the first half of 2026. For founders, investors, operators, and policymakers, these gatherings will shape conversations and opportunities for the years ahead.

Money Expo Mexico 2026

February 18–19 | Mexico City

Money Expo Mexico returns to Centro Banamex with the ambition of being the largest online trading and investment expo in the region. With more than 6,000 expected attendees, the event blends education, exhibition, and deal-making under one roof.

Over 50 international brands will showcase innovations across forex, equities, wealth management, and blockchain. Beyond the expo floor, a strong educational program will dive into US equities, ETFs, commodities, futures, options, and decentralized finance. For professionals focused on trading infrastructure, risk management, and new investment tools, this event delivers both breadth and depth, with networking woven into every corner of the agenda.

Mexico Fintech Week 2026

February 23–27 | Mexico City

Mexico Fintech Week has become one of the most influential gatherings in the region, positioning Mexico as a central node in global fintech dialogue. Running under the umbrella of FTMX Week and organized by Asociación Fintech México, the week brings together founders, regulators, investors, and operators for five days of curated conversations.

Rather than a single venue or format, the week is built around multiple partner-led events and high-signal meetups across the city. A key highlight is the Stablecon Roadshow, which focuses on real-world applications of stablecoins in payments, remittances, treasury, and cross-border finance. The emphasis here is execution over theory, making it particularly relevant for operators scaling digital payment rails across Latin America.

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Fintech Mexico Festival 2026

February 26 | Mexico City

Held at the Papalote Museo del Niño, the Fintech Mexico Festival is the flagship moment within Fintech Week. More than 3,000 professionals are expected, alongside 150 speakers and over 90 sponsors.

The agenda spans the evolution of payments, the rise of neobanks, open finance, financial inclusion, and the growing role of stablecoins in global payments. With multiple thematic stages and a strong emphasis on networking, the festival balances big-picture strategy with practical insights into how fintech is reshaping Mexico and the wider region.

Payment Expert Summit

March 3–6 | Rio de Janeiro

Part of SBC Summit Rio 2026, the Payment Expert Summit is a niche but highly strategic event focused on payments and compliance within Brazil’s regulated gambling market.

The summit creates a direct bridge between gambling operators, payment service providers, fintech firms, and compliance specialists with deep expertise in KYC and AML. For companies navigating Brazil’s evolving regulatory environment, this event offers actionable intelligence, live demos, and targeted networking that goes beyond generic fintech conversations.

Fintech & AI Unconference Colombia 2026

March 12 | Bogotá

This one-day unconference brings together AI solution providers, enterprises, government representatives, and investors in an intentionally collaborative format. The focus is on real-world use cases, emerging trends, and business opportunities at the intersection of fintech and artificial intelligence.

Designed for candid discussion rather than scripted panels, the event positions itself as a high-trust environment for building partnerships and exploring how AI is reshaping financial services across Colombia and the region.

Banking Tech Summit 2026

March–September | Central America & Caribbean

Banking Tech Summit takes a unique multi-city approach, traveling across six countries including the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Panama, Honduras, and El Salvador.

The series targets senior banking and technology leaders grappling with profitability, digital transformation, and responsible AI adoption. With case studies and strategic frameworks delivered by experienced practitioners, the summit emphasizes execution, architecture, and long-term resilience in regulated markets.

South Summit Brazil 2026

March 25–27 | Porto Alegre

South Summit Brazil continues to build on its reputation as a global innovation platform connecting startups, investors, and corporations. Hosted at Cais Mauá in Porto Alegre, the 2026 edition will spotlight sustainability, entrepreneurship, and emerging technologies.

The Startup Competition remains the centerpiece, with 50 selected startups pitching to top-tier investors and corporate leaders. Participation is free, and finalists gain access to mentorship, curated networking, and visibility across South Summit’s global ecosystem.

Chile Fintech Forum 2026

May 6–7 | Santiago

Positioned as Chile’s largest fintech gathering, Chile Fintech Forum attracts startups, banks, regulators, and investors from across Latin America.

The two-day agenda focuses on regulation, sustainability, innovation, and financial inclusion, offering a comprehensive look at the forces shaping the region’s financial future. For companies seeking partnerships or regulatory insight in Chile, this forum is a key calendar event.

Guatemala Fintech Day

May 26 | Guatemala City

As Guatemala’s flagship fintech conference, Guatemala Fintech Day convenes more than 600 participants for a full day of panels, discussions, and networking.

The focus is on accelerating innovation and inclusion, while connecting local entrepreneurs with regional and international perspectives. It serves as an important platform for spotlighting Central America’s growing fintech potential.

Web Summit Rio 2026

June 8–11 | Rio de Janeiro

Web Summit brings its global scale back to Rio, with thousands of founders, investors, journalists, and technology leaders in attendance.

With more than 1,000 speakers and 2,500 startups expected, Web Summit Rio spans fintech, AI, sustainability, digital media, and smart cities. As part of the broader Web Summit network that includes Lisbon and Doha, the Rio edition plays a critical role in amplifying Latin American innovation on the world stage.

America Digital AI, Tech & Business Congress 2026

June 9–10 | Mexico City

Rounding out the first half of the year, the 11th America Digital Congress will gather over 5,000 C-level executives and senior leaders at the World Trade Center in Mexico City.

The program blends keynotes, forums, and one-to-one meetings across AI, fintech, digital banking, blockchain, Web3, cybersecurity, and e-commerce. For enterprise leaders seeking concrete partnerships and solutions, the congress offers a highly structured environment focused on deal-making and strategy.

Final Thoughts

Latin America’s fintech ecosystem is no longer emerging. It is scaling, specializing, and exporting innovation to the rest of the world. The events above reflect that evolution, moving beyond hype toward execution, regulation, and sustainable growth.

For anyone serious about fintech in the region, the first half of 2026 offers an unmatched opportunity to learn, connect, and shape what comes next.