Central Bank Payments Conference 2026

Celebrating its 10th edition of the Central Bank Payments Conference 2026 from 31 August – 2 September 2026 in Istanbul, Türkiye.  This Payment Conference brings together central bank leaders, regulators, payment experts, financial institutions, market infrastructures, technology providers, and policymakers to explore the theme “Payments Without Borders in a Fragmented World.” The conference will explore how innovation, regulation, resilience, financial inclusion, and digital transformation are redefining modern payment systems.

Organised By

Currency Research is a global organisation supporting central banks, payment providers, vendors, and the wider currency and payments ecosystem through consulting, communications, community building, and international conferences.

Event Highlights

• Global Payments Leadership: Connect with executives, central bankers, regulators, payment specialists, and industry thought leaders worldwide.
• Next-Generation Innovation: Explore AI in payments, CBDCs, stablecoins, tokenisation, deposit tokens, instant payments, and digital currencies.
• Cross-Border Payments: Explore practical strategies to create faster, more efficient, more inclusive, and more resilient international payment flows.
• Fresh Industry Insights: Discover original research through the CR Payments Research Partnership 2026, supported by the Visa Economic Empowerment Institute.

Schedule Highlights

• 31 Aug | 09:00–17:30: The Payments Edge – Developing the Next Generation of Payments Leaders
• 31 Aug | 10:30–12:30: Swift Policy Lab Workshop
• 1 Sep | 08:40–09:00: Welcome Address – Central Bank of Türkiye
• 1 Sep | 10:00–10:30: How Agentic AI Will Reshape Payments
• 1 Sep | 11:30–12:15: Global Perspectives on Implementing Retail CBDC
• 1 Sep | 14:30–15:45: Tokenisation of Money & Tokenised Wholesale Settlement
• 2 Sep | 09:15–10:00: Cross-Border Payments – From Promises to Progress
• 2 Sep | 14:30–15:30: The Regulatory Conundrum

Featured Speakers

• Ajmal Ahmady – Senior Fellow, Harvard University
• Elif C. Akoğuz – PhD Candidate, KU Leuven
• Paulo Barbosa – COO, Banfico
• Polly Bäumler – Business Development Director APAC, Digital Currencies, Giesecke & Devrient

Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with global payment leaders and discover the ideas, technologies, and strategies to shape the future of cross-border payments.