On 7 and 8 October, the Amsterdam Fintech Event (AFE26) will take over Amsterdam WTC, uniting innovators, investors, and financial professionals from around the world. Jointly organized by the Holland Fintech Association and Cognito Amsterdam, AFE26 is a two-day festival of ideas and connections, built around informal conversations, fresh insights, and opportunities to collaborate. Tickets are available via https://hollandfintechassociation.org/amsterdam-fintech-event/

This Year's Edition

AFE26 is about building the new financial infrastructure, centred around five themes:

  • Agentic Fintech – From automation to autonomy
  • Next-Gen Payments – Real-time, seamless, borderless
  • Stablecoins, Tokenization & Digital Assets – The building blocks of the new financial system
  • Embedded & Invisible Finance – When finance disappears into everything
  • Fintech in a Regulated World – Turning compliance into competitive edge

Global Names, Local Energy

AFE26 brings together a growing community of fintech leaders and disruptors. Sponsors and speakers already confirmed include Mastercard, Worldpay, bol Financial Services, Van Lanschot Kempen, Dutch Crypto Industry Association, Dutch Payments Association, Handelsbanken and many more.

Enjoying the article?

Subscribe to our biweekly newsletter for more insights like this.

Highlights include the Mastercard for Fintechs Programme – a unique opportunity for fintechs across the country to step into the spotlight. This flagship Western European initiative sparks powerful collaboration between ambitious fintechs and established players in the financial sector. Winners earn a prize at a high-profile final, plus access to specialised training to accelerate their growth. Last year's Netherlands semi-finals showcased Cense, who went on to win the finals in Barcelona – proof of the strong fintech talent right here in the Netherlands.

Last year's AFE edition drew international leaders such as Mastercard, VISA, and KPMG. Pierre Castronovo, Fintech Lead at VISA, praised it as: “A fantastic platform with relevant and key players. It truly exceeded my expectations.”

Bryan Verhage, Cognito's Content & AFE Event Lead: “AFE is where innovation, insights, and connections converge. We're proud to offer the fintech community a platform to learn, grow, and shape the future of financial technology together. Join us!”

Practical AFE26 Information

About Holland Fintech Association

As an inclusive ecosystem, Holland Fintech Association embraces all stakeholders in the financial value chain, bridging the gap between established financial institutions, innovative startups, and essential service providers. This powerful network helps consumers and businesses benefit from the latest advancements in the financial sector. Website: hollandfintechassociation.org

About the authors

Balázs Szalai thumbnail
Balázs Szalai
Content Strategist

Balázs has been working in content for more than 20 years, having the role as an editor at one of the first and largest news sites, later helping to establish the content marketing business for media publishers and agencies. Today, Balázs serves as content producer at Ergomania Ltd.