The Future of Finance Summit

The Future of Finance Summit The infrastructure of finance is being rebuilt. AI-native systems, programmable money, tokenized assets, and autonomous commerce are beginning to reshape how financial services are built and delivered. Join us at UC Berkeley for the inaugural Future of Finance Summit, bringing together founders, investors, executives, researchers, and students shaping the next generation of global finance. Organized by the Haas Blockchain Club and Haas Fintech Club, and sponsored by the Berkeley Center for Digital Assets, Berkeley SkyDeck Blockchain and Fintech Track, and the Berkeley Haas Fong Master of Financial Engineering Program, the summit will explore how AI, fintech, stablecoins, tokenization, and agentic commerce are transforming financial infrastructure and services. Expect a keynote from Prakhar Mehrotra, SVP and Global Head of AI at PayPal, plus expert panels featuring leaders across finance and technology, curated networking, and a closing reception. Agenda 8:30–9:30 AM | Registration & Networking Breakfast 9:45–10:15 AM | Keynote: Prakhar Mehrotra — SVP, Global Head of AI, PayPal 10:30–11:00 AM | Panel 1: Stablecoins & Payments Infrastructure How stablecoins are moving into payments and settlement, and what broader adoption will require. Matt Austin — Sr. Director, Stablecoins, Visa Sina Nader — Head of Network Growth, Canton Network Jack McDonald — SVP, Stablecoins, Ripple 11:10–11:40 AM | Panel 2: AI-Native Finance How AI is reshaping financial products, workflows, and decision-making. Stephen Hedlund — Head of Finance, Rillet Shivam Bharuka — Founder & CEO, Finn Yody Chiu — Product Lead, AI, Airwallex 11:45 AM–12:15 PM | Panel 3: Tokenization & Capital Markets Infrastructure How tokenization and new market infrastructure are expanding what can be financed and traded. Sophie Marnhier-Foy — VP, Product Strategy, Head of Digital Assets Solutions, Nasdaq Spencer Yang — Managing Partner, BlockSpaceForce Adam Silver — Co-Founder & CEO, Plural 12:15–1:15 PM | Networking Lunch 1:15–1:45 PM | Panel 4: Signals & Noise: Current State of Financial Markets Where capital is actually moving, which narratives are real, and what matters next. Matt Danzig — Managing Director, FinTech, Lazard Matt Hougan — Chief Investment Officer, Bitwise David Lawant — Head of Research, Anchorage Digital 2:05–2:50 PM | Panel 5: Agentic Payments & Autonomous Commerce What happens when software becomes an economic actor, and the identity, payments, governance, and settlement infrastructure autonomous commerce requires. Gagan Mac — VP, Product, Head of Developer Products, Circle Chi Zhang — Co-Founder & CEO, Kite Zev Shimko — Head of Agentic Banking & Corporate Banking, Anchorage Digital Shreya Adiraju — Strategy & Policy Development Lead, Stripe 3:00–3:30 PM | Panel 6: What’s Next in Fintech How payments, identity, and settlement evolve when software becomes an economic actor. Matt Yalowitz — Head of Ventures, Stripe Abhay Mavalankar — SVP, Strategy & Investments, MoonPay Victoria Zuo — Partner, QED Investors 3:30–5:00 PM | Closing Reception Logistics 📍 Jarvis Auditorium, UC Berkeley 📅 Friday, October 2, 2026 🕣 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM Coffee, light breakfast, lunch, and refreshments will be provided throughout the day. Registration Complimentary tickets are reserved for currently enrolled UC Berkeley students only. To register for a student ticket, please use your @berkeley.edu email address and the dedicated student registration link/code shared through Berkeley student channels. Student registrations may be reviewed to confirm current enrollment. Industry professionals, alumni, and other guests are kindly asked to register using a paid ticket. Spots are limited. Register to join the builders and leaders shaping the future of finance.