Global Fintech Fest 2025: Charting the Future of Finance

The Global Fintech Fest (GFF) 2025, scheduled from October 7 to 9 at Jio World Centre, Mumbai, India, is already generating buzz and expectations. The theme this year is “Empowering Finance for a Better World – Powered by AI”, indicating a sharper focus on how artificial intelligence can drive innovation, inclusion, and sustainable growth in financial technology. 

Several major announcements have already made headlines:

• India has launched a foreign currency settlement system via GIFT City, enabling local settlement of international currency transactions. 

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and Department of Financial Services unveiled enhancements to UPI, including on-device biometric authorization, Aadhaar‑based face authentication, and cash withdrawal via micro ATMs at UPI cash points. 

• PhonePe has introduced SmartPOD, a smart speaker terminal that integrates card payments and UPI, aimed at helping small merchants accept digital payments more seamlessly.

• Commentators and regulators are raising concerns about concentration of AI capabilities and systemic risks as technologies centralize. 

• Traffic advisories for the BKC area in Mumbai have been issued to cope with increased congestion during the fest days. 

With these developments already shaping the narrative, GFF 2025 promises to be a landmark event in the fintech ecosystem.

What Is GFF 2025?

GFF 2025 is the sixth edition of the Global Fintech Fest, organized jointly by the Payments Council of India (PCI), National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), and the Fintech Convergence Council (FCC). Over the years, it has become one of the world’s largest fintech gatherings, bringing together regulators, startups, investors, financial institutions, and policymakers. 

Themes & Tracks

The program is organized around nine thematic tracks, reflecting the intersections of fintech and AI, regulatory challenges, sustainability, inclusion, risk, and customer evolution. Some prominent tracks are:

• Fintech Innovation

• Digital Transformation

• Sustainable & Climate Finance

• Risk, Compliance & Data

• Rural Finance & Economic Empowerment

• Customer Behavior Evolution 

Scale & Scope

• Over 800 speakers across 300+ sessions are expected. 

• Participation from 100+ countries, with 500+ investors, 50+ product showcases, and 15+ new reports. 

• The event includes masterclasses, hackathons, roundtables, award nights, product launches, and networking dinners. 

• Global Fintech Awards 2025 will take place on October 8 to honor outstanding contributions to fintech innovation. 

Highlights & Announcements to Watch

Major Policy & Infrastructure Moves

Startup & Product Showcases

GFF is known for unveiling cutting-edge fintech products and fostering startup–investor connections. This year, AI-based solutions for credit, risk modeling, cross-border payments, and embedded finance will likely dominate the spotlight.

Thought Leadership & Policy Dialogues

Regulators, central bankers, and global fintech founders will debate key issues such as:

• CBDCs and central bank digital money

• Open banking and data interoperability

• ESG / climate finance integration

• Cross-border payments and regulatory harmonization

• Financial inclusion in rural and underserved markets

Why GFF 2025 Matters

1. AI meets finance at scale
   The festival’s theme signals that fintech’s next frontier lies at the intersection of artificial intelligence and human insights.

2. India’s growing global influence
   With announcements like the GIFT City foreign currency settlement, India is positioning itself as a fintech anchor in global markets. 

3. Financial inclusion & rural focus
   A track dedicated to rural finance underscores the need to democratize fintech access to underserved communities.

4. Policy & regulation in the spotlight
   As technologies evolve rapidly, so must regulations. The fest serves as a forum to align innovation with governance.

5. Networking, collaboration, investment
   For startups, investors, and institutions, GFF is a marketplace for deals, partnerships, and visibility.

Agenda Snapshot 

• Day 1 (Oct 7): Opening plenaries, keynote addresses, launch of infrastructure initiatives

• Day 2 (Oct 8): Panel discussions, Global Fintech Awards evening, product showcases

• Day 3 (Oct 9): Masterclasses, deep‑dive sessions, closing ceremony

• Parallel tracks run throughout: Innovation, Risk & Compliance, Rural Finance, ESG & Climate Finance, Customer Behavior

• Side events: Hackathons, CEO dinners, networking lounges

Final Thoughts

As Global Fintech Fest 2025 kicks off, the convergence of AI and financial technology is taking center stage. The announcements already emerging — from infrastructure upgrades to smart payment innovations — suggest that this edition could be a turning point for fintech in India and globally. For participants, it’s not just a conference; it’s a moment to shape the financial architecture of tomorrow.