The Kingdom of Bahrain is reinforcing its position as a leading fintech hub in the Middle East by hosting Fintech Forward 2025 (FF25), an event convened by the Bahrain Economic Development Board (Bahrain EDB). The flagship forum has secured two globally recognized innovators as title speakers, Binance founder Changpeng Zhao (CZ) and Shazam co-founder Dhiraj Mukherjee, underscoring the event’s growing international significance.
Global Innovators Take Center Stage
The participation of tech titans like CZ and Dhiraj Mukherjee highlights Bahrain’s ambition to be at the forefront of the global conversation on the future of finance. Changpeng Zhao, who led Binance to become the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange with over 235 million users, will participate in a fireside chat titled ‘Crypto in transition: legitimacy, trust and the future of modern finance.’
Joining him is Dhiraj Mukherjee, the co-founder of the pioneering music discovery app Shazam. An early adopter of AI at scale, Shazam garnered over two billion downloads before its acquisition by Apple. Mukherjee, now a thought leader on responsible innovation, will deliver a session focused on strategic planning for long-term success and achieving sustainable impact.
A Gateway to the GCC Market
Fintech Forward 2025 leverages Bahrain’s strategic position as a gateway to the $2.15 trillion GCC market. The kingdom is internationally recognized for its agile and forward-looking regulatory framework, which has pioneered initiatives in open banking, digital assets, and cloud adoption. This progressive environment, combined with a highly skilled local workforce and advanced tech infrastructure, has established Bahrain as a prime launchpad for international fintech firms looking to expand into the Middle East.
About Fintech Forward 2025
Fintech Forward 2025 (FF25) is the Middle East’s leading fintech forum, hosted by the Bahrain Economic Development Board. The event convenes global leaders, innovators, and policymakers to explore the future of finance and technology. By attracting visionaries from around the world, FF25 reaffirms Bahrain’s role as a catalyst for innovation and a central hub for the global fintech ecosystem.
Source: Zawya
