Manama, October 7, 2025 — Bahrain continues to reinforce its reputation as the Middle East’s fintech launchpad, combining a progressive regulatory environment with visionary leadership in open banking, digital assets, and cloud innovation.
The upcoming Fintech Forward 2025 (FF25), hosted by the Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB) at Exhibition World Bahrain, will feature two global pioneers — Changpeng Zhao (CZ), founder of Binance, and Dhiraj Mukherjee, co-founder of Shazam — as headline speakers.
CZ, who led Binance to become the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange with over 235 million users across 180 countries, will lead a fireside chat titled “Crypto in Transition: Legitimacy, Trust and the Future of Modern Finance.” His participation highlights the growing convergence between fintech, blockchain innovation, and financial governance.
Joining him, Dhiraj Mukherjee will explore the theme of responsible innovation, drawing from his experience scaling Shazam into a globally recognized AI-powered platform before its acquisition by Apple in 2018. His session will address strategies for sustainable growth and long-term impact in the digital era.
As one of the region’s premier fintech gatherings, FF25 positions Bahrain as a central hub for innovation and investment, leveraging its $2.15 trillion GCC market access, advanced infrastructure, and skilled workforce.
Bahrain’s agile regulatory approach—spanning open banking frameworks, crypto regulations, and cloud-first policies—continues to attract international fintech firms seeking to expand across the Middle East. By convening global innovators, FF25 reinforces the kingdom’s status as a catalyst for digital finance transformation and a model for forward-looking economic development.