Manama, Bahrain – FinTech Forward 2025 (FF25), the region’s flagship financial technology event, has announced that two globally renowned innovators — Changpeng Zhao (CZ), founder and former CEO of Binance, and Dhiraj Mukherjee, cofounder of Shazam — will headline this year’s edition as title speakers. Their participation underscores FF25’s growing stature as a global platform for innovation, thought leadership, and the future of finance.
CZ, best known for founding Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, led the company from its inception in 2017 to serving over 235 million users across 180 countries. His leadership transformed Binance into a cornerstone of the digital asset ecosystem, offering access to more than 350 cryptocurrencies. At FF25, CZ will headline a fireside chat titled “Crypto in Transition: Legitimacy, Trust and the Future of Modern Finance,” offering deep insights into digital currencies, regulation, and the next phase of the global financial revolution.
Dhiraj Mukherjee, who co-founded Shazam — the app that redefined how people discover music — will bring his perspective on innovation and sustainability in tech. Shazam, launched in 2002, was among the first AI-powered mobile applications, achieving over two billion downloads before being acquired by Apple in 2018. Mukherjee, now a leading voice on responsible innovation and long-term impact, will host a fireside session on sustainable success and future-proofing digital ecosystems.
Taking place on October 8–9, 2025, at Exhibition World Bahrain (EWB), FinTech Forward 2025 is hosted by the Bahrain Economic Development Board (Bahrain EDB). The event leverages Bahrain’s position as a regional financial hub and gateway to the $2.15 trillion GCC market, with a reputation for its progressive regulatory environment, open banking initiatives, and early adoption of digital assets and cloud technologies.
Bahrain’s skilled bilingual workforce and advanced digital infrastructure continue to attract fintech innovators and global enterprises expanding into the Middle East. The presence of global visionaries such as CZ and Mukherjee reflects both Bahrain’s strategic role in shaping regional fintech growth and FF25’s evolution into a premier platform connecting global financial and technology leaders.
By hosting these industry pioneers, FinTech Forward 2025 reinforces Bahrain’s identity as a catalyst for global financial innovation — uniting voices that are redefining money, markets, and digital transformation across economies.
