The blockchain conversation is shifting from cryptocurrency markets to the infrastructure connecting digital assets with payments, banking, and global finance. This October, many of the people driving that transition will gather in Lisbon for Meridian 2026, Stellar’s annual flagship conference.
Taking place October 28–29 at Convento do Beato, the two-day event brings together developers, founders, financial institutions, policymakers, and digital asset companies to explore real-world blockchain applications. Here are five reasons to add Meridian to your fall calendar.
1. Meet the People Bridging Crypto and Traditional Finance
Meridian’s biggest draw is its diverse attendee mix. Rather than focusing solely on crypto-native companies, the conference puts blockchain builders in the same room as banks, financial infrastructure providers, investors, and policymakers.
The 2026 speaker lineup reflects that blend: Nadine Chakar (Global Head of DTCC Digital Assets), Jamie Walker (Head of Digital Assets at U.S. Bank), Michael Shaulov (CEO of Fireblocks), Ginger Baker (VP of Product Management at Meta), and Anthony Scaramucci (founder of SkyBridge Capital). Participants also come from MoneyGram, SG-Forge, WisdomTree Digital Assets, PwC, EY, Curve Finance, WalletConnect, Ondo Finance, and Anchorage Digital.
This makes Meridian a rare opportunity to hear from both sides of an increasingly important conversation: crypto companies building new financial infrastructure and established institutions figuring out how to use it.
2. See Where Blockchain Is Actually Being Used
Meridian emphasizes real-world applications of the Stellar network over broader market narratives. The program includes keynotes, fireside chats, technical sessions, workshops, and ecosystem showcases—all focused on practical use cases.
Discussions span payments, financial access, tokenized assets, and the infrastructure needed to connect digital assets with existing financial systems. For attendees tracking blockchain adoption beyond experimentation, Meridian offers a chance to see products and use cases presented by the organizations building them.
3. Build Before the Conference at HackMeridian
Developers can start their Meridian experience early. HackMeridian runs October 25–26 in Lisbon, immediately before the main conference. This two-day event brings developers, founders, designers, and technical teams together to turn ideas into working products on Stellar.
Top HackMeridian projects pitch on Meridian’s main stage during the Stellar Shark Tank session. For developers, the week becomes more than a traditional conference—it’s a chance to build, demo products, and connect with other technical teams.
4. Network Without the Mega-Conference Crowds
Large crypto conferences can attract tens of thousands, making meaningful conversations harder. Meridian is more focused: its 2025 edition brought together over 1,000 attendees from 65 countries, with more than 115 speakers across 60+ sessions.
The 2026 program builds networking into the schedule, including a pre-conference Stellar Lounge session on October 27, evening gatherings, and a closing celebration on October 29. For founders, investors, developers, and financial professionals, the smaller setting fosters deeper connections.
5. Spend Two Days Talking Crypto in Lisbon
The location doesn’t hurt either. Meridian takes place at Convento do Beato, a historic 16th-century convent in Lisbon’s Marvila neighborhood, just 15 minutes from the airport. Lisbon has become a hub for Europe’s tech and crypto communities, and Meridian arrives just before a busy stretch of technology events across Portugal and Europe.
For anyone planning a fall conference calendar, Meridian offers a rare combination: institutional finance, crypto-native builders, technical content, and focused networking. As digital assets grow more connected to payments and traditional finance, Meridian 2026 provides two days to see how that convergence is developing—and meet the people building it.
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