finews.com has learned that the internationally established Crypto Finance Conference (CfC) St. Moritz will expand its footprint in 2026.

Asked for details, CEO Nicolo Stöhr confirmed the location and timing of the new edition: the conference will take place from April 21 to 24 at Qasr al Sarab in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE).

A Previous Gap in the Region

According to Stöhr, the move into the Gulf region is the result of sustained international outreach «to meet existing speakers and participants as well as new ones, and to bring them (back) to St. Moritz».

He had visited Dubai and Abu Dhabi in March for discussions with institutions and companies. «After they understood what we are doing, they encouraged us to hold a CfC St. Moritz in Abu Dhabi, as such a format is missing in the region.»

«A Future-Oriented Hub»

Strategically, Abu Dhabi fits neatly into the conference’s positioning. The UAE, Stöhr says, is a «future-oriented hub for digital assets». Its regulatory framework is both progressive and pragmatic. «As the home of sovereign wealth funds, regional family offices, and a dynamic fintech ecosystem, Abu Dhabi combines capital, political leadership, and market ambition — which makes it attractive for us to position ourselves there as a high-quality and trustworthy platform.»

The geography also plays a role: the UAE sits between Europe, Asia, and Africa, facilitating cross-border dialogue.

More Than Just a Satellite Event

The new venue is not meant to be a mere offshoot of St. Moritz but a fully fledged second anchor in the annual calendar. «We see Abu Dhabi as a complementary venue and as an independent experience: an adaptation of the CfC philosophy of curated networking and institutional perspectives in a private and trusted environment.»

Diplomatic support is also secured: «At the moment we can communicate that Ambassador Arthur Mattli will serve as patron of the conference,» Stöhr says.

January Kickoff in St. Moritz

The CfC St. Moritz — co-founded by Marc P. Bernegger and Tobias Reichmuth — has taken place since 2017 and now caters primarily to institutional crypto investors. It is considered one of the most prestigious gatherings in the global crypto ecosystem.

The Swiss edition is scheduled for January 12 to 17, 2026.