The inaugural Money Awards 2025 have been announced at Money20/20 USA in Las Vegas, recognizing exceptional leaders and innovators transforming the global financial landscape across banking, payments, partnerships, startups, and groundbreaking initiatives. The awards, presented live during the Sunday Night Live x The Money Awards show, celebrate excellence and visionary impact across the fintech ecosystem. Grania Chesterton, VP Awards at Money20/20, said the winners represent the future of finance, driven by bold ideas, collaboration, and innovation that are reshaping how money works worldwide. The Diamond Award, the highest honor, went to Project Nemo for its transformative work in disability inclusion within fintech. As a self-funded initiative, Project Nemo addresses the $13 trillion annual spending power of disabled individuals and their families globally. By championing accessibility by design, the organization has created a scalable, cross-border model that empowers financial services to become more inclusive. In the Startup category, Bolttech was named Grand Prix winner for building the world’s largest technology-enabled insurance exchange, connecting carriers and distributors across 30+ markets. Its embedded insurance solutions and scalable platform are redefining how insurance is accessed and delivered globally. For Banking, Cleo AI received the Grand Prix for its AI-powered financial coaching platform, which brings personalized financial insights to millions, particularly those underserved by traditional systems. The platform combines AI, financial inclusion, and user-centric design to deliver real-world impact. The Payments category’s Grand Prix was awarded to Yellow Card for its innovative use of stablecoins to deliver fast, affordable, and reliable cross-border transactions in Nigeria and across Africa. The solution addresses a critical gap in financial access and has strong potential for scaling across emerging markets. In Partnerships & Strategic Alliance, Greenlight and US Bank were honored for their successful collaboration to promote financial literacy among young people. Their co-branded card and educational tools empower teens with financial skills while engaging parents, creating a unique and socially impactful model. Other notable winners include JP Morgan Payments, Oscilar, Jazzcash, Wysh, Better.com, Credcore, and LTS Ventures, recognized for innovations ranging from AI-driven mortgage lending to AI-powered village banking in Laos. The winners were selected through a rigorous, transparent process by a diverse jury of over 40 global fintech leaders, including C-suite executives, investors, founders, and regulators. This independent panel ensures that recognition is earned through real-world impact, scalability, and innovation. Launched in 2025, The Money Awards have quickly become one of the most prestigious honors in fintech, setting a new benchmark for excellence. The program will return in 2026, with entries opening in Q1 2026. Those interested in participating can register at https://www.money2020.com/awards/register-your-interest. Money20/20, founded in 2012, continues to serve as the global hub for fintech innovation, bringing together leaders from major banks, payments firms, tech companies, investors, and regulators. Events are held annually in Las Vegas, Bangkok, Amsterdam, and Riyadh, offering a platform for transformative deals, partnerships, and future-focused conversations.