The annual list honors groundbreaking technologies with the potential to reshape industries and redefine the way we work and live
SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Mesh, the leading crypto payments network, today announced that it has been named to Fast Company’s Next Big Things in Tech, an annual list recognizing breakthrough technologies with the potential to transform industries and shape the future.
Mesh’s SmartFunding™ was selected in the Financial Services category for its payment orchestration engine, which decouples what consumers hold from what merchants accept. Consumers can pay with any of more than 100 digital assets, while merchants settle in their preferred currency. Mesh handles conversion and routing automatically across point-of-sale, e-commerce, and autonomous transactions. The result is an experience built around the user’s existing financial life rather than the technical requirements of the underlying network.
Over the past year, the company joined Paxos’s Global Dollar Network and launched the Mesh Alliance Program, which unites more than 50 partners to simplify the growing complexity of enterprise crypto payments. It also released Mesh Wallet, which empowers AI agents to complete real-world transactions. Mesh’s partner network spans exchanges, regulated banks, fintechs, payroll platforms, and payment providers, extending digital asset payments into everyday financial workflows.
“Payments should work around people and businesses, not force them to change how they transact,” said Bam Azizi, CEO and Co-founder of Mesh. “We’re building the infrastructure that connects both sides, so people can pay with what they hold and businesses get paid in the currency they prefer. As more transactions are initiated by AI agents, that flexibility will become even more important.”
Fast Company’s Next Big Things in Tech recognizes innovative technologies developed by established companies, startups, and research teams that are making meaningful progress toward transforming the lives of consumers, businesses, and society. This year’s honorees span industries, with each innovation demonstrating the potential to create significant impact in the years ahead.
“The most exciting technology innovations are the ones that move beyond promise to demonstrate real potential for impact,” said Brendan Vaughan, editor-in-chief of Fast Company. “The companies and teams recognized on this year’s list are tackling ambitious problems with new ideas, products, and approaches that have the potential to fundamentally shape the years ahead.”
View the complete Fast Company 2026 Next Big Things in Tech list.
About Mesh
Founded in 2020, Mesh is building the first global crypto payments network, connecting hundreds of exchanges, wallets, and financial services platforms to enable seamless digital asset payments and conversions. By unifying these platforms into a single network, Mesh is pioneering a connected and secure ecosystem for digital finance. For more information, visit meshpay.com.
About Fast Company
Fast Company is the only media brand fully dedicated to the vital intersection of business, innovation, and design, engaging the most influential leaders, companies, and thinkers on the future of business. Headquartered in New York City, Fast Company is published by Mansueto Ventures LLC, along with fellow business publication Inc. For more information, please visit fastcompany.com.
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