Mesh Earns Spot on Fast Company's Next Big Things in Tech 2026

Mesh Earned Recognition as a Revolutionary Tech

San Francisco-based Mesh has recently made headlines by being featured on Fast Company’s prestigious list of Next Big Things in Tech for 2026. This annual list highlights groundbreaking technologies that hold the potential to significantly alter industries and influence how we conduct our lives.

Mesh has solidified its position as a leading player in the crypto payments domain, thanks in large part to its innovative product, SmartFunding™. This pioneering payment orchestration engine is designed to revolutionize how payments are processed by allowing consumers to utilize over 100 digital assets for their transactions. Notably, merchants can choose how they wish to get paid, facilitating a more customized and flexible payment experience.

The central feature of SmartFunding™ is its ability to decouple the currency a consumer holds from what a merchant accepts. By managing conversion and routing automatically across different transaction types—whether in-person at points of sale, online, or through autonomous transactions—Mesh offers a smoother and more integrated payment solution. This user-centric approach enables individuals to operate within their existing financial ecosystem without the need to overhaul their transaction habits.

Throughout the past year, Mesh has expanded its capabilities by joining forces with Paxos to integrate into the Global Dollar Network and launching the Mesh Alliance Program. This initiative links over 50 partners to tackle the increasing complexity in enterprise crypto payments, showcasing Mesh’s commitment to fostering collaboration within the industry. Additionally, the introduction of the Mesh Wallet empowers AI agents to facilitate real-world transactions, further broadening the applicability of digital assets.

Bam Azizi, CEO and Co-founder of Mesh, emphasized, "Payments should work around people and businesses, not force them to change how they transact." He conveyed Mesh's mission of creating an interconnected infrastructure that accommodates both parties in a transaction, providing users the flexibility to pay with their preferred assets while merchants receive payments in their chosen currency. As AI agents increasingly initiate transactions, this adaptability will become crucial for the future of payment systems.

Fast Company's Next Big Things in Tech is a curated compilation of technologies emerging from established corporations, startups, and research initiatives that show tremendous promise in reshaping consumer and business experiences. This year’s honorees display potential across a spectrum of industries, each aligned with the goal of making a meaningful impact on society's future.

“There’s nothing more promising than technology that transcends potential and demonstrates real-world applicability,” said Brendan Vaughan, editor-in-chief of Fast Company. Recognizing companies like Mesh reflects a shift towards practical applications that genuinely innovate.

The complete Fast Company 2026 Next Big Things in Tech list offers readers an insightful overview of the technologies on the brink of transformation, showcasing innovations that promise to redefine numerous facets of our daily lives and professional engagements.

About Mesh: Founded in 2020, Mesh is dedicated to creating a robust global crypto payments network, seamlessly connecting various exchanges, wallets, and financial services platforms to enable efficient digital asset transactions. Mesh is paving the way towards a secure and connected ecosystem for digital finance, ensuring effortless asset management and conversion. To explore Mesh’s offerings, visit meshpay.com.

About Fast Company: Fast Company is the premier media entity focused on the intersection of business, innovation, and design, attracting the attention of influential leaders and thinkers shaping the future. With its headquarters located in New York City, Fast Company is published by Mansueto Ventures LLC and shares its insights alongside its companion publication, Inc.