Ripple is bringing its flagship conference back to New York City this October, and the company is making sure everyone knows this isn’t just another industry gathering. The 2026 edition marks the first time Ripple will combine its Swell conference with its developer-focused Apex event, creating what the company is calling its largest gathering to date.
CEO Brad Garlinghouse described the return to New York as a significant moment for Ripple, and the speaker lineup suggests he’s not just being polite about his own event. Nasdaq CEO Adena Friedman, actor and philanthropist Matt Damon, Ripple President Monica Long, and CTO Emeritus David Schwartz are all confirmed to take the stage.
What’s actually happening at Swell 2026
The conference runs October 27 through 29 at The Shed in Hudson Yards, Manhattan. Multiple programming tracks will cater to different audiences, from traditional finance executives exploring tokenization to developers deep in the technical weeds. Early registration is already open, with early-bird pricing available until July 11, 2026.
The event builds on momentum from prior years. Ripple’s previous Swell conference drew more than 1,500 attendees and featured 75 speakers across 50 sessions. The 2026 edition is expected to surpass those numbers, given the expanded format and the caliber of speakers already announced.
