Uniting Minds Around New Finance — The 5th International Conference on Alternative Finance Research
The 5th International Conference for Alternative Finance Research (ICAFR 2026) is set to be an essential event for anyone engaged with the rapidly evolving field of finance outside of traditional banking. This international gathering, scheduled for April 8-10, 2026 in Málaga, Spain, will gather academics, fintech innovators, policymakers, platform founders, and investors together to investigate the boundaries of alternative finance.
CrowdSpace is pleased to be an active supporter of the conference. As a platform dedicated to promoting crowdfunding and connecting investors with innovative crowdfunding platforms, CrowdSpace has backed ICAFR for years. Our CEO, Kostyantyn Boyko, regularly attends the event, participating in conversations, giving industry insights, and bridging the gap between research and practice. This ongoing cooperation reflects a shared mission: to improve global awareness and implementation of alternative finance.
How it all started
The origins of ICAFR can be traced back to previous conferences focusing on crowdfunding research. Initially, the event was called the International Сonference on Crowdfunding Research. As technology, regulation, and financial innovation advanced, the scope expanded to include more than crowdfunding. Since 2023, the event has officially obtained the name International Conference for Alternative Finance Research, reflecting its broader mission.
Through previous editions, ICAFR has traveled across countries, gradually developing a reputation, institutional support, and a growing contributor base. The 4th ICAFR in 2025, held in Kristiansand, Norway, brought guests from multiple continents, confirming the conference’s reputation as a bridge between research and practice.
Why ICAFR matters
ICAFR is primarily intended to serve as a cross-disciplinary platform, bringing together economists, finance scholars, information systems researchers, marketing specialists, legal scholars, and business executives. The conference aims to exhibit rigorous research while also connecting theory to real-world difficulties in alternative finance, including crowd financing, digital lending, microfinance, invoice trading, crypto assets, and more.
For researchers, it offers opportunities to present new findings, receive feedback, and join collaborative networks. For fintech and platform practitioners, ICAFR provides overviews of empirical studies, recent developments, regulatory frameworks, and insights from other markets. Policymakers and regulators can interact directly with academia and industry to better understand the difficulties of investor protection, transparency, and financial inclusion. The open proceedings ensure that ideas and lessons are communicated broadly across the field, rather than remaining locked in the room.
In a nutshell, ICAFR is a place where research meets with practice, where market questions inspire new studies, and where rigorous evidence shapes better platforms, regulation, and financial innovation.
The 5th ICAFR — what to expect in 2026
The 2026 edition of ICAFR is planning to continue its evolving legacy. The conference will be held in Málaga, Spain, from April 8 to 10, 2026. It will cover a diverse range of alternative finance topics, including crowdfunding, digital fundraising and lending, microfinance, prosocial lending, invoice trading, crypto assets, and digital currencies. The format includes plenary keynote speakers, thematic panels, contributed paper sessions, and dialogues between academia, industry, and regulators.
The Call for Papers is already available for scholars who want to submit their work for inclusion. The conference is organized in partnership with the Utrecht University European Center of Alternative Finance and other organizations, including the European Digital Finance Association. The subjects appear to be cutting-edge, covering not only the current state of alternative finance but also future trajectories — such as the next 20 years of crowdfunding and rising regulations. Guests might expect to gain:
- New empirical insights and data from across countries and sectors
- Connections and networking with peers, funders, platform leaders
- Exposure to regulatory debate and cross-jurisdictional comparisons
- Inspiration for research agendas, product ideas and policy proposals
In closing — Your invitation to join
Alternative finance is changing the way people, projects, and communities get capital. The 5th International Conference for Alternative Finance Research (ICAFR 2026) is a unique opportunity to participate in that shift by learning, contributing, networking, and growing. Whether you’re a researcher looking for new insights, a fintech entrepreneur wanting to test your ideas, or a policymaker interested in evidence-based regulation, ICAFR has something for you.
Don’t miss that chance. Mark your calendars for April 8-10, 2026, in Málaga, review the Call for Papers, prepare your submission, and plan to attend. Join the discussion that will shape the future of alternative finance. See you there!
