Finances in the tech industry show increased earnings and greater accessibility as overall expansion becomes more consistent
The global fintech industry is transitioning from a rapid expansion phase to a more mature phase focused on sustainable profitability, strategic innovation, and deep collaboration across the ecosystem, according to the World Economic Forum's latest report, *The Future of Global Fintech: From Rapid Expansion to Sustainable Growth*.
The report, which surveyed 240 fintech companies across six key business verticals and six regions, reveals that although customer acquisition growth has slowed, revenue and profit growth remain robust. Fintech firms are experiencing revenue growth at 40% and profit growth at 39%, indicating strong underlying financial health.
Collaboration is a key trend in the fintech sector, with 84% of fintechs partnering with traditional financial institutions, often via API integrations, fostering a more cohesive financial ecosystem and embedding fintech solutions within mainstream services.
Importantly, fintech firms are increasingly serving traditionally underserved segments, such as micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), low-income individuals, and women entrepreneurs. Specifically, 57% of firms count MSMEs, 47% serve low-income individuals, and 41% cater significantly to women. These segments, particularly in emerging markets and developing economies, not only gain access but also contribute substantially to fintechs’ revenues.
The report also highlights the importance of regulatory environments in fostering sustainable, inclusive fintech growth. While 62% of fintech respondents find regulations in their regions adequate, there are still gaps in capacity, coordination, and efficiency that present opportunities for improvement.
Broader trends shaping the future include heightened AI adoption, improved regional interoperability, and supportive regulatory and funding environments, all helping fintech to further integrate inclusively and sustainably across global markets.
Macroeconomic challenges have lessened since the prior report, but remain a concern for some fintech firms. However, overall sentiment toward the funding environment has improved, which supports continued sector resilience.
In summary, the report shows fintech’s shift toward sustainable growth is marked by profitability, collaboration with incumbents, and inclusive outreach to underserved groups, thereby positioning fintech as a durable driver of financial inclusion and value creation globally. The 16th Annual Meeting of the New Champions, convening over 1,700 leaders to explore entrepreneurial solutions to global challenges, will take place from 24 to 26 June in Tianjin, China, providing an ideal platform for further discussions on the future of fintech.
Businesses in the fintech sector are seeing robust revenue and profit growth despite a slowdown in customer acquisition, thanks to strategic innovation and collaboration with traditional financial institutions. The sector's focus on serving traditionally underserved segments, such as micro, small, and medium enterprises, low-income individuals, and women entrepreneurs, is not only increasing access but also substantially contributing to fintech firms' revenues. Furthermore, technology, specifically artificial intelligence and improved regional interoperability, will further integrate fintech inclusively and sustainably across global markets.
