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Finextra
13 minutes ago
- Finextra
Fintech in 2025: The Current Landscape and Future Outlook: By Luigi Wewege
As we approach the third quarter of 2025, fintech is no longer a disruptor on the margins, it has become a cornerstone of the global financial ecosystem. Recent figures from the World Economic Forum (WEF) highlight fintech's remarkable trajectory, with revenues surging by 21% year-over-year in 2024, significantly outpacing traditional banking's modest 6% growth. Profitability among public fintech companies has also markedly improved, with approximately 69% now generating profits, indicating the sector's shift toward sustained, scalable performance. Fintech Funding and Market Performance Global fintech funding remains robust, totaling $24 billion across nearly 2,600 deals in the first half of 2025, a 6% increase from the previous period, according to Innovate Finance. While markets in Asia and Europe thrive, the UK's fintech investment plateaued, suggesting regional variations in market dynamics. Notably, public markets reflect renewed investor confidence, exemplified by fintech giants like Coinbase entering the S&P 500 and eToro's successful IPO, raising over $600 million. Additionally, Barron's highlights SoFi's outstanding performance, with a 44% revenue increase and record loan originations, underscoring fintech's resilience and growth potential. Drivers of Fintech Growth The AI Revolution AI, particularly generative and agentic AI, is transforming fintech operations. From automating compliance processes and customer interactions to enhancing fraud detection, AI's integration into fintech operations is profound. India's fintech sector, leveraging AI to accelerate KYC processes and customer engagement, exemplifies this trend. Additionally, research into human-centered AI, prioritizing user experience alongside efficiency, is reshaping fintech's approach to innovation. Embedded Finance and Digital Infrastructure Embedded finance has become central to fintech's expansion, with financial services increasingly integrated invisibly into non-financial platforms. Real-time payments, automated invoicing, and B2B financial services are areas witnessing substantial growth. BCG's analysis confirms this shift, predicting significant expansion in fintech infrastructure and lending services, while consumer-focused fintech begins to saturate. Open Finance and Regulatory Evolution Open finance is rapidly gaining momentum globally, driven by new regulatory frameworks such as the EU's Financial Data Access (FIDA) and PSD3 updates. These changes extend data sharing to broader financial products beyond basic banking. However, tensions persist, notably in the US, where JPMorgan's proposed charges for data access via APIs raise significant concerns, potentially disrupting fintech innovation dependent on open data models. Crypto and Digital Assets Cryptocurrency and stablecoin adoption continue to grow, attracting substantial institutional investment. Fintech hubs such as Hong Kong have seen notable funding influxes, driven by increasing stablecoin licensing and investment enthusiasm. Yet, ongoing regulatory scrutiny underscores the complexity fintech faces in balancing innovation and compliance. Cybersecurity and Trust The fintech sector's growth brings heightened cybersecurity risks, demanding robust defensive strategies. Advances in blockchain-based zero-trust architectures and enhanced API security are becoming industry standards. Fintech companies emphasizing comprehensive cybersecurity frameworks will emerge as trusted, resilient leaders in the marketplace. The Road Ahead: Challenges and Opportunities As we enter Q3 2025, fintech stands at a pivotal juncture marked by accelerating innovation and escalating complexity. While scalability and profitability have significantly improved, regulatory challenges and market pressures remain substantial. In the immediate future, fintech is expected to undergo further consolidation through mergers and acquisitions, particularly targeting companies offering innovative financial infrastructure. The embedding of financial services in non-financial platforms will become standard, redefining customer journeys and creating new revenue streams. AI-driven automation and decision-making will increasingly permeate fintech services, elevating efficiency but requiring careful oversight to maintain trust. Simultaneously, regulatory frameworks will evolve, demanding fintech firms adapt to stringent standards without compromising innovation. Thoughts on What is Coming Looking toward the close of 2025 and beyond, fintech's future success hinges on navigating regulatory uncertainties, optimizing embedded financial services, harnessing AI responsibly, and prioritizing cybersecurity. Companies able to balance innovation with operational excellence and regulatory compliance will dominate the fintech landscape, shaping the financial services sector profoundly in the coming years. About the author: Luigi Wewege is President of Caye International Bank, awarded as one of the leading banks in the Caribbean and Central America. During his tenure at the bank, Luigi has been recognized for his turnaround efforts at Caye, growing it into the largest international bank in Belize by total deposit size. He is a regular speaker and contributor for several media publications. He is an accomplished multi-publication author, including The Digital Banking Revolution (now in its third edition). Wewege has co-authored economic research presented before the United States Congress and has been published in The Journal of Applied Finance & Banking. Outside of the bank, Luigi serves as an Instructor for the FinTech School in California and sits on multiple international advisory boards. Wewege earned an MBA in International Business from the MIB Trieste School of Management in Italy and a Bachelor's Degree in Business with honors from the University of Missouri-St. Louis with a triple major in Finance, International Business, and Management.
The Independent
14 minutes ago
- The Independent
Saturday briefing: Isak interests Liverpool and Son set for Tottenham exit
Alexander Isak's future was once again a red-hot topic as Liverpool reportedly upped their interest in the Newcastle striker on Friday. Tottenham captain Son Heung-min announced his intention to leave the club, while Spurs are closing in on the loan signing of Joao Palhinha from Bayern Munich and Everton are pursuing a deal for Southampton teenager Tyler Dibling. Isak bid rejected Newcastle have rejected a bid from Liverpool for striker Alexander Isak, according to reports. The 25-year-old Sweden striker has been training at his old club Real Sociedad this week amid reports he has asked Newcastle executives to explore a move away from the club. He has been heavily linked with Liverpool, who are now reported to have made a bid for the player which Newcastle have knocked back. Isak still has three years left on his contract with Newcastle. Neither club has commented on the matter. Son Heung-min set for Tottenham farewell Tottenham captain Son Heung-min has revealed he will leave the club this summer. Son has spent the last decade at Spurs and achieved his goal of silverware in May when he helped them to Europa League success with a 1-0 victory over Manchester United. It ended a 17-year trophy drought for the club and South Korea captain Son explained his decision to target a 'fresh challenge' during a press conference in his home country ahead of Tottenham's pre-season friendly with Newcastle on Sunday. After Spurs arrived in Seoul on Friday, Son – following a remarkable 454 appearances and 173 goals for the north London club – confirmed his desire to depart this summer, with MLS outfit Los Angeles FC leading the race for his signature, the PA news agency understands. Son told a press conference: 'Before we start, I wanted to say I have decided to leave the club this summer. 'Respectfully, the club is helping me with this decision. 'It was the most difficult decision I have made in my career, such amazing memories. It was so hard to make this decision.' Spurs close in on Palhinha Bayern Munich midfielder Joao Palhinha underwent a medical at Tottenham on Friday, the PA news agency understands. Spurs are eager to boost their squad for new boss Thomas Frank ahead of the club's return to the Champions League this season and set their sights on the Portugal international. Palhinha only signed for Bayern last summer from Fulham in a deal worth up to £47.4million but endured a difficult debut campaign and made only six starts in Bundesliga, which has opened the door for a return to the Premier League. Talks between Tottenham and Bayern got under way on Thursday and PA understands an agreement was reached with Palhinha given the green light to undergo a medical ahead of the proposed move. Lockyer nears football return Former Luton captain Tom Lockyer has revealed he is 'four weeks away' from being allowed to play football again. Lockyer has not played since suffering a cardiac arrest during Luton's Premier League game against Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium in December 2023, while he collapsed on the field just seven months earlier during the Hatters' Sky Bet Championship play-off final win at Wembley against Coventry. Lockyer, speaking ahead of Luton's opening Sky Bet League One fixture against AFC Wimbledon at Kenilworth Road, told Sky Sports: 'I haven't had a break, I've been working all the way through, just trying to get this ankle right and trying to get fit. 'But I've had a really good few weeks and hopefully now I'm four weeks away from getting signed off and told I'm allowed to play football again.' Saints want more for Dibling Everton are looking to sign Tyler Dibling but are well below Southampton's current valuation, the PA news agency understands. The 19-year-old caught the eye during his breakthrough campaign, scoring four goals in 38 appearances in all competitions for the relegated side. A number of Premier League clubs have tracked Dibling's progress and Everton have seen an initial approach in the region of £27million rejected by the Championship club. The Toffees are reportedly ready to make another move for the England Under-21s international, but PA understands Saints want in excess of £40m for the academy graduate. What's on today? After Luton edged out AFC Wimbledon on Friday night, Sky Bet League One gets in full swing with 10 fixtures while there is a full League Two programme. Rangers get their Scottish Premiership campaign under way with a trip to Motherwell and Kilmarnock welcome Livingston.
Times
an hour ago
- Times
How London became the members' club capital of the world
O n a recent Thursday evening in Mayfair in London, at a club with sofas so deep you feared some of the older members might never rise from them, a pair of gentlemen in Turnbull & Asser shirts reeled off their collected memberships. 'Pratt's, White's, Carlton,' they said, with the steady effort usually reserved, one felt, for grandchildren's names. 'Hurlingham, Brooks's, Turf. Beefsteak, Savile, Oswald's, 5 Hertford Street.' Perhaps 30 clubs overall, they reckoned, to which between them they had either direct or reciprocal access. 'But then again,' one said, contemplating an olive, 'I'm probably forgetting a few.' This is entirely understandable, a lifetime of white burgundy notwithstanding. London in 2025 is liberally sprinkled with private members' clubs, both historic and newfangled, like capers across a Dover sole. It is one of the country's few thriving sectors. Although most institutions keep their rate cards close to their chests, the annual fee for a full London membership at a central London club is usually between £1,500 and £4,000 — and some can go significantly north of this. Apollo's Muse, the private club inside the restaurant Bacchanalia off Berkeley Square (a haunt of Kate Moss and Lily James), is said to be £5,000 per year, while the Bath and Racquets, the Mayfair sports club, is £8,000 per annum.
