Technologies and Financial Innovation

Dear Colleagues,

Technology and finance are among the fundamental pillars that shape the behaviour, decision-making, and functioning of various economic entities in the modern economic environment. Their influence can be seen not only in the everyday activities of individuals and businesses, but also in long-term strategic decisions that affect the efficiency of resource allocation, the structure of markets and their development, decision-making processes of politicians, or economic growth and its sustainability. The moment these two areas intersect, space is created for the phenomenon of financial innovation – a dynamic process of transforming financial instruments, strategies, institutions, or processes through technological progress.

Financial innovation represents one of the most dynamically developing areas, simultaneously an area that is fundamentally changing the way individuals, businesses, and institutions approach finance. Financial innovation also represents one of the most important areas of current economic and scientific discourse. The connection between technology and finance creates space for the transformation of financial instruments, processes, and markets, which in turn creates new opportunities, but also presents challenges for the economy and society. Financial innovations thus open the way to a more efficient, yet also sustainable, allocation of resources, support the emergence of innovative business models, and change the functioning of traditional financial institutions.

However, these are not only issues of business and investment practice, but also broader systemic challenges associated mainly with the need to update regulatory frameworks, address issues of tax policy and accounting practice, as well as concerns regarding financial literacy and cybersecurity, to issues of ensuring financial stability and promoting justice in the market. In the context of the rapid development of technologies such as AI, blockchain, digital currencies, algorithmic trading, cloud services in a wide range of financial services, etc., it becomes necessary to systematically analyse not only the benefits, but also the risks of these processes for economic practice, public policy, and society.

The aim of this Special Issue is therefore to create a platform for professional discussion and deepen knowledge in the field of financial innovations, both from a theoretical and empirical perspective. Particular attention will be paid to identifying the systemic consequences of technological progress on the financial sector, the possibilities for regulating and implementing these changes, as well as specific initiatives that support a unified framework for the functioning of digital platforms. A comprehensive view of the field of financial technologies can thus be beneficial for consumers, investors, financial institutions, state institutions, and new market players.

In the Special Issue, we welcome original research papers, reviews, case studies, and conceptual articles that bring new insights into various aspects of financial innovation.

Topics of interest include, among others:

• Blockchain;
• Cryptocurrencies;
• Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDC);
• AI and its applications in finance;
• Automation, algorithmic trading, and the use of big data;
• New financial products and platforms (fintech, insurtech, regtech);
• The impact of financial innovations on economic growth, market structure, and justice;
• Regulatory and tax challenges associated with innovations;
• Financial stability and risks of new technologies;
• Social and ethical aspects of financial innovations, etc.

Dr. Katarina Kramárová
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Financial Studies is an international peer-reviewed open access quarterly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1800 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• financial innovation
• blockchain
• cryptocurrencies
• central bank digital currencies
• algorithmic trading
• fintech
• insurtech
• regtech