Financial Technology (Fintech) and Sustainable Financing, 4th Edition

A special issue of Journal of Risk and Financial Management (ISSN 1911-8074). This special issue belongs to the section "Financial Technology and Innovation".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 1 August 2026 | Viewed by 7995

Special Issue Editor

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The recent advancement of blockchain technology and digital innovations has become a driving force for the transformation and development of the global financial system. In a relatively short period, the emergence of a new generation of financial technology (Fintech) has greatly impacted financial markets, investments and asset management, while changing traditional practices and the future of finance. The use of financial technology has especially been pivotal during the current COVID-19 pandemic in unlocking new sources of financing, as well as developing a platform for business organizations to interact with stakeholders and other businesses.

This Special Issue invites researchers to present their creative thoughts and outstanding works on blockchain technology, digital currencies, cryptocurrency markets, innovative investment portfolios and sustainability-driven financing. The Special Issue will mainly focus on theoretical analyses and empirical explorations of the synergy between finance and technology. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

  • The use of artificial intelligence in robo-advising and the development of stock trading apps;
  • The impact of Fintech on the finance profession;
  • Cryptocurrency as an alternative investment;
  • Digital payment systems and buy now, pay later services;
  • Crowdfunding platforms;
  • Peer-to-peer lending;
  • Digital banking and the future of banking systems;
  • Mobile payment technology;
  • The use of blockchain technology in building financial market infrastructure;
  • Green finance and sustainable development;
  • Green banking and products;
  • Green investing.

Dr. Sisira Colombage
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • blockchain
  • cryptocurrencies
  • digital payment
  • investment management
  • fintech research
  • crowdfunding
  • regtech
  • insurtech
  • virtual banking
  • BNPL systems
  • cryptomarket
  • financial stability
  • sustainable funds
  • green bonds
  • impact investing
  • green banking

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Related Special Issue

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

34 pages, 475 KB  
Article
Applications and Management of Blockchain Technologies in Financial Services
by Nasser Arshadi and Timothy Dombrowski
J. Risk Financial Manag. 2026, 19(3), 224; https://doi.org/10.3390/jrfm19030224 - 17 Mar 2026
Viewed by 1746
Abstract
Using transaction cost economics (TCE) and agency theory, this paper examines how blockchain, smart contracts, and decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) reconfigure financial services across payments, wealth management, real estate, and corporate governance. Three research questions are addressed: (1) What are the quantifiable efficiency [...] Read more.
Using transaction cost economics (TCE) and agency theory, this paper examines how blockchain, smart contracts, and decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) reconfigure financial services across payments, wealth management, real estate, and corporate governance. Three research questions are addressed: (1) What are the quantifiable efficiency gains from blockchain-based real-time settlement compared with legacy systems? (2) How do blockchain technologies reduce intermediation and agency costs in wealth management and real estate? (3) Finally, to what extent do DAOs resolve or transform traditional corporate governance problems? By combining a present-value model calibrated to U.S. Automated Clearing House (ACH) data ($86.2 trillion in annual volume), comparative institutional analysis, and synthesis of empirical evidence from pilot implementations and on-chain governance metrics, this paper makes three principal contributions. First, real-time settlement yields approximately $12 billion in annual opportunity cost savings at the baseline 7.5% discount rate, with sensitivity analysis producing a range of $8–15 billion. The majority of gains accrue from moving to same-day or within-hour settlement. Second, tokenization and smart contract escrow substantially reduce real estate intermediation costs, blockchain-based digital identity streamlines wealth management onboarding, and a stablecoin taxonomy classifies fiat-collateralized, crypto-collateralized, and algorithmic designs by risk profile. Third, on-chain data reveal persistent governance token concentration (Gini > 0.98) and low voter participation (typically below 10%), exposing a gap between DAO theory and practice. Blockchain-specific risks are mapped to National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Cybersecurity Framework 2.0, and mechanism design solutions, such as quadratic voting and AI-assisted proposal evaluation, are proposed to address whale dominance. Effective adoption requires hybrid architecture combining on-chain automation with off-chain structures for accountability and regulatory compliance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Financial Technology (Fintech) and Sustainable Financing, 4th Edition)
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21 pages, 2720 KB  
Article
Do Global Uncertainty Factors Matter More to Cryptocurrency?
by Minxing Wang, Rishabh Verma, Jinghua Wang, Geoffrey Ngene and Cheickna Sylla
J. Risk Financial Manag. 2025, 18(11), 628; https://doi.org/10.3390/jrfm18110628 - 10 Nov 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2346
Abstract
This study examines the intricate relationships between cryptocurrency and various uncertainties related to economic policy and global risk factors. It explores the interactions between cryptocurrency and global risk factors, comparing these with their relationships to different measures of economic policy uncertainty (EPU). We [...] Read more.
This study examines the intricate relationships between cryptocurrency and various uncertainties related to economic policy and global risk factors. It explores the interactions between cryptocurrency and global risk factors, comparing these with their relationships to different measures of economic policy uncertainty (EPU). We find that cryptocurrency returns are more sensitive to global risk factors than to the country-level EPU. Notably, gold exhibits bidirectional causality with cryptocurrency in returns and volatility. The research sheds light on the dynamic interactions within cryptocurrency markets, underscoring the importance of continuous monitoring and adaptive strategies to navigate the evolving financial landscape of the digital ecosystem. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Financial Technology (Fintech) and Sustainable Financing, 4th Edition)
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26 pages, 1511 KB  
Article
Accessing Alternative Finance in Europe: The Role of SMEs, Innovation, and Digital Platforms
by Javier Manso Laso, Ismael Moya-Clemente and Gabriela Ribes Giner
J. Risk Financial Manag. 2025, 18(9), 496; https://doi.org/10.3390/jrfm18090496 - 5 Sep 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3307
Abstract
Access to business financing in Europe has historically been a challenge for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which represent a significant share of economic activity and employment in Europe. This issue has been significantly intensified since the global financial crisis, disproportionately affecting this [...] Read more.
Access to business financing in Europe has historically been a challenge for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which represent a significant share of economic activity and employment in Europe. This issue has been significantly intensified since the global financial crisis, disproportionately affecting this segment. This study analyzes firm-level determinants influencing access to alternative financing sources, including crowdfunding, venture capital, and other non-bank channels, using data from the 2023 SAFE covering 15,855 firms across Europe. Results indicate that firm size significantly affects access, with larger, established firms more likely to secure such funding. However, younger, innovation-driven firms demonstrate a higher propensity to pursue equity and crowdfunding options, driven by their need for flexible and early-stage capital. Sectoral patterns also emerge: industrial firms more often obtain public grants, while service-sector firms lead in adopting equity-based and crowdfunding models. The findings highlight the critical role of innovation capacity and international orientation in broadening financial access. Digital platforms are identified as key enablers in democratizing funding, particularly for SMEs. This research advances understanding of SME financing dynamics within evolving financial landscapes and provides actionable insights for policymakers and practitioners aiming to promote inclusive and sustainable access to finance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Financial Technology (Fintech) and Sustainable Financing, 4th Edition)
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