Search Results (189)

As cryptocurrencies evolve from niche assets to systemic financial components, the banking sector faces a strategic dilemma: displacement or adaptation. Using 27,510 bank–year observations from 2014 to 2023 across thirty-two economies, predominantly within the European banking sector, this study isolates the technological prerequisites for this adaptation. We employ a continuous interaction model with robust controls to test how national digital infrastructure moderates bank responses to valuation cycles in the four dominant cryptocurrencies by market capitalization (Bitcoin, Ethereum, Ripple, and Binance Coin). The results document a robust lagged complementarity effect: in digitally advanced economies, cryptocurrency booms significantly increase bank non-interest income in the subsequent year, while lending portfolios remain unaffected. A one-standard-deviation increase in crypto returns interacts with digital capacity to boost fee revenue by approximately 0.7 percentage points (0.20 standard deviations). Crucially, this effect persists after controlling for GDP and equity market interactions, confirming that technological capacity, rather than general economic wealth, acts as the binding constraint. These findings refine FinTech adaptation research by demonstrating that high-bandwidth infrastructure enables banks to monetize external volatility via service deployment and custody, transforming a potential threat into a structural revenue stream.m. Full article

Fintech populism is an analytical and metaphorical concept that describes a pattern of digital financial participation. In this pattern, financial technologies are framed as enabling broad, direct engagement with financial systems. This engagement is often facilitated by simplified, user-centered, highly accessible digital interfaces. It does not refer to a political ideology but rather denotes a mode of participation characterized by mass accessibility, immediacy, and symbolic inclusion, which are all enabled by fintech platforms. In this context, fintech populism describes how digital finance expands participation through mobile applications, platform-based investing, and decentralized financial technologies. Participation is primarily enacted through technologically structured interactions. Engagement is facilitated via algorithms, interfaces, and platform rules, which shape how users access financial services and interpret financial information. Fintech populism is used descriptively to highlight the tension between increased access and users’ limited ability to influence the governance, design, or accountability structures of digital financial systems. As an analytical term, fintech populism highlights the transformation of financial participation from institution-based mechanisms to platform-based interactions. In this model, visibility and engagement increase without implying corresponding changes in decision-making authority or control. Full article

This qualitative study employs interpretive phenomenology and Actor–Network Theory (ANT) to examine the evolving role of AI as an agent within European marketing contexts. Drawing on semi-structured interviews with 36 senior executives from the tourism, fintech, professional services, and digital media sectors, the study identifies four interconnected themes: (1) ambivalent human–AI co-agency, where AI operates as a “co-strategist” influencing budgets and decisions; (2) infrastructural and regulatory challenges arising from legacy systems and GDPR/EU AI Act constraints; (3) ethical issues concerning opacity, bias, and exclusion in hyper-personalization; and (4) the redefinition of professional identities towards hybrid socio-technical roles. The findings underscore AI’s role as a co-creator of strategy, governance, and power, highlighting the necessity of balanced co-agency, robust infrastructure, ethical safeguards, and adaptable skill sets. The AI-MARC framework (Agency, Infrastructure, Responsibility, Capability) provides a practical framework for governance of sustainable AI integration. This work addresses gaps in qualitative AI marketing research by emphasising reflexive practices amid evolving regulations, with the aim of fostering equitable networks that align innovation, fairness, and accountability. Full article

The rise of the circular economy and e-commerce has led to the emergence of e-commerce closed-loop supply chains (ECLSCs). In practice, investing in process innovation (PI) is key to improving profitability and competitiveness. However, manufacturers at the downstream of ECLSCs often face financial constraints and quality uncertainty of used products, while research on how to select financing strategies under these conditions remains limited. To explore the optimal financing scheme for the ECLSC, this study investigates two financing schemes: bank financing (BF) and FinTech platform financing (FPF), which offers a combination of debt financing (DF) and equity financing (EF). Some key findings are derived. For the ECLSC, the FPF scheme is more profitable when the unit manufacturing cost for new components exceeds the threshold or PI costs are relatively low. Additionally, the FPF performs better when the FPF interest rate is low and the DF ratio is high. The BF is more beneficial when consumer sensitivity to recycling prices or service is low. The FPF enables the ECLSC to achieve maximum profits and minimize environmental impact within a specific range. Furthermore, the financing models are extended to incorporate considerations of fairness, where the optimal financing scheme is primarily influenced by the manufacturing cost. Full article

This research aims to analyze strategic risks from financial digitalization, highlighting the disruptive role of Fintech firms and Neobanks, the associated challenges and opportunities, and how traditional banks can adapt to remain competitive and stable in a rapidly evolving financial ecosystem. A qualitative methodology was employed, involving semi-structured interviews with 10 executives and risk management experts from the financial sector. The study employed a concurrence analysis to identify semantic relationships among categories. The unit of analysis was the paragraph, and concurrence was computed based on the frequency with which two categories appeared within the same segment. Key findings indicate that the most significant risks are linked to technological competition, regulatory shifts, cybersecurity, and consumer trust. Conversely, notable opportunities exist in technological modernization, enhanced regulatory compliance, collaboration with digital players, and the development of user-centric products and services. This study introduces the concept of a cultural gap in strategic adaptation, distinct from resistance to change, by emphasizing misalignment between organizational culture and the pace of digital transformation. This gap poses a strategic risk by delaying execution, increasing exposure to regulatory and technological risks, and reducing competitiveness. Full article

This study analyzes the socio-cultural and behavioral determinants of FinTech adoption and access to credit among Ecuadorian SMEs. A probabilistic sample of 600 firms, operating in the services, commerce, information and communication technologies (ICT), and industry sectors, was surveyed to ensure representation of the country’s productive structure. The model integrates financial literacy, institutional trust, and perceived accessibility as key independent variables, with FinTech adoption as a digital behavioral factor and access to credit and credit conditions as the primary dependent outcomes. Using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM), complemented by multi-group invariance tests and cluster analysis, the study evaluates seven hypotheses linking cognitive, perceptual, and digital mechanisms to financing behavior and firm performance. Results show that financial literacy and institutional trust significantly improve access to formal credit, with perceived accessibility acting as a partial mediator. FinTech adoption enhances credit conditions but remains limited among micro and small firms. Based on these findings, the study recommends strengthening financial education programs, simplifying credit procedures to reduce perceived barriers, and developing trust-building regulatory frameworks for digital finance. The results highlight the importance of socio-cultural and behavioral factors in shaping SME financing decisions and contribute to the understanding of financial inclusion dynamics in emerging economies. Full article

The rapid digitalization of financial services in the European Union (EU) has not only enhanced convenience and inclusion but also increased exposure to sophisticated online financial fraud. Digital financial literacy (DFL) is widely promoted as a key tool for empowering consumers and reducing fraud victimization. However, the empirical and conceptual landscape linking DFL to fraud reduction within the specific sociolegal context of the EU remains fragmented. This study uses bibliometric analysis to map the research area, define major themes within the field, and determine the role of DFL in reducing online financial fraud in the EU. Peer-reviewed journal articles were targeted to ensure academic rigor, with a publication window of 2010–2025 reflecting key fintech and regulatory developments. After adhering to PRISMA principles, 87 peer-reviewed publications were chosen out of a total of 568 records identified through OpenAlex and Web of Science, coauthorship, keyword co-occurrence, citation, temporal, and density representations were analyzed using VOSviewer. Findings indicate an increasingly diffuse research field with new clusters concentrating on macroeconomic policy, business technology, social psychology, and interdisciplinary foundations. Results demonstrate that successful implementation of DFL interventions combines behavioral insights, technological protection, and non-discriminatory policy considerations. The study concludes by identifying major gaps in research and providing a path forward for future evidence-based policy efforts toward enhancing consumer protection in the EU digital financial market. Full article

Background: Fintech companies have revolutionized the financial services industry in India in recent years. This is especially true for the growth of digital payment methods. India’s unbanked are being introduced to banking by fintech companies. Despite the country’s strong banking system, many residents find it difficult to get government financial services. This is particularly true for rural or low-income people. This vacuum has been addressed by fintech solutions including digital banking, micro-lending applications, mobile wallets, and UPI platforms. Objectives: to study the impact of financial technology businesses on increasing financial inclusion for India’s underbanked and unbanked population and Challenges encountered by financial technology enterprises in their endeavors to access unbanked populations, encompassing concerns of infrastructure with special reference to western Uttar Pradesh. Method: This mixed-methods study examines how FinTech is narrowing the financial gap for unbanked people using quantitative econometric analysis and qualitative case study assessments. Results: Digital financial innovation and regulatory support encourage inclusive growth in underdeveloped economies, whereas rich nations benefit from sophisticated banking institutions. This is indicated by the small influence of GDP per capita (β = 0.22–0.32, p < 0.05). Findings: The study found that inclusive finance is revolutionized when FinTech is used with the help of robust regulatory frameworks and digital infrastructure. Policymakers should prioritize cybersecurity, public-private partnerships to improve digital literacy, and rural connection if they want more people to take part in the digital financial ecosystem. Implications: FinTech can remove obstacles to accessing financing. The proper coordinated improvements in regulatory frameworks, digital infrastructure and financial literacy among the people are necessary to achieve full financial inclusion. Full article

As an in-depth integration of green capital chains and technological innovation chains, green fintech provides strong support for enterprises in promoting green and low-carbon development and achieving carbon neutrality. Based on relevant data from Chinese listed companies between 2014 and 2023, this study constructs indices for green fintech development and corporate carbon neutrality to empirically examine the impact of green fintech on corporate carbon neutrality. Benchmark regression results show that green fintech exerts a significantly positive effect on corporate carbon neutrality. A mediation analysis of financing incentives indicates that alleviating corporate financing constraints and reducing financial distress are effective pathways through which green fintech facilitates carbon neutrality. Furthermore, a moderating effect analysis reveals that green fintech plays a more pronounced role in enhancing carbon neutrality for enterprises with higher audit quality and larger operational scales. Accordingly, policy recommendations are proposed, focusing on establishing a green fintech service-sharing platform, providing targeted policy support, and improving carbon information disclosure mechanisms. Full article

Purpose: The central research question of the study is how objective financial knowledge and subjective financial confidence interact and relate to digital financial behavior and the use of FinTech tools. By examining both objective knowledge refers to measured, test-based financial competence and subjective confidence denote self-assessed financial understanding, the research offers insight into the psychological and demographic drivers of FinTech use and perceived financial well-being. Design/methodology/approach: Based on the OECD’s 2023 international financial literacy survey, the study uses a nationally representative Hungarian sample. It employs non-parametric statistical methods, linear regression, and two-step cluster analysis. Three composite indicators, general digital activity, digital financial engagement frequency, perceived financial security were developed to measure general digital activity, frequency of digital financial engagement, and perceived financial security. Findings: Results reveal a moderate but significant correlation between actual and self-assessed financial knowledge. Men score higher on both measures, though self-assessment bias does not significantly differ by gender. Higher education and income levels are associated with stronger financial literacy and more frequent use of FinTech tools, while age correlates negatively. However, the accuracy of self-perception is not explained by these demographic factors. Cluster analysis identifies four distinct financial knowledge profiles and five consumer digital behavior types, revealing disparities in digital financial inclusion and confidence. Originality: This research contributes a multidimensional perspective on how consumer capabilities, attitudes, and digital behavior influence FinTech adoption. By integrating behavioral, demographic, and psychological factors, the study offers practical implications for targeted financial education and the design of inclusive, human-centered digital financial services—especially relevant for emerging European markets. Full article

As a financial center of Asia, Hong Kong has been the leading edge of fintech innovation, with the a leading ranking of the Global Innovation Index, which only ranked the fifth among all the payment methods in 2023 whereas mainland China achieved 90% acceptance in 2018. Since Hong Kong is part of China and shares similar origins and cultures, we found the need to study consumer behaviors in both of the two regions. We use comparison study methodology to find out the reasons of the difference in the usage. This research aims to investigate the factors influencing the acceptance of mobile payment services in Hong Kong and its difference in mainland China. In this research, we use the Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modeling methodology which discovers several significant factors influencing the actual use of mobile payment systems in Hong Kong and mainland China and tries to explain this. The findings will contribute to a better understanding of user behaviors and preferences, assisting stakeholders to address the challenges, develop effective strategies to increase the acceptance and use of mobile payment services, and promote payment convenience in Hong Kong. Full article

The rapid growth of financial technology (FinTech) has created new opportunities to promote environmentally responsible consumption. Yet, little is known about the factors that shape consumer trust in green FinTech platforms, which is crucial for their adoption and long-term impact. This study develops and tests a partial least squares structural equation model (PLS-SEM) integrating sustainability and technology determinants of trust. Survey data from 240 consumers were analyzed. Results show that green transparency, platform security and privacy, and ease of use significantly enhance perceived credibility, while social influence and perceived environmental responsibility increase green perceived value. In turn, perceived credibility reduces perceived risk and promotes trust. Trust is also strengthened by environmental responsibility, green perceived value, and platform innovativeness, but weakened by perceived risk. All hypothesized relationships were statistically significant. The findings highlight the importance of credible sustainability communication, high level security, and social endorsement in building trust for green FinTech services. Full article

The contribution of innovation to global development and productivity is indeed very important, as it enables the creation of new products and services or the improvement of existing ones. Experience of developed economies suggests that innovations and Financial Technology (Fintech) evolution have become efficient tools in the process of combating global challenges, such as financial crisis and pandemics. This paper examines the contributions of Fintech in the economic development, proxied by GDP, for Central Asian countries of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan (KKTTU). Indicators of Fintech, regarding these countries, are identified as number of internet subscribers, POS-terminals, number of mobile subscribers, number of people using the internet, and number of people using credit or debit cards. Previous literature provides evidence of the effect of Fintech on the economic fortune of advanced countries. In a similar vein, this paper extends the notion of economic development and Fintech to Central Asia, where it has received little or no attention, except for the case of Kazakhstan. The findings suggest that further research should be directed towards exploring other factors that promote economic and technological collaboration in all countries of the region. Greater success can be derived from synergy of working collaboratively than individually. Full article

This study examines the influence of FinTech Paylater, Financial Well Being (FW), Behavioral Finance (BF), and Digital Financial Literacy (DFL) on the sustainability of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in South Sumatera, Indonesia. Using a quantitative explanatory design, data from 563 MSME owners were collected through a structured questionnaire and analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling–Partial Least Squares (SEM–PLS). The results show that FinTech Paylater, FW, BF, and DFL have positive and significant effects on MSME sustainability, with DFL emerging as the strongest predictor. Paylater services support sustainability by improving liquidity and access to short-term financing, while FW enhances financial stability and resilience. BF shapes financial decision-making through behavioral control and risk awareness. The integrated model explains 61% of the variance in MSME sustainability and demonstrates that digital capability and psychological factors jointly determine whether FinTech is used productively or consumptively. The findings provide theoretical contributions to the literature on FinTech and MSME sustainability and offer practical implications for policymakers and FinTech providers in designing targeted Digital Financial Literacy programs and responsible Paylater schemes for MSMEs in emerging economies. Full article

This study investigates the influence of banking service quality and customer trust on customer retention behavior, considering the mediating role of customer satisfaction and the moderating role of FinTech. In light of the growing digitalization in the banking sector, the study aims to understand how these constructs interact to drive long-term customer loyalty. A quantitative research approach was adopted using data collected through a structured questionnaire administered to banking customers. The relationships among variables were examined using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM), assessing both direct and indirect effects. The results show that banking service quality and customer trust significantly enhance customer satisfaction, which in turn positively influences customer retention behavior. Moreover, satisfaction was found to mediate the relationships between both service quality and trust with retention. FinTech demonstrated a strong direct effect on retention and also significantly moderated the satisfaction–retention link, amplifying its impact when FinTech services are effectively utilized. This study contributes to the relationship marketing literature by introducing FinTech as a novel moderating variable in the satisfaction–retention framework. It offers practical insights for banks aiming to enhance retention by improving service quality, fostering trust, and leveraging digital technologies to strengthen customer relationships. Full article