Generative AI, Blockchain & Beyond: The Trends Defining Fintech’s Next Era
Block written by Kristiana Sylvester, Client Analyst atScottish fintech TreasurySpring.
The fintech landscape is evolving at lightning speed, fuelled by pioneers embracing cutting-edge technologies to transform financial services. From democratising cash investments to revolutionising payments and lending, start-ups are breaking down barriers and redefining access to financial resources. Whether you’re a budding entrepreneur launching a fintech venture or an investor seeking the next big breakthrough, staying ahead in this dynamic space means staying informed, adaptable, and innovation-ready. Let’s dive into some key trends driving the fintech revolution.
Generative AI: Revolutionising Financial Services
Generative AI is reshaping industries, and fintech is no exception. By driving innovation in customer interactions, decision-making, and operational efficiencies, AI is enabling firms to outperform competitors and redefine benchmarks. Intelligent chatbots and automated decision-making are just the beginning. According to Gartner, 80% of financial firms are expected to adopt AI by 2026, with investments projected to reach $118 billion by 2032[1]. This rapid adoption is empowering institutions to deliver hyper-personalised solutions, improving both customer satisfaction and financial outcomes.
Blockchain: Disrupting Banking and Lending
Inefficiencies have long plagued core banking services such as loans, mortgages and payments. Enter blockchain, a technology streamlining operations, reducing counterparty risks, and accelerating settlement times. By enabling secure, real-time verification of KYC/AML data and financial documents, blockchain minimises operational risks and simplifies credit scoring. Furthermore, the digitisation of assets facilitates real-time collateral management and regulatory compliance. Major players like PayPal, Mastercard, and American Express are leading this disruption, proving that blockchain is more than just a buzzword—it’s a game-changer.
Democratising cash investing
Gone are the days when premium investment opportunities were reserved for institutional players. Fintech platforms and mobile apps now empower individuals and smaller firms to invest excess cash efficiently, bypassing traditional intermediaries like brokers. With streamlined onboarding and access to niche products, users can monitor portfolios in real time, minimising risk, and maximising returns. This shift to direct control over investments is transforming cash management and enabling businesses to operate like sophisticated financial institutions.
Our company, TreasurySpring, is a good example of this this democratisation by providing unparalleled access to highly rated cash investments called “FTFs” (Fixed-Term-Funds) via an intuitive digital platform. It unlocks access to governments, investment-grade banks, and corporations, spanning multiple currencies. TreasurySpring simplifies cash management for entities ranging from FTSE 100 firms to start-ups and enables clients to manage liquidity with the same sophistication as large institutions.
Reinvention as the Key to Longevity
The fintech space is a constant race to innovate. For companies, success hinges on reinvention—shifting from one growth curve to the next before stagnation sets in. However, only a handful of companies manage to make this leap successfully when the time comes, often because they initiate the reinvention process too late. According to Accenture, the pace of change has surged 183% since 2019, and 83% of organisations have accelerated transformation efforts in response[2]. By adopting emerging technologies and fostering a culture of adaptation, businesses can not only survive but thrive in this fast-changing environment.
[1] https://www.gartner.com/en/documents/4726631
[2]https://www.accenture.com/us-en/insights/consulting/total-enterprise-reinvention
