- Fintech Trends 2025. Tools like blockchain, real-time payments (RTP), and open banking are redefining efficiency and trust in the global financial system.
- Cross-border payments are a major player in the sector, as they are expected to reach $290 trillion by 2030, driving the need for innovative and transparent solutions.
Fintech Trends for 2025 point to a radical transformation driven by technological and regulatory convergence, according to the Fintech 2025+ study conducted by Convera.
The analysis was developed with contributions from Oana Ifrim, Vlad Macovei, and Mirela Ciobanu, senior editors at The Paypers, a banking and financial technology publication, as well as Lloyd Barton, director of macro thematic consulting at Oxford Economics, who provided market studies and analysis.
One of the trends for 2025 defined by the specialists, unsurprisingly, is open banking, which is progressing towards full interoperability, enabling a personalized user experience through the integration of APIs.
At the same time, tokenization is redefining assets like real estate and financial products, allowing greater democratization of investment. However, cross-border payments remain the critical focus, with an emphasis on reducing costs and times through blockchain.
Finally, regulatory impact will be decisive: the pressure for greater transparency and security will shape the sector’s growth, highlighting financial inclusion.
Cross-border payments: A booming market and one of the fintech trends for 2025
The cross-border payments market is projected to grow to $290 trillion by 2030. This boom is driven by international e-commerce, labor globalization, and access to faster and more transparent digital solutions.
Beyond migration, which generates remittance transfers, such as the case of Mexicans working in the United States who send money to Mexico, an important part of the growth equation are students. The analysis indicates that as the number of young people studying abroad increases, sending money to cover their expenses will significantly contribute to growth.
In 2023, North America generated 28% of global cross-border payment revenues, thanks to its advanced technological infrastructure and favorable regulatory framework. However, the Asia-Pacific region, with 26%, is growing rapidly.
The Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) has optimized cross-border payments in Europe, reducing costs and settlement times, contributing to 20% of global revenue.
Latin America, on the other hand, generates 16% of global revenue, thanks to increased payment digitization and greater adoption of electronic solutions. As a result, it is expected to continue being a part of fintech trends in 2025.
Real-Time Payments: the RTP revolution
Real-time payments (RTP) are fundamental in financial evolution. In 2022, this market grew by 63.2%, and it is projected to reach $511.7 billion by 2027.
India leads with 89.5 billion RTP transactions in 2022. Brazil, for its part, showed a 228.9% growth in its PIX system, reaching 29.2 billion transactions.
The European Union is adopting RTP across all its member states, with projections that these payments will represent 27.8% of global transactions by 2027.
An ACI and Cebr report estimates that RTP could increase New Zealand’s GDP by $271 million by 2027, highlighting its positive economic impact.
Tokenization: innovation in digital assets
Tokenization is transforming traditional assets into digital ones through blockchain, improving liquidity and transparency.
The Bank for International Settlements (BIS) is driving projects such as:
- Project Agora: Integrates tokenized deposits with central bank digital currencies.
- Project mBridge: Reduces cross-border transfer times from days to seconds.
- Project dunbar: Promotes interoperability between central banks.
Blockchain technology is often associated with cryptocurrencies, which were not left out of the analysis.
The Crypto-Economy and Tokenization
Cryptocurrencies and tokenization are transforming how we perceive and manage value. As cryptocurrencies gain legitimacy, traditional financial systems face the challenge of integrating technologies that were once considered disruptive or speculative.
This change is driven by a combination of technological innovations and increased regulatory interest.
First, asset tokenization emerges as one of the most promising developments in the financial space. This process allows physical or traditional assets, such as real estate, stocks, or even art, to be converted into digital tokens that can be traded on blockchain-based platforms.
The main advantage lies in divisibility and accessibility: investors can acquire a fraction of an asset instead of needing large sums to access it. This democratizes investment opportunities and opens new markets for retail participants.
Tokenization is also closely tied to smart contracts, which automate transactions and reduce the need for intermediaries. This level of automation not only increases efficiency but also reduces operating costs and fraud risks.
However, this technology raises important regulatory questions, particularly regarding security, custody, and standardization of tokens.
On the other hand, cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum are consolidating as alternative asset classes. Their initial role as speculative tools has evolved into more sophisticated use cases, such as protection against inflation and cross-border payments.
Ethereum, in particular, plays a key role in tokenization due to its ability to support smart contracts and decentralized applications (dApps).
A crucial point in this transformation is the growing institutional adoption. Banks, investment funds, and large corporations are integrating cryptocurrencies and tokenization technologies into their business models.
For example, institutions like JPMorgan Chase and Santander are leading the adoption of stablecoins and blockchain, highlighting the potential of tokenization in traditional financial services.
This is not only driving widespread acceptance but also attracting the attention of regulators. Governments, observing the potential of these technologies to foster financial inclusion, are also seeking to balance innovation with consumer protection and financial system stability.
In terms of cross-border payments, blockchain is revolutionizing this segment by eliminating intermediaries and significantly reducing costs. Cryptocurrencies enable near-instant transactions, a critical advantage in an increasingly globalized world. Furthermore, the tokenization of stablecoins, tied to traditional assets like the dollar, is gaining traction as an efficient and reliable payment method.
However, there are also significant challenges. The volatility of cryptocurrencies, although lower than in previous years, remains an obstacle to widespread adoption. Additionally, the infrastructure needed to ensure the security of tokenization and exchange platforms is still under development.
Hacks on exchange platforms and the lack of uniform regulation at the global level highlight the need for robust legal frameworks.
As the ecosystem evolves, so does its impact on financial inclusion. Tokenization allows individuals in unbanked regions to access assets and financial services via a smartphone and an internet connection.
Cryptocurrencies, for their part, are being used as an alternative to cash in countries with underdeveloped or crisis-stricken financial systems.
Looking ahead, the success of the crypto-economy and tokenization will depend on collaboration between the private sector and governments to develop regulatory frameworks that foster innovation without compromising security. Education will also play a crucial role: users must understand how these technologies work to fully take advantage of their benefits.
Open Banking: towards a collaborative financial ecosystem
Open banking fosters interoperability by allowing third parties to access banking data with the customer’s consent, expanding the reach of financial services.
In Latin America, Brazil is leading with regulations that are transforming the financial offering for SMEs and consumers.
The PSD2 Directive sets a standard in open banking, promoting competition and financial inclusion.
Regulatory trends
The regulatory environment is adapting to fintech innovations. Standards like ISO20022 are standardizing global financial communications.
Governments are developing regulatory frameworks to ensure consumer protection and promote financial inclusion.
However, each country faces different challenges in this area, in addition to a changing environment that, obviously, advances slower than the technology itself.
The fintech trends landscape for 2025 for companies is shaping up as a scenario of accelerated growth, marked by continuous innovation and a radical transformation of global commerce. Furthermore, the demand for safer, more transparent, and disruptive payment solutions has become a strategic priority.
The adoption of technologies such as blockchain, real-time payment systems, and open banking frameworks is driving a profound change. These tools promise not only more agile and efficient transactions but also redefine the user experience, strengthening trust in global financial systems.