2026 Fintech Predictions: Who the *F* Knows?

In 2026, the overlap between traditional finance (TradFi) and decentralized finance (DeFi) will accelerate, transitioning from theoretical concepts to tangible, real-world use cases across regions. From tokenized assets to CBDCs and enterprise blockchain solutions, this convergence will redefine financial infrastructure, unlocking new efficiencies and global opportunities.

ESG is coming back with bigger traction in Asia, especially the “S” and “G” as the focus of the financial world is moving back toward social responsibility and honest management. Islamic finance is leading this movement because its law is built on fairness and accountability. This provides a successful model for modern banks as it helps them move beyond just focusing on "green" goals and instead build a complete system based on ethics and real value for people.

We’ll see AI-powered infrastructure with hyper-localized human touchpoints that’ll create sustainable, trust-based financial ecosystems. Successful fintechs will move beyond pure digital plays to become orchestrators that will develop intelligent infrastructure that adapts to each community's unique cultural and economic context and blueprints.

People are already uploading their bank statements to ChatGPT for financial advice, OpenAI’s takeover of New York fintech Roi shows that Sam Altman has an even grander vision. Banks and fintechs won’t lose customers, but they’ll lose relevance and be demoted to API endpoints as ChatGPT and agentic finance become the front end to our financial lives.

In 2026, stronger regulations will reshape finance to keep pace with AI, crypto, stablecoins, and tokenized stocks. Global frameworks like the GENIUS Act and G20 will promote faster, transparent, and interoperable payments, ensuring clear rules, fraud prevention, and scalability. This will make finance safer, more efficient, and accessible for all.

AI is rooted in fundamentals, and thanks to staggering amounts of human capital deployed throughout the years, many companies have poor fundamentals. Whether that’s data, process, skills, or execution, so many struggle on at least one front. And every one of them is vital to useful AI deployment.

Now we’re seeing an environment that in many ways is similar to the fintech ecosystem of post-2008. And we’re seeing some players retreading familiar paths already.

AI shifts wealth management from something you do to something that happens for you. Investing becomes embedded in everyday behaviours, portfolios update themselves, and advice interrupts you before you make mistakes. Europe’s regulatory clarity unlocks WealthTech at scale and makes 2026 the industry’s defining moment.