In a report, the famous American consulting firm analyzes and classifies the major dynamics that are transforming the sector.
At the beginning of June, the Boston Consulting Group published its annual report devoted to fintech worldwide. The opportunity for the consulting firm to identify the main trends in the sector. Here are the seven of them to remember.
1. Large-scale AI: not yet, not everywhere
Contrary to the promises around generative AI, the most tangible gains in fintech remain largely invisible to the general public. According to BCG, they focus on internal functions (software development, compliance, fraud, etc.) with teams capable of going up to five times faster when AI is integrated into the heart of the production cycle. Concerning agentic AI, its development risks being slowed down in fintech due to the sector’s strong regulatory constraints.
2. GEO redefines fintech marketing strategies
GEO is starting to seriously shake up SEO, and fintech is not immune to this new reality. According to the report, players in the sector must now adapt their content so that it is understood and taken up by the AI models which are increasingly guiding user choices. Part of the decision is thus made before a customer even arrives on a site, which reduces the impact of traditional marketing levers such as keywords or advertising. In this new landscape, being recommended by AI becomes as decisive as simply being visible.
3. Agentic commerce: the technology is ready, not the consumers
If the payment giants have increased their announcements on agentic commerce in recent months, this practice should take time to emerge on a large scale according to BCG. The first use cases should mainly concern simple and recurring purchases, such as everyday shopping, where the risk of error is low. The firm estimates that a first wave of agent commerce could represent approximately $375 billion in e-commerce in the United States “in the short term.”
4. Digital assets are still seeking their uses on a large scale
As the report highlights, digital assets now weigh heavily in fintech: around 15% of the sector’s global revenues and 23% of equity raisings. However, large-scale uses remain limited. According to BCG, the market has developed around three blocks (cryptocurrency, stablecoins, tokenized assets), without yet finding a dominant use case outside of speculation. Tokenization appears to be the most credible path, but its adoption will remain uneven and will depend heavily on coordination between regulators, market infrastructures and financial players.
5. The regulatory gap between banks and fintech is narrowing
The regulatory gap between banks and fintech is becoming less and less important. And this trend is expected to continue. According to BCG, applications for banking licenses increased fivefold in the United States between 2024 and 2025. This dynamic is also found in the United Kingdom, Europe and India. More and more fintechs want to move closer to banking status to have more control over their customers even if it means having to endure significantly stronger regulatory requirements.
6. Neobanks are gaining ground, except in the United States
The main neobanks are becoming real financial platforms, ranging from credit to investment, including insurance and international transfers. The report cites several examples to illustrate this point: Revolut has strengthened itself in Europe after obtaining a banking license, while Nubank continues its expansion in Brazil and Chime has diversified into credit. But the United States remains a separate market, more competitive and costly, where entrants must target niches rather than replicate the models of emerging markets.
7. Exit: the market is once again open to IPO and M&A operations
The exit market has reopened. BCG indicates that fintech IPOs increased by 50% in 2025, while M&A volumes increased from $184 billion in 2024 to $251 billion in 2025. Furthermore, the report notes a shift: the most established fintechs now carry out more acquisition operations than historical players, and are themselves becoming the main consolidators of the market. Finally, according to the report, this dynamic is driven more by structural needs for consolidation than by euphoria.
