Fintech is still one of the fastest growing sectors, particularly in Asia (1). China’s Tencent has its fingers in many pies, from joint ventures in Fintech research (2) to online brokers (3), while Alibaba moves into Europe with a financial services acquisition (4) and a partnership with UK’s Barclaycard (5).
Indonesian Fintech is helped out by Chinese firms (6) as the state moves to integrate a unified QR payment platform that includes Alipay and WeChat pay (7), expanding financial access to their large unbanked population (8) while Australia offers investment opportunities for young Indonesian savers (9).
Both Grab (10) and Didi (11) have moved beyond ride-hailing and into the Fintech sector with Grab offering micro-financing schemes for SMEs and Didi offering risk-/ and wealth management services.
As Fintech grown the tables seem to be shifting. Rather than banks investing in innovative Fintech startups, it's now Fintechs that are looking at formal financial institutions to invest in (12).
The remarkable aspect of Fintech—to drive financial inclusion of firms that don’t qualify for traditional bank loans—is a major driver of its growth. As Fintech gains size and momentum it will have to find its place somewhere below the highly regulated world of Banking, while still adhering to a minimum level of risk aversion.
References
Fintech News Network: 12 Infographics Showcasing the State of Fintech Around the World
Chinese IT Giant Tencent and University of Hong Kong Collaborate on Fintech
Tencent-Backed Online Broker Futu Rises in Trading Debut
Alibaba’s Ant Financial buys UK currency exchange giant WorldFirst reportedly for around $700M
Barclaycard and Alipay expand partnership for UK payments
Exclusive | Akulaku to raise $100m Series D from investors including Alibaba’s Ant Financial
Indonesian state-owned banks team up to launch a payment platform, integrating Ali & WeChat Pay
Sinar Mas and Oriente Target Indonesia's the Great Unbanked With New Fintech Platform Finmas
Australia Fintech Offers Micro Investment Services In Indonesia
Grab launches SME loans and micro-insurance in Southeast Asia
Didi launches financial service products amid tightened regulation - Asian Opps
Fintechs Start Investing in Banks