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Financial Technology and Strategic AI Integration in FinTech: Transforming Banking,...
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Financial Technology and Strategic AI Integration in FinTech: Transforming Banking, Payments, and Building a Sustainable Economy—Challenges and Opportunities

A special issue of FinTech (ISSN 2674-1032).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 May 2025 | Viewed by 6446

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Otilia Manta

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Guest Editor
Center for Financial and Monetary Research “Victor Slăvescu”, and CE-MONT, Romanian Academy, 050711 Bucharest, Romania
Interests: international finance; financial economics; business economics; project management; financial technology (FinTech); digital transformation; circular economy; sustainability
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Valentina Vasile

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute of National Economy, Romanian Academy, 761172 Bucuresti, Romania
Interests: economic theories at micro and macro level; sustainable development; demoeconomics; economics of human resources; labor market; employment policies employment and wage policies; social politics; population and labor mobility; regional policies; budgetary policies; FDI and export; FDI impact on employment and labour productivity
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Shigeyuki Hamori

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Graduate School of Economics, Kobe University, Rokkodai, Nada-Ku, Kobe 657-8504, Japan
2. Faculty of Political Science and Economics, Yamato University, Katayama-cho, Suita 564-0082, Japan
Interests: applied time series analysis; empirical finance; data science; international finance
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue aims to explore the transformative impact of innovative financial instruments and the strategic integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) within the FinTech sector. The focus will be on how these technologies are reshaping banking and payment systems and contributing to the development of a sustainable economy. We welcome research that addresses both the challenges and opportunities presented by these advancements. Key areas of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Business innovation, collaborative economy, circular economy, and sustainable development.
  • Development and application of innovative financial instruments, including blockchain technology, cryptocurrencies, and decentralized finance (DeFi).
  • The role of AI in enhancing FinTech solutions such as risk management, fraud detection, and customer personalization.
  • Contributions of FinTech and AI to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) objectives and sustainable economic practices.
  • Innovative financial applications, open banking, InsurTech, and FinTech.
  • The social and ethical implications of digitization.
  • Regulatory and compliance challenges associated with the integration of AI and innovative financial tools.
  • The impact of FinTech innovations on financial inclusion and access to financial services in underserved regions.
  • The metaverse, machine learning, continuous learning, and digital platforms.
  • Case studies illustrating successful implementations of these technologies in various sectors.
  • European and global agreements and partnerships and their impact on sustainability.
  • Sustainability in global strategic economic fields with a local impact.
  • Artificial intelligence and sustainable development.
  • Human resources and jobs of the future presented by these advancements.

Dr. Otilia Manta
Prof. Dr. Valentina Vasile
Prof. Dr. Shigeyuki Hamori
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. FinTech is an international peer-reviewed open access quarterly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1000 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • fintech innovation
  • banks
  • financial inclusion
  • green finance
  • regulatory challenges
  • strategic approaches
  • artificial intelligence in finance
  • sustainable finance
  • blockchain and cryptocurrencies
  • decentralized finance (DeFi)
  • regulatory compliance
  • risk management
  • ESG and sustainable economy
  • digital banking and payments
  • sustainable development
  • human resources and AI
  • innovative financial instruments

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  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

28 pages, 1880 KiB  
Communication
FinTech and AI as Opportunities for a Sustainable Economy
by Valentina Vasile and Otilia Manta
FinTech 2025, 4(2), 10; https://doi.org/10.3390/fintech4020010 - 25 Mar 2025
Viewed by 383
Abstract
The need for a sustainable economy has grown as technological advancements increasingly influence economic and social structures. This study investigates the role of FinTech and artificial intelligence (AI) in fostering sustainable development by facilitating green initiatives and promoting social responsibility. The research hypothesis [...] Read more.
The need for a sustainable economy has grown as technological advancements increasingly influence economic and social structures. This study investigates the role of FinTech and artificial intelligence (AI) in fostering sustainable development by facilitating green initiatives and promoting social responsibility. The research hypothesis posits that FinTech enables better access to financing for economic and social development projects, while AI enhances decision-making processes critical to the implementation of these initiatives. Through a qualitative approach, this study analyzes the interactions between FinTech, AI, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), exploring whether their relationship is bilateral or unidirectional. Using a quantitative approach, this study employs Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) to examine the key factors influencing bank account ownership across different demographic groups and time periods. PCA is utilized to reduce data dimensionality while preserving the most significant variance, enabling the identification of underlying patterns in financial inclusion determinants. Meanwhile, ANOVA is applied to assess statistical differences in bank account ownership across demographic categories and the pre-pandemic, during-pandemic, and post-pandemic periods, highlighting the impact of digital financial services on financial inclusion trends in Europe. The findings suggest that both technologies play a significant role in supporting sustainability, with FinTech providing the necessary financial tools and AI optimizing decision-making. Furthermore, this study identifies barriers, such as regulatory challenges and technological gaps, that hinder the full integration of these technologies into sustainable development practices. It also highlights facilitators, such as policy support and technological innovation, that accelerate their adoption. The conclusions emphasize the transformative potential of FinTech and AI in achieving robust economic growth, reducing inequalities, and fostering a new cultural approach to resource management and societal responsibility. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Financial Technology and Strategic AI Integration in FinTech: Transforming Banking, Payments, and Building a Sustainable Economy—Challenges and Opportunities)
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19 pages, 900 KiB  
Article
Blockchain for Quality: Advancing Security, Efficiency, and Transparency in Financial Systems
by Tomaž Kukman and Sergej Gričar
FinTech 2025, 4(1), 7; https://doi.org/10.3390/fintech4010007 - 5 Feb 2025
Viewed by 2730
Abstract
This article delves into the transformative impact of blockchain technology on enhancing transaction quality and efficiency. Since the emergence of blockchain alongside Bitcoin in 2008, its decentralised and transparent nature has significantly improved transaction speed, security, and cost efficiency. These advancements have solidified [...] Read more.
This article delves into the transformative impact of blockchain technology on enhancing transaction quality and efficiency. Since the emergence of blockchain alongside Bitcoin in 2008, its decentralised and transparent nature has significantly improved transaction speed, security, and cost efficiency. These advancements have solidified blockchain as a foundational innovation in financial services. The paper examines critical milestones in blockchain, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Binance Coin (BNB), and their role in reshaping global finance by automating processes and reducing reliance on intermediaries. Additionally, the study evaluates blockchain’s impact on quality management, particularly emphasising how its immutable ledger system enhances the reliability and transparency of financial transactions. Despite challenges such as scalability, energy consumption, and regulatory hurdles, the potential for blockchain to redefine transaction quality in financial services is evident. This research contributes to the growing body of literature by integrating blockchain technology and traditional quality management systems, providing a comprehensive perspective on how the two domains influence one another. The findings underscore blockchain’s ability to drive innovation in financial services while addressing security, efficiency, and operational quality concerns. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Financial Technology and Strategic AI Integration in FinTech: Transforming Banking, Payments, and Building a Sustainable Economy—Challenges and Opportunities)
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21 pages, 3381 KiB  
Article
Crowdfunding and Energy Efficiency Contracting: Exploring New Pathways for Private Investment in Building Renovations
by Renan Magalhães, Federico Narracci and Jens Lowitzsch
FinTech 2025, 4(1), 6; https://doi.org/10.3390/fintech4010006 - 4 Feb 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 891
Abstract
Energy Efficiency Contracting (EEC) enables structural improvements in buildings by financing upgrades through the savings generated, eliminating the need for upfront investment by property owners. Although the model supports the energy transition and the reduction in GHG emissions, its adoption in the private [...] Read more.
Energy Efficiency Contracting (EEC) enables structural improvements in buildings by financing upgrades through the savings generated, eliminating the need for upfront investment by property owners. Although the model supports the energy transition and the reduction in GHG emissions, its adoption in the private sector faces relevant barriers such as the lack of information from the Energy Service Companies (ESCOs), distrust from clients in benefits with no upfront costs, and legal and behavioral barriers. To overcome these challenges, the FinSESCo platform, funded by Era-Net 2020 joint call, aims to channel private investments into building renovations and renewable energy installations via a crowdfunding portal. The platform allows individuals and organizations to finance small-scale renewable energy installations and energy efficiency measures for homeowners, tenants, and apartment owners. The new platform is likely to change the way EE investments are made and reach out to new audiences. A survey of 2585 German households sought to understand the drivers of EE investments, factors affecting the decisions, and their relationships with several demographic variables. Using a stepwise backward regression model, the study found significant differences between traditional investors in EE and those who would use the FinSESCo platform. Low- and medium-income households were more likely to take up the platform, and previous renewable energy ownership, experience with EEC models, and knowledge of crowdfunding further raised willingness to participate. The results point to the potential of the FinSESCo platform to expand EEC to new audiences, underlining its role of democratization and diversification of investments in building energy efficiency. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Financial Technology and Strategic AI Integration in FinTech: Transforming Banking, Payments, and Building a Sustainable Economy—Challenges and Opportunities)
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30 pages, 3916 KiB  
Communication
Empowering Global Supply Chains Through Blockchain-Based Platforms: New Evidence from the Coffee Industry
by Tommaso Agnola, Luca Ambrosini, Edoardo Beretta and Giuliano Gremlich
FinTech 2025, 4(1), 3; https://doi.org/10.3390/fintech4010003 - 10 Jan 2025
Viewed by 1418
Abstract
Global supply chains, especially in commodity trading, are plagued by fragmentation, lack of transparency, and trust deficits among participants. These issues lead to inefficiencies, increased costs, and an over-reliance on intermediaries. The present Communication describes a blockchain-based platform that leverages Self-Sovereign Identity (SSI) [...] Read more.
Global supply chains, especially in commodity trading, are plagued by fragmentation, lack of transparency, and trust deficits among participants. These issues lead to inefficiencies, increased costs, and an over-reliance on intermediaries. The present Communication describes a blockchain-based platform that leverages Self-Sovereign Identity (SSI) and Verifiable Credentials (VCs) to address these challenges in supply chain management. Developed in collaboration with coffee industry stakeholders, our approach proposes a platform with an integrated marketplace for seller discovery, enables precise order definition with detailed terms and conditions, and actively guides both buyers and sellers throughout the shipping process, managing financial guarantees and ensuring a secure transaction flow. The platform is compatible with both traditional banking infrastructure and modern crypto-based systems, enabling seamless financial transactions. In cases where disputes arise, we empower users to easily collect all communications and documents to present to legal authorities, expediting the resolution process. The platform is implemented using the Internet Computer Protocol (ICP) for secure, on-chain storage and application hosting, and is integrated with the Ethereum blockchain to leverage its extensive decentralized finance (DeFi) ecosystem, significant liquidity, and robust stablecoin infrastructure, thereby facilitating secure financial transactions. Moreover, we introduce an SSI-based authentication and authorization framework that spans across the entire platform, including both the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) and Internet Computer Protocol (ICP), enabling unified role-based access control through verifiable credentials. A value-added of the present Communication, the framework is demonstrated by means of a detailed case study in the coffee industry, highlighting the technical challenges addressed during implementation. While quantitative efficiency metrics will be established through upcoming real-world testing with industry partners, the platform’s design aims to streamline operations by reducing intermediary dependencies and automating key processes. Finally, the Communication provides insights into its adaptability to other industries facing comparable supply chain challenges, presenting an approach focused on enhancing trust and reducing reliance on intermediaries. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Financial Technology and Strategic AI Integration in FinTech: Transforming Banking, Payments, and Building a Sustainable Economy—Challenges and Opportunities)
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