Fintech Examples
So how is fintech being used in 2026, and what are some of its traditional uses?
1. Crowdfunding Platforms
Companies like Kickstarter, Patreon, GoFundMe and others illustrate the range of fintech outside of traditional banking.
Crowdfunding platforms allow internet and app users to send or receive money from others on the platform and have allowed individuals or businesses to pool funding from a variety of sources all in the same place. https://f8193d9a5ef4747105494998da0d0f24.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.html
Instead of having to go to a traditional bank for a loan, it is now possible to go straight to investors for support of a project or company. And while their applications range from family and friends funding to fan and patron funding, the number of crowdfunding platforms have multiplied over the years.
2. Blockchain and Cryptocurrency
Cryptocurrency and blockchain are hallmark examples of fintech in action.
Cryptocurrency exchanges like Coinbase and Gemini connect users to buying or selling cryptocurrencies like bitcoin or litecoin.
But in addition to crypto, blockchain services like BlockVerify help reduce fraud by keeping provenance data on the blockchain. And while cryptocurrency and even blockchain may be somewhat controversial uses of fintech, they have certainly taken parts of the investment world by storm in recent years.
3. Mobile Payments
It seems as though everyone with a smartphone uses some form of mobile payments. In fact, according to Statista data, the global mobile payment market is on track to surpass $1 trillion in 2026.
Using increasingly sophisticated technology, services have emerged that allow consumers to exchange money and payments online or on mobile devices – including popular payment app Venmo. https://f8193d9a5ef4747105494998da0d0f24.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.html
Apple (AAPL) – Get Report and Alibaba (BABA) – Get Report got in on the mobile payment business with Apple Pay or Alipay.
4. Insurance
Fintech has even disrupted the insurance industry. In fact, insurtech (as it’s been so-called) has come to include everything from car insurance to home insurance and data protection.
Additionally, insurtech startups are increasingly attracting funding, with insurance startup Oscar Health securing some $165 million in funding in March of last year – at a $3.2 billion valuation, according to CNBC.
TST Recommends
TheStreet’s Jim Cramer takes a look at banks, interest rates and the kind of stocks to buy during a selloff.
- BY ROB LENIHAN
Don’t let a selloff scare you out of the market, says Jim Cramer. Falling prices are great buying opportunities in the right stocks.
- BY SCOTT RUTT
Stocks look set to start the holiday-shortened week on the back foot, with surging oil prices and a fresh crackdown on tech stocks in China rattling bulls.
- BY MARTIN BACCARDAX
Additionally, popular personal finance company Credit Karma was valued at $4 billion, according to Forbes in 2026.
5. Robo-Advising and Stock-Trading Apps
Robo-advising has disrupted the asset management sector by providing algorithm-based asset recommendations and portfolio management that have increased efficiency and lowered costs.
Since the rise of more advanced technology that can analyze various portfolio options 24/7, financial institutions have adapted to offer online robo-advising services – including the likes of Charles Schwab (SCHW) – Get Report and Vanguard.
Additionally, other popular robo-advising services include Betterment and Ellevest.
Perhaps one of the more popular and big innovations in the fintech space has been the development of stock-trading apps. When once investors had to go directly to a stock exchange like the NYSE or Nasdaq, now, investors can buy and sell stocks at the tap of a finger on their mobile device.
And with inexpensive and low-minimum apps like Robinhood or Acorns, investing from anywhere with any budget has never been easier.
6. Budgeting Apps
One of the most common uses of fintech in 2026 is budgeting apps for consumers, which have grown exponentially in popularity over the years.
Before, consumers had to create their own budgets, gather checks, or navigate excel spreadsheets to keep track of their finances. But after the fintech revolution prompted the development of financial services apps, consumers can easily and efficiently keep track of their income, expenses and other budgeting tools that have revolutionized the way consumers think about their money.
Budgeting apps like Intuit’s (INTU) – Get Report Mint help consumers track their income, monthly payments, expenditures and more – all on their mobile device. https://f8193d9a5ef4747105494998da0d0f24.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.html
Fintech Stocks
There are plenty of exciting fintech stocks – whether new to the market or tried and true staples.
PayPal has long been a favorite on the market, even despite recent weak forecasts for 2026. In fact, PayPal racked up some 267 million users worldwide as of the end of 2018 – adding some 31% more accounts for the year.
But apart from the mobile cash app, there are several other fintech stocks catching analysts’ eyes.
Visa (v) – Get Report is considered in the fintech space now, and analysts seem bullish on the stock’s potential given the company’s increasing shift toward plastic and technological advances.
And, of course, Chinese behemoth Alibaba is consistently a big fintech stock to know – and potentially own. “Alibaba is years ahead of any competitor in driving digital commerce forward,” said MKM Partners analyst Rob Sanderson last year.
Additionally, Zelle – the person-to-person (P2P) app developed in response to cash apps like Venmo – signals the banking industry’s retaliation to fintech startups. The Zelle platform is backed by a variety of banks, including heavy-hitters like Bank of America (MER-K) – Get Report , BB&T (BBT) – Get Report , Capital One (COF) – Get Report , JPMorgan Chase (JPM) – Get Report , PNC Bank (PNC) – Get Report , U.S. Bank (UBS) – Get Report , and Wells Fargo (WFC) – Get Report . https://f8193d9a5ef4747105494998da0d0f24.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.html
Who Uses Fintech?
While many of us may have a budget app or two on our phone, who are the other users of fintech? And how is fintech being used in different ways?
B2B (Business to Business)
Before fintech was developed, businesses would go to banks to obtain loans and financing. But with the advent of fintech, businesses can easily get loans, financing, and other financial services through mobile technology.
Additionally, cloud-based platforms and even customer-relationship management services like Salesforce (CRM) – Get Report provides B2B services that allow companies to interact with financial data to help improve their services.
B2C (Business to Client)
Of course, fintech has many businesses to clients, or B2C, applications. Cash apps like PayPal, Venmo and Apple Pay all allow clients or customers to transfer money via the internet or mobile technology, and budgeting apps like Mint allow customers to manage their finances and expenses.
Much of the banking industry’s first forays into fintech were focused on B2C applications like lending and payment services.
Fintech News
What’s happening in the fintech space?
Well, for starters, one of the biggest M&A deals so far in the year happens to be in fintech. TheStreet reported in January that mega financial technology companies First Data (FDC) – Get Report and Fiserv (FISV) – Get Report will be merging into a combined $22 billion payments company.
But apart from fintech mergers, according to TechCrunch, there are now over 20 fintech “unicorns” – startups worth over $1 billion. These unicorns are led by fintech companies like Stripe and are projected to continue growing – financing rounds propelled several more companies into the unicorn space. And, according to a TechCrunch analysis, there are some 40 more fintech companies on the verge of reaching unicorn status, who’ve all raised some $100 million in equity funding in 2018 – including companies like Stash, Betterment, Wealthfront, and Lemonade.