India has officially joined the ranks of top global fintech markets, standing tall alongside the US, UK, and Singapore.
A new study by the World Economic Forum (WEF) confirms India’s strong presence in the ongoing global fintech rise story.
Released at the Annual Meeting of New Champions in Tianjin, China, the report showcases fintech’s shift to sustainable global growth.
According to the WEF report, titled “The Future of Global Fintech: From Rapid Expansion to Sustainable Growth”, India is now central to fintech’s evolution.
India Joins the Global Fintech Power League
The study highlights India, the US, UK, Singapore, Brazil, and Indonesia as major fintech hubs with over ten headquartered companies each.
This places India firmly in the global fintech core, reflecting its vibrant ecosystem, robust infrastructure, and supportive digital policies.
While many global fintechs are expanding across borders, APAC fintechs like India’s tend to grow more locally, the study observes.
Even so, when Indian firms expand, they focus primarily on neighboring Asian markets, reinforcing regional growth trends over global expansion.
Fintech Growth Remains Strong and Sustainable
Despite post-pandemic slowdowns, fintech continues to show stable, sustainable growth, with clear signals of long-term resilience and inclusion.
The WEF surveyed 240 fintech firms globally, revealing customer growth stabilizing at 37%, down from 55% in the earlier edition.
However, financial performance remains healthy, with revenue growing at 40% and profit increasing by 39%, even amid tougher macro conditions.
This performance underscores fintech’s ability to thrive during global moderation, adapting quickly while maintaining positive momentum.
Reaching the Underserved and Driving Inclusion
Importantly, fintech remains deeply committed to financial inclusion, especially across emerging markets and developing economies (EMDEs).
The study reports that MSMEs, low-income individuals, and women make up 57%, 47%, and 41% of customer bases, respectively.
These groups are not only being reached—but are now contributing meaningfully to the sector’s profitability and long-term mission.
According to Drew Propson, WEF’s Head of Tech & Innovation, fintech’s model embeds accessibility and equity into financial systems by design.
Macro Challenges Ease, Confidence Grows
Encouragingly, perceived barriers to growth have eased significantly since last year, reflecting a more optimistic sector outlook.
Only 18% of respondents see macroeconomic factors as major obstacles, down sharply from 56% in the previous edition.
Concerns about the funding environment also dropped, with only 12% naming it a challenge, compared to 40% last year.
Despite this progress, the study insists more work is needed to unlock capital access and improve regulatory efficiency worldwide.
Regulatory Readiness and Collaboration with Incumbents
Most fintechs describe their regulatory environments as “adequate” (62%) or having “strong clarity” (35%), signaling gradual global regulatory maturity.
However, firms still seek faster, more efficient licensing and coordination processes to reduce administrative friction and enable innovation.
Interestingly, 84% of fintechs now partner with traditional institutions, primarily through API integrations, embedding deeper into mainstream finance.
This growing collaboration further fuels the global fintech rise, blending legacy systems with digital-first tools for expanded market impact.
India’s Role in the Global Fintech Rise
India’s ascent in the global fintech rise shows how emerging economies can lead innovation, scale, and inclusion, even amid global shifts.
While the fintech sector slows slightly in pace, its direction remains progressive, inclusive, and resilient, with India at the helm.
As the world embraces more digital-first financial services, India’s model of local strength and sustainable innovation is gaining global relevance.