Top Fintech Trends to Watch in 2022

NEW YORK, January 24, 2022 (Newswire.com) - Few industries have been as exciting and disruptive in recent years as the burgeoning fintech space. Between the evolution of digital payment methods and checkout options, and increased access to alternative investment opportunities for more than just qualified purchasers facilitated by platforms like Yieldstreet, innovations in fintech continue to have an undeniably transformative effect on how we regard and interact with our personal finances. For those wondering where fintech is headed next, here are four trends to keep track of in 2022:

Embedded Finance 

Perhaps the biggest trend of the past year has been the emergence and considerable success of Buy-Now-Pay-Later (BNPL), an embedded finance solution that allows consumers to take advantage of incremental payment plans without ever leaving the checkout page of their favorite online merchant. Beyond BNPL, embedded finance is a way for businesses to offer financial services to consumers without the need to involve traditional banks. In 2022, embedded offerings will likely evolve further alongside the banking-as-a-service industry (BaaS), as more and more businesses look to make their products more enticing through the inclusion of supplemental services such as easy access to credit or insurance plans. 

Digital Banking

Mobile banking was huge in 2021, with millennial and gen-z adoption growing upwards of 90% as early as May, according to Forbes. As consumers lean into their newfound preference for contactless payments, growth and innovation in the digital banking realm won't be slowing down anytime soon. In 2022, we will likely see a number of banks and financial institutions shift their focus away from in-branch customer service initiatives in favor of broadening their digital presence in a variety of ways, whether it's making their mobile banking applications more efficient, or making face-to-face interactions more safe and convenient through the introduction of virtual bank branches.

Blockchain

Bitcoin and non-fungible tokens (NFTs) might have stolen the media spotlight in 2021, but equally newsworthy is a heightened institutional interest in underlying blockchain technologies. According to a report released by ResearchAndMarkets.com, the market for blockchain tech is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 68.4% to total $67.4 billion by 2026. While investments in blockchain will no doubt empower cryptocurrency exchanges going into 2022, they will also lay the groundwork for further advancements in data security, cross-border payment efficiency, and the continued development and utilization of automated smart contracts across industries. 

Alternative Investing

As consumers look to improve their financial well-being in 2022, many will take advantage of the increasing accessibility of alternative investment opportunities. This might mean trying their hand outside the stock market with real estate, or building a fully diversified portfolio with a single investment through Yieldstreet's Prism Fund. In any case, consumers have more options than ever before when it comes to generating passive income, and as the fintech space evolves, traditional savings and retirement accounts could very well be outpaced by more alternative investment strategies.

Source: Yieldstreet