Number of fintechs worldwide 2018-2025, by region
As of January 2025, the Americas (North America, South America, Central America, and the Caribbean) were the region with the largest number of fintechs globally. There were close to 14,100 fintechs in the Americas, almost 700 more than a year before that. In comparison, there were 11,789 fintechs in the EMEA region (Europe, the Middle East, and Africa) and 6,351 in the Asia Pacific region. In 2024, the United States ranked first in terms of the number of fintech unicorns globally, having roughly five times more of these companies than the United Kingdom, which ranked second.
Fintech investment landscape
Investment into the fintech sector grew sharply between 2010 and 2021, with global investment value reaching an all-time high in 2021. After 2021, however, investment activity slowed down considerably. While the early slowdown may have been influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic, the continued moderation in investment likely signals that the fintech sector is entering a more mature phase. This maturation is characterized by market consolidation, increased focus on profitability over growth, and more selective investment in proven business models rather than speculative ventures.
Leading fintech companies
Services provided by fintech companies have become deeply integrated into daily life, transforming how people manage money, make payments, and access financial services. While fintech companies operate globally, the United States and China have emerged as dominant hubs, together hosting eight of the world's ten largest fintech companies in 2024. However, innovation in the sector extends beyond these markets, as demonstrated by Stripe, an Irish payment processing platform that claimed the position of most valuable fintech unicorn in 2024.