The Future of Fintech: How Emerging Technologies Are Shaping Our Financial Lives

Why It Matters

The findings and discussion spotlight how fast‑moving fintech products are altering consumer finance and exposing regulatory gaps that could amplify household risk and inequality, informing policymakers, industry and consumer‑protection efforts. Timely, representative data help shape responses to both opportunities for broader access and the emerging harms of speculative financial tools.

Summary

The Urban Institute convened panels and released a new nationally representative survey examining how emerging fintech—crypto, BNPL, sports betting, AI-driven advice and alternative underwriting—is reshaping consumer spending, saving, borrowing and investing. Researchers fielded a roughly 5‑minute survey to about 6,000 UAS panelists with 3,000+ responses to probe who uses these tools, why, and how usage relates to traditional wealth‑building and financial sentiment. Presenters emphasized both promise (faster, cheaper cross‑border payments, broader access to credit and advice) and risks (rising speculative behaviors, BNPL debt buildup, regulatory lag and demographic patterns like “bro economy” and financial nihilism). The event paired this research with panels on fintech trends and innovations, followed by Q&A and networking, supported by major bank and foundation funders.

Original Description

Emerging financial technologies are rapidly reshaping how people save, borrow, invest, and build wealth—often faster than consumer protections and public understanding can keep pace. With economic anxiety rising, new and potentially risky financial instruments—such as AI-powered tools, cryptocurrency, prediction markets, and buy now, pay later services—have become increasingly mainstream. To inform urgent questions about how to balance financial innovation with consumer safety, Urban researchers will share new insights from original consumer research about how and why people are using emerging technologies. Industry experts will discuss key trends shaping the future of financial services, and leading innovators will share how they are offering financial tools that responsibly expand financial inclusion for traditionally overlooked populations.