Back in Fintech: My Take on What’s Next in 2025
It’s been a while—two years, to be exact—since I took a break from fintech. After exiting my previous companies, OmniWire, Optherium, and OmniBek—which focused on white-label digital banking, card issuing, and core banking solutions—I had to step back due to a non-compete agreement. Now that I’m back, I’ve taken time to analyze the industry, catching up on trends, challenges, and what’s coming next.
With over 7 years in fintech and 10+
in tech, I’ve seen how fast this space evolves. Some innovations take off, while others fade into the noise. So, let’s talk about what’s actually happening in fintech in 2025 and what I believe will define the industry moving forward.
1. AI is Eating Finance
AI in fintech isn’t new, but we’re reaching a point where it’s fundamentally changing how financial services operate. We’re not just talking about chatbots and fraud detection anymore. AI is now shaping hyper-personalized banking, real-time credit decisions, and even AI-driven investment strategies. The next leap? Fully autonomous financial advisors that don’t just suggest but execute decisions based on real-time data.
2. The Rise of Embedded Finance
Financial services are no longer limited to banks. Companies across industries—e-commerce, healthcare, logistics—are integrating financial products directly into their platforms. Think about Uber offering banking to drivers or Shopify providing business loans. In 2025, embedded finance isn’t just an add-on—it’s becoming the backbone of commerce.
3. Neobanks 2.0: The Pivot to Profitability
We’ve seen a flood of neobanks emerge over the last decade, but many have struggled with profitability. In 2025, the model is shifting. Neobanks are moving away from “growth at all costs” and focusing on sustainable revenue streams—offering embedded financial products, SME banking, and even wealth management services.
4. Crypto’s Evolution: Less Hype, More Utility
The crypto space has matured. The days of wild speculation aren’t over, but we’re seeing more focus on practical applications—like stablecoins for global payments, tokenized assets, and blockchain-based identity solutions. Traditional banks are quietly integrating crypto, not just for trading, but for settlement and cross-border transactions.
5. Open Banking Becomes Open Everything
Regulations like PSD2 pushed open banking forward, but 2025 is the year of “open finance.” Beyond banking, we’re seeing open insurance, open wealth management, and even open payroll—where consumers and businesses have full control over their financial data, seamlessly integrated across platforms.
6. Cybersecurity & Fraud Prevention: The Next Arms Race
As fintech grows, so do cyber threats. Fraud detection is no longer reactive—it’s AI-driven, predictive, and automated. Companies that fail to invest in next-gen security solutions (biometric authentication, AI-powered anomaly detection, decentralized identity verification) will struggle to keep up.
7. Fintech Startups: The Next Wave
The U.S. fintech scene is booming again, with over 13,100 startups pushing the boundaries. Some of the hottest areas include:
What’s Next?
Fintech in 2025 isn’t just about cool tech—it’s about execution. The winners will be the companies that balance innovation with real-world usability, regulation, and security.
For me, stepping back into the industry means leveraging my experience in building scalable financial platforms and adapting to the latest trends. If you’re working on something in fintech—let’s connect. I’m always up for discussing ideas, partnerships, and what’s next in finance.
What trends are you watching in 2025? Drop your thoughts in the comments.