Pre-analysis commitment for a study of deposit rate sensitivity across U.S. bank size classes over the 2021 to 2024 tightening cycle, using FDIC Call Report data. The plan fixes the estimator, sample, comparison groups, controls, reported statistics, robustness variants, and the threshold for what counts as a finding. The file was written on August 25, 2026, before any data was retrieved. It was deposited here on August 27, 2026, after estimation had been carried out. This deposit therefore establishes the content and the deposit date. It does not independently verify that the file predates the estimation, and no claim to that effect is made. Departures from the plan are recorded in a deviation log accompanying the analysis. The work is funded by the Blockchain Association. The author retains the right to publish the findings regardless of what they show.
Increasing environmental harm, social inequalities and economic insecurity have rendered the youth involvement in impact investment essential to sustainable development. The chapter reviews the motivators of youth-led impact investment, a financial investment approach that incorporates financial returns with quantifiable social and environmental good. It sheds light on the impact of Environmental, Social and Governance values among Millennials and Generation Z whose investment priorities are based on ethics, accountability and long-term welfare of the society. Decentralized finance and digital micro-investment platforms have opened up capital markets to more people regardless of income or location. Gen Z is transforming the creation of wealth by creating transparent, inclusive and purposeful financial systems. Nevertheless, the challenge of insufficient financial literacy, access to capital and institutional backing continues to exist, especially in the Global South. The chapter supports the idea of inclusive financial systems to make the youth more empowered and promote intergenerational justice and sustainability.
ABSTRACT This study critically examines how financial technology (fintech) may facilitate digital and financial inclusion for ethnic minority and Indigenous women engaged in environmentally oriented livelihood and enterprise practices within historically marginalized communities. The study adopts a context‐sensitive and intersectional perspective, recognizing that digital inclusion and entrepreneurship are culturally embedded rather than universally transferable models of development. Using a conceptual review approach guided by the PRISMA framework, 43 studies published between 2019 and 2025 were systematically analyzed to explore how fintech tools such as mobile money, crowdfunding, peer‐to‐peer lending, and blockchain‐enabled systems interact with local socio‐economic realities, community trust structures, and production systems that demonstrate environmental or sustainability‐related objectives in particular local settings. The findings suggest that fintech can support expanded economic participation and market access and facilitate environmentally oriented enterprise development where such an orientation is locally demonstrated, provided that digital financial systems are adapted to local cultural contexts, institutional conditions, and community‐based practices. Meaningful inclusion depends on culturally grounded forms of digital engagement, participatory governance, and the interpretive translation of entrepreneurial and financial systems. The study contributes to sustainable development scholarship by integrating perspectives from inclusive development, intersectionality, digital inclusion, and decolonial approaches to entrepreneurship and finance. Policy implications emphasize the need for gender‐responsive, culturally situated, and community‐embedded fintech ecosystems. The review further emphasizes that successful fintech interventions require not only technological accessibility but also broader processes of “worldview translation” through which digital financial systems become socially intelligible and culturally legitimate within local community contexts.
This paper explores the deployment of a blockchain supported land-registry system in rural Bihar. In light of transparency, fraud mitigation, governance efficiency and digital inclusion, this paper refutes the common assumption that immutability of data results in accurate title. This study employs validated secondary data, from the years 2020-2025, such as the Bihar National Family Health Survey 2019-2021, various official sources of the Digital India Land Records Modernization Programme, Bihar land-service portals, and peer-reviewed literature on the intersection of blockchain and land governance. According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS)-5, approximately 84 percent of surveyed households in Bihar were classified as rural, and a majority of the respondents, 79.4 percent of women and 56.4 percent of men, had never used the Internet. The widening of the access gap was examined in the context of the mobile phone ownership and usage, the financial inclusion of women, as well as the self-reported ownership of a house or land. The evidence-weighted readiness assessment determined that the level of digitization was relatively better, but the level of coordination of institutions, governance of cybersecurity, design of correction mechanisms, and design of user participation mechanisms were relatively poor. This paper proposes a permissioned industry consortium ledger, where sensitive data and documents remain off-chain, and the only data recorded on-chain are the hashes, identifiers, approvals, timestamps and version references of the land parcels. Smart contracts are used to manage the workflows from registration to mutation, but are not used to resolve the issues of contested titles, inheritance, or boundaries. This paper proposes an assisted-access model with a phased implementation approach, a multilingual interface, an appeal mechanism, and gender-disaggregated analysis and evaluation. Rather than fabricating field surveys and administrative performance data, this paper presents a complete primary data collection framework with a detailed statistical analysis plan for empirical assessment.
Feeroj Nasirkhan Pathan, Amarsingh Udhavrao Solanke, Mr. Wasim Taher Khan, Dr. Mangesh Manohar Dasare
The vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 seeks to transform India into a developed, inclusive, and globally competitive nation by the centenary of its independence. Achieving this vision requires a digitally enabled financial system that promotes innovation, expands financial inclusion, and supports sustainable economic growth. In this background, Financial Technology (FinTech) has emerged as a key driver of India's digital transformation. India's FinTech ecosystem has grown quickly with the support of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), including Aadhaar, Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY), Unified Payments Interface (UPI), DigiLocker, India Stack and e-KYC. These initiatives have expanded access to financial services, accelerated digital payments, enhanced access to formal credit, strengthened public service delivery, and encouraged wider participation in the Indian economy. Emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, cloud computing, big data analytics, and application programming interfaces (APIs) have additionally enhanced the efficiency and accessibility of financial services. This chapter examines the role of FinTech in advancing the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 by promoting financial inclusion, strengthening Digital Public Infrastructure, supporting entrepreneurship, improving governance, and fostering sustainable economic development. It also examines key challenges, that influence the long-term growth of the sector. It concludes that FinTech is more than a technological innovation; it is a strategic move of India's economic transformation.
Purpose Rapid technological advancement has accelerated the integration of financial technology (FinTech) into traditional banking systems. Banks have adopted digital payments, artificial intelligence, blockchain solutions and open banking frameworks, thereby increasing competition and prompting regulatory adaptation. This study conducts a theory guided systematic literature review and bibliometric analysis of FinTech banking research (2019–2024) to map the intellectual structure, thematic evolution and research gaps. Design/methodology/approach The review analyses 224 peer reviewed journal articles indexed in the Web of Science Core Collection. Using BibExcel and VOSviewer, the study employs co-citation analysis, keyword co-occurrence mapping, clustering techniques and temporal overlay analysis. The review protocol follows explicit search strings, inclusion criteria and screening procedures to enhance transparency and replicability. Findings Six major thematic domains emerge: competition and risk-taking dynamics, financial inclusion and regulatory boundaries, institutional technology integration, performance and efficiency outcomes, innovation and regulatory economics and digital transformation and adoption behaviour. Temporal analysis reveals a progression from adoption focused inquiry toward governance, competition and systemic stability debates. Despite increasing empirical sophistication, the field remains fragmented across behavioural, institutional and macroprudential levels. Originality/value This study embeds bibliometric mapping within a multi-level theoretical framework integrating diffusion, disruptive innovation and ecosystem perspectives. The research provides a critical synthesis of the evolving FinTech banking literature. The findings identify key research gaps, reveal emerging thematic patterns in FinTech banking research and outline directions for future research while offering implications for banking practitioners and regulators.
In the rapidly evolving landscape of financial technology (FinTech), the intersection of digital innovation capabilities (DICs) and Islamic social finance presents a fertile ground for enhancing sustainability in financial practices. This study employs a qualitative approach, specifically content analysis of existing literature sourced from journal databases. This theoretical review explores how DICs encompassing digitalization and digital transformation can influence the sustainability of Islamic social finance initiatives. Islamic social finance, rooted in principles of social justice and equitable distribution, aims to address socio-economic challenges while adhering to Shariah compliance. By synthesizing current literature and theoretical frameworks, this review elucidates the potential strategies in optimizing Islamic social finance mechanisms, improving transparency, efficiency, and reach. The analysis highlights key digital innovations, such as blockchain, artificial intelligence (AI), and cloud computing (CC). The review also proposes a conceptual model for integrating DICs with Islamic social finance to foster greater sustainability. This theoretical examination offers insights into how digital advancements can support the long-term goals of Islamic social finance, contributing to both economic development and social welfare.
Financial Technology (FinTech) is reshaping the worldwide financial industry by introducing innovations like digital transactions, artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, mobile banking, data analysis, and integrated finance. These advancements are improving the effectiveness, openness, and availability of financial services, fostering financial inclusion, and decreasing reliance on traditional banking systems. This research investigates how FinTech plays a crucial role in stimulating innovation, inclusivity, and digital change in the financial landscape. It also delves into the opportunities arising from digital financial services and the obstacles related to cybersecurity, data protection, adhering to regulations, and ethical considerations. The research is grounded in an examination of recent literature, industry studies, and policy papers to grasp present trends and future advancements in FinTech. The results indicate that FinTech has emerged as a vital facilitator of sustainable financial expansion and economic progress. The research offers valuable perspectives for scholars, decision-makers, financial organizations, and industry professionals to comprehend the direction of digital finance.
G. Suresh, S. Manimegalai, M. Amsaveni, R. Shankar · 5 authors
Embedded finance blended with decentralized finance (DeFi) and generative AI (GenAI) is reinventing financial services, but the impact of this phenomenon on consumer trust and emotional resiliency is poorly studied. This research has generated and tested the FINTRUST 2.0 framework based on a cross-sectional survey of 384 adults (18-45 years) in major Indian cities where Fintech is already used. The analysis of data was done through EFA, CFA and SEM. It has been found that consumer trust is multidimensional based on security, transparency, autonomy, reliability, ethics, and empowerment and serves as an effective intervening variable between the adoption of Fintech and emotional resilience. The impact was probably the strongest in the case of GenAI, then embedded finance, then DeFi. The results elevate the state of Fintech psychology and provide coverage of a policy and design implications of trust-based, emotionally sustainable digital finance systems.
The rapid evolution of financial technology has transformed the global financial landscape, creating opportunities for innovation, inclusion, and efficiency while introducing systemic risks, regulatory uncertainties, and challenges to financial stability. This study presents a bibliometric review of global research trends at the intersection of financial technology and financial stability from 2000 to 2025, mapping the intellectual structure, identifying emerging themes, and highlighting influential contributions. Using Scopus data, the analysis examines 339 peer-reviewed documents across 242 sources. Bibliometric techniques were applied through VOSviewer, Bibliometrix (R), and Biblioshiny to evaluate publication trends, influential authors, thematic clusters, co-authorship networks, and keyword co-occurrences. The results show an average annual growth rate of 21.46 percent, with a marked increase in publications after 2017 coinciding with the mainstream adoption of digital finance and heightened policy focus on financial resilience. Findings indicate that financial technology promotes financial inclusion, banking efficiency, and economic empowerment, yet also introduces cybersecurity threats, regulatory gaps, and systemic vulnerabilities, particularly in emerging markets. Dominant themes include blockchain, digital payments, financial literacy, and central bank digital currencies, with decentralized finance and artificial intelligence emerging as fast-growing areas of scholarly interest. Geographically, China leads in publication volume, while the United Kingdom and the United States dominate in scholarly influence. This review provides a strategic roadmap for researchers and policymakers to navigate the evolving financial technology landscape and emphasizes the need for future research to integrate ethical governance, artificial intelligence risk management, and inclusive financial innovation frameworks.
This research investigates the use of financial technology (FinTech), decentralized financing (DeFi), and digital marketing (DM) to improve financial inclusion in India. It fills crucial research gaps by investigating the impact of behavioral intent, trust, usability, and social influence on mobile banking and DeFi uptake, as well as the role of DM in advancing these initiatives. A thorough literature analysis was undertaken, including databases such as Emerald Insight, ScienceDirect, and JSTOR, to identify gaps and analyze trends in FinTech and DM. DeFi’s blockchain-based strategy eliminates traditional intermediaries, increasing transparency, cost efficiency, and accessibility. DM is critical in fostering financial literacy and adoption by providing customized, culturally appropriate material. Adoption is influenced by key characteristics such as behavioral intent, trust, and usefulness. Partnerships between FinTech, DeFi platforms, and conventional banks are critical to increasing inclusiveness while resolving regulatory and ethical concerns. The research underlines the need of rules that encourage innovation while protecting consumers. 188 Financial institutions are urged to employ FinTech, DeFi, and DM to provide user-friendly, inclusive products, and increase their reach. Researchers should conduct qualitative and longitudinal research to capture cultural and societal influences while addressing regulatory and ethical issues in DeFi. This study offers practical insights into how FinTech, DeFi, and DM may increase financial inclusion, empower underprivileged populations, and promote economic growth and support economy.
Abstract: People who have digital accounts for banking, trading, and financial investment opportunities. The growing adoption of fintech apps has changed the way investors behave, especially tech-savvy users like IT professionals in Bengaluru. This review paper seeks to reconnect the dots between ABFS and investor behaviour by reviewing large sample of literature spanning the years 2002–2026. This research adopts the key theoretical frameworks: Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT), Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB), behavioural finance theory and trust theory. The research method adopted was systematic literature review that was carried out by employing Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and peer-reviewed journals. According to the results, the main factors that explain the financial behaviour of adoption and investment are: financial awareness, the digital financial literacy, ease of use, Accessibility, Trust and Security, and Risk perception. The review also highlights some key gaps in the existing research, such as a lack of qualitative research, the absence of longitudinal studies, a narrow provision of emerging market studies, and poor focus on decentralized finance and AI-based investment applications. The paper proposes a conceptual and Structural Equation Model (SEM)-based framework explaining the relationship between technological, behavioural, and psychological factors influencing investor behaviour. Its finding will be valuable for the scientific community as it lays the basis for an integrated framework in understanding the adoption of fintech in emerging economies, and will also be helpful for policy makers, fintech developers and researchers Keywords: Application-based financial services, fintech adoption, investor behaviour, financial literacy, SEM model, trust and security, risk perception, digital investment platforms, TAM, TPB & UTAUT. Title: APPLICATION-BASED FINANCIAL SERVICES AND INVESTOR BEHAVIOUR IN INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT PRACTICES: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF THEORETICAL INSIGHTS, TRENDS, AND FUTURE DIRECTIONS Author: Parimala.S, Dr. Annadurai International Journal of Management and Commerce Innovations ISSN 2348-7585 (Online) Vol. 14, Issue 1, April 2026 - September 2026 Page No: 502-513 Research Publish Journals Website: www.researchpublish.com Published Date: 04-June-2026 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20542559 Paper Download Link (Source) https://www.researchpublish.com/papers/application-based-financial-services-and-investor-behaviour-in-investment-management-practices-a-systematic-review-of-theoretical-insights-trends-and-future-directions
Financial technology (FinTech) has emerged as a key driver of financial inclusion, transforming access to payments, credit, savings, and insurance for households, small businesses, and underserved populations worldwide. This study synthesizes a decade of Scopus-indexed bibliometric and systematic-review research on FinTech and financial inclusion published between 2015 and 2025. Rather than conducting a new bibliometric extraction, it provides a comparative synthesis of major peer-reviewed review studies, consolidating evidence on publication trends, intellectual structure, geographic distribution, and emerging research themes. The findings reveal rapid growth in scholarly output since 2016, led by China, India, the United States, and the United Kingdom. Dominant themes include digital payments, mobile money, regulatory technology, artificial intelligence, decentralized finance, financial literacy, SME finance, and sustainability-oriented digital finance. The review identifies persistent gaps in low-income regions and limited integration of AI and ESG perspectives. It offers a consolidated evidence base and proposes directions for future research, policy formulation, and practice.
Abstract: This paper will compare and contrast heights of financial inclusion strategies adopted by Islamic Financial Institutions (IFIs) in Malaysia and Indonesia and specifically discuss Islamic social finance instruments, digital finance and community-based models. By using thematic analysis applied to a variety of policy documents, as well as institutional and implementation strategies, a qualitative comparative approach that is based on secondary data, the study analyzes policy documents and institutional and implementation strategies. The findings indicate that Malaysia follows a policy-based, centralized, and robust regulatory coordination, digital enablement, and integration of Value-Based Intermediation (VBI) and Islamic social finance tools. By contrast, Indonesia uses a decentralized and community-based model, which is powered by Islamic microfinance institutions, including Baitul Maal wat Tamwil (BMTs) with strong grassroots penetration but with issues in terms of standardization of governance and digital readiness. This research study is of value because it presents an integrative analytical model that connects the governance systems, digital integration, and Islamic social finance in determining the financial inclusion outcomes. It sheds light on significant trade-offs between efficiency and inclusiveness, centralization and flexibility, and provides policy relevant insights towards improving inclusive Islamic finance ecosystems.
The profile of blockchain-based technologies such as collectable non-fungible tokens (NFTs) has ascended rapidly in recent years. This ascent is evident by major sponsorships of sporting teams, leagues and stadiums, licencing deals, NFT ‘drops’, and advertising campaigns. This article explains and analyses these complex and fast-changing developments using a political economy of communication approach that is linked to the field of leisure studies. It draws on the trade press as a key source of evidence, thereby revealing the ‘storylines’ used by industry to construct and legitimate NFTs as a consumer product. We argue that this process relies on legitimating practices and discourses that function to transmogrify the unfamiliar – blockchain technologies and NFTs in this case – into the familiar, despite the many problems associated with them, including company failures, suspect advertising practices, and intellectual property infringement. This is achieved by the presentation of NFTs as collectable fan tokens, linking them discursively to a long history of sport collectables as a hobby and form of leisure (e.g. physical trading cards, athlete autographs and memorabilia). The overall outcome is a deeply problematic vision of leisure for collectors as their practices are subject to ever-expanding financialisation, digital enclosure and uncertain value.
The growth of crypto-asset markets and the rise of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) investing reflect two significant transformations at the intersection of technology and finance. While crypto markets are driven by decentralized digital innovation, ESG investment is shaped by societal demands for sustainable capital allocation. This study examines how participation in a high-risk technology-driven market, such as crypto-assets, is associated with sustainability-oriented investment preferences through the development of both financial and digital finance skills. Using survey data collected in February 2024 in Thailand, a country characterized by strong policy support for ESG investment products and rapid crypto adoption, we employed partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) to test a sequential mediation model. The results reveal that crypto-asset ownership is positively associated with financial literacy, which in turn enhances digital financial literacy, leading to stronger ESG investment preferences. The study's findings highlight how technology-enabled financial engagement can foster the skills required for responsible investing, suggesting that digital finance participation and sustainable investment promotion are interconnected pathways rather than separate domains. Policy implications include integrating digital capacity-building into ESG promotion and leveraging technologically engaged investors as a channel for advancing sustainability goals in capital markets.
Abstract The relationship between Fintech and Financial inclusion has emerged dramatically in the last five years as this study presents detailed bibliometric research on the interactions between Fintech and financial inclusion. The major goal of this study was to map the intellectual trends, influential work, and current research topics in this fast-developing field. Based on the data obtained from the Scopus database (2020–2025) and processed using VOSviewer, this study elaborates on descriptive, keyword co-occurrence, and bibliographic coupling analyses. The most important findings are that there has been immense growth in Fintech-FI research since 2020, and the research is mainly concentrated in China, India, and the USA, where most research and articles have been published. This study identified nine thematic clusters such as decentralized finance and AI in banking and the significance of financial literacy. The fast increase in publication but a gap appears between the number of publications and the number of publications that are impacted, which means that there is still a necessity to make some significant, long-lasting contributions. It would be curious to explore the use of behavioral finance, regional comparisons of the regulatory environment, EFT application in empowering SMEs and embracing ESG, and the significance of ethics in the context of digital finance in improving fair and sound financial systems in the world in future.
This case study examines the transformative impact of Decentralized Finance (DeFi) on India’s traditional banking sector through a multi-stakeholder perspective. Drawing on both quantitative performance indicators and qualitative stakeholder insights, the study explores how DeFi influences operational efficiency, financial inclusion, and regulatory compliance. The findings indicate that while DeFi enhances transaction efficiency and expands access to credit, its integration into India’s financial ecosystem is constrained by regulatory ambiguity, cybersecurity concerns, and infrastructural disparities. The case highlights the need for a hybrid financial architecture supported by collaborative governance and adaptive regulatory frameworks.
This study examines the factors contributing to cryptocurrency adoption in South Africa. This study utilized an exploratory research design that applied a qualitative technique. 10 key informants were selected using purposive sampling from organizations involved in the bitcoin industry in South Africa. The study demonstrates that the adoption of cryptocurrencies in the country is influenced by factors such as financial inclusion and access, innovation and entrepreneurship, economic diversification and regulatory frameworks, and teamwork. The challenges and hurdles encompass legislative ambiguity, cybersecurity risks, investor safeguarding, financial education and awareness, infrastructure limitations, and accessibility issues. The findings indicate that adopting cryptocurrencies can enhance financial inclusion, stimulate innovation and entrepreneurship, and tackle systemic problems in the financial industry. Nevertheless, the effective implementation and assimilation of cryptocurrencies in South Africa will necessitate a collaborative endeavour among all parties involved. Robust regulatory frameworks, comprehensive educational programmes, and cooperative endeavours are essential for maximizing the advantages of cryptocurrencies while minimizing the accompanying hazards.
This paper examines cryptocurrency adoption among unbanked, underbanked, and fully banked households in the United States, using data from the 2023 FDIC National Survey of Unbanked and Underbanked Households; the first wave of the survey to include household-level information on cryptocurrency usage. We estimate a Probit model, supplemented by Logit and Linear Probability Model (LPM) specifications as robustness checks, to assess whether underbanked and unbanked households are more likely to adopt cryptocurrency than fully banked households, controlling for a range of demographic and socioeconomic factors. The results consistently show a statistically significant and positive association between underbanked status and the likelihood of cryptocurrency use across all model specifications. Specifically, underbanked households are 1.9 to 2.1 percentage points more likely to use cryptocurrency than their fully banked counterparts, suggesting that cryptocurrency functions as an alternative financial tool for the partially excluded. In contrast, unbanked households either show no statistically significant difference or exhibit a small negative association with cryptocurrency adoption, indicating that cryptocurrency is neither a substitute for formal financial services among the completely excluded nor widely adopted by the fully included. This suggests that those with full access to the financial system likely do not feel the need to seek alternatives. Cryptocurrency adoption is also shaped by key demographic and socioeconomic factors. Younger individuals, men, White respondents, those identifying with two or more races, and individuals with higher income and education levels are significantly more likely to adopt cryptocurrency. Overall, the findings highlight the nuanced role of cryptocurrency as a supplemental financial instrument for the underbanked, rather than a comprehensive solution to financial exclusion particularly for the unbanked.