Fintech and Sustainability: A Literature Review

Fintech, or financial technology, refers to the integration of technology into offerings by financial services companies to improve their use and delivery to consumers. It primarily works by unbundling offerings by these firms and creating new markets for them. Sustainable development (SD), however, is a holistic approach that considers environmental, social, and economic dimensions, aiming to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. After a thorough presentation of fintech and its contrast with conventional finance, this chapter delves deeper into the intersection of fintech with SD and facilitates the achievement of sustainability goals through innovative financial solutions. This integration includes but is not limited to green finance, financial inclusion, efficiency and transparency, support for sustainable businesses, data management and analysis, and regulatory technology. The chapter thus shows the intersection of fintech and SD as a pathway to address some of the world’s most pressing challenges by harnessing innovation in financial services to create a more inclusive, efficient, and environmentally responsible economic system.