The Fintech Sustainability Model Proposal: A Reflection on the Economic, Social Values, a Double Materiality View

After a period of fifteen years since Fintech birth, it has come a long way up to now in which almost each point of the financial value chain has been affected by their irruption. At present, what is less understood is which are the elements that can definitively consolidate Fintech as a new, differentiated, and sustainable sector; these elements are connected to value creation. This research aims to identify those elements that contribute to their long-term sustainability. Thus, we will analyze economic and social view of Fintech industry. To respond, we have identified four key aspects: the relevance of business models, trust as powerful mediator, the paradox around sustainability so-called the Fintech Economic Unsustainability Paradox, and social value as a principal element in their social performance. We contribute to the literature by presenting the Fintech Sustainability Model, a new framework that aggregates the above four aspects, which could be the issues that underpin policies towards Fintech long-term sustainability, and allow understanding of the analysis of double materiality, what it entails their competitiveness in comparison to the traditional financial industry.