If one message stands out from the BCG Global Payments Report 2025 and Mastercard’s Start Path program, it’s that the next fintech wave will be defined by convergence—where AI, sustainability, and embedded finance meet. Mastercard’s latest accelerator cohort includes startups like Pentatonic, Circulae, and Circulayo, advancing circular commerce through resale, recycling, and reusable packaging. At the same time, AI-driven solutions in credit access and chat-based banking are reshaping how consumers interact with money.

BCG’s projections reinforce this trajectory: agentic AI—systems capable of autonomous decision-making—could drive $1 trillion in online spending by 2029. Meanwhile, stablecoins, now with a $270 billion market cap, are merging with real-time payments and SaaS-based finance. Together, these forces point to a financial ecosystem that is intelligent, integrated, and environmentally conscious.

For entrepreneurs, this shift represents both opportunity and obligation. Building fintechs that embed finance into daily life while aligning with sustainability goals will define the winners of the next decade. Those who combine technological efficiency with ethical innovation will not just attract investors—they’ll build trust with a generation of consumers that values both purpose and performance.

AI and embedded systems may optimise efficiency, but the real disruption lies in how technology can create a more inclusive, sustainable, and responsible financial world.