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• A surge in digital asset investments globally.
• A growing focus on AI-enablement of fintechs - either AI native or AI transformation of existing fintech platforms.
• A rise in IPO exit activity in the US with expectation for more significant listings in H2.
• Regtech gaining traction as institutions look to reduce costs.

The impact of higher interest rates on the cost of capital and expectation of returns has removed more speculative investing and reset fintech investment to a new baseline. While fintech investors were cautiously optimistic entering 2025, new swells of geopolitical tensions combined with shifting US tariff and trade policies made it difficult for investors to feel confident in their dealmaking activities. Q2'25 was particularly soft, with just $18.7bn invested across 972 deals - a volume of deals not seen since Q3'17.

The Americas attracted $26.7bn in fintech investment in H1'25, led by the $2.6bn acquisition of US-based Next Insurance by Ergo Group, the primary insurance business of Munich Re and the $2bn VC raise by Cayman Islands-based Binance.

Comparatively, the EMEA region saw $13.7bn, including the year's largest fintech deal so far - the $3.2bn buyout of UK-based Preqin by BlackRock - and the $1.7bn take-private of France-based Esker by Bridgepoint.

The ASPAC region saw just $4.3bn in fintech investment, led by the acquisition of Japan-based WealthNavi by MUFG for $571.3m.

At a sector level, digital assets and currencies attracted the most fintech investment globally this half year - $8.4bn, compared to $10.7bn during all of 2024 - led by a $2b billion by Grand Caymans-based crypto exchange Binance. At mid-year, the digital asset space was well positioned to achieve a three-year high in global investment - although it will likely remain well shy of 2021's peak high of $31bn. Investors showed particular interest in stablecoins, particularly in activities such as trading, remittances, and as a source of payment in emerging markets.

Other investment areas include digital asset market infrastructure and tokenization platforms. During H1'25, the digital asset space also saw the incredibly successful IPO of USDC stablecoin issuer Circle; it raised $1.1bn on the NYSE, with shares popping 168% in first day trading. Other US based digital asset platforms are likely to IPO in the second half of the year.

"We're seeing a major upswell in activity and investment in the digital asset space," said. Karim Haji, Global Head of Financial Services at KPMG International. "Regulations are starting to come into focus in a number of jurisdictions - giving both startups and investors more confidence. Looking ahead to H2'25, digital assets and currencies are well positioned to see investment grow even more. Whether Circle's highly successful IPO will drive other crypto firms to exit will also be a trend to watch out for in the space."

Related article: Feb.2025 Global fintech investment slumps to seven-year low of $95.6bn

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