August 2019

Blockchain Basics: A Non-Technical Introduction in 25 Steps

In 25 concise steps, you will learn the basics of blockchain technology. No mathematical formulas, program code, or computer science jargon are used. No previous knowledge in computer science, mathematics, programming, or cryptography is required. Terminology is explained through pictures, analogies, and metaphors. This book bridges the gap that exists between purely technical books about the blockchain and purely business-focused books. It does so by explaining both the technical concepts that make up the blockchain and their role in...

FinTech Revolution: Universal Inclusion in the New Financial Ecosystem

This book is a practical guide to the evolving landscape of finance, highlighting how it’s changing our relationship with money and how financial technology, together with macroeconomic and societal change, is rewriting the story of how business is done in developing economies. Financial services companies are trying to become more customer focused, but struggling to help huge customer segments, particularly in developing economies. Alternative financial models and tools are emerging, which are being embraced by consumers and incumbents....

July 2019

The Future of Finance is Now: The Most Important Trends in Finance for the Coming Decade Have Already Started

By Jason Schenker The Future of Finance is Already HereIndustries are being disrupted by new and emerging technologies. The coming decade will bring an acceleration of technological innovation, adoption, and disruption. But finance has long been an industry at the forefront of technology adoption, which is why some of the most critical technological innovations and solutions for finance have already emerged. The Future of Finance is Now explores the most important innovations in finance technology (FinTech) as...

September 2017

Fintech has transformed payments but not savings, says BlackRock’s chief executive

The financial technology boom has transformed the way over a billion people engage with financial services, particularly when it comes to making payments, but Larry Fink, chief executive of BlackRock, the world’s largest money manager, said that no company has yet managed to use technology successfully to get people investing for the long term. “I believe that if we give more people more confidence about savings, about how to save – like Warren Buffett – then that would transform many...

February 2017

The FinTech Opportunity

By Thomas Philippon This paper assesses the potential impact of FinTech on the finance industry, focusing on financial stability and access to services. I document first that financial services remain surprisingly expensive, which explains the emergence of new entrants. I then argue that the current regulatory approach is subject to significant political economy and coordination costs, and therefore unlikely to deliver much structural change. FinTech, on the other hand, can bring deep changes but is likely to create significant regulatory...