Their startups do everything from using AI to fight fraud, to helping caregivers manage money for those with dementia. Five of the six are immigrants. By Francesca Walton, Forbes Staff In the 10 years since Forbes launched its first Fintech 50 list, we’ve always kept an eye out for new ideas and entrepreneurs, while also showcasing powerhouse private companies that continue to make a big impact on the industry. There are an impressive 18 first-timers on 2025’s list. They represent a mix of relatively new startups and those whose products are finally breaking through after their founders plugged away for…

Even as venture capital funding for the industry continued to fall in 2024, many fintechs–especially those serving other businesses—flourished. Here’s the Forbes Fintech 50 for 2025. By Jeff Kauflin and Janet Novack, Forbes Staff After a bruising 2023, when market values for financial technology companies hit their lowest levels in years, the industry showed signs of recovery in 2024. Valuations for some of the biggest private fintechs like Stripe and Ramp ticked back up, and publicly traded players such as Affirm, Coinbase and Robinhood saw their stocks rise. That didn’t stop worldwide funding for private fintechs from continuing to slide–to…

S ince digital payments became the backbone of global commerce, fintech startups have been racing to gain a piece of this growing pie. This year, payments ranks among the largest categories in the Forbes Fintech 50–tied with B2B banking with 11 winners each–driven by the demand for faster settlements, immediate access to money and the integration of payments with other business services. Payments is also the only category with fintechs that have been on the Forbes list for all 10 years we’ve published it: Stripe and Plaid. Founded in 2009, Stripe processes payments online and has 300,000 business customers for…

The promise of fintech–particularly in the personal finance space–has always been a more inclusive financial system. That’s at the heart of the success of some list veterans. Chime, in its seventh year on the Fintech 50, is the largest digital bank in America with seven million monthly users of its app. It has been a leader in driving down costs–it charges no monthly or overdraft fees on its checking accounts and makes paychecks available sooner. Tala, on the list for an impressive ninth consecutive year, leverages smartphone data and proprietary algorithms to make loans of $20 to $500 each to…

Navigating a divorce can be overwhelming, especially when it comes to understanding and managing finances. Among the many financial aspects that need to be addressed, one area that might seem particularly daunting is cryptocurrency. Whether you’ve heard about it in the news or you are trying to understand its impact on your financial future, having a basic understanding of what cryptocurrency is, some of the known benefits and drawbacks, and how it factors into your divorce proceedings is essential so you can make informed decisions when discussing with your divorce attorney and financial advisor. What is cryptocurrency? Cryptocurrency (“Crypto”) is…

Turmoil at the Federal Bureau of Prisons: Leadership Exodus and Mounting Challenges The Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) is currently experiencing significant upheaval, with a wave of leadership departures leaving the agency without clear direction during a critical time. Acting Director William Lathrop, who stepped into the role on January 20, 2025, after former Director Colette Peters was reportedly fired, has now announced his retirement, effective February 28. Lathrop’s statement acknowledged the gravity of the situation, saying, “We are in unprecedented times as an Agency.” His departure is accompanied by the resignations of five other senior leaders, including General Counsel…

The future of the Department of Education is at stake as President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans threaten to eliminate it, or at least dramatically curtail its operations. Millions of American families planning for college, and even greater numbers of student loan borrowers, could be impacted by the resulting disruptions. Here’s where things currently stand with the Department of Education, and what student loan borrowers and prospective college students should know. Executive Order Will Likely Call For The Elimination Of The Department Of Education President Trump is expected to issue an executive order calling on the Department of Education to…

Income is the cornerstone of financial well-being. It serves as the fuel that powers your ability to save, invest, and achieve financial freedom. Whether you are an employee, a business owner, or an investor, the type and amount of income you generate directly impact your financial trajectory. This article explores the common types of income, strategies to maximize earnings, and the role income plays in overall financial planning. Common Types of Income 1. Earned Income This refers to the money you receive in exchange for your work or services. It is the most common form of income. While earned income…

The race to remake global finance is heating up, and the starting gun has already fired on Wall Street. While traditional banks grapple with systems that trap trillions in idle capital, a new financial architecture is emerging from the fusion of blockchain technology and traditional finance (TradFi). The prize isn’t just eliminating the friction that costs the industry billions in settlement delays and reconciliation headaches—it’s fundamentally rewiring how money moves. Early movers aren’t just experimenting anymore; they’re driving the financial blockchain market toward a projected $49.2 billion by 2030, up from $2.1 billion in 2023. The shift isn’t just theoretical.…

Burnout isn’t just an issue in the workplace. In fact, it may be even more common in our financial lives. Sure, we’ve all heard about the notoriously low savings rates in the U.S. and the paltry average savings in most households, but regardless of income, more than half of the country reports that they are living paycheck-to-paycheck. Furthermore, in my experience working with predominantly wealthy families for the better part of the last 30 years, there’s no net worth number that results in the elimination of financial stress. There may, however, be a method for doing so, and as we…