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The Future of Fintech 2026
Nick Christian, Brian Foley, Julie Wagne, Sophie McNaught, Josh Pherigo, Eli Oftedal, Andrew Pardo
October 13, 2026
Key takeaways
Drawing on proprietary data, deep market expertise and a front-row seat to the innovation economy, our Future of Fintech 2026 report explores the forces redefining venture-backed fintech—from fintech funding and repeat investors to artificial intelligence (AI) adoption and capital efficiency—and the key trends shaping the sector's next chapter.
42%
More capital is expected to flow into US fintech this year
This puts 2026 on pace for its strongest funding year since 2022.
15%
Of fintech investors completed three or more deals in 2026
Despite fewer investors overall, fintech's most committed backers continue to deploy capital.
50%
Of fintechs that raised capital this year incorporate AI into their products and services
These companies captured two-thirds of all fintech investment.
Behind the data
These key points reveal how venture-backed fintech is adapting in a post-ZIRP, AI-enabled world.
Investment growth
Fintech's best funding year in four years
Despite intense competition from AI for investor attention, fintech investment is on pace for its strongest year since 2022.
The strongest demand is centered on late-stage winners, with mega-deals capturing an outsized share of total capital deployed.
Notes: Other early- and late-stage are venture rounds defined by PitchBook Data, Inc. that are venture rounds not associated with a specific series. Source: PitchBook Data, Inc. and First Citizens Innovation Banking analysis
Repeat investors
The generalists left. The specialists stayed.
Fintech's investor pool has shrunk considerably since the 2021 peak, yet repeat-investor participation remains above historical norms.
As AI absorbs more VC attention, fintech continues to be supported by a dedicated base of specialists with long-term conviction in the sector.
Notes: Data for 2026 uses extrapolated estimates for year-end based on current pace. Source: PitchBook Data, Inc. and First Citizens Innovation Banking analysis.
Efficiency
Leaner companies, longer runways
The median fintech company has reduced burn for 4 consecutive years, helping extend runway and improve capital efficiency despite a more constrained funding environment.
Many fintechs are healthier today than they were during the ZIRP era, prioritizing sustainable growth and a clearer path to profitability over growth at all costs.
Source: First Citizens Innovation Banking proprietary data and analysis
Read the full Future of Fintech report
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