Here are some of the top fintech startups to watch in 2025, plus what makes them stand out. I’ve included both global names and a few from Malaysia/ASEAN to give a well-rounded picture. Let me know if you want a version focused entirely on a region.
What to Look For in an Exciting Fintech Startup in 2025
Before we dive into specific companies, here are a few trends that are making certain fintechs more promising:
- Use of AI / ML for personalization, fraud detection, underwriting, etc. (StartUs Insights)
- Growth of embedded finance and open banking, letting financial services be delivered through non-financial channels. (codebridge.tech)
- Real-time payments, and smoother cross-border transactions. (wns.com)
- Rising regulation & compliance demands → fintechs that can handle risk / security well are favored. (globenewswire.com)
- Financial inclusion: targeting underbanked, small businesses, alternative credit scoring, etc. (TNGlobal)
With that in mind, here are 5 fintech startups that seem positioned to make big waves in 2025.
Top 5 Fintech Startups to Watch in 2025
| Startup | What They Do / Focus | What Makes Them Stand Out |
|---|---|---|
| Rain | Stablecoin-linked payments and card issuance (Visa cards) via payments APIs; wallets etc. (Wikipedia) | They’ve raised a large Series B recently ($58 million) to scale. What’s particularly interesting is their combination of crypto / stablecoin infrastructure with real payments. Supporting multiple blockchain networks (Solana, Tron, Stellar, etc.) positions them well for cross-border / digital money use cases. (Wikipedia) |
| Figure | Blockchain-based lending; home equity lines (HELOCs); tokenised collateral; real-world asset (RWA) lending pools. (Wikipedia) | They recently merged with a related subsidiary, and launched new products (like “Democratized Prime”) that allow both institutional and regular investors to participate more flexibly. Their crypto / blockchain integration and regulatory approvals make them one to watch. (Wikipedia) |
| BigPay (Malaysia) | Started with traveler-friendly spend and remittance tools; expanding into personal loans, micro-insurance. (Fintech News Malaysia) | Among the most funded fintechs in Malaysia. With its backing and widening product set, BigPay is well positioned to capture more of the consumer finance market locally and potentially regionally. (Fintech News Malaysia) |
| Boost Holdings / Boost Bank (Malaysia) | Payments, lending, insurtech; moving into digital banking (deposit-taking, regulated banking services) via Boost Bank in partnership with RHB. (secondtalent.com) | Transitioning from e-wallet/payment platform toward a full-fledged digital bank gives them more levers to build revenue. They already have a customer base; scaling banking services will increase stickiness and revenue potential. (secondtalent.com) |
| Finory.tech (Malaysia) | Offers AI-powered APIs for automation of documents and financial assessment (e.g., in loan processing). Also among startups selected for innovation/accelerator programs. (TNGlobal) | Finory.tech may not yet be a household name, but its focus on automating one of the more tedious and risky parts of finance (document verification, credit assessment) gives it a strong niche. As lending/regulation tighten, tools that reduce friction & risk are likely to become more essential. (TNGlobal) |
Why These Are Especially Worth Watching
- Regulatory alignment + risk management: Fintechs that manage compliance, KYC/AML, and regulatory risk well are more likely to scale sustainably.
- Tech leverage: Use of AI, blockchain, automation. The startups above are using these to reduce cost, speed up processes, or enable new business models.
- Expanding product portfolios: Startups moving from single-product (e.g. payments or wallets) toward broader financial services tend to build more durable businesses.
- Financial inclusion / underserved segments: Those targeting users or SMEs who are underdoctored by traditional banks often have room for growth.
Risks & What Could Go Wrong
Of course, watching doesn’t mean guaranteed success. Some challenges these fintechs face are:
- Regulatory uncertainty (especially for crypto or cross-border products)
- Need for large capital to scale banking/digital bank operations
- Operating loss pressures while acquiring customers
- Competition both from established banks and other fintechs
Conclusion
2025 looks like a year where fintechs that combine strong tech, regulatory know-how, and product breadth will lead the pack. The five above are especially promising — Rain and Figure globally, and BigPay, Boost, Finory.tech in Malaysia are ones to keep tabs on
