The rapid evolution of financial technology (fintech), including cryptocurrencies and decentralized finance (DeFi), has transformed how consumers and businesses engage with financial services. This chapter examines the drivers of fintech adoption by extending established technology acceptance models, such as technology acceptance models (TAM), unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT), and theory of planned behavior (TPB). A systematic review of 80 articles (2017–2023) identifies key factors influencing adoption, including perceived usefulness, ease of use, social influence, and facilitating conditions. Emerging factors, such as financial literacy, hedonic motivation, and trust, are especially important during crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. However, gaps remain in understanding how evolving perceptions of security and trust impact sustained adoption, particularly in decentralized environments, such as blockchain networks and crypto assets, where algorithmic transparency replaces institutional intermediaries. This chapter proposes integrating trust, security, and user perceptions into existing models to create a cohesive framework applicable across fintech services. The findings provide actionable insights for researchers and industry stakeholders to enhance user acceptance and guide future innovation.
Papanikolaou et al. (Mon,) studied this question.