Fintech: finance, technologies, and the society

In recent decades, the transformative power of information technology, innovation progress, and big data has propelled Fintech services to a central role amongst various financial services.This sustained growth results from rapid financial digitalisation, evolving customer preferences, increasing support from investors and regulators, and significant expansion in the banking sector.Fintechs, with their innovative, customer-centric value propositions and data-driven business models, have revolutionised several areas of financial services.As a result, new markets have emerged, populated by innovative start-ups and tech giants operating alongside traditional banks and insurance companies.The term 'Fintech revolution' is a testament to its disruptive qualities and innovative capabilities that have profoundly altered the financial ecosystem and society.At the core of Fintech, there is a resolute commitment to inclusivity and empowerment, democratising qualities that are reshaping the finance value chain and offering hope for a more sustainable financial evolution.This is a primary need amongst mature and emerging markets that address all three pillars of Sustainability (Environmental, Social and Governance).Making financial services available to larger communities can make Fintechs a catalyser of the sustainability transition.In addition, financial institutions are facing increased pressure from consumers and regulators to adopt transparent decision-making processes.Fintechs can be essential in helping those institutions with their sustainability challenges, as this requires data, statistical models and technology solutions.The seven papers in the special issue cover various aspects of Fintech and its impact on society, including blockchain, decentralised finance, smart contracts, SME financing, sentiment analysis and surveillance capitalism with applications to big data and complex data structures.In the general framework of using smart contracts to mitigate climate change impacts, Fernando Alves Silveira and Silvio Parodi de Oliveira Camilo propose blockchain technology for implementing a low-cost infrastructure to foster financial instruments to hedge weather-related losses.Nimbark Hardik focuses on the credit