Number of new fintechs founded worldwide 2008-2024, by region

The establishment of new fintech companies followed a distinct pattern between 2008 and 2024, reaching its peak in 2018 with over 3,000 new ventures. North America and Europe consistently led this expansion, together accounting for the majority of new foundations throughout the period. However, the industry witnessed a dramatic shift after 2021, when the pace of new company formations began to decline sharply. This downward trend culminated in 2024, which marked the lowest point in the observed period, with just 356 new fintech foundations - a stark contrast to the robust growth seen during the sector's peak years. Despite this significant slowdown in new establishments, the fintech sector continued to demonstrate overall growth, with the number of fintech companies in these regions exceeding 31,000 in 2024.