Books Global Fintech: Financial Innovation in the Connected World by David L. Shrier (Editor), Alex Pentland (Editor)

Global Fintech: Financial Innovation in the Connected World

Edited by David L. Shrier & Alex Pentland

Overview

Global Fintech: Financial Innovation in the Connected World offers a comprehensive examination of how new technologies are radically transforming financial services worldwide. With contributions from leading academics, industry professionals, policymakers, and advisers, this volume captures the scope, potential, and challenges of the ongoing fintech revolution125.

Core Focus Areas

Key Technological Drivers

Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning

Big Data & Data Analytics

Blockchain & Distributed Ledger Technology

Mobile Communications

These technologies underpin much of the current disruption, enabling new entrants to reshape sectors such as payments, lending, wealth management, and insurance, while at the same time providing established players with tools to adapt and innovate1267.

Global Scope

Advanced Economies: Examines how incumbent banks and financial institutions in developed countries struggle to adapt legacy systems to digital models.

Emerging Markets: Emphasizes “leapfrogging” opportunities—how developing regions often bypass traditional banking infrastructure, directly adopting mobile money and innovative digital platforms257.

Financial Inclusion: Highlights how digital tools are bringing millions—such as the 3.5 billion underbanked and unbanked—into formal financial systems, with real-world examples like the widespread adoption of WeChat banking in China57.

Structure & Notable Topics

Contributors

The book includes perspectives from a diverse group:

Ajay Bhalla

Michelle Chivunga

John D’Agostino

Mark Flood

Amias Moore Gerety

Alexander Lipton

Pinar Ozcan

Matthew Reed

Markos Zachariadis
and the editors themselves, David L. Shrier (Imperial College Business School, innovation specialist) and Alex Pentland (MIT, data science and network expert)59.

Why Read This Book?

Up-to-Date Industry Insights: Essential reading for anyone following fintech, as it covers both foundational concepts and real-time trends45.

Actionable Analysis: Offers accessible explanations and frameworks for understanding and responding to change as a practitioner, policymaker, or investor.

Broader Relevance: Bridges the global North-South divide and discusses democratization of finance, not just technology for its own sake.

Key Takeaways

Financial services are being redefined by the combination of cutting-edge digital technologies and new business models.

Regulation, trust, and inclusion will determine which innovations shape the future, and how risks are managed.

The fintech revolution is global, presenting both immense opportunities and pressing challenges across markets and socio-economic contexts.

Global Fintech: Financial Innovation in the Connected World stands as a forward-looking, authoritative resource for leaders, innovators, and anyone seeking to navigate the evolution of money, technology, and global connectivity5679.

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