IMF Working Papers-The Dark Side of the Moon? Fintech and Financial Stability

December 8, 2023-Summary:
Rapid advances in digital technology are revolutionizing the financial landscape. The rise of fintech has the potential to make financial systems more efficient and competitive and broaden financial inclusion. With greater technological complexity, however, fintech also poses potential systemic risks.

In this paper, I use a novel dataset to trace the development of fintech (excluding cryptocurrencies) and empirically assess its impact on financial stability in a panel of 198 countries over the period 2012-2020. The analysis provides interesting insights into how fintech correlates with financial stability: (i) the impact magnitude and statistical significance of fintech depend on the type of instrument (digital lending vs. digital capital raising); (ii) the overall effect of all fintech instruments together turns out to be negative because of the overwhelming share of digital lending in total, albeit statistically insignificant; and (iii) while digital capital raising is estimated to have a positive effect on financial stability in advanced economies, its effect is negative in developing countries. Fintech is still small compared to traditional institutions, but rapidly expanding in riskier segments of the financial sector and creating new challenges for policymakers.

Mapping the global quantum ecosystem

December 17, 2025-A comprehensive analysis based on innovation, firm, investment, skills, trade and policy data.
Abstract
Quantum technologies are moving from the lab to real-world impact, promising advances in computing, secure communications, and ultra-precise measurement. But who is driving this progress, and how is the global landscape evolving?

Bybit & Block Scholes Report: Market Sentiment Shows Early Signs of Recovery

December 5, 2025-Bybit, the world's second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume has released its latest Crypto Derivatives Analytics Report in collaboration with Block Scholes, revealing cautiously optimistic signals in cryptocurrency markets following a volatile start to December.

Is the world ageing out of interest rates?

December 3, 2025-Interest rates are a key monetary policy tool used by central banks around the world to encourage changes in economic activity.
But as the global population continues to skew older, traditional monetary policy tools such as rate-setting may become less effective.
Central banks need to find ways to keep interest rates relevant, but also develop alternative tools to navigate an uncertain global economy.

Global X: Investing Outlook Complicated by Contradictions in U.S. Economy and Evolving Geopolitical Order

December 3, 2025-Despite challenges, there are ample reasons for broad optimism, including AI-driven cost savings
Despite an outlook that is complicated by contradictions in the U.S. economy and an evolving geopolitical order, Global X Management Company LLC ("Global X"), the New York-based provider of exchange-traded funds (ETFs), believes there are ample reasons for broad optimism on the U.S. economy as well as certain international markets heading into the new year.