Fintech Year In Review 2025

​​​​​​The year 2025 is ear marked to be a landmark period for the fintech industry, marked by ground breaking innovations, regulatory milestones, and continued push towards financial inclusion. Webber Wentzel's fintech experts have outlined the key trends to expect in areas such as generative AI and machine learning, payments, crypto and blockchain, open banking and open finance, as well as mobile banking and financial services.

1 GENERATIVE AI AND MACHINE LEARNING

In October 2024 the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies published the South Africa National Artificial Intelligence Policy Framework for public comment. The framework sets out nine strategic pillars for South Africa's artificial intelligence policy. In 2025 we expect to see the finalisation of this framework with further engagement on the adoption of guidelines for the effective use of artificial intelligence tools in highly regulated industries such as the f inancial sector.