Fintech may not have delivered all the crypto fireworks many expected in 2025, but behind the scenes, the industry has been quietly laying the groundwork for a much bigger transformation. As Bitcoin ends the year under pressure, digital finance companies are pushing deeper into the core of the US banking system—redefining how money moves, settles, and even spends itself.
After a year marked by regulatory breakthroughs, fintech leaders believe 2026 could become a turning point. Crypto firms are seeking national bank charters, payment networks are embracing blockchain-based settlement, and AI agents are edging closer to making payments on behalf of consumers. Despite lingering political debates around crypto regulation, fintech companies are enjoying rare momentum in Washington, backed by a more supportive White House.
Here’s what industry leaders, investors, and policymakers expect to define fintech in 2026.
Everything Is Becoming a Bank
One of the biggest shifts underway is fintech’s push to eliminate traditional banking middlemen. To access Federal Reserve payment systems and accept deposits, most fintechs currently rely on partner banks. That dependency is expensive—and fintech firms are eager to shed it.
Now, many are applying for national bank charters. Under the crypto-friendly stance of the Trump administration, five crypto firms—including Circle and Ripple—have already received preliminary approval. Others, such as Coinbase, PayPal, and neobank Mercury, have applications in progress.
The payoff could be huge. Federal Reserve governor Christopher Waller has floated the idea of a “skinny” master account, which would give these firms direct access to core payment rails like Fedwire and ACH. According to Phil Goldfeder, CEO of the American Fintech Council, more approvals are likely in the coming year.
In short, fintech firms don’t just want to work with banks anymore—they want to be banks.
Stablecoins Go Mainstream
Stablecoins—digital tokens typically backed by US dollars—are set for explosive growth in 2026. Their appeal is simple: faster, cheaper, and more efficient transfers compared to traditional payment systems.
Major card networks are already on board. Visa and Mastercard both announced stablecoin settlement initiatives in 2025 and expect adoption to accelerate. Mastercard has gone so far as to call crypto “the financial story of the early 21st century.”
Visa executive Oliver Jenkyn predicts strong growth in emerging markets like Argentina, where stablecoins offer a hedge against inflation and easier access to dollar-linked assets. Meanwhile, companies such as Stripe’s Bridge, Coinbase, and Anchorage Digital are launching platforms to issue and manage stablecoins, responding to rising demand across retail, banking, and tech sectors.
Stablecoins are no longer a niche crypto product—they’re becoming financial infrastructure.
Bots With Budgets
Artificial intelligence is also poised to change how people spend money. While AI assistants already help with tasks and recommendations, the next step is “agent-native commerce,” where AI agents act independently.
By 2026, AI agents could research products, negotiate prices, and complete secure purchases on behalf of consumers. Planning a birthday party might involve telling an AI what you need—and letting it handle everything from comparison shopping to checkout.
Mastercard, PayPal, and Visa are already partnering with AI firms to prepare for this shift. Visa’s Oliver Jenkyn believes AI-supported shopping will become mainstream next year, especially for routine purchases.
The result? Payments that happen almost invisibly, powered by intelligent systems working behind the scenes.
A Fintech Inflection Point
While regulatory uncertainty hasn’t disappeared, fintech’s direction is clear. Banking licenses, stablecoin payments, and autonomous AI agents are converging to reshape financial services. What once felt experimental is quickly becoming institutional.
If 2025 was about laying foundations, 2026 could be the year fintech steps fully into the financial mainstream—faster, smarter, and more deeply integrated than ever before.
