2026 Future of Fintech: Payments, BaaS, and Blockchain

Clayton Mitchell, Sara Krople, Serge Jorgensen, Jacob Rivkin
2/2/2026

The financial services ecosystem is evolving at unprecedented speed. In this “Future of Fintech” webinar series recording, Crowe specialists explore how payments innovation, AI adoption, banking as a service (BaaS), and blockchain technologies are reshaping regulatory expectations, risk management, and operating models across fintechs, banks, and payment companies.

They also break down what’s changing, what’s coming next, and how organizations can innovate responsibly while meeting regulatory and supervisory expectations.

Payments industry trends and regulatory realignment (2:30)

Crowe specialists offer an in-depth look at the payments regulatory landscape, including the shift from federal to state-level regulatory enforcement, rising scrutiny regarding anti-money laundering, consumer protection and data privacy, and increased global regulatory pressure. They discuss how payments companies can adapt compliance programs to support growth amid ongoing supervisory change.

Faster payments, stablecoins and responsible innovation (8:50)

As faster payments, real-time settlement, and stablecoin-based payment rails accelerate, organizations face increased risk density on the back end. This segment explores how fintechs and payment providers can scale innovation while maintaining strong risk management, transaction monitoring, and compliance controls.

AI governance frameworks and regulatory expectations (14:50)

This section focuses on AI governance as a foundation for scalable innovation. It covers ISO 42001, the National Institute of Standards and Technology AI Risk Management Framework, and emerging supervisory expectations. Crowe specialists outline what effective AI governance looks like, how to avoid shadow AI, and why strong governance enables faster, safer innovation.

BaaS maturity and partner governance (37:40)

Crowe specialists explore how BaaS and bank-fintech partnerships are maturing beyond interchange-driven models. Topics include partnership governance, third-party risk management, regulatory expectations, product economics, and how banks and fintechs can scale embedded finance responsibly.

Blockchain, digital assets and cyber risk in financial services (57:25)

Crowe specialists discuss blockchain operating models, digital assets, stablecoins, custody, tokenization, and cyber risk. They explain real-world use cases, common failure points, such as private keys and smart contracts, and why transparency does not automatically equal auditability.

Note: Only attendees of the live webinar are eligible for CPE or CLE credit for qualifying webinars. If you view the webinar recording on this page you may not be eligible for CPE or CLE. For questions about CPE, contact [email protected].

Additional CPE information

Gain insights to prepare for fintech’s future
View all upcoming dates for our “Future of Fintech” webinar series.

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Contact us for more insights and strategies to face today’s fintech landscape head-on. Crowe professionals can help you navigate ever-changing environments with confidence.
Clayton J. Mitchell
Clayton J. Mitchell
Partner, Consulting,
Crowe Advisory LLC

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