Empowering the financial sector: the role of fintech research development trends

Abstract Fintech has revolutionized the financial sector; however, research remains fragmented across domains, necessitating a comprehensive understanding of its landscape. This study maps fintech research trends from 2018 to 2023 by using a bibliometric analysis of 868 publications from the Web of Science Core Collection. Employing tools such as VOS viewer and RStudio, this study conducts cluster analysis, keyword co-occurrence analysis, and bibliographic coupling to identify key themes. Four major directions have emerged: fintech’s role in financial entrepreneurship, efficiency and profitability in banking, client behavior and trust in digital services, and innovations in Islamic banking. These findings highlight the current trends and outline future research opportunities. This study offers original insights into fintech’s transformative impact on finance, guiding researchers, practitioners, and policymakers in fostering innovation, regulation, and investment. Furthermore, by addressing societal implications, particularly within Islamic banking and consumer behavior, it contributes to building inclusive and sustainable financial systems, underscoring fintech’s potential to reshape global finance.