Mapping the intellectual landscape of financial technology (FinTech): a bibliometric review of trends and developments

Purpose This study aims to map and evaluate the intellectual landscape of financial technology (FinTech) research from 2015 to 2025, highlighting its thematic evolution, influential contributors and research gaps to guide future scholarly and practical engagement. Design/methodology/approach A bibliometric analysis was conducted using Scopus-indexed publications with FinTech-related keywords in article titles. Tools such as MS Excel, Harzing's Publish or Perish and VOSviewer were employed to assess publication trends, citation metrics and thematic clusters. Findings The analysis identified a consistent growth in FinTech research post-2008. China leads in publication output, followed by India, the USA, the United Kingdom and Indonesia. Elsevier is the most prolific publisher, with Amity University and Bina Nusantara University as the top contributing institutions. The study extracted 23 thematic clusters, including financial inclusion, data analytics, regulatory compliance and sustainability and highlighted influential works and author networks. Research limitations/implications The analysis is limited to Scopus-indexed documents and title-based keyword searches, potentially excluding relevant studies found in other databases or indexed under different metadata fields. Practical implications Findings can support industry stakeholders in aligning strategic initiatives with current research trends and technological developments in FinTech. Social implications By addressing financial inclusion and regulatory dynamics, the study informs policies that can foster equitable access to financial services through FinTech innovations. Originality/value This study offers a comprehensive and systematic bibliometric overview of FinTech research over a decade, presenting novel insights into its development, current state and future directions.