Mapping the intersection of FinTech and sustainable finance: A systematic bibliometric review and emerging research horizons

The prominence of the coalescence of FinTech and sustainable finance has been a major area of scholarly interest for more than half a decade. To delineate the conceptual evolution at this intersection, the current study aims to conduct a bibliometric review through a hybrid methodical approach by coupling systematic literature review (SLR) with bibliometric techniques – including performance analysis, co-occurrence analysis, thematic mapping – of 227 documents from Scopus database, incorporating not only journal articles but also conference papers, books, book chapters, and reviews from 2018 to 2025 that enriches the results with near-term published articles, quantitative techniques by utilizing VOSviewer and R Studio, and qualitative analysis of the cluster findings from the outcome of these software. Another novelty of this study is the accumulated study of FinTech and a broader multidimensional field - Sustainable Finance - that not only includes addressing the environmental impact, but also incorporates economic development, and governance factors. The findings underscore the evolving trend of research themes in the current area of cross-functional domain progressing from theoretical examination to more functional application of financial technology that catalyzes to establish sustainable finance. The study identifies critical research gaps requiring further investigation, including systematic risks associated with FinTech that may hamper achieving sustainability goals, the formation of a robust regulatory framework supporting the convergence of fintech and sustainable finance across regions, the identification of the role of digital mechanisms in enhancing sustainability reporting of financial institutions. The study also emphasizes the vitality of examining behavioral changes of stakeholders involved in this ever-evolving dynamic arena. Therefore, all these serve as actionable insights providing guidance to researchers, policymakers, and practitioners for future studies and implications. • This study presents a systematic bibliometric analysis of 227 publications (2018–2025) exploring the intersection of fintech and sustainable finance. • It maps key trends, including growing interest in green finance, financial inclusion, and the use of technologies like blockchain and AI for sustainable growth. • Leading contributions come from scholars in China, India, and Saudi Arabia, with Resources Policy emerging as the key source journal. • The study identifies future research horizons in regulation, ESG integration, and the role of fintech in enhancing energy efficiency.