• Alex Daintith, Copywriter at Seeker Digital


• 01.12.2022 03:45 pm
#fintech

The fintech sector continues to grow at an astonishing rate. As one of the most dynamic and exciting industries on the planet, new fintech startups launch almost every day, and tech titans such as Amazon and Google are going all-in on the space. The fast-paced nature and cut-throat competition of the fintech industry can make it a challenging arena to battle in, but it’s also rewarding, exciting, and lucrative for those who succeed.

If you’re thinking about a career in fintech, or are looking for somewhere that offers great working conditions for those in this field, read on. In this article, we’ll examine some of the best countries for fintech professionals to call home.

UK

A veritable behemoth of the financial world, the fintech industry in the UK has attracted over £2 billion in venture capital since 2012, and £100 billion from financial services companies through mergers and acquisitions. Thanks to these healthy investments, the UK has one of the most advanced financial services sectors in the world. The UK government also invests heavily in the fintech sector through funding initiatives and regulatory changes that ease the burden on fintech companies.

As of 2022, London is home to over 2,500 fintech companies — more than any other global city. By innovating to meet changing demands, these companies are able to take advantage of new opportunities, fast. By making a move to the UK, you could, too.

The UK’s fintech leaders include:

• TranferWise

• Greensill

• BGL Group

Singapore

Singapore’s economic landscape is characterized by innovation, with the country aiming to become a world leader in fintech and a pioneer of 'smart economy' by 2025. This makes it a highly attractive destination for fintech professionals — especially millennials — due to its strong infrastructure, highly educated population, and extremely favourable tax regime for businesses. Singapore’s government is always keen to encourage foreign investors, and consequently, its regulations are remarkably lenient.

Singapore’s government is happy to put its money where its mouth is regarding the fintech space and fosters a supportive environment for fintech startups through both its policies and funding initiatives. It’s also a highly developed and modern city, with superb public transportation and plenty of green spaces.

Singapore’s fintech leaders include:

• TenX

• Quoine

• KyberNetwork

Canada

In 2021, investments in Canada’s fintech sector soared to almost $5 billion. Not even the disruptive forces of a global pandemic could dislodge Canada’s fintech ambitions. In fact, COVID-19 actually benefited the country’s fintech market. With fewer Canadians using physical cash than ever before, the Canadian payments industry was given a huge uplift — and it's a wave that the country continues to ride as we head into 2023.

Aside from its fantastic fintech credentials, Canada is a great place to live, too. Widely revered for its kind-natured, welcoming natives, fantastic cuisine, and jaw-dropping landscapes — it’s little wonder why it’s such a popular destination for fintech professionals. Fancy finding out more about working in Canada? Check out Remote’s Canadian employment guide.

Canada’s fintech leaders include:

• Carta

• Borrowell

• Wave

Japan

Japan is home to one of the most advanced economies in Asia, has the third largest economy in the world, and enjoys a stellar reputation as one of the global leaders in the tech space.

Japan’s fintech sector already enjoys substantial support from its government, with regulations modified to promote growth and ensure stability in the future. As Japan's digital payments market evolves, the government intends to make 40% of transactions cashless by 2025. In addition to this, a recent study from Reuters has shown that Japanese households currently hold over $17 trillion, more than half of which is highly liquid cash or deposits. In other words, Japan shows promising potential for investors looking to gain a foothold in the fintech arena.

Japan’s fintech leaders include:

• Paidy

• MoneyTree

• PayPay

USA

The USA is arguably the destination if you’re considering a career in fintech. They say ‘everything’s bigger in America’, and it’s a statement that holds true here. America has the largest fintech market in the world and is home to some of the biggest players in the game — PayPal, Square, and Coinbase. The US national job listing sites currently offer about 26,000 opportunities for fintech professionals, so if you’re seeking new employment, you’ll be spoiled for choice! And, as a result of changing business models and increasing emphasis on enhancing customer interaction, fintech businesses in the US also receive generous investments every year.

Aside from being superb places to live in their own rights, Los Angeles, Boston, Chicago, New York, and San Francisco are all top destinations for fintech professionals. So, if you’re dreaming of a career in fintech, you’d struggle to do much better than in the USA.

The USA’s fintech leaders include:

• Stripe

• Coinbase

• Robinhood

Germany

Germany is home to the most advanced economy in Europe, and around 1 in 10 new German startups are based in fintech. Germany’s capital, Berlin, is one of the world’s leading financial hubs, and areas such as Munich, Hamburg, and Stuttgart have a stellar reputation in the sector, too.

Germany also boasts its government-backed Digital Hub Initiative, which helps startups, science, SMEs, industry, and local administration to join together to become centers of digital transformation. The cities of Berlin and Frankfurt are home to one fintech hub each, making them ideal destinations for anyone hoping to build a career in the sector. And, better yet, German cities are also relatively inexpensive compared to other international fintech hubs, with a wide range of coworking spaces and other flexible solutions available across the country.

Germany’s fintech leaders include:

• Trade Republic 

• N26

• Wefox

The fintech space is as lucrative as it is ever-changing, and it’s a fascinating industry to be a part of. If you’re interested in working in fintech, it’s definitely worth considering one of the countries up above. For more on fintech, check out our blog on Fintech Connect 2022, or read our breakdown of Fintech 2.0.