Trust, Compliance and Transparency: The Non-Tech Side of Fintech Success in 2025
08 December 2025
In 2025, fintech success is no longer just about cutting-edge technology. Trust, compliance, and transparency have emerged as critical differentiators for firms navigating complex regulatory environments, growing customer expectations, and financial operations.
Here’s a look at the key non-tech factors shaping fintech growth this year.
1. Prioritising Regulatory Compliance as a Growth Lever
Embedding compliance into strategy drives market expansion, partnerships, and reputation protection, with global fintech fines surpassing US$5 billion in 2025.
2. Transparency Builds Customer Trust
Clear communication on data use and operations boosts trust, as over 70% of fintech data incidents in 2024 were linked to third-party failures.
3. Leveraging Open Finance and Data Governance
Controlled data sharing and governance enhance accountability and competitiveness, highlighted by the UK FCA Open Finance Sprint 2025 as a strategic priority.
4. Embedding Governance and Culture
A compliance-oriented culture strengthens resilience, with regulators increasingly targeting governance failures rather than just technical faults.
5. Managing Cyber Risk and Customer Confidence
Robust cyber-security and zero-trust frameworks reassure clients, as cyber threats are considered one of the biggest risks to institutional stability and customer trust.
6. Non-Tech Strengths Drive Scalability and Partnerships
Trust, compliance, and transparency attract investors and partners, particularly important after global fintech investment fell 12% to US$105.9 billion in 2024.
Why Non-Tech Foundation Matter for Freemarket
By embedding strong compliance, clear governance, and transparent practices, Freemarket helps clients scale globally with confidence and stand out in a tightly regulated market.
