Global fintech investment in the second half is expected to concentrate on stablecoin and digital-asset infrastructure, AI and agent commerce, an outlook said. Funding is likely to shift toward companies that have proven profitability and scalability, rather than simple technology experiments. KPMG named financial infrastructure as a key focus, citing expanding stablecoins and tokenised assets and demand to modernise legacy core systems at traditional financial institutions. Large payment-sector M&A is also expected to continue.

Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse said U.S. cryptocurrency regulatory clarity is closer than ever and Washington’s approach has changed markedly over the past decade. His comments followed the first meeting of the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s Innovation Advisory Committee, chaired by Michael Selig, where crypto firms and traditional finance executives participated. Garlinghouse said the group agreed old rules were insufficient. He also cited recent SEC and CFTC moves and Ripple’s long legal fight with the SEC.