Fintech represents approximately 9% of all startups globally based on the StartupBlink Global Startup Map. The map showcases that there are 17,963 Fintech startups and 250 Fintech unicorns worldwide. Fintech innovation is happening in more places than ever, and our latest rankings evaluate 314 cities with substantial Fintech startup activity. The number of cities ranked in fintech grew from 287 in 2023 to 314 in 2024, reflecting the industry’s global importance. This article will spotlight the top 10 cities for Fintech startups. If your city is missing from the list, and you represent a government or public sector organization, contact us to learn more about its ranking.
Notably, Berlin, Singapore, São Paulo, and New Delhi have secured positions in the global top 10 for Fintech, despite not being in the top 10 for overall startup ecosystems. This highlights their specialized strength in financial technology, where they outperform cities with otherwise stronger startup ecosystems.
Fintech continues to be a driving force in the global economy, improving access to financial services, streamlining transactions, and introducing cutting-edge solutions. As digital transformation accelerates, cities worldwide are becoming key hubs for Fintech innovation, each with its own unique strengths and advantages.
For a deeper analysis of the global Fintech ecosystem, StartupBlink Pro provides full data on Fintech startup ecosystems, as well as rankings and insights across 100+ industries.
Top Cities for Fintech Startups
1. San Francisco Bay, United States
San Francisco Bay remains the undisputed leader in Fintech for 2024, retaining its #1 position from 2023. Its lead over New York expanded significantly. In 2023, the gap between the two cities was 31.63% of New York’s industry score, but by 2024, this gap had grown to 34.53%, marking a 9.2% relative increase. This reflects the Bay Area’s accelerating dominance, supported by global Fintech giants like Stripe and Robinhood and unmatched access to venture capital.
The Bay Area’s Fintech success is deeply intertwined with Silicon Valley’s vast tech ecosystem. The region’s culture of rapid innovation, strong venture capital presence, and proximity to major technology firms create an unparalleled environment for Fintech growth. Many Fintech startups leverage emerging technologies such as AI, blockchain, and cloud computing, making the Bay Area the epicenter of next-generation financial services.
2. New York, United States
New York holds steady at #2 in 2024, but the widening gap with San Francisco highlights the latter’s growing lead in Fintech. While New York’s position reflects its robust blend of traditional finance and Fintech innovation, its growth has not matched San Francisco’s pace. The city remains a global hub for major players like Plaid and Betterment, but the growing gap underscores the need for further scaling.
New York benefits from being the world’s largest financial center, where Fintech startups can directly engage with banks, hedge funds, and investment firms. The city’s ecosystem fosters innovations in wealth management, payments, and lending, with a strong regulatory and legal framework supporting financial technology companies.
3. London, United Kingdom
London retains its #3 position in 2024, maintaining its reputation as Europe’s Fintech capital. The city’s strong regulatory framework, including initiatives like the Financial Conduct Authority’s regulatory sandboxes, encourages innovation while ensuring consumer protection. London’s strategic location and global connectivity attract major Fintech companies like Revolut and Wise. Despite its strengths, the gap between London and New York has widened slightly, underscoring challenges in scaling further.
As a major international finance hub, London benefits from easy access to both European and global markets. The city’s Fintech sector is heavily supported by government policies, funding programs, and tax incentives that drive innovation. London’s open banking initiatives and vibrant startup ecosystem make it a global leader in digital payments, challenger banks, and financial inclusion efforts.
4. São Paulo, Brazil
São Paulo made a leap from #5 in 2023 to #4 in 2024, overtaking Los Angeles. Its climb reflects the booming Fintech market in Brazil, driven by unicorns like Nubank and increasing adoption of digital banking. In 2023, São Paulo’s industry score was 5.4% smaller than Los Angeles, but by 2024, the gap became 3.1%. São Paulo also ranks 19 spots better than its general ecosystem rank, highlighting its strong specialization in Fintech.
Brazil’s Fintech sector is rapidly expanding due to high demand for financial services among the unbanked and underbanked populations. São Paulo is at the forefront, fostering digital banks and alternative lending solutions. Government-backed initiatives promoting open banking and instant payments further drive the city’s leadership in Latin American Fintech innovation.
5. Bangalore, India
Bangalore rose from #6 in 2023 to #5 in 2024, surpassing Los Angeles. The gap between Bangalore and Los Angeles in 2023 was 10.8% of Los Angeles’s industry score, but in 2024, Bangalore outpaces Los Angeles by 1.4%, a 12.2% relative shift in Bangalore’s favor. Ranking three spots better than its general ecosystem rank, Bangalore continues to thrive on its Fintech unicorns like Razorpay and the broader digital payments revolution in India.
Known as the “Silicon Valley of India,” Bangalore serves as a hub for both technology and financial innovation. Government initiatives promoting cashless transactions and digital payments have propelled the city’s Fintech sector. With a vast young population and increasing internet penetration, Bangalore is a critical player in India’s transition to a digital-first financial ecosystem.
7. Los Angeles Area, United States
Los Angeles dropped from #4 in 2023 to #6 in 2024, falling behind São Paulo and Bangalore. In 2023, it maintained a lead of 5.4% over São Paulo and 10.8% over Bangalore, but both cities have overtaken Los Angeles in 2024. This shift reflects the rapid growth of Fintech ecosystems in emerging markets, while Los Angeles has experienced slower relative growth in the sector.
Despite the drop in ranking, Los Angeles remains a vital Fintech hub in the United States. The city benefits from its proximity to the entertainment industry, a diverse economy, and strong connections to venture capital networks. Key players like Tala and Dave are contributing to the local Fintech scene, particularly in areas like financial inclusion and personal finance management.
7. Paris, France
Paris remains at #7 in 2024, sustaining its status as a leading Fintech hub in Europe. The city benefits from strong government support, a vibrant startup ecosystem, and established financial institutions embracing digital transformation. Companies like Lydia and Qonto are driving the local Fintech scene, supported by initiatives like La French Tech. Paris ranks seven spots better than its general ecosystem position, showcasing its Fintech specialization.
8. Berlin, Germany
Berlin climbs from #9 in 2023 to #8 in 2024, overtaking Stockholm. The city continues to be a major European Fintech hub, with digital banking leaders like N26 and Trade Republic gaining global traction. Berlin’s affordability, strong tech talent, and startup-friendly regulatory environment contribute to its rising prominence in the sector.
9. Singapore City, Singapore
Singapore City advances to #9 in 2024, solidifying its role as Asia’s Fintech gateway. The government plays a proactive role in fostering the industry through policies like the Monetary Authority of Singapore’s Fintech Regulatory Sandbox. Singapore remains seven spots better than its global ecosystem ranking, highlighting its strong specialization in financial technology.
10. New Delhi, India
New Delhi rounds out the top 10, entering the rankings by replacing Stockholm. With a growing Fintech ecosystem fueled by startups like BharatPe and MobiKwik, the city has established itself as a financial technology hub. Ranking one spot better than its general rank, New Delhi benefits from India’s ongoing digital finance revolution.
Conclusion
The global Fintech landscape is evolving rapidly, with different cities emerging as leaders in the industry. While traditional financial hubs like San Francisco, New York, and London continue to dominate, cities like São Paulo, Bangalore, Berlin, and Singapore are proving that specialized Fintech ecosystems can thrive even outside global startup powerhouses.
If your city is missing from the list, and you represent a government or public sector organization, contact us to learn more about its ranking.
For more insights and full Fintech ecosystem rankings, StartupBlink Pro provides in-depth data and analysis across Fintech and 100+ other industries.
You can explore more about the latest startup ecosystem rankings on the Global Startup Ecosystem Index.
Our Data Partners
