Samjong KPMG: "Global Fintech M&A Market Shows Signs of Recovery"

Global Fintech Investment Trends and Second Half Outlook Report

There is an opinion that the global fintech (finance + technology) investment market is showing signs of recovery, centered around large-scale mergers and acquisitions (M&A).

According to Samjong KPMG's report, "Global Fintech Investment Trends and Outlook for the Second Half of 2026," published on September 15, the size of global fintech investments in the first half of this year reached $103.1 billion, up 42.8% compared to $72.2 billion in the second half of the previous year. In contrast, the number of deals was 2,100, a decrease of 400 from the previous half-year period.

By investment type, M&A accounted for $67.9 billion with 394 deals, making up 65.9% of total investments. Venture capital (VC) investment reached $31.5 billion, a slight decrease from $32.3 billion in the second half of last year. Notably, private equity (PE) investment surged to $2.6 billion in the second quarter of 2026, marking its highest level in 11 quarters and indicating a recovery trend.

The initial public offering (IPO) market was comparatively sluggish, and global fintech exit activities in the first half consisted of 211 deals worth $41.7 billion. While this did not reach the most recent peak of $118.1 billion in annual exits in 2025—the highest in four years—it did exceed the annual average from 2022 to 2024.

By industry sector, the payment segment attracted $44.2 billion in funding, emerging as the largest investment area. The virtual asset sector saw $11.1 billion in investment. Especially, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) have surfaced as core investment areas within fintech. Responding to increasing demand for enhanced operational efficiency and productivity at companies, AI and ML-related investments in the first half amounted to 800 deals worth $21.4 billion.

The report identified the following key trends for the fintech industry in the second half of the year: increased investment in financial infrastructure, further advancement of AI investment, expansion of agentic commerce, accelerated integration within the payment segment, and the development of sovereign capabilities to support the fintech ecosystem.

Kim Seho, Senior Executive Director and digital finance & fintech industry leader at Samjong KPMG, stated, "Companies will continue to consider how to leverage AI and new technologies to differentiate customer experience and enhance operational efficiency. AI will become the top priority for fintech investors in the future, and, furthermore, with the expected enactment of the ‘Digital Asset Basic Act’ in the second half of 2026, it is important to pay attention to the growth potential of the digital asset market—including stablecoins—in Korea."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.