The Promise and the Future of New Financial Technology:
For Better or for Worse?

Breakthroughs in technologies such as blockchain, cryptocurrencies, mobile banking, investment apps, and digital credit are rapidly changing the global financial ecosystem and driving the creation of novel business models. The fintech revolution holds the promise of not only improving access and usage, but also of expanding the financial health and resilience of businesses and vulnerable populations; yet our understanding of many of its consequences has not kept pace with innovation.

The Lab for Inclusive Fintech (LIFT) and the Digital Credit Observatory (DCO) at the University of California, Berkeley, are excited to co-host an event on June 7-8 that brings together researchers, implementing partners, and policymakers to explore whether and how digital financial technologies can benefit underserved populations around the world. 

The two-day event will feature novel research and stakeholder panels that will bring together new ideas and expertise across public, private, and NGO sectors to guide the next generation of studies, frame industry conversations and objectives, and inform policymaking. Sessions will take place in person at UC Berkeley and will be have the option to join remotely via livestream. For more information, please see the event webpage.