BACKGROUND: The financial services industry in South Africa has undergone many changes that have given birth to fintechs. Most of these changes are driven by the advent of technology and evolving customer expectations. Fintechs have led to process disruptions and business model transformations, yet their implications have yet to be sufficiently studied. Therefore, it is essential to close this knowledge gap by investigating the impact of fintechs on this industry. OBJECTIVES: This research aimed to investigate the impact of fintechs in the financial services industry in South Africa. METHOD: A qualitative study was conducted in which 18 industry experts were interviewed using semi-structured interviews. The interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed for data analysis. ATLAS.ti 22 was used to organise and analyse data. RESULTS: Fintechs increase competition for the incumbents, reduce profits, expose the inability of the incumbents to be agile and introduce new regulatory risks in the financial services industry. In contrast, fintechs have also brought some positive changes into the industry: financial inclusion, new growth opportunities, increasing choices for consumers and making the industry more competitive, reducing costs, customising financial services, bringing convenience and forcing incumbents and regulators to become more innovative. CONCLUSION: This study uncovered the positive and negative effects of fintechs in financial services in South Africa. CONTRIBUTION: The study will benefit academia by expanding the body of knowledge about fintech research and improving the holistic understanding of this field in emerging economies, which can inspire future research on fintech and its application.

Resumen Se analiza de manera empírica la base de datos de la Fintech estadounidense LendingClub, la empresa precursora del mercado de préstamos digitales persona a persona. Se busca contextualizar al modelo de negocio a través de su base de datos y las variables implicadas en el perfil de riesgo de los participantes. Se toman cuatro ventanas de tiempo para capturar ciclos económicos y su impacto en el perfil crediticio de los prestatarios. Para identificar los perfiles de riesgo de manera analítica, implementamos la técnica de clústeres de K-medias, definiendo un patrón de segmentación de participantes en función de la tasa de interés de los préstamos y la calificación FICO (Fair Isaac Company). Los patrones de agrupación son constantes a lo largo de los periodos estudiados y permiten determinar niveles promedio de ingreso, tipos de préstamos adquiridos y proveniencia geográfica según perfil de riesgo. Pocos estudios contemplan toda la información disponible de la operación de LendingClub (2007-20203T); por lo tanto, este estudio también identifica la transición a la madurez de este modelo de negocio. Este trabajo logra dos objetivos: demostrar la evolución de los clientes y la plataforma a través del tiempo en cuanto se refiere a los perfiles de riesgo de los participantes prestatarios, y destacar el uso de clústeres de K-medias como una herramienta apropiada para el perfilamiento frente a otras alternativas analíticas.

Abstract We empirically analyze the LendingClub dataset, the pioneer of the peer-to-peer digital lending market. We aim to contextualize the business model through its database and the variables involved in the risk profile of the participants. We consider four different periods to capture economic cycles and their impact on the credit profile of borrowers. We implement K-Means Clustering Analysis to analytically define a segmentation pattern for participants based on the interest rate of the loans and the FICO (Fair Isaac Company) score. The clusters are constant throughout the periods studied and allow to detect average income levels, issued loans destination and borrower geographic origin according to risk profile. Few studies contemplate all the information available for the LendingClub operation (2007-2020Q3), therefore, this study illustrates how this business model has transitioned to maturity. This work achieves two objectives: to demonstrate the evolution of clients and the platform over time in terms of the risk profiles of participating borrowers, and to highlight the use of K-Means Clustering as an appropriate tool for profiling against to other analytical alternatives.

Resumen La presente investigación tuvo como objetivo general determinar si existen disposiciones legales para el control, regulación y supervisión para el uso de las criptomonedas por parte de la Administración Tributaria del Ecuador. La relevancia del estudio estuvo en el análisis del funcionamiento, naturaleza jurídica y hasta posibles mecanismos de control tributario que se pueden implementar en la transferencia de riquezas en monedas virtuales. Se utilizó un enfoque de investigación cualitativa, consistente en la recopilación de información, comparación de legislación extranjera, y entrevistas a tres especialistas del derecho tributario. Los resultados apuntaron la necesidad de regular la utilización de las criptomonedas ya que reconocen la posibilidad de inversión que direcciona al desarrollo económico del Estado. Se advierte que la globalización de la sociedad se incrementa a ritmo acelerado, y el uso de monedas virtuales se convierte en un nuevo mecanismo del sistema financiero descentralizado que precisa la implementación de las nuevas tecnologías Fintech.

Abstract The present investigation had as a general objective to propose fiscal control mechanisms of cryptocurrencies for their regulation and effective supervision by the Tax Administration in Ecuador. The relevance of the study was in the analysis of the operation, legal nature and even possible tax control mechanisms that can be implemented in the transfer of wealth in virtual currencies. A qualitative research approach was used, consisting of the collection of information, comparison of foreign legislation, and interviews with three tax law specialists. The results pointed out the need to regulate the use of cryptocurrencies since they recognize the possibility of investment that directs the economic development of the State. It is noted that the globalization of society is increasing at an accelerated rate, and the use of virtual currencies becomes a new mechanism of the decentralized financial system that requires the implementation of new Fintech technologies.

ABSTRACT Fintechs are startups that operate in the financial sector and have gradually been receiving space in the market. However, it is still not clear which elements lead individuals, especially those involved in the business field, to adopt and use these services. Thus, this study aims to analyze which elements encourage the behavioral intention to use Fintech services from the perspective of students in the business field. The theoretical basis and hypothesis development were based on the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT), which contemplates the facilitating conditions, performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, and the behavioral intention to use said services. The study also included the variable “security” as an antecedent. Age and gender were controlled for this study. A survey resulted in a sample of 107 students, and the data was analyzed with a mixed-method approach: partial least squares - structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) and fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA). With PLS-SEM, the findings demonstrate the positive effect of performance expectancy, effort expectancy and security on the behavioral intention to use fintech services. The fsQCA showed that different causal configurations can lead students to a high adoption of services provided by these startups. This study brings up new evidence that contributes to the UTAUT theory by intertwining this discussion with the security variable perceived during technology usage. Furthermore, it expands the entire discussion to the context of accepting a contemporary technology. Regarding the students, practical evidence is gathered regarding the determinants of their intention to use financial services.

RESUMO As FinTechs são startups atuantes no setor financeiro e vêm recebendo gradativo espaço no mercado. Entretanto, ainda não é claro quais elementos levam os indivíduos, especialmente da área de negócios, à adoção e uso desses serviços. Assim, o estudo tem por objetivo analisar quais elementos incentivam a intenção comportamental de uso dos serviços de FinTechs na perspectiva de estudantes que fazem parte do escopo da área de negócios. A fundamentação teórica e o desenvolvimento das hipóteses pautaram-se na Teoria Unificada da Aceitação do Uso da Tecnologia (UTAUT,) que contempla as dimensões de condições facilitadoras, expectativa de desempenho, expectativa de esforço, influência social e intenção comportamental de uso. O estudo ainda incluiu a variável segurança como antecedente. A idade e o gênero dos participantes foram controlados. Uma survey resultou em uma amostra de 107 estudantes, e os dados foram analisados por uma abordagem de métodos mistos: modelagem de equações estruturais por mínimos quadrados parciais (PLS-SEM) e análise qualitativa comparativa fuzzy-set (fsQCA). No âmbito da PLS-SEM, os achados apontam a influência positiva da expectativa de desempenho, expectativa de esforço e segurança na intenção comportamental de uso de serviços de FinTechs. Mediante a fsQCA, evidenciou-se que diferentes configurações causais podem levar os estudantes a uma alta adoção de serviços financeiros dessas startups. O estudo agrega novas evidências que contribuem para a teoria UTAUT, ao entrelaçar essa discussão com a variável de segurança percebida no uso da tecnologia. Além disso, expande toda essa discussão para o contexto de aceitação de uma tecnologia contemporânea: serviços de FinTechs. Para os estudantes, agregam-se evidências práticas sobre determinantes da intenção de uso de serviços financeiros.

Abstract: impact generated by the accelerated development of NFT’s creates a series of risks and legal problems, among which the legal, the impact on intellectual property, the protection of the purchasers of this type of tokens, fraud prevention and the possible impact of NFT’s on financial markets are the most important. The purpose of this document is to analyze whether the regulatory framework of the securities market is applicable to NFT’s based on the following assumptions: i) NFT’s, understood individually as a digital representation, cannot be considered as securities; ii) in States where the definition of securities includes the concept of “investment contract”, NFT’s could be considered as securities, as long as they meet the requirements of the Howey Test; iii) in States where there is no definition of investment contracts, NFT’s could be considered as securities, provided that they meet the requirements for such purpose-the existence of a negotiable right, issued in mass or in series within a public offering of securities, and that its purpose is to obtain resources from the public by way of investment-; and iv) that the recognition of NFT’s as securities would lead to the application of regulatory frameworks of the capital market in matters such as registration before the financial authorities, provision of information and investor protection schemes. This text will describe the origin and current scenario of NFT’s. Likewise, the different positions of supervisory and regulatory authorities at a global level will be analyzed with respect to these tokens; and, finally, some reflections will be made from the point of view of securities market regulation with respect to the aforementioned non-fungible tokens.

Resumen: El impacto generado por el acelerado desarrollo de los NFT crea una serie de riesgos y problemas jurídicos, entre los que se destacan su naturaleza, el impacto en materia de propiedad intelectual, la protección a los adquirentes de este tipo de tókenes, la prevención en materia de fraudes y el posible impacto de los NFT en los mercados financieros. Bajo estos antecedentes, la finalidad de este documento es la de analizar si el marco regulatorio del mercado de valores le es aplicable a los NFT con fundamento en los siguientes presupuestos: a) los NFT, entendidos de forma individual como una representación digital, no pueden ser considerados como valores; b) en los Estados en donde la definición de securities incluye el concepto de «contrato de inversión», los NFT podrían ser considerados valores, siempre y cuando cumplan los requisitos del test de Howey; c) en los Estados en donde no existe la definición de contratos de inversión, los NFT podrían ser considerados como valores, siempre y cuando cumplan los requisitos para tal fin -es decir, la existencia de un derecho negociable, emitido en masa o en serie dentro de una oferta pública de valores, y que tiene como finalidad obtener recursos del público a título de inversión-; y d) que el reconocimiento de los NFT como valores conllevaría a la aplicación de marcos regulatorios del mercado de capitales en temas como el registro ante las autoridades financieras, el suministro de información y los esquemas de protección a los inversionistas. Partiendo de este presupuesto, este artículo describirá el origen y panorama actual de los NFT. Posteriormente, se analizarán las diferentes posiciones de autoridades supervisoras y reguladoras a nivel global respecto a estos; y, por último, se realizarán algunas reflexiones desde la regulación del mercado de valores frente a los citados tókenes no fungibles.

RESUMEN Este artículo describirá los elementos de la hoja de ruta FinTech que las Superintendencias, el Consejo Nacional de Supervisión del Sistema Financiero (CONASSIF), y el Banco Central de Costa Rica (BCCR), han venido implementando para el diseño de un marco regulatorio para FinTech en el país. Se prestará especial atención al recientemente creado "Centro de Innovación Financiera (CIF)" y a la descripción de una posible visión de futuro. Las opiniones y puntos de vista aquí expresados son los de la autora y no reflejan necesariamente la posición oficial de ninguna de sus instituciones asociadas.

ABTRACT This article will describe the elements of the FinTech roadmap that the Superintendencies, the National Council for Supervision of the Financial System (CONASSIF), and the Central Bank of Costa Rica (BCCR), have been implementing for the design of a regulatory framework for FinTech in the country. Special attention will be given to the recently created ''Centro de Innovación Financiera (CIF)'' and the description of a possible vision for the future. The views and opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official position of any of her associated institutions.

RÉSUMÉ Cet article décrit les éléments de la feuille de route FinTech que les surintendances, le Conseil national de supervision du système financier (CONASSIF) et la Banque centrale du Costa Rica (BCCR) ont mis en œuvre pour la conception d'un cadre réglementaire pour FinTech dans le pays. Une attention particulière sera accordée au "Centro de Innovación Financiera (CIF)" récemment créé et à la description d'une vision possible pour l'avenir. Les points de vue et opinions exprimés ici sont ceux de l'auteur et ne reflètent pas nécessairement la position officielle des institutions qui lui sont associées.

RESUMO Este artigo descreverá os elementos do roteiro da FinTech que as Superintendências, o Conselho Nacional de Supervisão do Sistema Financeiro (CONASSIF) e o Banco Central da Costa Rica (BCCR) vêm implementando para a criação de uma estrutura regulatória para a FinTech no país. Será dada atenção especial ao recém-criado "Centro de Innovación Financiera (CIF)" e à descrição de uma possível visão para o futuro. As visões e opiniões expressas aqui são de responsabilidade da autora e não refletem necessariamente a posição oficial de nenhuma de suas instituições associadas.

Abstract This study aims to determine factors impacting the intention of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in using fintech lending applications as an optional source of business financing using the technology acceptance model approach. The population in this study were MSMEs in Indonesia. Samples were taken by purposive sampling with the criteria of having used a licensed fintech lending application for business financing. The samples used were 171 samples. This study used structural equation model (SEM) as the analysis technique. The results of this study showed that Perceived Ease of Use had an impact on Perceived Usefulness but had no effect on Attitude Toward Using. The factor Perceived Usefulness had an effect on Attitude Toward Using, and Attitude Toward Using influences Behavioral Intention to Use. Fintech companies can play a role by providing education and empowerment to foster understanding of digital literacy for MSME stakeholders. The governments need to develop policy frameworks that can balance innovation and risk mitigation.

RESUMO Este estudo tem como objetivo determinar os fatores que impactam a intenção de Micro, Pequenas e Médias Empresas (MPMEs) em usar aplicativos de empréstimo fintech como uma fonte opcional de financiamento de negócios usando a abordagem do modelo de aceitação de tecnologia. A população neste estudo eram MPMEs na Indonésia. As amostras foram coletadas por amostragem intencional, selecionando indivíduos com base no critério de terem utilizado um aplicativo de empréstimo fintech licenciado para financiamento de negócios. A amostra consistiu de 171 indivíduos. Este estudo utilizou o modelo de equação estrutural (SEM) como técnica de análise. Os seus resultados mostram que a Facilidade de Uso Percebida tem impacto na Utilidade Percebida, mas não teve efeito na Atitude Face ao Uso. O fator de Utilidade Percebida tem um efeito na Atitude Face ao Uso, e Atitude Face ao Uso influenciam a Intenção Comportamental de Uso. A empresa fintech pode desempenhar um papel ao fornecer educação e capacitação para promover a compreensão da alfabetização digital para as partes interessadas das MPME. Os governos precisam desenvolver estruturas políticas que possam equilibrar inovação e mitigação de riscos.

Abstract This paper aims to explain the Brazilian Central Bank’s (BCB) decision to create and operate a new instant payment system: PIX. Understanding that “digital financialization” can take different forms, this study sheds light on the factors that led to the BCB’s choice to launch a “state-owned Fintech”. The analysis considers three complementary factors. Firstly, the BCB’s institutional trajectory has made it protective of its perimeter of power. Secondly, the ideas shared by transnational networks support the active role of central banks in managing instant payment issues. Thirdly, the interests of traditional banks were not significantly impacted to the extent that they would oppose the creation of PIX. Through examining BCB documents and secondary literature, this study provides a first-hand account of the motivations and circumstances that led to the creation of PIX in Brazil.

Resumo Este artigo tem como objetivo explicar a atuação do Banco Central do Brasil (BCB) ao criar e operar um novo sistema de pagamento instantâneo, o PIX. Compreendendo que a “financeirização digital” pode assumir diferentes formas, este estudo busca entender os fatores que levaram a escolha do BCB de lançar uma “Fintech estatal”. A análise apresenta a complementariedade de três fatores. Em primeiro lugar, a trajetória institucional do BCB o tornou cioso de seu perímetro de poder. Em segundo lugar, as ideias compartilhadas por redes transnacionais justificam o papel ativo dos bancos centrais no tema dos sistema de pagamento instantâneo. Em terceiro lugar, os interesses dos bancos tradicionais não foram significativamente impactados a ponto de vetarem a criação do PIX. Por meio da análise de documentos do BCB e de literatura secundária, este estudo apresenta uma explicação original das motivações e circunstâncias que levaram à criação do PIX no Brasil.

Abstract International mainstream media have presented fintech as revolutionary and a threat to the traditional banking industry. This article explores how that image is constructed. Designed to expand access to the banking system, fintechs should follow social responsibility parameters and fill a market gap left by banks. We chose to analyze the media for its character as a barometer of perception and understanding of specific logics (LOK, 2010). We analyzed articles from the New York Times and the Financial Times for 24 months. The articles showed that the media, when dealing with fintech, uses expressions such as “threat”, “competition”, “disruption”, “revolution,” and, with much less emphasis, social consequences. Our analysis found an ambiguous discourse of market rationalization in an attempt to align practices with Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in an industry under construction.

Resumen Los grandes medios de comunicación internacionales han presentado a las fintech como revolucionarias y una amenaza para el sector financiero tradicional. Este artículo explora cómo se construye esa imagen. Diseñadas para ampliar el acceso al sistema bancario, las fintechs deben seguir parámetros de responsabilidad social y llenar un vacío de mercado dejado por los bancos. Optamos por analizar los medios por su carácter de barómetro de percepción y comprensión de lógicas específicas (LOK, 2010). Analizamos artículos del New York Times y el Financial Times durante 24 meses. Los artículos mostraron que los medios, cuando se trata de fintechs, utilizan expresiones como “amenaza”, “competencia”, “ruptura”, “revolución” y, con mucho menos énfasis, las consecuencias sociales. Nuestro análisis encontró un discurso ambiguo de racionalización del mercado en un intento de alinear las prácticas con la Responsabilidad Social Corporativa (RSE), en una industria en construcción.

Resumo As fintechs têm sido apresentadas pela grande mídia internacional como revolucionárias e uma ameaça à indústria bancária tradicional. Este artigo explora como essa imagem é construída. Concebidas para ampliar o acesso ao sistema bancário, as fintechs deveriam seguir parâmetros de responsabilidade social e preencher uma lacuna de mercado deixada pelos bancos. Escolhemos analisar a mídia por seu caráter de barômetro da percepção e compreensão de lógicas específicas (LOK, 2010). Analisamos artigos do New York Times e do Financial Times durante 24 meses. Os artigos mostraram que a mídia, ao tratar das fintechs, utiliza expressões como “ameaça”, “competição”, “ruptura”, “revolução” e, com bem menos ênfase, as consequências sociais. Nossa análise encontrou um discurso ambíguo de racionalização de mercado em uma tentativa de alinhamento das práticas à Responsabilidade Social Corporativa (RSC) em uma indústria em construção.

Abstract This article aims to analyze the characteristics, limitations and contradictions involving financial technology companies (fintechs) and traditional banks in Brazil. The paper describes the two new categories aimed at regulating fintechs in Brazil: the so-called Direct Credit Company (Sociedade de Crédito Direto) and the Personal Loan Company (Sociedade de Empréstimo entre Pessoas). The paper challenges the idea that financial technology inevitably introduces competition into the financial market, as it describes relevant mechanisms of cooperation between financial technology companies and traditional banks, with potentially high gains for both of them. Finally, using the data provided by the Central Bank, we compare interest rates charged by a local fintech and by its major shareholders, which are traditional banks. Although our analysis is still exploratory, it shows that the fintech controlled by large traditional banks charges higher interest rates than their controllers, suggesting a fruitful research agenda to investigate whether this occurs systematically or not.

Resumo Este artigo tem o objetivo de analisar as características, as limitações e as contradições que envolvem fintechs e bancos tradicionais no Brasil. Descreve as duas novas categorias destinadas a regular as fintechs no Brasil - a Sociedade de Crédito Direto (SCD) e a Sociedade de Empréstimo entre Pessoas (SEP) -, e questiona a noção de que as fintechs necessariamente introduzem competição no mercado financeiro, ao descrever relevantes mecanismos de cooperação entre fintechs e bancos tradicionais, com ganhos potencialmente elevados para ambos. Por fim, utilizando dados disponibilizados pelo Banco Central, são comparadas as taxas de juros praticadas por uma fintech nacional e por seus acionistas, que são bancos tradicionais. Embora nossa análise seja ainda exploratória, ela revela que a fintech controlada pratica juros mais elevados do que seus bancos controladores, sugerindo uma proveitosa agenda de pesquisa para investigar se isso ocorre sistematicamente.

Abstract: Foreign investment has traditionally played an important role in the real estate sector on the Costa del Sol, and since 2014, it has focused its attention on the real estate development business sector through international development companies and development companies linked to investment funds. The aim of this study is to explore the extent of their participation in the property development market in the province, as well as to evaluate the differences and similarities of this participation with respect to those existing in other tourist destinations in the Spanish Mediterranean. The methodology is based on data on new-build homes offered, provided by the main real estate portals operating in Spain. The data allows to confirm that companies linked to foreign companies lead the market for new-build homes on the Costa del Sol and its province, with a share above that of national and local developers, and with a greater market share than in mature Mediterranean tourist markets such as Alicante and the Balearic Islands. In addition, the new emerging technology sectors represent an opportunity for the local real estate market by generating new demand for housing in the most dynamic and touristic areas of the city.

Resumen: La inversión extranjera ha tenido tradicionalmente una importante participación en el sector inmobiliario de la Costa del Sol, dirigiendo su atención -desde el año 2014- al sector empresarial promotor inmobiliario a través de sociedades promotoras internacionales y compañías promotoras vinculadas a fondos de inversión. El objetivo de este trabajo es dar a conocer la amplitud de su participación en el mercado promotor inmobiliario de la provincia de Málaga, España, así como evaluar las diferencias y similitudes de esta participación respecto a la existente en otros destinos turísticos del mediterráneo español. La metodología seguida parte de los datos sobre viviendas comercializadas de obra nueva de los principales portales inmobiliarios que operan en España, a partir de los cuales se confirma que las empresas vinculadas a sociedades promotoras extranjeras lideran el mercado de viviendas de obra nueva de la provincia de Málaga, con una participación por encima de la de promotores nacionales y locales, y con mayor cuota de mercado de aquella de los mercados turísticos maduros mediterráneos españoles como Alicante e Illes Balears. Además, los nuevos sectores tecnológicos emergentes representan una oportunidad para el mercado inmobiliario local al generar nueva demanda de viviendas en las zonas más dinámicas y turísticas de la ciudad.

Abstract The current context in which companies operate has meant that financing is offered in a different way than the traditional one. Technology has made investment and financing alternatives appear that are aimed at reducing financial costs and access to credit by MSMEs in Peru and Latin America. The objective of this research was to establish if the MSMEs of the Piura Region, Peru, are willing to demand financing through Crowdlending. The hypothesis that was raised was aimed at confirming that MSMEs are willing to demand financing through Crowdlending. To test this hypothesis, 382 surveys were applied to MSMEs from the different provinces of the Piura Region. The research was quantitative, descriptive and longitudinal. The perceptions of MSME entrepreneurs regarding Crowdlending were collected from the perspective of financial costs, the speed of access to credit and the flexibility of credit conditions. Ignorance of these financing alternatives and distrust in virtual transactions could have conditioned the answers. The results showed that the majority of entrepreneurs are willing to demand financing through Crowdlending, despite the fact that they perceive that access to credit would be slow, the financial cost low and that there would be high flexibility in the credit conditions to be demanded.

Resumen El contexto actual en que se desenvuelven las empresas ha propiciado que el financiamiento sea ofertado de una manera distinta al tradicional. La tecnología ha permitido que aparezcan alternativas de inversión y financiamiento que se orientan a disminuir los costos financieros y el acceso al crédito por parte de las mipymes en el Perú y América Latina. El objetivo de esta investigación fue establecer si las mipymes de la región Piura, Perú, están dispuestas a demandar financiamiento a través del crowdlending. La hipótesis pretendía confirmar que las mipymes están dispuestas a demandar financiamiento a través del crowdlending. Para contrastar esta hipótesis se aplicaron 382 encuestas a las mipymes de las diferentes provincias de la región Piura. La investigación fue de carácter cuantitativo, descriptivo y longitudinal. Se recogieron las percepciones de los empresarios de las mipymes con respecto al crowdlending desde la perspectiva de los costos financieros, la rapidez de acceso al crédito y la flexibilidad de condiciones del crédito. El desconocimiento de estas alternativas de financiamiento y la desconfianza en las transacciones virtuales pudieron condicionar las respuestas. Los resultados demostraron que la mayoría de los empresarios están dispuesto a demandar financiamiento a través del crowdlending, a pesar de que perciben que el acceso al crédito sería lento, el costo financiero bajo y que se daría una alta flexibilidad en las condiciones del crédito a demandar.

Abstract The FinTech industry includes crowdfunding companies, which consist of collaborative financing platforms. The potential use of crowdfunding among Chilean undergraduate students is empirically analyzed. An ordered probit model is used to test the determinants of the probability that a student will use a crowdfunding platform in the future. Also, a qualitative analysis containing arguments by which students would or would not use crowdfunding in the future is presented. The results indicate that trust in financial institutions and prior crowdfunding knowledge have a positive and significant effect on the probability of using these platforms. This paper constitutes one of the first to explore the growing crowdfunding market in Chile from the demand perspective.

RESUMEN: Las finanzas se han vuelto cada vez más habilitadas por las innovaciones y tecnologías después de la crisis financiera mundial, lo que exige reformas profundas con respecto al régimen regulatorio. La regulación ha levantado los requisitos para hacer frente al riesgo sistémico en la era posterior a la crisis, pero ha tardado en abordar el aumento de las actividades de FinTech. Tal desajuste requiere tratamientos regulatorios más acomodaticios, lo que genera el sandbox, entre otros. En lo que respecta a China continental, ha sido muy activa en la aplicación de tecnologías a las finanzas, pero sus reguladores y formuladores de políticas han tenido dificultades para gestionar la dinámica del mercado. Este artículo tiene como objetivo explorar cómo equilibrar las reformas regulatorias en curso y un fuerte aumento de las actividades de FinTech a través del enfoque de sandbox en China. Como herramienta regulatoria innovadora, el sandbox es un espacio seguro establecido para probar actividades de innovación sin dañar los intereses de los consumidores y la competencia leal. Desde 2015, se ha introducido un número creciente de sandboxes tanto en países desarrollados como en desarrollo. Este artículo selecciona algunos de ellos para realizar un estudio comparativo. Tal como se presenta en tales casos, las convergencias coexisten con las divergencias, y los elementos clave se pueden resumir en consecuencia. El sandbox se ha examinado más a fondo como una forma de regulación basada en principios, junto con un enfoque basado en el riesgo. No es la única opción o la mejor práctica para impulsar las innovaciones, pero es beneficiosa siempre que se diseñe con cuidado. Luego, este artículo revisa las cajas de arena recién establecidas en China extrayendo información del estudio comparativo, proponiendo una lista de “reformas” a los reformadores chinos. Como conclusión, destaca que el sandbox, que tiene limitaciones críticas, podría enfrentar desafíos adicionales en China.

ABSTRACT: Finance has become increasingly enabled by innovations and technologies after the global financial crisis, calling for profound reforms regarding the regulatory regime. Regulation has lifted requirements to deal with systemic risk in the post-crisis era, but being slow to address the rise of FinTech activities. Such a mismatch requires more accommodative regulatory treatments, bringing about the sandbox among others. As far as Mainland China is concerned, it has been very active in applying technologies to finance, but its regulators and policy makers have struggled to manage market dynamics. This article is aimed to explore how to balance between ongoing regulatory reforms and a sharp rise of FinTech activities via the sandbox approach in China. As an innovative regulatory tool, the sandbox is a safe space set to test innovation activities without harming consumers’ interests and fair competition. Since 2015, a growing number of sandboxes have been introduced to both developed and developing countries. This article selects some of them to make a comparative study. As presented by such cases, convergences co-exist with divergences, and the key elements can be summarized accordingly. The sandbox has been further examined as a form of principles-based regulation, alongside risk-based approach. It is not the only option or best practice to boost innovations, but it is beneficial as long as to get it designed carefully. Then this article reviews newly-established sandboxes in China by drawing insights from the comparative study, proposing a “to-reform” list to Chinese reformers. As the conclusion, it highlights that the sandbox, carrying critical limitations, might face extra challenges in China.

Abstract: The development of financial technologies can be divided into three stages, the third, called fintech 3.0, refers to the incursion of emerging companies that are entering to compete with large traditional financial companies. Of course, this global technological phenomenon imposes new challenges with respect to the regulation and the supervision of financial markets. However, in the case of Latin American countries, achieving greater development of fintech 3.0 involves a series of special challenges due to the obstacles imposed by the high concentration of the region’s financial markets and the way in which regulation is designed in each country. In this order, the article suggests some regulatory recommendations to facilitate greater development and penetra- tion of fintech 3.0 in the region.

Resumen: El desarrollo de las tecnologías financieras puede dividirse en tres etapas, la tercera, llamada fintech 3.0 se refiere a la incursión de empresas emergentes (startups) que ingresan a competir con las grandes compañías financieras tradicionales. Por supuesto, este fenómeno tecnológico global impone nuevos retos a la regulación y la supervisión de los mercados financieros. En el caso de América Latina, esta etapa supone una serie de desafíos producto de la alta concentración de los mercados financieros y la forma como está diseñada la regulación en cada país. En este orden, el artículo sugiere algunas recomendaciones regulatorias que faciliten un mayor desarrollo y penetración de fintech 3.0 en la región.