Of Interest
you are currently viewing:IMF Working Paper-Prometheus Unbound: What Makes Fintech Grow?February 21, 2025-Summary In this paper, I use a comprehensive dataset to investigate the emergence and spread of fintech in a diverse panel of 98 countries over the period 2012-2020. This empirical analysis helps ascertain economic, demographic, technological and institutional factors that enable the development of fintech. The magnitude and statistical significance of these factors vary according to the type of fintech instrument and the level of economic development (advanced economies vs. developing countries). Finally, these findings reveal that policies and structural reforms can help promote financial innovation and cultivate fintech ventures-particularly by strengthening technological and institutional infrastructures and reducing cybersecurity threats. Source: imf.org |
Mapped: Which Countries Rely Most on Imports
February 4, 2026-Key Takeaways
Globally, imported goods and services are equal to 28% of GDP.
Despite importing $3.4 trillion of goods, the U.S. has one of the lowest import-to-GDP ratios because of its massive and diverse economy.
FSB warns of financial stability challenges in repo markets
February 4, 2026-Repo markets are critical to the functioning of the global financial system and have been involved in several recent episodes of stress, including the March 2020 dash for cash and September 2022 gilt market episode.
Report warns that leverage, demand and supply imbalances, and high levels of concentration within repo markets have the potential to create strains.
The WFE creates Listing Stringency Index that enables comparison of markets
February 4, 2026-The World Federation of Exchanges, the global industry association for exchanges and CCPs, has published a paper introducing its Listing Stringency Index (LSI), a standardised framework that can be used to analyse the relative stringency of listing regimes and make informed decisions.
Mapped: Which Countries Are Expected to Grow the Most in 2026?
January 27, 2026--Key Takeaways
Guyana is forecast to see 23% real GDP growth in 2026, the highest rate globally, supported by a massive oil boom.
Global real GDP growth is projected to be 3.1% in 2026, slightly lower than the 3.2% forecast for 2025.
Clear Orbit, Secure Future: A Call to Action on Space Debris
January 26, 2026-Space is the foundational infrastructure of the 21st-century global economy. From navigation and finance to climate monitoring, daily life on Earth depends on satellites. Yet this critical orbital infrastructure is under threat. Congestion from space debris is rising, creating a strategic vulnerability for the entire planet.
Mapped: AI Adoption Rates by Country
January 22, 2026--Key Takeaways
The UAE has an AI adoption rate of 64.0%, the highest globally in 2025.
Even though the U.S. is a global leader in AI infrastructure and frontier model development, it ranks 24th in AI adoption based on analysis from Microsoft.
'Frontier Market' Economies Haven't Lived Up to Potential Since 2010
January 20, 2026--Investment growth has halved, more than in other low- and middle-income economies
"Frontier market" economies-a cluster of mostly middle-income economies regarded as the proving ground for the next generation of economic superstars-have largely failed to live up to their potential in recent decades, a new World Bank study has found.
Women's Health Investment Outlook: 6% of Funding for Nearly 50% of the Population-Not Just a Gap, but Untapped White Space
January 20, 2026-Women's health represents a large and undercapitalized opportunity in global healthcare. Despite women and girls making up nearly half the world's population, women's health has captured just 6% of private healthcare investment. The fundamentals are strong, but funding remains limited and narrowly focused, historically confined to reproductive and maternal health.
Investing in Blue Foods: Innovation and Partnerships for Impact
January 19, 2026--The future of global food systems hinges on their ability to harness the full spectrum of natural and human potential. Thisa href="https://reports.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Investing_in_Blue_Foods_2026.pdf" TARGET="_blank">report focuses on one of the most promising food systems opportunities: the development of the blue foods sector, which has the capacity to drive economic growth, improve nutrition and strengthen climate resilience.
Global Value Chains Outlook 2026: Orchestrating Corporate and National Agility
January 19, 2026-Global supply chains face a new operating reality- one defined by persistent volatility and disruptions embedded in the global economy. Leaders face a defining challenge: how can supply chains be designed to remain resilient, competitive and investable when uncertainty is not temporary, but structural?
