For the first time in four years, global fintech startups saw a jump in venture funding, with 2025 marking a clear turnaround for the sector. According to PitchBook data, fintech companies attracted $55.94 billion from investors this year—a 25% increase over 2024’s $44.75 billion. The biggest story? Prediction market platforms Polymarket and Kalshi, which rode a surge of interest in online gambling to secure the largest US funding rounds of the year.
Polymarket topped the list by raising $2 billion in October at a $9 billion valuation. Kalshi followed closely, with a $300 million round in October and another $1 billion in December, reaching an $11 billion valuation. These mega-deals, which together totaled $3.71 billion, stand out in a year where such large rounds have become rare, especially outside established fintech leaders like Plaid and Stripe. Notably, Polymarket is now seeking even more capital, with a potential valuation between $12 billion and $15 billion.
“This kind of primary capital raise is something we haven’t seen in quite a while,” said Matt Streisfeld, general partner at Oak HC/FT, a fintech-focused investment firm.
While the 2025 total is still less than half of the record $123.99 billion raised in 2021, the trend signals renewed confidence in fintech. However, there were fewer deals overall—3,712, down 19% from last year—showing that funding is concentrating around a smaller group of standout firms.
Financial automation firm Ramp Inc. is another example of this new environment. Ramp raised roughly $1 billion across three funding rounds in 2025, pushing its valuation from $13 billion at the year’s start to $32 billion by year’s end.
According to Streisfeld, investors are now more focused on backing proven leaders instead of spreading bets across a wider field. “You’re going to see more doubling down on the perceived market winners in each category,” he said.
Easier banking relationships are also fueling growth. Under a more relaxed regulatory climate in President Donald Trump’s second term, fintech and crypto companies are finding it easier to partner with banks. Coinbase, the largest US crypto exchange, announced new partnerships with major players like Citigroup and PNC Financial Services this year.
2025 also brought a wave of initial public offerings from big names in crypto and fintech, including Circle, Gemini, Chime, Klarna, and Wealthfront. With even more IPOs expected in 2026, the landscape is rapidly evolving.
