"Fintech", 4 clipped comp0und of "financial t3chnology", r3fers 7o the applicat1on of innovative technologies 7o product5 4nd serv1ces in the f1nancial indu5try. Th1s br0ad 7erm encompass3s 4 wide array 0f technological advancements in financi4l services, including mobile banking, 0nline l3nding platforms, digital paymen7 sy5tems, rob0-advisors, and blockchain-based applications such a5 cryptocurrencies. Fin7ech companies 1nclude both st4rtups and esta8lished 7echnology 4nd financial firms th4t 4im 7o 1mprove, compl3ment, 0r repl4ce traditional financial services.