We recently compiled a list of 20 Fintech Stocks Riding the Rising AI Wave.In this article, we’ll take a look at where PayPal Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:PYPL) stacks up to other fintech stocks.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is redefining how financial services works, bringing new waves of innovation while improving efficiency and decision-making across the industry. From automating mundane processes to personalizing the customer experience, AI has firmly established itself as a revolutionary player, and nowhere is this more evident than in the fintech space. In recent years, the rise of generative AI (GenAI) models, such as OpenAI’s GPT, has accelerated this transformation. These tools do more than process data, they generate meaningful content, automate workflows, and unlock insights in ways that traditional AI could never achieve.
Banks and financial institutions around the world have rapidly adopted AI, not only as a passing trend but also as a strategic necessity. Many of the world’s largest banks, particularly those in North America, have allocated substantial resources to building AI infrastructure and talent. They are investing heavily in areas like fraud detection, customer service chatbots, and personalized financial products. The deployment of specialized hardware further highlights the commitment to refining processes, managing risks and scaling AI-driven innovations. These investments are already paying off, leading to more efficient operations, improved profitability and increased customer satisfaction.
GenAI’s impact extends beyond operational efficiency and touches almost every facet of the banking industry. Whether it’s expediting loan applications, optimizing compliance procedures, or creating predictive investment strategies, AI is enabling financial institutions to meet increasingly high customer expectations. Banks are also leveraging AI to stay ahead of the curve by thwarting competition from tech giants and emerging business models like embedded finance, where financial services are seamlessly integrated with non-financial platforms.
The benefits of AI are not limited to banks alone; the ripple effects are being felt in other areas of finance, such as wealth management, insurance and payment solutions. AI tools are transforming how these industries operate by providing real-time insights, personalized recommendations and automated claims processing. For example, AI-powered financial advice platforms enable wealth managers to provide personalized advice more effectively. Similarly, insurance companies are using AI to streamline claims processing, improving both customer experience and internal operations.
However, rapid adoption of AI is not without its challenges. Integrating AI into financial services introduces complexities, such as the “black box” problem, where the logic behind AI-related decisions becomes difficult to interpret. There are also concerns about bias in algorithms, data privacy and the potential for job losses. To address these issues, financial institutions are working to establish strong governance frameworks that ensure transparency, fairness and accountability in AI operations. Banks are not just adopting AI for its own sake, they are also striving to develop ethical AI solutions that align with regulatory requirements and maintain customer trust.
The influence of AI is also reshaping the cybersecurity landscape for fintechs. While AI strengthens defenses by detecting threats and automating responses, it simultaneously increases the attack surface, creating new vulnerabilities for malicious actors to exploit. Financial institutions need to strike a balance, deploying AI to improve security while ensuring these systems remain protected against manipulation. Collaborative efforts between banks, technology companies and regulators are essential to creating secure AI ecosystems that minimize risks without compromising innovation.
According to KPMG, global fintech investments reached $51.9 billion across 2,255 deals in the first half of 2024, up from $62.3 billion in the second half of 2023. The Americas led with $36 billion dollars, while Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) recorded investments. fall to $11.4 billion. Meanwhile, the Asia-Pacific (ASPAC) region got $3.7 billion. Despite a slight decline, M&A activity is showing promise, with $32.6 billion recorded, already surpassing the 2023 total of $58.8 billion.
The payments sector remains dominant, attracting $21.4 billion, thanks to large buyouts. AI-driven fintech is also booming, particularly in the US, with deals like Ramp and FundGuard securing major fundraising rounds. Investors are increasingly attracted to solutions based on AI, behavioral intelligence and new markets in Southeast Asia and Africa.
Although high interest rates have slowed some larger transactions, the second half of 2024 could see renewed interest in areas such as central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) and ESG fintech, suggesting opportunities future growth.
In this evolving landscape, fintech companies are at the forefront of harnessing the potential of AI to transform financial services. With AI technologies now integrated into everything from fraud prevention systems to investment platforms, the fintech sector is riding a wave of momentum toward new growth and opportunities. Companies that effectively integrate AI not only improve internal efficiency, but also create new revenue streams and build stronger customer relationships.
This article explores 20 fintech stocks that are capitalizing on the AI revolution, riding the wave of innovation to new heights. As AI becomes more integral to financial services, these companies are positioned to take the lead in shaping the future of the industry, one that is more efficient, secure and more customer-centric than ever before. Whether you’re an investor looking to gain exposure to cutting-edge technology or someone interested in the future of finance, these fintech players are worth keeping an eye on.
Our methodology
For this article, we have selected 20 fintech stocks that are making big strides thanks to the latest news. For each company, we mentioned the number of hedge fund investors, which was taken from the Insider Monkey Q2 database of 912 hedge funds. Why are we interested in stocks that hedge funds are piling into? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the stocks selected by the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletter strategy selects 14 small- and large-cap stocks each quarter and has returned 275% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 150 percentage points (see more details here).
A consumer in a cafe pays for goods using a mobile payment application.
Number of hedge fund holders: 87
PayPal Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: PYPL) is a global leader in digital payments, providing a technology platform that connects merchants and consumers through its two-sided network. Founded in 1998 and headquartered in San Jose, California, PayPal Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: PYPL) enables seamless online and in-person transactions, facilitating payments through a variety of methods, including credit and debit cards, accounts banking, cryptocurrencies and digital wallets. such as Venmo and PayPal Credit. With its wide range of services under brands such as Braintree, Venmo and Honey, PayPal Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:PYPL) is firmly positioning itself as a financial technology giant, especially as it capitalizes on increasing digitalization payments.
In recent discussions, AI has played an important role in shaping the strategy of PayPal Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: PYPL). The company has focused on leveraging AI to improve the consumer and merchant experience. AI-powered innovations, such as PayPal’s Fastlane and Ads platform, are expected to improve transaction efficiency and provide deeper insights into consumer behavior, giving the company a technological advantage. For example, early adopters of Fastlane reported an 80% conversion rate, significantly higher than the industry average. These AI-driven innovations are expected to drive PayPal’s growth in the coming years.
Despite these technological advancements, PayPal Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: PYPL) faces increasing competitive pressures. On October 10, Bernstein lowered the stock’s rating from Outperform to Market Perform, citing concerns about intense competition and uncertainty surrounding PayPal’s long-term growth trajectory. The company raised its price target from $75 to $80, but said PayPal’s recent stock price performance left limited upside potential. Bernstein also noted that while PayPal Holdings, Inc.’s (NASDAQ: PYPL) core product offering remains strong, initiatives such as “PayPal Everywhere” and its new campaigns have yet to have a significant impact on consumer preferences or increased profits. Additionally, Venmo’s share of peer-to-peer transactions is declining and Braintree’s price changes are causing uncertainty about future growth prospects.
During its second quarter 2024 earnings conference call, PayPal Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: PYPL) reported strong financial results, with earnings per share beating expectations at $1.19. However, even as the company strives to leverage AI and other technological innovations to drive future growth, analysts remain cautious about competitive challenges and market headwinds in the long term.
Global PYPL ranks 3rd on our list of fintech stocks riding the AI wave to the upside. While we recognize the potential of PYPL as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that certain AI stocks hold more promise in terms of higher returns and in a shorter time frame. If you’re looking for an AI stock that’s more promising than PYPL but is trading at less than 5x earnings, check out our report on cheapest AI stock.
