TikTok Ban Looming: What’s Next for Fintech & Financial Education?

What’s Happening in Fintech

Every Thursday, I round up the most important updates shaping the fintech world, so you stay ahead of the curve.

🚀 Chime’s IPO: A Turning Point for Fintech in 2025

Chime, a leading player in digital banking, has quietly taken its first step toward going public by filing for an IPO, targeting 2025. But this move doesn’t just impact Chime—it signals a broader shift in fintech’s trajectory.

The Journey So Far

Over the past decade, fintech has transformed financial services, disrupting payments, lending, and wealth management. Industry giants like Block (formerly Square), PayPal, and Affirm paved the way, showing how fintech companies can challenge traditional banking. Others, like SoFi and Robinhood, chose different routes—SPACs, IPOs—but all highlighted the sector’s potential.

After a lull during 2022-2023, Chime’s filing reflects renewed momentum in fintech public offerings. It’s a clear indicator: fintech’s growth story isn’t slowing down.

Why Chime’s IPO Matters

1. Neobank Validation:
Chime’s rise showcases how digital-first banks, free from the burden of physical branches, can thrive. With $2.65 billion raised so far, they’ve shown that consumers crave flexible, affordable, user-friendly banking solutions. If you're building in this space, it’s a wake-up call to prioritize seamless, digital-first experiences.

2. IPO Market Comeback:
Even with economic headwinds like inflation and rising rates, investor appetite for fintech remains strong. Chime’s move suggests the IPO window is reopening, especially for fintechs with solid growth models.

3. Embedded Finance Momentum:
Chime's offering—integrated checking, savings, and financial tools in one app—points to the continued rise of embedded finance. It’s a roadmap for other fintechs looking to embed financial services into consumers' daily lives.

4. Lessons for Founders:
Scaling from startup to public company takes more than growth—it requires operational discipline, customer trust, and retention strategies. Chime’s journey emphasizes the need for transparency, community-building, and rock-solid user experience.

🌟 Who’s Next? Women-Led Fintechs Eyeing the Public Markets

It’s not just Chime making waves. Female-founded fintechs are on track to follow suit.

Ellevest, co-led by Sallie Krawcheck, Sylvia S. Kwan, and Connie Hsiung, has carved out a niche by focusing on financial planning for women. With $144 million in funding and expanding offerings—retirement accounts, financial advice, impact investing—Ellevest is building a sustainable, scalable business model that could make it IPO-ready in the near future.

The message is clear: the fintech landscape is ripe for inclusive, user-focused innovation, and the path to public markets has never been more accessible.

📱 TikTok’s Uncertain Future—and Its Impact on Fintech

The Supreme Court is set to deliberate on a controversial law that could potentially ban TikTok in the U.S. due to its ties to its Chinese parent company. Regardless of how the case unfolds, the outcome could ripple far beyond social media—directly affecting fintech’s ability to engage users, especially younger, underserved audiences.

TikTok’s Role in Financial Education

Since the pandemic, TikTok has become a go-to platform for financial literacy, particularly for Gen Z and underrepresented communities. Influencers like Vivian Tu (@yourrichbff) and Tori Dunlap (@herfirst100k) have demystified personal finance, guiding millions toward better financial habits—and often toward fintech platforms.

Companies such as SoFi and Step have capitalized on this, partnering with creators to deliver bite-sized financial advice, fostering trust and onboarding new users.

What’s at Stake?

If TikTok disappears from the U.S. market, fintechs may lose one of their most effective, cost-efficient channels for reaching younger consumers. But the need for interactive, accessible financial education won’t vanish.

Where’s the Opportunity?

Gen Z and Millennials want financial autonomy—and they want to learn through engaging, relatable content. Fintech companies that invest in gamification, educational tools, and community-building—whether on TikTok or other platforms—stand to win.

Building for Underserved Communities

Social platforms have democratized access to financial knowledge, especially for women, people of color, and marginalized groups. Influencers like Lea Landaverde (@latinawealthactivist) are using their platforms to close generational wealth gaps, bringing financial inclusion to the forefront.

Fintech companies that prioritize education, transparency, and authentic storytelling will continue to thrive, regardless of TikTok’s fate.

Takeaway for Fintech Founders

Whether it’s scaling for IPOs or adapting to shifting digital landscapes, the formula is clear:

• Build trust.

• Focus on user experience.

• Educate and empower your audience.

• Stay agile.

The fintech revolution is far from over—you have the opportunity to shape its next chapter.