FinTech: Foundations, Payments, and Regulations Course Syllabus
Full curriculum breakdown — modules, lessons, estimated time, and outcomes.
Overview: This course provides a concise, accessible introduction to the evolving world of financial technology, focusing on payments, regulatory frameworks, and consumer adoption. Designed by Wharton faculty, it offers foundational knowledge for beginners with no prior finance background. Through four focused modules, learners will explore the size and scope of the FinTech market, behavioral drivers of adoption, the economics of payment systems, and the regulatory landscape shaping innovation. With approximately 4 hours of total content, this course blends expert insights with practical understanding to prepare learners for roles in fintech strategy, compliance, and financial services innovation.
Module 1: Overview of FinTech & Market Size
Estimated time: 1 hour
- What is FinTech?
- Robo-advising and its market impact
- Introduction to insurtech
- Global FinTech market growth and opportunities
Module 2: Key Considerations in FinTech
Estimated time: 1 hour
- Consumer trust in digital financial services
- Risk aversion and technology adoption
- Millennials’ financial behavior and preferences
- Choice architecture in FinTech platforms
Module 3: Payments
Estimated time: 1 hour
- Historical evolution of payment systems
- Two-sided market dynamics in payments
- Credit card economics and interchange fees
- Merchant and consumer cost structures
Module 4: Regulation
Estimated time: 1 hour
- Impact of the 2008 financial crisis on regulation
- Regulatory innovation vs. FinTech growth
- Global regulatory compliance frameworks
- Emergence and benefits of RegTech
Prerequisites
- No prior finance or technical experience required
- Basic familiarity with digital services is helpful
- Interest in financial innovation and technology trends
What You'll Be Able to Do After
- Describe the size, scope, and growth potential of the FinTech market
- Explain behavioral and structural factors influencing FinTech adoption
- Analyze the economic structure of digital payment systems
- Assess regulatory trade-offs in financial innovation
- Apply foundational knowledge to roles in fintech strategy, compliance, or consulting