A Centre for Financial Technology Innovation and Artificial Intelligence

The Digital Finance Institute provides thought leadership at the nexus of digital finance, AI, regulation, innovation, and financial inclusion.

Building exterior in Toronto, Canada

A strategic link

The Digital Finance Institute represents a strategic link among industry, academia, financial regulators and policymakers to promote sector vibrancy, resilience and responsible finance.

Education

The Institute is a recognized voice in global FinTech and AI, providing education sessions in finance and AI. We have presented twice at the United Nations’ UNCITRAL on blockchain and the legal risks of AI, and testified numerous times before the Canadian Senate on finance. Our leaders have taught blockchain for energy and smart cities systems with THNK in Amsterdam. Our leadership has authored chapters for UN publications and authored a chapter for the bestselling The RegTech Book.

Conferences and Events

We created numerous events to support the ecosystem and connect those with capital and influence to innovators reinventing finance and technology. We created the FinTech Cup with Payments Canada, partnered with SWIFT for their annual banking conference, and founded the Canadian FinTech and AI Awards, FinTech Week in Canada, FinTech Nigeria, and Canada’s AI World Forum. We created session on AI including a session on self-driving cars, machine learning and the law.

Research and Reports

We conduct research and release research reports in furtherance of AI and financial technology. Our work includes Canada’s first national FinTech report, a study on finance titled Bridging the Gender Gap with SWIFT, and Canada’s first benchmark report for commercial AI. We celebrated Canadian leadership with our annual Top 50 FinTech Companies and Top 50 Women in FinTech reports.

Policy Engagement

We have worked on policy development with international and national agencies, participated in central bank roundtables on finance, and contributed to the development of new payment rails and open banking systems. Our leadership participates in a global banking standards group based in the UK aimed at providing standards advice for banking in emerging markets.

Inclusive AI and Finance

The Institute has long believed that financial innovation and AI must serve everyone. We created FemTech Leaders to support women in finance and to profile their achievements. We worked with SWIFT and partners on refugee payment initiatives, so that displaced populations can access safe, dignified financial services. In 2015, we began advocating for inclusive, ethical and responsible AI. We deliver the first speech in AI in Nigeria, opening new conversations in Africa.

Thought Leadership

The Institute’s experts lead the way in shaping progressive ideas and driving meaningful discourse. We have been invited by the White House to speak at the Global Entrepreneurship Summit, and by the offices of President Macron and His Majesty the King of Morocco to speak on FinTech. We have also spoken at APEC, FATF, Singapore FinTech Week, the Asian Development Bank, SWIFT, Hong Kong FinTech, Asian Banker, Money 20/20, Consensus and the Milken Institute.

Our Reports

The Institute researches and writes in-depth reports on FinTech and AI, and also produces reports to recognize leaders in AI and finance in Canada. We prepared Canada’s first national FinTech report, a landmark report with SWIFT on women in financial technology, a report on commercial AI, and participated in THNK’s report on Reinventing Capitalism.

Top 50 FinTech Companies in Canada

  • Data‑driven ranking of Canada’s leading FinTech firms
  • Evaluated on disruption, scalability, growth and innovation
  • A benchmark for investors, banks and policymakers

Top 50 Women in FinTech

  • Profiles of Canada’s most influential women in FinTech
  • Recognizes leadership, innovation and community impact
  • Highlights achievements across the FinTech ecosystem

“Études has saved us thousands of hours of work and has unlocked insights we never thought possible.”

Annie Steiner

CEO, Greenprint

Watch, Read, Listen

No posts were found.

Join 900+ subscribers

Stay in the loop with everything you need to know.

Sign up