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Fintech Stocks Slide Amid Tariff Uncertainty

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

April 9, 2025

Market Volatility Raises Concerns Over Consumer Credit and Loan Repayments. Financial technology companies—including Robinhood and buy now, pay later (BNPL) provider Affirm—have been caught in the crosshairs of President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariff policy, with shares tumbling as investors brace for economic uncertainty.

Fintech Faces Growing Pressure

Since Trump’s April 2 tariff announcement, global markets have been rattled, sparking fears of higher consumer prices, weaker demand, and a potential recession. Fintech firms, which rely on consumer spending and loan repayments, are particularly vulnerable to economic downturns.

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Affirm (AFRM.O) shares have dropped over 21%, reflecting investor concerns over BNPL customers’ ability to repay loans.
Robinhood (HOOD.O) is down more than 17%, as its revenue from debit and credit card transactions could decline with softer consumer spending.
SoFi (SOFI.O) has lost nearly 20%, given its exposure to personal loans and banking services.

“A recession typically hits mass-market consumer businesses—including fintechs—harder than other sectors, as lower-income consumers cut back first,” said James Ulan, director of research at PitchBook.

Delinquencies On The Rise?

For credit-extending fintechs like Affirm and SoFi, the key concern is rising delinquency rates.

Affirm reported 2.5% of its monthly loans were delinquent by over 30 days as of December 31—slightly up from the previous year.
SoFi said 0.55% of its personal loans were delinquent by more than 90 days in the same period.
For comparison, banks reported a 2.75% delinquency rate on consumer loans, according to the Federal Reserve.

“With renewed inflation, excess cash flows are squeezed, and the ability to service debt weakens,” said John Hecht, analyst at Jeffries.

A Silver Lining?

Despite the turbulence, some analysts see a potential upside. If tariffs push Treasury yields lower, borrowing costs for fintech lenders could drop, making credit extension less risky.

“This could have unintended positive consequences for fintech stocks,” said Dan Dolev, senior analyst at Mizuho, arguing that markets may be overreacting.

Investors are also watching for potential negotiations on tariffs, which could ease recession fears and help stabilize fintech stocks.

“The real damage so far is mostly psychological,” said Nick Thompson, research analyst at Intro-act. “If we see quick relief, markets could rebound fast.”

The Future Forbes Realty Global Properties

Cyprus Leads EU With Highest Per Capita Greenhouse Gas Footprint In 2023

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

February 20, 2026

Cyprus Tops The Emissions List

New Eurostat data shows that Cyprus recorded the highest per-capita greenhouse gas footprint in the European Union in 2023. The country reported 14.8 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent per person, well above the EU average of 9.0 tonnes. The figures highlight the impact of consumption patterns and imported goods on national emissions.

Overview Of 2023 Emissions Data

According to the report, the greenhouse gas footprint linked to goods and services consumed within the EU averaged 9.0 tonnes per person in 2023, down from 10.0 tonnes in 2022. The consumption-based metric measures emissions generated across entire supply chains, regardless of where production takes place.

Contrasting Emissions Across Member States

Cyprus recorded the highest level at 14.8 tonnes per capita, followed by Ireland at 14.0 tonnes and Luxembourg at 12.7 tonnes. At the lower end of the scale, Portugal reported 6.5 tonnes per capita, with Bulgaria, Sweden, and Romania also recording comparatively low figures. The differences reflect varying consumption patterns and the carbon intensity of imported goods and services.

Consumption Versus Production Emissions

Across the EU, the greenhouse gas footprint tied to consumption reached 4.0 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2023, compared with production-based emissions of 3.3 billion tonnes. The gap illustrates how imported goods contribute to overall emissions. Over the past decade, consumption-based emissions declined by 12.9%, while production-based emissions fell by 18.6%, partly influenced by the economic slowdown during the 2020 pandemic.

Implications For Policymakers And Business Leaders

The data suggests that emissions strategies increasingly need to address both domestic production and consumption patterns. For Cyprus, this means looking beyond local energy reforms to examine the carbon footprint of imported products and supply chains. Businesses and policymakers may need to consider broader sustainability measures that reflect how goods are produced and consumed.

As the EU continues to strive for reduced emissions, this report serves as a vital resource. It illustrates the progress in lowering production emissions while drawing attention to the substantial challenge posed by the consumption-based footprint. In the evolving realm of environmental policy, these insights are indispensable for steering future initiatives on a path towards greater sustainability.