The invention has made it possible for companies and even entire nations to engage in real-time international trade and repatriate funds that, only a few years ago, required months.

However, no matter how well-intentioned, every innovation eventually succumbs to the strategies of those who have devoted their life to exploiting gaps in the system and dubious advantages. The biggest barrier to fintech’s growth—and the same goes for the banking industry as a whole—is its vulnerability to fraud.