Legal Challenges Facing Fintech Startups in Iran: A Study of the Approach of Leading Countries in the Field of Financial Technologies

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 PhD student in Jurisprudence and Law, Shahid Motahari University and Graduate School, Tehran, Iran

2 Full Professor and Faculty Member, Faculty of Theology and Islamic Studies, Department of Jurisprudence and Fundamentals of Law, Imam Sadeq University,

10.48308/eclr.2026.242537.1231
Abstract
Financial technology (FinTech) startups seeking global scale face complex regulations across jurisdictions that hinder market access and rapid customer adoption; however, given the uncertainties surrounding business models and their impact on the economy, regulators are concerned about the potential negative consequences of these companies’ activities on the stability and soundness of financial markets. In Iran, the growing popularity of FinTech companies and the lack of regulatory familiarity with the sector to regulate have raised similar concerns. This study examines the legal barriers to the advancement of FinTech platforms through a qualitative research method. It aims to highlight recurring concerns such as data governance, interoperability, licensing barriers, and talent acquisition issues for innovators seeking to access multi-country services. Although the results show that regulatory principles remain largely uncoordinated at present, the recommendations emphasize sectoral collaboration to advance unified standards, including data governance, regulatory rules, and open banking architectures. Staging compliance based on appropriate need and effective policy incentives and dispute relief schemes may facilitate market entry and maintain the trust that is lacking today; but achieving the ultimate goal of this technology requires accelerating progressive, agile, and international legal systems that protect consumers while fostering inclusive innovation ecosystems.

Keywords



Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 19 July 2026