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As we move deeper into 2026, fintech hiring remains cautiously optimistic. According to recruiters at PaymentGenes, the market is stabilising after a volatile 2024, with strategic hiring picking up in select roles and regions.
After a pause in aggressive growth plans last year, companies are resuming their market presence with targeted hiring strategies. Demand is strongest in roles directly linked to product scalability and regulatory alignment.
“Compliance, AI talent, and experienced finance leaders continue to top the list,” notes Harrison Williams, Team Lead at PaymentGenes. “There’s also increasing emphasis on hiring profiles that can demonstrate cross-functional value, especially in smaller firms.”
Hiring has become more global. European fintechs, particularly in the Netherlands and Spain, are increasingly open to remote or hybrid roles to attract top talent in AI, data, and engineering.
“We’re seeing more openness to cross-border talent than ever before. Teams are distributed by design now, especially in data and software roles.”
While many firms are still cautious about budgets, the best candidates are starting to regain bargaining power. Recruiters report more frequent counteroffers, salary negotiations, and demand for flexibility.
“Talented engineers and compliance experts know they’re in demand again. Some clients are being caught off guard when it comes to candidate expectations.”
Slow hiring processes are still costing companies top talent.
Key tips for companies:
2026 offers strong opportunities, but expectations for clarity and impact are higher. Candidates should:
Key tips for candidates:
This interview is part of the PaymentGenes Salary & Hiring Trends Report in collaboration with MPE, which combines hard salary data with first-hand recruiter insights to give companies and candidates a realistic view of today’s fintech job market.
👉 Download the full report to explore salary benchmarks, role-specific trends, and expert guidance for navigating today’s fintech hiring landscape.
Certifications are increasingly important in FinTech and Payments, signaling expertise, commitment, and compliance with industry standards. They can differentiate candidates, open career doors, and are often required in areas like compliance, risk, engineering, product, and data roles. Key certifications include AML and regulatory qualifications for compliance professionals, cloud and security certifications for engineers, agile and operational certifications for product and strategy roles, and data science and AI credentials for analytics functions. Choosing certifications aligned with your career stage and goals enhances credibility and marketability, especially when moving into new markets or leadership positions.
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