This systematic mapping study provides a comprehensive review of current Fintech research, analyzing its current state, maturity level, and future directions. By reviewing 518 Fintech articles from four academic databases between 2008 and 2021, the study finds a significant increase in Fintech research, especially in Quartile 1 and 2 journals. The most popular research areas are Fintech and banking, Fintech development, and Fintech adoption, with increasing numbers of articles in these areas. The study proposes a classification scheme for Fintech research across five dimensions, offering a unique perspective for researchers and practitioners to re-evaluate future research directions. Fintech, defined as the application of technology in financial services, has a wide range of meanings and is a cross-disciplinary subject combining finance, technology, and innovation management. It is a rapidly evolving field with significant impacts on the financial market and services. The study identifies four key research areas in Fintech and banking: credit, deposits, and capital-raising services; payments, clearing, and settlement services; investment management services; and insurance. Fintech has had the most significant impact on the financial market in terms of capital and information asymmetry. The study also identifies the current maturity level of Fintech research, finding it still in its early stages. Fintech services are the most popular research area, with a growing number of articles. The study proposes future research directions, including the integration of Fintech and banking systems, the continued use and perceived benefits and risks of Fintech services for end users, and the sustainable development of consumer protection, cross-industry cooperation, and financial regulation. The study classifies Fintech into five dimensions: Fintech industry, Fintech firms, Fintech systems, platforms, and apps, Fintech as tools and services, and Fintech technology. The results show that while Fintech research is evenly distributed across each level, Fintech services and the Fintech industry are popular. The study also highlights the potential of Fintech to contribute to sustainable development through its innovative nature, technology-driven industry, and role as an intermediary and provider of final goods. The study contributes to the Fintech literature by providing a comprehensive analysis of current research, identifying the maturity level of Fintech research, and proposing a classification scheme for Fintech studies. It also highlights the importance of sustainable innovation in the Fintech industry, requiring the expansion and deepening of Fintech technology applications, financial innovation, and the exploration of Fintech applications in various user scenarios. The study has limitations, including the focus on highly Fintech-focused articles and the exclusion of articles that are related to Fintech but do not directly focus on it. Future studies may explore each research subject individually and in greater detail.This systematic mapping study provides a comprehensive review of current Fintech research, analyzing its current state, maturity level, and future directions. By reviewing 518 Fintech articles from four academic databases between 2008 and 2021, the study finds a significant increase in Fintech research, especially in Quartile 1 and 2 journals. The most popular research areas are Fintech and banking, Fintech development, and Fintech adoption, with increasing numbers of articles in these areas. The study proposes a classification scheme for Fintech research across five dimensions, offering a unique perspective for researchers and practitioners to re-evaluate future research directions. Fintech, defined as the application of technology in financial services, has a wide range of meanings and is a cross-disciplinary subject combining finance, technology, and innovation management. It is a rapidly evolving field with significant impacts on the financial market and services. The study identifies four key research areas in Fintech and banking: credit, deposits, and capital-raising services; payments, clearing, and settlement services; investment management services; and insurance. Fintech has had the most significant impact on the financial market in terms of capital and information asymmetry. The study also identifies the current maturity level of Fintech research, finding it still in its early stages. Fintech services are the most popular research area, with a growing number of articles. The study proposes future research directions, including the integration of Fintech and banking systems, the continued use and perceived benefits and risks of Fintech services for end users, and the sustainable development of consumer protection, cross-industry cooperation, and financial regulation. The study classifies Fintech into five dimensions: Fintech industry, Fintech firms, Fintech systems, platforms, and apps, Fintech as tools and services, and Fintech technology. The results show that while Fintech research is evenly distributed across each level, Fintech services and the Fintech industry are popular. The study also highlights the potential of Fintech to contribute to sustainable development through its innovative nature, technology-driven industry, and role as an intermediary and provider of final goods. The study contributes to the Fintech literature by providing a comprehensive analysis of current research, identifying the maturity level of Fintech research, and proposing a classification scheme for Fintech studies. It also highlights the importance of sustainable innovation in the Fintech industry, requiring the expansion and deepening of Fintech technology applications, financial innovation, and the exploration of Fintech applications in various user scenarios. The study has limitations, including the focus on highly Fintech-focused articles and the exclusion of articles that are related to Fintech but do not directly focus on it. Future studies may explore each research subject individually and in greater detail.