Investing Platforms Missing $500 Million Annual Opportunity as Knowledge Gaps Limit Investor Activity
By Lauren Hinton · 5 August 2025
While mobile trading apps have successfully empowered retail investors, knowledge gaps across complex asset classes are costing the finance industry an estimated $500 million annually in lost revenue, according to Finimize's latest Modern Investor Pulse survey released today.
The survey of 2,338 retail investors reveals that 59% cite mobile trading apps as the key driver of their market power, followed by social media and online communities at 53%. However, there are significant knowledge gaps across asset classes, with an estimated 20 million investors globally seeking financial education they cannot access:
- 22% want to invest in crypto but don't feel sufficiently informed
- 24% seek education on derivatives (futures, options)
- 21% want to learn about alternatives (hedge funds, private equity, collectibles)
- 19% still need guidance on basic stock investing
Additionally, analysis of platform ARPU (average revenue per user) data reveals a clear correlation between user education and revenue generation.
Carl Hazeley, CEO at Finimize said: “Analysis of platform ARPU (average revenue per user) data suggests correlation between user education and revenue generation, which tells a compelling story. Platforms with educated users generate dramatically higher revenue per customer. We're seeing a fundamental disconnect where platforms excel at accessibility but fail to provide the education that unlocks higher-value user behaviour.
“Using conservative industry benchmarks, we estimate that addressing these knowledge gaps could unlock $500 million in annual revenue globally. The platforms that can combine slick interfaces with genuine financial education will capture this enormous opportunity."
The findings come as retail investor confidence surges to 70% expecting higher markets in 12 months – up from 60% last quarter – with 40% planning to invest more in the coming months. This renewed optimism creates a critical window for fintech platforms to capture market share by addressing the education gap.
Despite the confidence rebound, 29% plan to invest in crypto assets and significant portions want exposure to complex instruments they don't yet understand, highlighting the scale of the education opportunity.
The Finimize Modern Investor Pulse offers a clear call for fintech platforms to address the education gap and unlock untapped revenue through smarter engagement.
Companies in this story: Finimize
People in this story: Carl Hazeley