Why Competitive Platforms Are Adopting Fintech Design Patterns

Competitive platforms are popular because users enjoy competing with one another. What you don’t know is that the competition does not end with the users; even the platforms are trying to work out ways to outdo their competitors for a larger market share. The thing about being in the same industry is that more often than not, your features are comparable, and then you need some outside-the-box thinking to stand out. Many of these platforms have found the answer in some fintech design patterns. Why? Because they work, and here’s how.

Instant Gratification

One of the many reasons, and a very important one at that, why competitive platforms are borrowing fintech design elements is that it allows them to offer users instant gratification. You see, unless you are a financial analyst, the last place you want to spend all your time is looking at a fintech app. Usually, you are just met with numbers, more numbers, products that require you to enter numbers with the promise of profits in more numbers. Boring! Fintechs realized they needed to give users what they want, as soon as they want it. Instant access to content when they pay for it, a real-time progress bar so they can track results, often accompanied by immediate visual feedback such as checkmarks or animations.

Competitive platforms recognized how this could translate into improved service for their users. Users often wanted to access the interface without a hitch, and allowing them to do so immediately became a no-brainer. There have been several approaches to achieve this result, with payment method selection being one of the most popular. Take online casino payid withdrawal australia options, for example. The platforms leverage the Australian payment service that allows users to make deposits and withdrawals in real time. No delays!

Besides payment methods that make access easier, there are quick authentication and sign-in methods used by fintech platforms that are now being used by competitive platforms. These include biometric logins; passwordless magic links; social sign-ins with Google, Facebook, and Apple; and single sign-on across platforms.

Gamification and Progress Mechanics

Now the user can access the platform. The next step is to keep the user on the platform. With many options to choose from and ads constantly being pushed in their faces, it is more important than ever for the platform to be easily navigated. Fintechs have faced this problem and figured out a solution. By gamifying the platform experience, it becomes more engaging and less of a chore. Simple additions like streak counters, daily engagement rewards, point systems as the user progresses, achievement badges, and unlock mechanics that allow them access parts of the platform only after some conditions have been met, make users excited to log in.

These elements were easier to incorporate on some competitive platforms than others. Take gaming services, for example: they have incorporated leaderboards into most game designs to showcase players' achievements and completion percentages. It does not stop there: some games allow players to access certain elements based on their profile level or, in some cases, on their purchase activity. One common incentive to keep users coming back is offering exclusive rewards during special events. More so with eSports platforms, where the competition is taken up several notches. These platforms display player skill ratings and progression graphs to help other players strategize. There are also highlight reels and MVP awards every season for players (and teams) that perform the best.

These gamification design elements don’t just raise the stakes; they make players known to everyone in the community and create an environment where there’s something to play for. It is no longer just about showing up; players log in to show off.

Wallets and Balance Systems

Today, every account has a dashboard, and you will find an account summary front and center on most of them. The summary will include funding information for the wallet (where applicable), how much is in the wallet, and transaction history, all available at a glance. This is what you would traditionally attribute to fintechs, but you will now find a similar setup in travel and hospitality apps and health and fitness apps.

The reason is that it is much quicker to have spendable cash on the platform than asking you to link your bank account or debit or credit card every time you need to make a transaction. Better still, some competitive platforms feature in-app currency that gives users the same feeling as actually funding and purchasing without spending real money. This currency is earned on the platform by completing simple tasks, interacting with platform elements, and engaging with other users.

Beyond convenience, these wallet systems create psychological investment in the platform. When users accumulate in-app currency or maintain balances, they're more likely to return and continue engaging. The visible balance serves as a constant reminder of available value, much like gift cards that encourage spending. Platforms leverage this by offering bonus currency for bulk purchases or rewarding consistent activity, effectively turning financial mechanics into retention tools that keep users active and invested in the ecosystem.

The adoption of fintech design patterns by competitive platforms represents a strategic evolution in user experience design. By implementing instant gratification features, gamification mechanics, and wallet systems, these platforms have discovered a formula that keeps users engaged and returning. What began as solutions to financial service challenges has proven universally effective across gaming, streaming, eSports, and social platforms. The success lies in understanding human psychology: people want immediate access, visible progress, and tangible rewards for their engagement. As competition intensifies across digital platforms, those who master these fintech-inspired patterns will likely lead their industries, creating experiences that feel less like transactions and more like achievements worth pursuing.

🔙 Back to Articles list.