The green premium in sustainable fintech: Cross-country evidence from crowdfunding

The integration of fintech and sustainable finance represents a significant evolution in financial practices. This study examines the "green premium" in crowdfunding, where sustainable projects receive excess funding. Leveraging a dataset of 13,458 projects from 167 countries and regions sourced from the Indiegogo platform, empirical analysis confirms the presence of a green premium, after controlling for various critical factors and conducting robustness checks. Notably, the magnitudes of the green premium exhibit variability across different regions and stages of development. Policymakers should consider introducing targeted financial incentives, fostering international cooperation, and promoting education to encourage broader participation and support sustainable development.