Open Access

REVIEW

AI Agents in Finance and Fintech: A Scientific Review of Agent-Based Systems, Applications, and Future Horizons

Maryan Rizinski^1,2,*, Dimitar Trajanov^1,2

1 Department of Computer Science, Metropolitan College, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA
2 Faculty of Computer Science and Engineering, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University, Skopje, 1000, North Macedonia

* Corresponding Author: Maryan Rizinski. Email:

(This article belongs to the Special Issue: Artificial Intelligence Algorithms and Applications, 2nd Edition)

Computers, Materials & Continua 2026, 86(1), 1-34. https://doi.org/10.32604/cmc.2025.069678

Received 28 June 2025; Accepted 19 September 2025; Issue published 10 November 2025

Abstract

Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping financial systems and services, as intelligent AI agents increasingly form the foundation of autonomous, goal-driven systems capable of reasoning, learning, and action. This review synthesizes recent research and developments in the application of AI agents across core financial domains. Specifically, it covers the deployment of agent-based AI in algorithmic trading, fraud detection, credit risk assessment, robo-advisory, and regulatory compliance (RegTech). The review focuses on advanced agent-based methodologies, including reinforcement learning, multi-agent systems, and autonomous decision-making frameworks, particularly those leveraging large language models (LLMs), contrasting these with traditional AI or purely statistical models. Our primary goals are to consolidate current knowledge, identify significant trends and architectural approaches, review the practical efficiency and impact of current applications, and delineate key challenges and promising future research directions. The increasing sophistication of AI agents offers unprecedented opportunities for innovation in finance, yet presents complex technical, ethical, and regulatory challenges that demand careful consideration and proactive strategies. This review aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of this rapidly evolving landscape, highlighting the role of agent-based AI in the ongoing transformation of the financial industry, and is intended to serve financial institutions, regulators, investors, analysts, researchers, and other key stakeholders in the financial ecosystem.

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Keywords

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