AI, security, and trust in the digital wallet : evidence from current Romanian FinTech users

The digitalization of finance has accelerated the diffusion of FinTech and raised new questions about how AI, data security and blockchain shape consumer behaviour. This article examines current FinTech users, focusing on mobile banking, security perceptions, AI-enabled personalisation and trust in blockchain. A structured online survey of 191 adult users was analysed with descriptive statistics, chi-square tests and three multiple linear regression models. Results show that adoption is overwhelmingly mobile centric: 84.8% primarily use mobile banking applications, accessed almost exclusively via smartphones (96.9%). Data security is the dominant decision criterion, rated "very important" by 83.3% of respondents. While 70.1% believe AI can substantially improve the FinTech experience, trust depends on transparent explanations of how algorithms operate and on guarantees of personal data protection. Regression models indicate that usage intensity is higher among younger, higher-income users and those who perceive simplified interfaces as encouraging, whereas positive views of AI are broadly shared and not segment-specific. Trust in blockchain is linked to a pro-technology mindset rather than to socio-demographic or urban-rural differences. The findings highlight "secure convenience" and explainable AI as central conditions for sustainable FinTech engagement.