The world of finance has undergone numerous changes up to the present day due to economic, political, and technological shifts. Its origins trace back to the emergence of commercial and monetary systems, evolving over time to become increasingly sophisticated and complex. As is well known, the earliest trade relied on barter systems. Gradually, with the introduction of metal coins, this barter system gave way to these metal currencies. The banking system, which developed throughout the Middle Ages, is one of the cornerstones of the financial world. These banks contributed to the development of commerce and the economy by providing services such as money transfers and loans.
In this context, Italian banks particularly played a central role in financial activities in Europe, laying the foundations of modern banking. The Industrial Revolution in Europe marked a new era for the financial world. During this period, characterized by significant investments and the accumulation of capital, financial instruments like stocks and bonds became widespread. Consequently, the importance of stock exchanges increased, and company owners turned to public offerings to meet their capital needs by using the stock market as an intermediary.
With the 20th century, rapidly advancing technology facilitated the digitalization of financial systems. The widespread use of computers and the internet enabled financial transactions to be conducted more quickly and securely. Alongside the digitalized banking system, electronic banking, online investment platforms, and digital payment systems have led to a revolutionary change in the financial world. Today, the financial world is undergoing a new transformation with the emergence of digital financial tools like blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies.
These new technologies allow financial transactions to be executed more quickly, transparently, and securely. The Decentralized Finance System (DeFi), which has emerged with these new technologies, offers new alternatives to traditional banking systems. Additionally, with the development of artificial intelligence, innovations such as big data analytics enable more efficient decision-making processes in finance.
