10 big trends shaping the future of trade finance in 2026 and beyond

By Ram Iyer, Foudner & CEO, Vayana Network 

As 2025 closes and businesses chart their path into 2026, one thing is clear: the rules of finance, trade, and credit are being rewritten. Technology is reshaping how capital, trust, and trade flow across India’s financial ecosystem—from AI-driven risk engines to and real-time digital settlements. The next 12–24 months will distinguish institutions that actively shape these shifts creating new possibilities, reducing systemic risks, and redefining the mechanics of commerce from those that simply respond.

Trend 1: AI will ‘reduce risk’ and help ‘underwrite at scale and speed’

AI agents are evolving from simple conversational tools into intelligent systems capable of independently managing complex banking functions such as fraud detection, compliance checks, underwriting decisions, and portfolio monitoring.

As financial institutions generate and consume unprecedented volumes of structured and unstructured data, traditional risk processes are hitting their limits. AI and Machine ...