Regulation Technology (RegTech) Market Research

“RegTech” is the use of new technology to enable the delivery of regulatory requirements. This wedding of technology and regulation is not unique. However, it is becoming more and more critical as levels of regulation rise. Attention to data and reporting is also increasing.

More companies are investing in RegTech because of a rise in new regulations. These new regulations started coming into force in 2012. They include Know Your Customer, Anti Money Laundering, and Basel III. The second Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID II) is another new regulation. Also included is the second Payment Services Directive (PSD2).

What Is Regulation Technology Market Research?

Regulation technology market research is an analytical process that scrutinizes the landscape of regulatory tech solutions. It studies current trends, emerging technologies, and market demands to offer businesses a clear view of how to integrate compliance into their operations effectively.

Why Businesses Need Regulation Technology Market Research

Regulation technology market research equips businesses with comprehensive market data and businesses can benchmark their compliance strategies against industry best practices, ensuring they don’t just meet the minimum requirements but excel in their regulatory engagements.

Moreover, RegTech market research fosters innovation by highlighting gaps in existing solutions and pinpointing areas ripe for development. In an environment where one-size-fits-all solutions are obsolete, regulation technology market research helps tailor technologies to specific regulatory challenges, creating more effective and efficient compliance processes.

… But, it has many other benefits for businesses, including: 

• Enhanced Compliance Management: RegTech market research provides insights into tools that help businesses manage compliance more effectively, reducing the risk of infractions and the severity of penalties should they occur.

• Cost Efficiency: By identifying technologies that streamline compliance processes, businesses can significantly cut down on the labor-intensive aspects of regulation management, leading to cost savings.

• Risk Mitigation: Regulation technology market research helps businesses anticipate potential regulatory changes and adjust their strategies proactively, thereby mitigating the risks associated with non-compliance.

• Innovation and Growth: By staying abreast of the latest regulatory technologies, businesses can foster innovation, entering new markets and developing new products with the confidence that they comply with the relevant laws.

Who Uses Regulation Technology Market Research

For financial institutions, the intricate web of global financial regulations necessitates a keen understanding of regulation technology to prevent costly breaches. Therefore, market research helps them identify tools for anti-money laundering (AML) checks, fraud detection, and ensuring adherence to international standards like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

Tech companies leverage regulation technology market research to guide their product development and data management strategies. As privacy becomes a central concern for users, companies must ensure that their practices align with regulations like GDPR and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA).

Government agencies also employ regulation technology market research to enhance their regulatory frameworks and develop more effective oversight mechanisms.

How Is Regulation Technology Market Research Conducted?

RegTech market research begins with a thorough analysis of the current regulatory environment and future legislative trends. It requires an understanding of both global and local regulatory frameworks to evaluate the scope of technology needed for compliance. Researchers meticulously track changes in laws and regulations, monitor enforcement actions, and examine regulatory guidance to predict shifts in requirements.

The process also includes a detailed assessment of existing regulation technologies, their adoption rates, and user feedback. This involves gathering data through surveys, interviews with industry experts, and case studies of successful regulatory technology implementations. By evaluating the effectiveness and efficiency of these technologies, researchers can identify best practices and areas needing improvement.

Competitive analysis is another cornerstone of regulation technology market research. It entails scrutinizing the offerings and market positions of leading regulation technology providers. This comparison helps businesses understand the competitive landscape and informs strategic decisions about partnerships, acquisitions, or internal development of regulatory tech solutions.

Lastly, this research often utilizes sophisticated analytics and data modeling tools to forecast market growth and identify emerging opportunities. It enables businesses to make data-driven investment decisions in regulatory technology and ensures they are well-positioned to capitalize on market trends.

Key Success Factors in RegTech Market Research

As we dissect the key success factors in regulation technology market research, it’s essential to recognize that the effectiveness of this research hinges on several critical elements.

• Robust Data Collection: The foundation of impactful RegTech market research is the collection of robust and reliable data. This includes up-to-date information on regulatory changes, technological advancements, and market dynamics. 

• Strategic Vision: Regulation technology market research must be conducted with a strategic vision. It should align with the long-term goals of the business and consider the broader industry context. 

• Stakeholder Engagement: Engaging with stakeholders throughout the research process is vital. Their input can provide practical perspectives on the challenges and opportunities within the regulation technology market. This collaborative approach enriches the research and ensures it is grounded in real-world experiences.

Technologies and Tools in Regulation Technology Market Research

In the realm of regulation technology market research, a suite of modern technologies and tools are key in enhancing the accuracy and efficiency of the research process. These solutions facilitate the collection, analysis, and interpretation of vast quantities of data, ensuring that businesses have access to actionable insights.

• Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning: AI and ML algorithms can sift through massive datasets to identify patterns and predict trends in regulatory compliance. 

• Data Analytics Platforms: Advanced data analytics platforms like Tableau empower researchers to visualize complex data sets and uncover insights about the market’s direction, growth potential, and the positioning of various regtech offerings.

• Regulatory Change Management Software: Solutions like Thomson Reuters Regulatory Intelligence track changes in the regulatory landscape in real-time, providing businesses with up-to-date information that is crucial for effective market research.

• Blockchain Technology: Blockchain provides transparency and security in transactions, which can be invaluable in researching technologies aimed at finance and other highly regulated sectors.

Current Trends in RegTech Market Research

• Blockchain and Cyber Threat Management: Blockchain technology offers secure, transparent, and immutable record-keeping crucial for compliance and audit trails. Alongside, there’s a growing emphasis on cyber threat management, utilizing AI, machine learning, and blockchain to combat the increasing menace of cyber threats and ensure data security​.

• Innovative Compliance Solutions: Large global financial institutions are leveraging technologies like AI, Machine Learning, Big Data, and cloud computing to efficiently manage their regulatory compliance requirements.

• Focus on AML, KYC, and Enhanced Due Diligence: Anti-money laundering (AML) checks, digital ID verification, and enhanced due diligence are gaining prominence.

• Emergence of Real-time Monitoring and ESG Compliance: The RegTech sector is also focusing on real-time monitoring to ensure ongoing adherence to shifting regulations and enhancing risk management.

• Adoption of AI-driven Compliance Solutions: AI-driven compliance solutions are expected to take center stage, leveraging artificial intelligence and machine learning to automate and enhance regulatory adherence.

RegTech Market Research: Opportunities

Companies are boosting their RegTech applications and systems so they can do more. They are enhancing the current tools. These upgraded tools will release considerable advances in data management and automation. These improvements are inspiring breakthroughs in asset managers’ back-office functions. They are informing more and more middle-office processes as well.

Experts agree that RegTech will help the Fundamental Review of the Trading Book (FRTB). It will assist firms in finding a smarter way to manage the challenges of the regulation. RegTech also shows potential for “know your customer “regulatory reporting (KYC).

The current technologies demonstrating the most promise for RegTech are:

• Data Analytics: Data analytics is the examination of vast sections of unstructured and structured data. Companies use it to detect patterns and deliver business insight.
• Artificial Intelligence & Cognitive Statements: These terms refer to the ability to capture and apply human knowledge and experience.
• Machine Learning: This is the extrapolation of business rules from the scrutiny of large sets of data.

RegTech Market Research: Challenges

Budding RegTech companies face several challenges. For example, data providers are often disinclined to comply. There is also much competition from big consultancies. However, many of the RegTech companies are growing fast. They are more cost-effective, agile, and can adjust to changing market conditions. They can also push the innovation that is sweeping the sector. These attributes make it more likely that they will be able to meet these challenges.

Significant obstacles exist in adopting new solutions and technologies. The main issue is that confidentiality of data trumps regulatory reporting. Financial institutions must focus on shielding the privacy of clients’ data. They cannot adopt any compliance solution if clients’ privacy is not assured. The challenge lies in ensuring that regulations strike an appropriate balance. Regulations must protect privacy and security while promoting effective data use.

The hierarchy of regulations poses another challenge. Regulations are intricate, diverse, and multidisciplinary. Certain regulations apply only to national needs. Another challenge is the lack of standardization among regulators. This is a challenge because it tends to create uncertainty.

How Regulation Technology Research Can Help

The RegTech market is massive. Finance industry players must do market research. It will help them get more value from technology with fewer dollars spent. Market researchers can scout the industry for new technologies for clients’ regulatory infrastructures. They can see which are the best RegTech solutions for overburdened firms. These solutions should be faster, better, safer, and cheaper for all.

RegTech has the potential to deliver close to real-time insights. These insights come through artificial intelligence filters and deep learning. The technology monitors capacity. It also detects glitches beforehand. The client no longer has to take enforcement action after the fact. The potential of RegTech is considerable. However, it’s a young technology, and there are only a few documented case studies in existence that show the returns it can make for stakeholders.

RegTech will continue to build on the gains it has made so far. RegTech companies are developing new tools for regulated companies. These tools are for businesses both within and outside the financial services industry. It’s safe to say the insurance sector will get particular attention. Current financial institutions will partner with next-generation technology providers. These partnerships will support an environment of greater innovation. The innovations will lead to even more growth within the next few years.

About RegTech Research and Strategy

Against this background, you should have a plan to help your company keep abreast of proper practices and necessary actions to comply with the myriad of new laws that have been enacted or are being contemplated. If you want to be sure that your company is aware of, and prepared to deal with compliance under all current and anticipated regulations, you may want to consider a third-party to help in these efforts.

• SIS has unparalleled knowledge of global markets and the different regulations they each have that can affect your customers and the data you collect and maintain about them.
• We can help you find the right people to interview and survey to learn about proposed legislation and how you can use this intelligence to stay ahead of competitors.
• We have a panel or list of prequalified, willing and able respondents that have agreed to be contacted for research purposes. You can utilize them for your specific research and intelligence-gathering needs.