2017 saw two-thirds of countries viewing public and private institutions as unworthy of trust, with banks especially entrenched in people’s bad books. Blockchain-based cryptocurrencies are meeting the demand for a more trustworthy system of finance by sidestepping institutional control and operating transparently.

German banks have an image problem. With two-thirds of Germans saying there is a lack of regulation in the industry, these banks are among the least trusted globally. Now, Germans are shifting their attention to digital currencies, with Gen Y the cohort most interested in investing with crypto.

The bitcoin boom of 2017 brought cryptocurrencies into the mainstream – but they offer more than just a quick buck for tech-savvy investors. From sex workers to vegans to LGBTQ individuals, the underpinning tech is helping marginalised groups break free from traditional financial authorities.

Fintech startup Revolut is launching a debit card that allows users to get cash back in cryptocurrency. As young people become increasingly sceptical of traditional financial institutions, services that can position themselves as a pot of gold at the end of the digital rainbow, are likely to be winners.