Drawing on nationally representative surveys and in-depth interviews, the research examines how demographic and cultural characteristics affect engagement with digital financial services. The analysis incorporates quantitative measures that assess the impact of religious orientation and gender identity on trust, usage patterns, and perceived risks associated with FinTech.

Key Findings:

• Women exhibited higher levels of caution toward FinTech platforms, particularly in services involving credit, personal data disclosure, or perceived risk.

• Participants with stronger religious convictions demonstrated limited engagement with conventional digital finance, particularly interest-based lending.

• However, individuals from conservative religious backgrounds expressed greater receptivity to FinTech models aligned with Islamic finance principles.

• Trust in digital finance is shaped by an interplay of gender, religiosity, education, and prior financial experience.

Policy and Design Recommendations:

• Develop culturally and religiously attuned FinTech solutions to foster broader community acceptance.

• Launch targeted awareness campaigns to demystify digital finance for women and religiously observant populations.

• Engage religious institutions and community leaders in co-building trust and confidence in Sharia-compliant financial tools.

• Include women in product design cycles to ensure inclusive and gender-responsive innovation.

This research area highlights the intersection of technology, identity, and values—providing actionable insights for the ethical and inclusive development of FinTech in conservative societies.