The privacy problem nobody talks about
Starting a fintech company in 2026 might seem like a challenge that very few founders are ready to tackle. After all, the market is overflowing with options, and with financial regulations getting stricter by the year, the idea might be more trouble than it is worth.
However, as the experience of other successful startups shows, there are plenty of opportunities in the sphere of fintech development. Starting a bank can be extremely profitable; the pathway to success lies in using the best macOS security tools.
How to start a fintech startup in 2026
How to start a bank business? Ambition, initial investments, and knowledge - that’s what you’ll need to open a bank. Any kind of digital financial service requires a clear understanding of your goals and the obstacles you’ll need to address to achieve them. To learn how to start a bank in 2026, you need to grasp the importance of two things: regulations and security tools. The former depends on your local jurisdiction. There are no hidden surprises here; once you get a legal team or study the laws on your own, you’ll know what steps to take. Security tools, on the other hand, differ a lot, and to start your own private bank, you’ll need to choose the stack that works for you. Here are the things to know:
- In 2026, the focus on tight security will grow stronger than ever before, considering the increasing number of cyberattacks.
- macOS is considered the most optimal choice for fintech startups because it already comes with strong built-in protection.
- It also offers a variety of tools that will help you protect your devices, code, API keys, user data, and banking infrastructure.
Any fintech app development should start with guaranteeing security, as in 2026, people will be choosing those banks that can prove they’ll keep their money safe.
Key macOS security tools every fintech founder should use
Switzerland and the UK are the two countries where people favor Macs the most. In Switzerland, 24% of residents use macOS, while in the UK, this number stands at 23%. If you join their ranks as an aspiring fintech founder, you’ll get access to the following security tools.
macOS’ built-in tools
What security tools does macOS offer by default, and which will come in handy for you as a bank founder? Take a look:
- Gatekeeper. This tool checks every app a user is about to open; if someone has created a fake banking SDK, Gatekeeper will refuse to run it.
- FileVault. This macOS tool encrypts your entire hard drive, so even if you lose your Mac, no one will be able to steal your clients’ data or API keys.
- Keychain. All your passwords and credit card numbers will be encrypted and stored in a keychain, preventing leaks.
Each of these tools will create a strong base for your future bank.
Secure development tools
macOS offers Xcode, a tool that will help you write your code and warn you if something is wrong. Insecure features, potentially dangerous patterns - you’ll learn about them before your code goes live and endangers your users. Then, there are SAST tools that scan your source code for vulnerabilities. If you’re using weak encryption or forget about the authentication check, you’ll get an immediate alert.
Advanced password management tools
Cybersecurity in fintech is the weakest link, so by fixing it, you’ll already stand out from your competitors. Using 1Password or Bitwarden on your macOS is a step in the right direction. These tools store vital aspects like API and SSH keys, database credentials, and admin passwords, keeping them encrypted and locked.
Sandbox tools
On macOS, you can use sandbox apps like Parallels Desktop or VirtualBox that create a so-called fake computer inside your device. This space allows:
- Testing risky fintech SDKs
- Checking third-party apps
- Exploring various plugins
If something goes wrong, only a ‘sandbox’ will suffer. Your actual macOS will remain uncorrupted.
Strong malware protection tools
Malwarebytes with a macOS engine eliminates most threats you might face as a fintech app founder. Trojans that pretend to be development tools, adware and browser hijackers - Malwarebytes removes them in a blink. There is also a CrowdStrike Falcon that the most secure banks running on macOS use. It detects unusual network connections, tools trying to access files with sensitive information, and harmful background processes. That’s the minimal stack of macOS tools you’ll need to befriend if you want to start a secure bank and attract users.
Use the best tools and practices to thrive as a bank founder
Hopefully, you know how to build a fintech app now. Your very first step should be learning the regulations you’ll have to comply with; the second step is getting a Mac and preparing the security tools you’ll need. Apple's macOS Catalina is the most popular Mac version: it’s used on 94% of Apple computers. If you choose it, you’ll have access to a wide pool of discussions where you’ll find answers to your potential questions.
Having novel ideas is great, but in 2026, what people care most about is their security. Give it to them through your bank, and users will come flooding in.