The evolution of crowdfunding and peer-to-peer (P2P) lending in the fintech sector is analyzed, focusing on the challenges and changes faced by platforms during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Traditional crowdfunding platforms struggled due to reduced investor interest, while P2P lending faced increased regulation and transformed into models resembling traditional banking. Major platforms like Funding Circle, RateSetter, and Zopa shifted away from retail investors, closing or altering their services. However, CrowdProperty, a P2P lending platform focused on property investment, continued to thrive by maintaining its niche approach. The original premise of both crowdfunding and P2P lending was to make these opportunities available for a new generation of money-savvy investors who had the means to invest, but not the enormous wealth to tolerate the risks.