Explore every episode of the podcast The Fintech Blueprint

Lex interviews Michael Heinrich, co-founder and CEO of 0G (Zero Gravity) Labs. In this exciting episode, Lex and Michael explore the concept of decentralized artificial intelligence (AI) and how it differs from centralized, closed-source AI models provided by big tech companies. Michael kicks off with his background in tech and finance, and how he became interested in decentralized AI as a solution to the issues with closed AI systems. Notable discussion points: (1) Decentralized AI provides transparency and verifiability around the data, training, and model alignment used, unlike closed AI systems. (2) Blockchain-based systems can help enforce a "code of conduct" for AI models and ensure fair rewards distribution for data contributors. (3) 0G Labs is building a decentralized AI operating system focused on key components like decentralized storage, data availability, and a serving layer for AI inference. (4) And lastly, the company is working with various providers of AI verification mechanisms (zKML, OPML, TEML, etc.) to integrate with their decentralized AI platform. The ultimate goal is to provide a seamless user experience for building and deploying decentralized AI applications, similar to how centralized tech platforms operate today.

MENTIONED IN THE CONVERSATION

Topics: 0G, 0G Labs, Zero Gravity Labs, Bridgewater Associates, ORA, Story Protocol, AI, Artificial Intelligence, Decentralized AI, Tokenized AI, Web3, Blockchain, zkML, TeeML, OPML, SPML

ABOUT THE FINTECH BLUEPRINT

🔥Subscribe to the Fintech Blueprint newsletter to stay at the forefront of Fintech and DeFi: https://bit.ly/3hyhlC2

🤝 Partner with Fintech Blueprint through sponsorships: https://bit.ly/3UZllsV

👉 Twitter: https://twitter.com/LexSokolin

TIMESTAMPS

1’10: Decentralized AI: From Early Tech Fascination to Innovating the Future

4’08: From Finance to Founding: A Journey of Passion, Growth, and Resilience

9’07: Web3 Meets AI: Building a Human-Centric Future Through Blockchain Innovation

13’45: Decentralized AI Explained: Trustless Systems vs. Closed AI Paradigms

17’21: Decentralized AI Solutions: Addressing Bias, Censorship, and Fair Rewards

23’30: Decentralized AI Framework: Building Open, Trustless Systems for Developers

27’28: Data Availability in Decentralized AI: Supercharging Blockchain for High-Performance Applications

31’24: Integrating Decentralized AI: From User Queries to Scalable Inference Frameworks

34’38: Tokenized AI Ecosystems: Economic Flows and Emerging Inference Networks

40’04: Ensuring Trust in AI Outputs: Bridging Verification Mechanisms with Decentralized Systems

42’13: Decentralized AI's Future: Breakout Use Cases and the Path to Mainstream Adoption

44’40: The channels used to connect with Michael & learn more about 0G

Disclaimer here — this newsletter does not provide investment advice and represents solely the views and opinions of FINTECH BLUEPRINT LTD.

Contributors: Lex, Laurence, Matt, Farhad, Mike, Daniella

Want to discuss? Stop by our Discord and reach out here with questions.

Lex interviews Tom Duff Gordon, the Vice President of International Policy at Coinbase, where he drives the company’s engagement with policymakers in global markets across the UK, Europe, APAC,  LatAm, and the MENA region. Together, Tomm and Lex discuss the importance of policy work in the financial services industry, especially after the 2008 financial crisis, and how policy teams collaborate with regulators to shape the regulatory environment; the reasons why the financial services industry is heavily regulated, including the systemic and interconnected nature of the financial system and the need to protect retail consumers; the regulatory approaches to cryptocurrency and digital assets in different jurisdictions, with Europe (MiCA), the US, and other regions like Asia. The discussion highlights the diverse and evolving nature of crypto regulation globally; the challenges faced by the US in developing a coherent regulatory framework for crypto assets, particularly the jurisdictional tussle between the SEC and CFTC; Coinbase's efforts to advocate for clear and balanced crypto regulation, including through grassroots initiatives like "Stand with Crypto"; and lastly, Coinbase's evolving product strategy, expanding beyond its core exchange business into areas like custody, lending, and infrastructure for the broader crypto ecosystem.

MENTIONED IN THE CONVERSATION

Topics: Coinbase, Credit Suisse, SEC, Circle, MiCA, Stand With Crypto, FIT21, financial regulation, financial policy, crypto, exchange, USDC

ABOUT THE FINTECH BLUEPRINT

🔥Subscribe to the Fintech Blueprint newsletter to stay at the forefront of Fintech and DeFi: https://bit.ly/3hyhlC2

🤝 Partner with Fintech Blueprint through sponsorships: https://bit.ly/3UZllsV

👉 Twitter: https://twitter.com/LexSokolin

TIMESTAMPS

1’02: Shaping the Future of Finance: Tom Duff Gordon’s career involving Policy, Crypto, and Global Regulation

7’30: Preventing Financial Panic: How Regulation Mitigates Systemic Collapse

13’12: From Bank Runs to Balance Sheets: Tackling Systemic Risk and Preventing Financial Contagion

16’32: Regulating Crypto: Global Progress and Emerging Frameworks

19’42: Expanding Crypto Regulation Worldwide: Frameworks, Challenges, and the Road Ahead

28’18: Crypto and the SEC: Unpacking America’s Contradictory Approach to Regulation

34’30: Crypto Politics: Why the US is Divided While Europe Stays Unified

41’30: Scaling Crypto: Coinbase's Multi-Vertical Strategy and Ecosystem Vision

45’28: The channels used to connect with Tom & learn more about Coinbase

Disclaimer here — this newsletter does not provide investment advice and represents solely the views and opinions of FINTECH BLUEPRINT LTD.

Contributors: Lex, Laurence, Matt, Farhad, Mike, Daniella

Want to discuss? Stop by our Discord and reach out here with questions.

Lex interviews Alessandro Chesser - CEO of Dynasty, a San Jose-based online platform for trust creation and management. In this episode, the key topics discussed include: The importance of aligning business and product teams, and the challenges Chesser faced when this alignment broke down during Carta's unsuccessful foray into the private markets business. Chesser's decision to leave Carta and co-found Dynasty, a startup that aims to simplify the process of creating trusts to avoid probate and  protect assets. Dynasty's go-to-market strategy, which focuses on driving organic growth through short-form video content on platforms like TikTok. And lastly, the technical and legal complexities of automating the trust creation process, and how Dynasty is navigating those challenges.

MENTIONED IN THE CONVERSATION

Topics: Dynasty, GetDynasty, Carta, eShares, fintech, trusts, legaltech, private markets, legal, SaaS, social media, TikTok, Instagram, LegalZoom

ABOUT THE FINTECH BLUEPRINT

🔥Subscribe to the Fintech Blueprint newsletter to stay at the forefront of Fintech and DeFi: https://bit.ly/3hyhlC2

🤝 Partner with Fintech Blueprint through sponsorships: https://bit.ly/3UZllsV

👉 Twitter: https://twitter.com/LexSokolin

TIMESTAMPS

1’24: From Sales Pioneer to Scaling Success: Alessandro Chesser on Building Carta’s Sales Organization and Transforming the Cap Table Market

5’38: Building Carta's Success: Strategic Partnerships, Demand Generation, and Sales-Product Synergy

9’57: Navigating Growth and Product Alignment: Carta's Scaling Challenges and the CartaX Experience

14’19: The Journey from Carta to Founding Dynasty: The Lessons Learned and Taking the Leap

16’55: Democratizing Estate Planning: Dynasty’s Mission to Make Trusts Accessible for Everyone

23’11: Unlocking Wealth Protection: Directed Trusts, Asset Security, and Tax Strategies for Founders and Investors

26’00: Trusts for the Middle Class: Simple Solutions for Inheritance and Probate Avoidance

28’19: Privacy and Protection: Using Trusts to Safeguard Real Estate and Build Awareness Through Organic Growth

32’02: Cracking the Viral Code: Leveraging Short-Form Video to Drive Customer Acquisition in Estate Planning

35’09: Building a Viral Marketing Team: Crafting Convincing Content for Organic Growth in FinTech

39’35: Engineering Simplicity in Legal Tech: Automating Trusts and Navigating Legal Complexities

42’52: The channels used to connect with Alessandro & learn more about Dynasty

Disclaimer here — this newsletter does not provide investment advice and represents solely the views and opinions of FINTECH BLUEPRINT LTD.

Contributors: Lex, Laurence, Matt, Farhad, Mike, Daniella

Want to discuss? Stop by our Discord and reach out here with questions.

Lex is interviewing Sankaet Pathak, the former CEO and founder of Synapse, and CEO and current founder of Foundation, to explore what happened with Synapse, the banking as a service industry, and key lessons learned. The discussion covers Synapse's origins, the reliance on bank partners like Evolve, the discovery of reconciliation issues and missing payments, and the eventual sale of Synapse to TabaPay. Pathak shares details on the various categories of "breaks" they uncovered, including debits from customer accounts, undisclosed fees, and the challenges around the Mercury migration. The episode also touches on potential regulatory oversights, the role of blockchain technology, and Pathak's perspective on his critics. The summary provides a comprehensive overview of the issues faced by Synapse and the broader implications for the banking infrastructure space.

MENTIONED IN THE CONVERSATION

Topics: BaaS, API, Open Banking, payments, banking, Fintech, Embedded Finance, regulation

Tags: Synapse, Foundation, Evolve Bank, Mercury Bank, TabaPay, Yotta, FDIC

ABOUT THE FINTECH BLUEPRINT

🔥Subscribe to the Fintech Blueprint newsletter to stay at the forefront of Fintech and DeFi: https://bit.ly/3hyhlC2

🤝 Partner with Fintech Blueprint through sponsorships: https://bit.ly/3UZllsV

👉 Twitter: https://twitter.com/LexSokolin

TIMESTAMPS

1’06: Synapse and the Evolution of Banking-as-a-Service: Sankaet Pathak’s introduction

3’26: The Synapse Story: Inside the Banking Infrastructure and Its Collapse

6’17: Behind the Rise and Reliance: How Evolve Bank Became Synapse’s Key Partner

9’16: Uncovering Reconciliation Issues: How Synapse Detected Problems with Evolve Bank

11’05: Tracking Customer Funds: How Synapse Managed User-Level Data with Pooled Bank Accounts

14’41: Uncovering Payment Breaks and Fee Issues: The Challenges Synapse Faced with Evolve Bank

21’16: Tracing Missing Funds: Synapse’s Financial Breakdowns and Evolve Bank’s Alleged Deception

24’44: From Billion-Dollar Valuation to Fire Sale: The Synapse Collapse and TabaPay Deal

29’04: Missing Millions: How a Migration Error with Mercury Led to a $49 Million Discrepancy

33’37: Lessons from Synapse’s Collapse: Reflecting on What Could Have Been Done Differently

39’10: Reflecting on Mistakes: Scaling Too Fast and the Complexities of Synapse’s Brokerage Service

43’11: Rethinking Financial Oversight: The Need for Bank Accountability and Direct Regulation of Bank-Adjacent Companies

45’59: Addressing the Critics: Sankaet Pathak on Misunderstandings and Missed Opportunities in the Synapse Collapse

Disclaimer here — this newsletter does not provide investment advice and represents solely the views and opinions of FINTECH BLUEPRINT LTD.

Contributors: Lex, Laurence, Matt, Farhad, Mike, Daniella

Want to discuss? Stop by our Discord and reach out here with questions.

Lex chats with Zuben Mathews - CEO and Co-founder of Brigit. Brigit is a leading consumer financial app in the United States that offers a suite of holistic financial products including budgeting, financial insights, access to paychecks, and credit building. Zuben kicks off the conversation discussing his journey from investment banking at Deutsche Bank to founding one of the largest financial health apps in the U.S. Mathews reflects on his early experiences in banking, where he launched a small entrepreneurial team within Deutsche to leverage the bank’s data and client relationships to drive revenue. This experience helped shape his approach to solving real financial pain points, which became the foundation of Brigit.

Zuben explains Brigit’s focus on addressing the U.S. financial crisis of living paycheck-to-paycheck, a problem he personally experienced as an immigrant student. Brigit’s initial product leverages cashflow data to provide instant cash advances, helping users avoid overdrafts and predatory loans. Mathews emphasizes that Brigit’s success stems from a commitment to solving users’ deepest financial issues and using real-time cashflow data, not traditional FICO scores, to provide financial solutions.

The conversation delves into Brigit’s subscription-based business model, which offers transparency and value to users, helping them save money while improving financial stability. Zuben discusses how the app has grown to serve over a million users, generating more than $100 million in revenue with a small team of 90. He also addresses challenges in fintech, such as data access in the U.S. compared to Europe’s open banking regulations, and calls for more balanced regulation that encourages innovation while protecting consumers.

The discussion concludes with Zuben advocating for greater access to bank data and better infrastructure for fintechs, highlighting the importance of innovation in improving customer outcomes in the financial space.

MENTIONED IN THE CONVERSATION

Brigit's Website: https://bit.ly/4d8tqoh

Zuben's LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3XvsEvT

Topics: Fintech, neobank, overdraft, cash advance, subscription, financial wellbeing, PSD2, regulation

Tags: Brigit, Deutsche Bank, Plaid, Chime, Revolut, Monzo, Yodlee, Synapse, Coastal Community Bank

ABOUT THE FINTECH BLUEPRINT

🔥Subscribe to the Fintech Blueprint newsletter to stay at the forefront of Fintech and DeFi: https://bit.ly/3hyhlC2

🤝 Partner with Fintech Blueprint through sponsorships: https://bit.ly/3UZllsV

👉 Twitter: https://twitter.com/LexSokolin

TIMESTAMPS

1’36: From Deutsche Bank to Brigit: Zuben Mathews' Journey in Finance and Entrepreneurship

5’03: Bridging Silos at Deutsche Bank: Detailing Strategic Vendor Partnerships and Fintech Insights

9’06: From Startup Struggles to Success: Building Brigit and Navigating the Challenges of Entrepreneurship

15’41: Solving America's Deepest Financial Pain Point: The Vision Behind Brigit's Differentiation in a Crowded Fintech Market

21’07: Leveraging Cashflow Data to Outperform Banks: How Brigit Built a Product to Tackle Overdraft Fees and Expand Financial Access

24’47: Beyond Overdraft Protection: How Brigit Uses Cashflow Data to Reduce Financial Stress and Drive User Engagement

29’01: Balancing Affordability and Financial Health: How Brigit's Subscription Model Empowers Users While Lowering Costs

33’25: Challenges of Data Access in US Fintech: Navigating Bank Transactional Data and the Push for Open APIs

40’36: Navigating US Banking Rails: The Role of Regulation, Innovation, and Customer-Centric Solutions in Fintech

45’24: The channels used to connect with Zuben & learn more about Brigit

Disclaimer here — this newsletter does not provide investment advice and represents solely the views and opinions of FINTECH BLUEPRINT LTD.

Contributors: Lex, Laurence, Matt, Farhad, Mike, Daniella

Want to discuss? Stop by our Discord and reach out here with questions.

Lex chats with Till Wendler, Founder of Peaq Network - a leading DePIN Layer 1 in the blockchain space. In this episode, Till discusses his journey into entrepreneurship and the blockchain space. He talks about his early involvement with Ethereum and building a business around e-commerce payments using cryptocurrencies. Till also explains the concept of decentralized physical infrastructure networks (DePINs) and their role in the Internet of Things (IoT) and the Economy of Things (EOT). He highlights the limitations of current IoT systems and the potential for value exchange between devices. Till discusses the success of Peaq in attracting over 800,000 devices onto the network and the challenges of building demand for data-driven projects. He emphasizes Peaq's role in catalyzing the sector by providing support on product optimization, go-to-market strategies, and financial assistance.

MENTIONED IN THE CONVERSATION

Peaq's Website: https://bit.ly/3XjsaKo

Till's LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/4cGvSSJ

Topics: Blockchain, web3, decentralized applications, dapps, economy of things, EOT, depin, iot, decentralized physical infrastructure networks

Tags: Peaq, IOTA, Exonum, DMG MORI, Silencio, MapMetrics, Helium

ABOUT THE FINTECH BLUEPRINT

🔥Subscribe to the Fintech Blueprint newsletter to stay at the forefront of Fintech and DeFi: https://bit.ly/3hyhlC2

🤝 Partner with Fintech Blueprint through sponsorships: https://bit.ly/3UZllsV

👉 Twitter: https://twitter.com/LexSokolin

TIMESTAMPS

1’09: From the Valley to Blockchain: Till’s Journey into Entrepreneurship and Crypto

4’59: Building Peaq: From Berlin's Blockchain Scene to IoT Innovation

8’26: Connecting Machines to Blockchain: The Use Case Discovery and Peaq's Evolution

13’31: From IoT to the Economy of Things: The Evolution of Connected Devices

17’53: Unlocking the Machine Economy: The Role of Web3 and DePINs in Decentralized Infrastructure

20’50: Scaling the Machine Economy: Successful Use Cases Built on Peaq's Decentralized Network

23’34: Driving Network Growth: How Peaq Reached 800,000 Connected Devices Through Strategic Go-to-Market and Product Market Fit

29’15: Streamlining DePIN Success: How Peaq Simplifies Tokenomics and Focuses on User Demand

32’56: Empowering Ecosystem Growth: Peaq's Role in Supporting Projects from Integration to Funding

34’45: The channels used to connect with Till & learn more about Peaq

Disclaimer here — this newsletter does not provide investment advice and represents solely the views and opinions of FINTECH BLUEPRINT LTD.

Contributors: Lex, Laurence, Matt, Farhad, Mike, Daniella

Want to discuss? Stop by our Discord and reach out here with questions.

Lex chats with  Luke Voiles, the CEO of Pipe - a modern capital platform built to connect business owners to fast, frictionless, dilution-free funding. Luke kicks off discussing his experience in the FinTech industry. He talks about his transition from being an investor to working in FinTech. Luke shares his background in distressed credit investing and how it led him to focus on lending money to other lenders. He then discusses his role at Intuit, where he helped build QuickBooks Capital and gained valuable experience in tech, leadership, and product development. Luke also talks about his time at Square and Square Banking, where he learned about being a true CEO and P&L owner. He then joined Pipe and discusses the stage at which the company was when he joined and the core concept of revenue-based financing. Luke explains the differences between revenue-based financing, invoice factoring, and other fixed income instruments. He also talks about the pivot that Pipe made and the focus on Pipe Capital as a service. Luke discusses the importance of platforms and embedded finance in reaching small businesses and explains how Pipe works with SaaS vertical software providers. He emphasizes the value of giving small businesses access to credit and criticizes other FinTechs that have made mistakes in scaling their businesses. Luke concludes by providing contact information for himself and Pipe.

MENTIONED IN THE CONVERSATION

Pipe's Website: https://bit.ly/3WGQrJN

Luke's LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/4dpDh9P

Topics: Fintech, revenue-based finance, embedded finance, unicorn, SaaS, entrepreneur, lending, capital

Tags: Pipe, Square, Stripe, PayPal, Intuit, OnDeck, Alloy, Increase

ABOUT THE FINTECH BLUEPRINT

🔥Subscribe to the Fintech Blueprint newsletter to stay at the forefront of Fintech and DeFi: https://bit.ly/3hyhlC2

🤝 Partner with Fintech Blueprint through sponsorships: https://bit.ly/3UZllsV

👉 Twitter: https://twitter.com/LexSokolin

TIMESTAMPS

1’07: From Distressed Credit to FinTech Leadership: Luke's Journey from Sixth Street Partners to Intuit and Beyond

7’17: Square Banking and the Evolution of Leadership: Navigating Single-Threaded and Functional Structures

14’53: Pipe's Transformation: Joining and Steering one of the Fastest Unicorns in History

18’46: Understanding Revenue-Based Financing: Defining Factoring, Merchant Cash Advances, and More

26’39: The Power of Storytelling: How Pipe's Vision and Innovation Led to Unicorn Status

28’39: Pivoting Pipe: Adapting Strategy and Overcoming Growth Challenges

37’25: The Future of Small Business Banking: Embedded Finance and SaaS Vertical Platforms

41’35: Navigating Regulatory Challenges: Pipe's Embedded Finance and Compliance Strategy

46’23: The channels used to connect with Luke & learn more about Pipe

Disclaimer here — this newsletter does not provide investment advice and represents solely the views and opinions of FINTECH BLUEPRINT LTD.

Contributors: Lex, Laurence, Matt, Farhad, Mike, Daniella

Want to discuss? Stop by our Discord and reach out here with questions.

Lex chats with  Danielle Sesko about insurance and innovation in the fintech sector. They discuss the purpose of insurance and why it exists, the structure of insurance companies, the challenges of insurance innovation, and the integration of insurance into digital lending platforms. Sesko explains that insurance is necessary because most people cannot sustain a total loss of their assets, such as their homes or businesses. She also discusses the regulatory structure of insurance in the US, which is regulated on a state-by-state basis. Sesko describes the product she is working on at TruStage, which provides insurance coverage for loans in the digital lending space. The insurance is designed to protect both the borrower and the lender in case of unexpected events, such as job loss or disability. Sesko explains the technology integrations between insurance and digital lending platforms and the economics of the product. She also discusses the challenges and opportunities in the insurtech industry.

MENTIONED IN THE CONVERSATION

TruStage's Website: https://bit.ly/3WibyC1

Danielle's LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3XUZNmp

Topics: InsurTech, Insurance, Digital Lending, Lending, embedded finance, embedded insurance, API, fintech

Tags: TruStage, Payment Guard, Lending Club, FDIC

ABOUT THE FINTECH BLUEPRINT

🔥Subscribe to the Fintech Blueprint newsletter to stay at the forefront of Fintech and DeFi: https://bit.ly/3hyhlC2

🤝 Partner with Fintech Blueprint through sponsorships: https://bit.ly/3UZllsV

👉 Twitter: https://twitter.com/LexSokolin

TIMESTAMPS

1’27: From Financial Consulting to Insurance Innovation: Danielle Sesko’s Journey in Financial Services

4’58: The Role and Necessity of Insurance: Insights on Financial Resiliency and Industry Structure

9’52: Innovation in Insurance: Creating Relevant Products and Navigating Regulations

13’39: Navigating US Insurance Regulations: Engaging State Regulators and Structuring Underwriting for New Products

17’59: Adapting to FinTech: How Established Underwriters Leverage Experience for Digital Lending Innovation

20’48: Assessing the Rise of Digital Lending: Timing, Consumer Preferences, and Regulatory Challenges in FinTech and InsurTech

27’39: Bridging the Gap in Digital Lending: Ideal Customers for PaymentGuard and Their Unique Needs

31’21: Defining Digital Lending Coverage: Target Workflows and Payment Flows for Embedded Insurance Solutions

34’36: Understanding PaymentGuard's Economics: Coverage Duration, Cost Structure, and Value for Digital Lenders

37’42: Integrating InsurTech and Digital Lending: The Technology and Processes Behind Embedding Insurance Solutions

40’11: The channels used to connect with Danielle & learn more about TruStage

Disclaimer here — this newsletter does not provide investment advice and represents solely the views and opinions of FINTECH BLUEPRINT LTD.

Contributors: Lex, Laurence, Matt, Farhad, Mike, Daniella

Want to discuss? Stop by our Discord and reach out here with questions.

Lex chats with  Anthony Moro, CEO of Provenance Foundation. Provenance is a blockchain platform for real-world assets and has a focus on financial services. Moro discusses his background in the traditional financial industry, particularly in security servicing, and explains how Provenance is positioning itself as a good control location for ownership of securities. He highlights the inefficiencies and high costs associated with intermediated securities transactions and explains how Provenance aims to provide a more efficient and secure alternative. Moro also discusses the technology stack of Provenance, which is built on the Cosmos network, and explains the importance of purpose-built blockchain networks for financial services. He also touches on the topics of noncustodial networks, ledgering, and the importance of network uptime in financial services. Moro concludes by discussing the future vision for Provenance, including the tokenization of trillions of dollars of financial assets and the role of Provenance in enabling asset issuers and service providers to transact efficiently on the platform.

MENTIONED IN THE CONVERSATION

Provenance's Website: https://bit.ly/3xLpXx6

Anthony's LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3VIl3Jn

Companies: Provenance, Sofi, Provenance Blockchain Labs, ProvLabs, Ethereum, Cosmos, Merrill Lynch, Figure Technologies, Figure Markets

Topics: Blockchain, tokenisation, capital markets, DeFi, TradFi, NFT, Financial Services, Governance, crypto

ABOUT THE FINTECH BLUEPRINT

🔥Subscribe to the Fintech Blueprint newsletter to stay at the forefront of Fintech and DeFi: https://bit.ly/3hyhlC2

🤝 Partner with Fintech Blueprint through sponsorships: https://bit.ly/3UZllsV

👉 Twitter: https://twitter.com/LexSokolin

TIMESTAMPS

1’28: From Traditional Finance to DeFi: Insights on Provenance and Financial Services

4’48: The Complexities of ADRs: Insights on Traditional and Decentralized Financial Systems

8’54: Provenance and Blockchain Innovation: From SoFi Founders to Cosmos Network Integration

13’17: Transforming Capital Markets: The Evolution of Figure's HELOC Business and Blockchain Integration

17’28: Revolutionizing Mortgages with Blockchain: The Impact of NFT Mortgages and Disinflationary Technology

21’20: Exploring Alternative Investments: The Value of Pork Bellies and the Unexpected Tale of Uranium

26’39: Bridging Provenance and Ethereum: Open Source Development and Financial Services Security

30’01: Revolutionizing Governance in Financial Services: Provenance's Approach and Future Directions

32’56: Navigating Centralized Exchanges: Bringing an Institutional Network to Retail Markets

39’20: Regulatory Shifts in Crypto and FinTech: Navigating the Evolving Landscape Ahead of US Elections

42’49: Embracing the Future of Tokenization: Provenance's Vision for Retail Inclusion and Financial Services

46’31: The channels used to connect with Anthony & learn more about Provenance

Disclaimer here — this newsletter does not provide investment advice and represents solely the views and opinions of FINTECH BLUEPRINT LTD.

Contributors: Lex, Laurence, Matt, Farhad, Mike, Daniella

Want to discuss? Stop by our Discord and reach out here with questions.

Lex chats with  Lu Zhang, the founder and managing partner at Fusion Fund, a venture fund that invests in deep technology, including artificial intelligence (AI) and healthcare. They discuss Lu's experience as an entrepreneur and the challenges she faced in building her own company. Lu also shares her investment thesis on AI, highlighting the opportunities in AI application and infrastructure. She believes that while large tech companies dominate the consumer AI market, there are still opportunities for startups in enterprise AI, particularly in industries with high-quality data and a need for AI solutions. Lu also discusses the potential of edge computing and the importance of addressing energy consumption and data privacy in AI infrastructure. She emphasizes the coexistence of large and small AI models and the need for practical, cost-efficient solutions. Finally, Lu discusses the revenue pools for AI companies and the growing awareness and adoption of AI in enterprises. She encourages startups to focus on reducing energy consumption in AI and addressing sustainability challenges.

MENTIONED IN THE CONVERSATION

Fusion Fund's Website: https://bit.ly/4egJMgp

Lu's LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3KIWozf

Topics: Venture Capital, VC, Innovation, Artificial Intelligence, Startup, Infrastructure, LLM, Decentralized AI, Healthcare

Companies: Fusion Fund, OpenAI, IBM, Microsoft, Nvidia, AMD

ABOUT THE FINTECH BLUEPRINT

🔥Subscribe to the Fintech Blueprint newsletter to stay at the forefront of Fintech and DeFi: https://bit.ly/3hyhlC2

🤝 Partner with Fintech Blueprint through sponsorships: https://bit.ly/3UZllsV

👉 Twitter: https://twitter.com/LexSokolin

TIMESTAMPS

1’30: From Entrepreneur to VC: Insights from Building and Exiting a Successful Healthcare Startup

5’50: Navigating Startup Challenges: Overcoming Obstacles and Embracing Growth in My Entrepreneurial Journey

9’56: From Founder to Investor: Experiencing the Transition and Learning to Say No

15’16: Fusion Fund’s AI Investment Thesis: Identifying Trends, Opportunities, and Challenges in Artificial Intelligence

23’03: Comprehending Enterprise AI: Ensuring Startups Thrive Without Being Captured by Big Corporates

26’48: The Challenges and Opportunities in Selling Large AI Models to Enterprises: Fine-tuning The Sales Process and Building Strategic Partnerships

30’31: Exploring AI Infrastructure Investments: Paths to Acquisition and IPO in a Competitive Landscape

36’24: AI Infrastructure Gaps: Identifying Opportunities and Challenges in the Evolving Value Chain

40’53: The Future of Decentralized AI: Commercial Opportunities and Economic Dynamics in a World of Personal AI Models

47’07: Key Opportunities in AI: Unmet Needs and Ideas for Future Startups

48’08: The channels used to connect with Lu & learn more about Fusion Fund

Disclaimer here — this newsletter does not provide investment advice and represents solely the views and opinions of FINTECH BLUEPRINT LTD.

Contributors: Lex, Laurence, Matt, Farhad, Mike, Daniella

Want to discuss? Stop by our Discord and reach out here with questions.

Lex chats with Vishal Garg, the CEO of Better Mortgage. Better is an all-in-one digital homeownership company. From finding a real estate agent and getting a mortgage, to shopping for homeowners insurance and title services, Better and its affiliates take customers through the entire homebuying process online. Garg shares the story of how he founded Better Mortgage after experiencing the difficulties of getting a mortgage online. He explains how he saw an opportunity to reimagine the mortgage industry and create a more efficient and consumer-friendly process. Garg discusses the challenges of scaling the company, going public through a SPAC, and navigating the changing market conditions. He also shares his optimism for the future of Better Mortgage, highlighting the company's focus on efficiency, automation, and sustainable growth.

MENTIONED IN THE CONVERSATION

Better's Website: https://bit.ly/456T3Ub

Vishal's LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/4e52szk

Topics: fintech, mortgage, digital lending, digital mortgage, SPAC, interest rates

Companies: Better.com, Better mortgage, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Goldman Sachs, SoftBank

ABOUT THE FINTECH BLUEPRINT

🔥Subscribe to the Fintech Blueprint newsletter to stay at the forefront of Fintech and DeFi: https://bit.ly/3hyhlC2

🤝 Partner with Fintech Blueprint through sponsorships: https://bit.ly/3UZllsV

👉 Twitter: https://twitter.com/LexSokolin

TIMESTAMPS

1’33: Revolutionizing Mortgages: Vishal's Journey from Frustration to Fintech Innovation

6’41: Cracking the Mortgage Code: Leveraging Fintech Experience to Disrupt a Stagnant Industry

11’11: Overcoming Startup Challenges: Innovating in the Mortgage Industry and Securing Early-Stage Financing

15’25: Recruiting Top Talent: How to Attract High-Caliber Professionals to Revolutionize the Mortgage Industry

20’32: Scaling to Success: The Rapid Growth, Economics and Strategic Milestones of Better Mortgage

24’48: Balancing Growth and Profitability: Navigating Blitz Scaling and Cultural Shifts at Better Mortgage

28’17: Understanding the SPAC Process: The Market Conditions, Expectations, and Challenges of Going Public

34’20: Facing Macro Headwinds: The Declining Efficiency and Financial Challenges in a Changing Market

36’50: Balancing External Stressors and Internal Efficiency: Navigating Market Changes and Organizational Challenges

39’04: From Private to Public: Better Mortgage's Evolution, Current State, and Optimistic Future

43’11: Overcoming Market Shifts: Vishal Garg on Better Mortgage's Resilience and Path to Profitability

45’30: The channels used to connect with Vishal & learn more about Better Mortgages

Disclaimer here — this newsletter does not provide investment advice and represents solely the views and opinions of FINTECH BLUEPRINT LTD.

Contributors: Lex, Laurence, Matt, Farhad, Mike, Daniella

Want to discuss? Stop by our Discord and reach out here with questions.

Lex chats with Matt Watson, the founder and CEO of Origin, a comprehensive money management platform for the modern workforce. Watson discusses his background as an entrepreneur and his first fintech experience working on Wall Street. He also talks about his previous business in the commercial insurance space and the challenges of building out the go-to-market function for that company. Watson then explains the concept behind Origin and its focus on providing a mass-market private banking experience for the underserved segment of the population with investable assets below $500,000. He discusses the company's go-to-market strategy, its target market, and its monetization strategy. Watson also touches on the collapse of Mint and the opportunity it created for Origin, as well as the role of generative AI in financial planning and guidance. He concludes by discussing the ownership of data and the challenges of accessing and utilizing consumer financial data in the industry.

MENTIONED IN THE CONVERSATION

Origin's Website: https://bit.ly/4bJcMvc

Matthew's LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3ym8mMa

Topics: fintech, AI, artificial intelligence, PFM, personal financial management, embedded finance

Companies: Origin, Origin Finance, Mint, Mint.com, Plaid, LearnVest, Column Tax, Intuit, Yodlee, ChatGPT

ABOUT THE FINTECH BLUEPRINT

🔥Subscribe to the Fintech Blueprint newsletter to stay at the forefront of Fintech and DeFi: https://bit.ly/3hyhlC2

🤝 Partner with Fintech Blueprint through sponsorships: https://bit.ly/3UZllsV

👉 Twitter: https://twitter.com/LexSokolin

TIMESTAMPS

1’07: The Entrepreneurial Journey: From Family Influence to Fintech Ventures

3’55: Building the Go-to-Market Function: Penetrating and Innovating in the Insurance Agency Software Market

7’55: Challenges in Financial Vertical Software: Entrenched Systems and High Switching Costs

10’08: Exploring Origin: Addressing the Financial Services Gap for the Mass Affluent

18’16: Evolving Data Aggregation in Fintech: Addressing Costs and Open Banking Trends

22’30: Origin’s Business Model and Market Dynamics in Mass Affluent Financial Services: Lessons from Lead Generation Giants

26’01: Building Financial Solutions In-House: Origin's Approach to Planning, Investing, and Tax

29’24: The Collapse of Mint: Catalyzing Opportunities for Origin in B2B and B2C Markets

31’26: Leveraging Generative AI in Financial Planning: Enhancing Guidance and Managing Challenges

35’47: Understanding the Demand for AI Financial Planning: Challenges and Consumer Behavior

40’22: The Future of Financial Data Control: Consumer-Driven Analysis and Insights in a Tokenized World

41’07: The channels used to connect with Matthew & learn more about Origin

Disclaimer here — this newsletter does not provide investment advice and represents solely the views and opinions of FINTECH BLUEPRINT LTD.

Contributors: Lex, Laurence, Matt, Farhad, Mike, Daniella

Want to discuss? Stop by our Discord and reach out here with questions.

Lex chats with Jason Morton, CEO of EZKL - EZKL is a technology that helps people build around artificial intelligence using zero-knowledge proofs (ZK proofs) and the latest in technology. Jason explains that ZK proofs are a way to prove that a computation has been executed correctly without revealing any sensitive information. The proofs can be used to verify the execution of AI models, statistical models, and other computations on blockchain networks. EZKL provides a command line tool, a backend proving service, and a Python library for developers to use. The company's economic model involves licensing the components of the system and running backend services. In the future, EZKL aims to provide a more complete solution for interacting with the technology. The demand for verifiable AI and ZK proofs is expected to come from both Web2 and Web3 companies, as well as enterprise clients

MENTIONED IN THE CONVERSATION

EZKL's Website: https://bit.ly/4dx1wUb

Jason's Twitter: https://bit.ly/4boqumY

Topics: fintech, machine learning, ai, artificial intelligence, llm, zk-proofs, zero-knowledge proofs, blockchain, web3

Companies: EZKL, Ethereum, Bitcoin, DARPA

ABOUT THE FINTECH BLUEPRINT

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🤝 Partner with Fintech Blueprint through sponsorships: https://bit.ly/3UZllsV

👉 Twitter: https://twitter.com/LexSokolin

TIMESTAMPS

1’18: From Mathematics to Machine Learning: Tracing the Journey of an AI Researcher"

3’47: Putting Theory Into Practice: Navigating the Evolution of Neural Networks and Blockchain

7’18: Understanding Zero-Knowledge Proofs: The Evolution and Impact of Cryptographic Privacy

11’02: Digital Trust and Privacy: How Zero-Knowledge Proofs Enhance Security and Authentication Online

16’15: From Consensus to Cryptography: Exploring the Transformative Impact of Zero-Knowledge Proofs on Blockchain Technology

22’30: Revolutionizing AI with Blockchain: The Strategic Focus of EZKL on Verifiable and Secure Machine Learning

28’18: Connecting Worlds: Bridging Advanced AI and Blockchain Technology for Economic and Computational Efficiency

31’21: Strategic Transparency: Integrating Proofs in Smart Contracts for Trustworthy Investment Strategies

35’44: EZKL Defined: Navigating the Blend of Product, Library, and Framework in Blockchain Proofs

38’48: Blurring Lines: Will Web3 Innovations or Traditional Web2 Enterprises Drive the Future Demand for EZKL?

40’28: The channels used to connect with Jason & learn more about EZKL

Disclaimer here — this newsletter does not provide investment advice and represents solely the views and opinions of FINTECH BLUEPRINT LTD.

Contributors: Lex, Laurence, Matt, Farhad, Mike, Daniella

Want to discuss? Stop by our Discord and reach out here with questions.

Lex chats with Libor Michalek, the President of Affirm, a buy now, pay later (BNPL) company. Michalek discusses his early experiences with the internet and how it shaped his understanding of technology and its potential in the financial services industry. He explains how Affirm was founded with the goal of building honest financial products that improve people's lives, and how the convergence of e-commerce, mobile technology, machine learning, and access to consumer information enabled the company to create a credit product that aligned with consumer interests. Michalek also discusses the challenges of building a technology-driven finance company, the performance of Affirm's loans compared to credit cards and personal loans, and the company's approach to competition and future growth.

MENTIONED IN THE CONVERSATION

Affirm's Website: https://bit.ly/3Qo2DvI

Libor's LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/4bfsQVk

Topics: fintech, buy now pay later, BNPL, e-commerce, machine learning, loans, credit,  credit cards, payments

Companies: Affirm, Thinking Machines Corporation, PayPal, Amazon

ABOUT THE FINTECH BLUEPRINT

🔥Subscribe to the Fintech Blueprint newsletter to stay at the forefront of Fintech and DeFi: https://bit.ly/3hyhlC2

🤝 Partner with Fintech Blueprint through sponsorships: https://bit.ly/3UZllsV

👉 Twitter: https://twitter.com/LexSokolin

TIMESTAMPS

1’00: Internet Pioneers and Business Innovation: Libor Michalek touches on Early Web Experiences

4’56: Digital Transformation and Commerce: Unpacking the Consumer Insights and Technological Advances That Fuelled the E-commerce Explosion

9’18: Beyond Traditional Finance: How Affirm's Founding Insights and Technological Integration Redefined Fintech in the 2010s

13’14: Redefining Credit: Exploring the Consumer Demand for Transparency and Fairness in Financial Products with Affirm

19’04: Integrating Innovation: How Affirm's Unique Approach to E-commerce and Payments Shaped Its Market Strategy

23’47: Machine Learning and Financial Innovation: Launching Affirm's Transaction-Specific Underwriting Models

27’56: Assessing Investment Opportunities: The Risk and Return Profile of Affirm's Customer Loans from an Institutional Perspective

32’11: Empowering Customers: Affirm's Commitment to Transparency and Support in Financial Services

37’42: Leading the Charge: Navigating Competition and Innovation in the Buy Now, Pay Later Market

41’22: Defining Innovation in FinTech: Distinguishing Between Technology-Driven and Finance-First Companies

43’29: The channels used to connect with Libor & learn more about Affirm

Disclaimer here — this newsletter does not provide investment advice and represents solely the views and opinions of FINTECH BLUEPRINT LTD.

Contributors: Lex, Laurence, Matt, Farhad, Mike, Daniella

Want to discuss? Stop by our Discord and reach out here with questions.

Lex chats with Sarah Levy, CEO of Betterment - the largest independent digital investment advisor. Levy kicks off the conversation by discussing her career journey from working in the media industry to leading a fintech company. Levy explains that she was attracted to Betterment's mission of making people's lives better and saw the potential for growth and scale in the company. She also highlights the importance of brand building and understanding the customer in creating a successful business. Levy discusses Betterment's core products, including its retail robo-advisory service and its 401(k) offering for small and medium-sized businesses. She explains that Betterment aims to be a holistic investing home for its customers, focusing on expanding access and offering more account types and asset classes. Levy also discusses the potential for Betterment to offer self-directed investing options in the future.

MENTIONED IN THE CONVERSATION

Betterment's Website: https://bit.ly/3Uq5gPK

Sarah's LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/4d5aGqJ

Topics: Fintech, embedded finance, banking, investment, RIA, Tax, roboadvisor, advisory, branding, 401k

Companies: Betterment, Nickelodeon, Disney, Viacom, Schwab, Fidelity

ABOUT THE FINTECH BLUEPRINT

🔥Subscribe to the Fintech Blueprint newsletter to stay at the forefront of Fintech and DeFi: https://bit.ly/3hyhlC2

🤝 Partner with Fintech Blueprint through sponsorships: https://bit.ly/3UZllsV

👉 Twitter: https://twitter.com/LexSokolin

TIMESTAMPS

1’10: From Nickelodeon to Betterment: Tracing Sarah Levy's Journey Through Media and FinTech

7’22: Brand Personification and Audience Engagement: Exploring Digital Transformation with a lens on the consumer

13’33: Mission and Brand Resonance: Transitioning Leadership at Betterment

16’50: Initial Impressions and Strategic Directions: Enhancing Betterment's Brand and Services

21’41: Refining FinTech: How Betterment Evolved to Meet the Needs of Modern Investors

24’58: Building Betterment's 401k Business: Strategic Growth and Market Opportunities

34’45: Revamping RIA Economics: Betterment's Innovative Approach to Advisor Services

39’41: Beyond the Super App: Betterment's Strategic Approach to FinTech Diversification

44’12: Focused Growth: Betterment's Strategic Decision to Prioritize Long-Term Investing Over Self-Directed Trading

47’09: The channels used to connect with Sarah & learn more about Betterment

Disclaimer here — this newsletter does not provide investment advice and represents solely the views and opinions of FINTECH BLUEPRINT LTD.

Contributors: Lex, Laurence, Matt, Farhad, Mike, Daniella

Want to discuss? Stop by our Discord and reach out here with questions.

Lex chats with Anthony Cimino, the head of policy at Carta - an equity management company that builds the infrastructure for innovators, supporting approximately 35,000 companies, over 2.2 million stakeholders, and more than 5,000 funds. Cimino discusses his background in government and policy in the financial services industry and how he got involved in finance and policy. He explains the role of policy in the fintech industry and the importance of engagement with policymakers. Cimino also talks about Carta's core business of cap table management and valuation services, as well as their fund administration business. He discusses the challenges and opportunities in the private markets industry, including the barriers to entry for investors and the need for more access and standardization. Cimino also mentions Carta's focus on supporting founders and their plans to expand globally. He emphasizes the role of policy in unlocking capital and creating access to private markets.

MENTIONED IN THE CONVERSATION

Carta's Website: https://bit.ly/3U92K0w

Anthony's LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3J6u5db

Topics: fintech, regulation, policy, private markets, fund administration

Companies: Carta, SEC,  Committee on Financial Services

ABOUT THE FINTECH BLUEPRINT

🔥Subscribe to the Fintech Blueprint newsletter to stay at the forefront of Fintech and DeFi: https://bit.ly/3hyhlC2

🤝 Partner with Fintech Blueprint through sponsorships: https://bit.ly/3UZllsV

👉 Twitter: https://twitter.com/LexSokolin

TIMESTAMPS

1’23: From Capitol Hill to Financial Crisis Management: Tracing Anthony's Journey through Finance and Policy

6’24: Building Trust in Turbulent Times: The Crucial Link Between Public Engagement and Policy Formation

10’50: Shaping the Future of Finance: The Essential Role of Stakeholder Engagement in Policy and Regulation

14’50: Digitizing Equity: Carta's Impact on Private Markets and the Future of Financial Infrastructure

20’07: Unlocking Private Markets: Navigating Complexity and Challenging Paternalistic Regulations

24’17: Expanding Economic Opportunity: The Imperative of Broadening Access to Private Markets

27’27: Beyond Data: Carta's Vision for Empowering Founders and Investors in the Private Market Ecosystem

31’50: Tailoring Growth: How Carta Supports Founders from Startup to Public Transition

34’39: Navigating the Terrain: The Dynamics of Private Fund Administration in Changing Economic Climates

38’56: Charting the Future: Carta's Vision for Empowering Founders, Revolutionizing Fund Administration, and Expanding Global Footprints

40’57: The channels used to connect with Anthony & learn more about Carta

Disclaimer here — this newsletter does not provide investment advice and represents solely the views and opinions of FINTECH BLUEPRINT LTD.

Contributors: Lex, Laurence, Matt, Farhad, Mike, Daniella

Want to discuss? Stop by our Discord and reach out here with questions.

Lex chats with Malcolm deMayo, Global Vice President for Financial Services at Nvidia. deMayo kicks off the discussion on how Nvidia has been working with financial services firms for over 15 years, providing accelerated compute platforms to help solve compute-intensive challenges in trading, banking, and insurance. DeMayo explains that Nvidia's hardware accelerators, such as GPUs, can execute thousands of instructions at a time, resulting in a significant speedup compared to traditional CPUs. He highlights the use of AI and machine learning in various financial services applications, including fraud detection, sentiment analysis in trading, and process automation in banking. DeMayo also discusses the emergence of Generative AI, which enables the generation of unique content and the potential for human-like engagement in customer service. He emphasizes the importance of collaboration between business and AI teams for successful AI deployment and mentions the role of open-source models and federated learning in the future of AI.

MENTIONED IN THE CONVERSATION

Nvidia's Website: https://bit.ly/3TwEDXO

Malcom's LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3xeimqa

Topics: AI, Artificial intelligence, Machine learning, accelerated compute, compute, generative AI, genAI, financial services, Neural networks

Companies: Nvidia, OpenAI, Google, Microsoft, EvidentAI, AlexNet

ABOUT THE FINTECH BLUEPRINT

🔥Subscribe to the Fintech Blueprint newsletter to stay at the forefront of Fintech and DeFi: https://bit.ly/3hyhlC2

🤝 Partner with Fintech Blueprint through sponsorships: https://bit.ly/3UZllsV

👉 Twitter: https://twitter.com/LexSokolin

TIMESTAMPS

1’35: Beyond Moore's Law: Nvidia's Pioneering Role in Financial Services Innovation

6’56: Revolutionizing Efficiency: The Transformative Impact of GPU-Accelerated Computing in Finance

14’12: Unlocking Efficiency: How Nvidia's Accelerated Compute Platform Revolutionizes Machine Learning in Finance

19’52: Transforming Finance: The Power of Machine Learning in Fraud Detection and Market Analysis

29’15: From Data Custodianship to AI Revolution: Nvidia's Pivotal Role in Transforming Finance with Generative AI

35’03: Beyond Classification: Nvidia's Role in Fueling Generative AI's Impact on Financial Services Innovation

42’04: Shaping the AI Landscape: The Dynamic Between Open Source Innovation and Proprietary Models in Financial Services

47’01: The channels used to connect with Malcom & learn more about Nvidia

Disclaimer here — this newsletter does not provide investment advice and represents solely the views and opinions of FINTECH BLUEPRINT LTD.

Contributors: Lex, Laurence, Matt, Farhad, Mike, Daniella

Want to discuss? Stop by our Discord and reach out here with questions.

Lex chats with Nelson Chu, founder and CEO of Percent -  the modern credit marketplace. Nelson kicks off the discussion b by walking through his inspiration for building the private credit marketplace and the challenges of operating in the fintech industry. He explains that Percent aims to provide a better alternative investment platform for credit investors by offering shorter durations and lower minimum investments. Nelson also discusses the importance of infrastructure in the private credit market and the need for technology to streamline processes. He highlights the different types of investors and borrowers that use Percent's platform and the challenges of building a three-sided marketplace. Nelson also touches on the impact of macroeconomic factors, such as interest rates, on the private credit market and the role of data and AI in the industry.

MENTIONED IN THE CONVERSATION

Percent's Website: https://bit.ly/3x3w8Mg

Nelson's LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/4a5Nwym

Topics: Private credit, lending, borrowers, underwriting, AI, artificial intelligence, investment, alternative investment, fintech, marketplace

Companies: Percent, Lending Club, LendIt, Prosper, Blackstone

ABOUT THE FINTECH BLUEPRINT

🔥Subscribe to the Fintech Blueprint newsletter to stay at the forefront of Fintech and DeFi: https://bit.ly/3hyhlC2

🤝 Partner with Fintech Blueprint through sponsorships: https://bit.ly/3UZllsV

👉 Twitter: https://twitter.com/LexSokolin

TIMESTAMPS

1’12: From FinTech Consulting to Revolutionizing Private Credit: The Genesis of Percent

4’33: Unveiling the Void: The Journey to Establishing Essential Infrastructure in Alternative Investments

6’55: Decoding Private Credit: Navigating Yields, Risk, and Investor Dynamics in Short-Duration Fixed Income

14’01: Investor Trends and Platform Evolution: The Shifting Terrain of Private Credit Investments

19’15: Building the Bridge: Crafting the Infrastructure to Power a Tripartite Financial Marketplace

26’15: Mastering Multi-Sided Markets: Strategies for Bootstrapping Borrowers, Investors, and Underwriters

31’26: Tech as the Catalyst: Navigating the Fusion of Traditional Finance and Innovative Infrastructure in Private Credit

36’49: Adapting to Shifts: The Impact of Changing Interest Rates on the Private Credit Landscape

40’16: Unlocking Potential with AI: How Proprietary Data Sets Are Shaping the Future of Finance

43’15: The channels used to connect with Nelson & learn more about Percent

Disclaimer here — this newsletter does not provide investment advice and represents solely the views and opinions of FINTECH BLUEPRINT LTD.

Contributors: Lex, Laurence, Matt, Farhad, Mike, Daniella

Want to discuss? Stop by our Discord and reach out here with questions.

Lex chats with Richard Ma, CEO of Quantstamp -a leading blockchain security company. Richard kicks off by discussing the origins of the company and the importance of security in the blockchain space. He explains that the idea for Quantstamp came after he invested in Ethereum and witnessed the hack of the DAO, which prompted him to focus on the security side of Ethereum. Richard describes how Quantstamp conducts audits of blockchain projects, identifying vulnerabilities and providing recommendations for improvement. He emphasizes the importance of reading audit reports and understanding the risks associated with projects. Richard also discusses different types of adversaries in the blockchain space, including nation-state actors, developers seeking recognition, and financially motivated hackers. He believes that while established projects will become more secure over time, new experimental projects will always carry some level of risk. Richard suggests that AI-based debuggers could help improve security auditing in the future. He highlights EigenLayer, ZK-rollups, and the development on Solana as exciting sectors to watch in the coming years.

MENTIONED IN THE CONVERSATION

Quantstamps's Website: https://bit.ly/3Iv6zX4

Richard's LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3IvaxyO

Topics: blockchain, security, audit, hacking, hacks, crypto, cryptocurrency, digital assets, Web3, DeFi

Companies: Quantstamp, Ethereum, MakerDAO, Compound, EigenLayer

ABOUT THE FINTECH BLUEPRINT

🔥Subscribe to the Fintech Blueprint newsletter to stay at the forefront of Fintech and DeFi: https://bit.ly/3hyhlC2

🤝 Partner with Fintech Blueprint through sponsorships: https://bit.ly/3UZllsV

👉 Twitter: https://twitter.com/LexSokolin

TIMESTAMPS

1’30: From High-Frequency Trading to Fintech Innovator: The Journey to Creating Quantstamp

9’26: Demystifying the Audit Process: Inside Quantstamp's Approach to Securing Blockchain Projects

15’04: The Art and Challenge of Blockchain Audits: Navigating the Complex World of Code Review

19’37: The Nomad Hack: A Case Study in Preventability and the Importance of Diligence in Code Auditing

24’39: Web3's Adversarial Landscape: Unpacking the Motivations Behind Crypto Hacks and Security Breaches

29’13: The Ethical Dilemma of Crypto Hacking: Navigating the Fine Line Between Exploitation and Market Manipulation

34’59: Exploring the Frontier: Key Innovations Shaping the Future of Blockchain in 2024 and Beyond

36’34: The channels used to connect with Richard & learn more about Quantstamp

Disclaimer here — this newsletter does not provide investment advice and represents solely the views and opinions of FINTECH BLUEPRINT LTD.

Contributors: Lex, Laurence, Matt, Farhad, Mike, Daniella

Want to discuss? Stop by our Discord and reach out here with questions.

Lex chats with Christian Catalini, co-founder and chief strategy officer of Lightspark - a company aiming to break down global payment barriers, throwing its weight behind a new standard intended to make payments as easy as sending an email. Christian kicks off by discussing his career in blockchain and academia, as well as the challenges and opportunities in the fintech industry. He explains how he became interested in crypto through his research on crowdfunding and how he later focused on Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies. Catalini also discusses the importance of decentralized governance and the potential of Bitcoin as a global payment network. He introduces Lightspark's products, including Lightspark Predict and Universal Money Addresses (UMA), which aim to make Lightning Network more efficient and user-friendly for cross-border money movement. He emphasizes the need for compliance and regulatory clarity in the crypto industry and highlights the role of various partners in facilitating on and off-ramps between digital assets and traditional payment systems.

MENTIONED IN THE CONVERSATION

Lightspark's Website: https://bit.ly/3uQ0Nw1

Christian's LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3UVwBu3

Topics: blockchain, crypto, cryptocurrency, Bitcoin, Digital Assets, AI, cross border, payments, lightning network

Companies: Lightspark, Diem, Libra, Meta Fintech, MIT, MIT Cryptoeconomics Lab

ABOUT THE FINTECH BLUEPRINT

🔥Subscribe to the Fintech Blueprint newsletter to stay at the forefront of Fintech and DeFi: https://bit.ly/3hyhlC2

🤝 Partner with Fintech Blueprint through sponsorships: https://bit.ly/3UZllsV

👉 Twitter: https://twitter.com/LexSokolin

TIMESTAMPS

1’22: Bridging Worlds: From Academic Inquiry to Entrepreneurial Action in the Crypto and Crowdfunding Era

7’12: Innovating at the Intersection: From the Creative Destruction Lab to the Cryptoeconomics Lab at MIT

13’00: Designing Stability: The Economic Architecture and Vision Behind the Diem Experiment

18’37: Governance and Trust in Crypto: Navigating the Complex Landscape from Diem to Bitcoin

25’42: Money as a Public Good: The Evolutionary Path of Bitcoin and Digital Assets in the Global Economy

31’57: Unleashing Potential: Crypto and AI's Complementary Forces in Shaping the Future of Open Source Technology

37’02: Universal Money Addresses: Revolutionizing Global Transactions with Seamless, Compliant, and Real-Time Payments

41’31: UMA and Bitcoin: Simplifying Cross-Border Payments with a Global, Liquidity-Driven Settlement Layer

46’49: Integrating Innovations: How UMA Partners Enable Smooth Cross-Border Payments Through Bitcoin Liquidity and Local Infrastructure

50’14: The channels used to connect with Chris & learn more about Lightspark

Disclaimer here — this newsletter does not provide investment advice and represents solely the views and opinions of FINTECH BLUEPRINT LTD.

Contributors: Lex, Laurence, Matt, Farhad, Mike, Daniella

Want to discuss? Stop by our Discord and reach out here with questions.

Lex chats with Shelby Austin, co-founder and CEO of Arteria AI - Arteria AI is an AI-focused company that develops a contract lifecycle management platform for end-to-end digital contracting. Shelby kicks off by discussing her career journey and the development of her company, which focuses on solving documentation challenges in the financial services industry using artificial intelligence (AI). Shelby explains that Arteria AI uses a combination of people and technology to streamline document management processes, such as onboarding, contract generation, and data organization. The company leverages a variety of AI models, both open-source and proprietary, to analyze and generate documents. Shelby emphasizes the importance of user-centric design and practical application of AI in solving real problems for financial institutions. She also discusses the challenges and opportunities of working with large financial firms, including data security and integration with existing infrastructure.

MENTIONED IN THE CONVERSATION

Arteria AI's Website: https://bit.ly/3SLtWAr

Shelby's LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3I11568

Topics: AI, Artificial Intelligence, ChatGPT,  documentation, finance, analytics, contract processing

Companies: Arteria AI, Arteria, Deloitte, OpenAI

ABOUT THE FINTECH BLUEPRINT

🔥Subscribe to the Fintech Blueprint newsletter to stay at the forefront of Fintech and DeFi: https://bit.ly/3hyhlC2

🤝 Partner with Fintech Blueprint through sponsorships: https://bit.ly/3UZllsV

👉 Twitter: https://twitter.com/LexSokolin

TIMESTAMPS

1’23: From Law to Innovation: Shelby Austin's Journey Through Legal Grind to Tech Entrepreneurship

6’41: Digitizing Diligence: Pioneering Data Management in Legal Workflows

9’10: From Legal Documents to AI Frontiers: Navigating the Transition into Technological Leadership at Deloitte

17’27: Reimagining Documentation: The Genesis of Arteria and the Evolution of Financial Services Solutions

22’32: Simplifying Complexity: Arteria's Solutions for Streamlining Documentation and Compliance Processes

26’44: Transforming Documentation: Arteria's Multimodal Approach to Financial Services Paperwork

32’03: Crafting AI Solutions in Finance: Navigating the Landscape of Models Beyond the Hype

36’16: Building Bridges in Finance: Exploring the Complex Landscape of AI Integration with Major Financial Firms

39’25: The channels used to connect with Shelby & learn more about Arteria AI

Disclaimer here — this newsletter does not provide investment advice and represents solely the views and opinions of FINTECH BLUEPRINT LTD.

Contributors: Lex, Laurence, Matt, Farhad, Mike, Daniella

Want to discuss? Stop by our Discord and reach out here with questions.

Lex chats with Rachel Lin, the Co-Founder & CEO of SynFutures, a decentralized derivatives trading platform. Lin discusses her background in traditional finance and her transition into the fintech and cryptocurrency industry. She explains her experience working in structured derivative sales and trading at Deutsche Bank, where she interacted with clients such as hedge funds and corporates who used derivatives for speculative purposes, hedging, and arbitrage. Lin then moved to fintech company Alipay, where she learned about blockchain technology and became interested in the potential of decentralized finance. She later joined Matrixport, a centralized platform, before starting her own decentralized derivatives platform, SynFutures. Lin explains that decentralized platforms offer transparency and the ability for anyone to become a market maker or service provider, while centralized platforms require more configuration and rely on market makers. She also discusses the growth potential of decentralized derivatives and the current dominance of speculation in the crypto derivatives market. Lin believes that as digital economies grow, the usage of blockchain and derivatives for economic purposes will also increase.

MENTIONED IN THE CONVERSATION

SynFuture's Website: https://bit.ly/3OCDRaa

Topics: crypto, digital assets,  investment, blockchain, AMM, DeFi, CeFi, Liquidity, hedging, arbitrage, derivatives, perps, synthetic

Companies: Synfutures, Alipay, Matrixport, DYDX, GMX, Synthetix, Deutsche Bank, Uniswap

ABOUT THE FINTECH BLUEPRINT

🔥Subscribe to the Fintech Blueprint newsletter to stay at the forefront of Fintech and DeFi: https://bit.ly/3hyhlC2

🤝 Partner with Fintech Blueprint through sponsorships: https://bit.ly/3UZllsV

👉 Twitter: https://twitter.com/LexSokolin

TIMESTAMPS

1’23: Trading Illusions for Insights: Navigating the Complex World of Financial Derivatives

6’35: Hedging Needs vs. Market Speculation: Deciphering the Derivatives Landscape

10’54: Institutional to Retail: Transitioning Through Chinese Fintech and Cryptocurrency Markets

16’16: SynFutures: Unlocking Decentralized Derivatives Trading for All

20’54: Synthetic Derivatives and Leverage: Amplifying Trades on Decentralized Platforms

26’56: DeFi Derivatives: AMM Liquidity, Competition, and the Future of Synthetic Trading

32’13: The promise of Crypto Derivative Markets: Beyond Speculation - Hedging, Arbitrage, and the Promise of Digital Economies

35’00: The channels used to connect with Rachel & learn more about SynFutures

Disclaimer here — this newsletter does not provide investment advice and represents solely the views and opinions of FINTECH BLUEPRINT LTD.

Contributors: Lex, Laurence, Matt, Farhad, Mike, Daniella

Want to discuss? Stop by our Discord and reach out here with questions.

Lex chats with Stan Miroshnik, founder and managing partner of 10Squared Capital, discusses his early experiences in financial services and his journey into the world of digital assets and crypto. He talks about the challenges of navigating the ICO market and the importance of price discipline in investing. Miroshnik also shares his insights on the current state of the market and the opportunities he sees in sectors such as infrastructure, consumer applications, data analytics, and financial services. He also discusses the potential of security tokens and real-world asset tokenization.

MENTIONED IN THE CONVERSATION

10Squared Capital's Website: https://bit.ly/3ShddVm

Stan's LinkedIn profile: https://bit.ly/3w8kO0S

Topics: crypto, digital assets, venture capital, investment, blockchain, ICO, tokenization

Companies: TenSquared Capital, 10THoldings, 10T, 10SQ, Animoca, Coatue, Tiger, Civic

ABOUT THE FINTECH BLUEPRINT

🔥Subscribe to the Fintech Blueprint newsletter to stay at the forefront of Fintech and DeFi: https://bit.ly/3hyhlC2

🤝 Partner with Fintech Blueprint through sponsorships: https://bit.ly/3UZllsV

👉 Twitter: https://twitter.com/LexSokolin

TIMESTAMPS

1’28: Navigating the Financial Landscape: From Soviet Childhood to Blockchain Innovation

4’03: Transitioning from Soviet Roots to Global Finance: A Journey Through Capital Markets and the Emergence of Digital Assets

11’07: Emergence of Russian Capital Markets: Navigating the Complexities of Financial Evolution and Integration

15’15: Bitcoin and the Birth of a New Capital Market: Pioneering Digital Asset Investment Banking

19’13: Compliance Complexity in 2024: Navigating the Evolving Landscape of Digital Asset Regulation

23’25: Reflecting on the ICO Market: Balancing Innovation, Speculation, and the Evolution of Digital Assets

27’53: From ICOs to Institutional Investment: Charting the Evolution of Digital Asset Markets with 10T Holdings and TenSquared Capital

32’18: Assessing Growth Stage Investments in the Digital Asset Space: Navigating the Challenges of Valuation and Opportunity in 2021-2022

35’24: Identifying Emerging Leaders in Digital Assets: A Look at Key Sectors and Companies Shaping the 2024 Market Landscape

36’25: Exploring the Future of Digital Assets:  Exploring Infrastructure, Consumer Applications, and Financial Services in the Blockchain Ecosystem

43’04: The channels used to connect with Stan & learn more about TenSquared Capital

Disclaimer here — this newsletter does not provide investment advice and represents solely the views and opinions of FINTECH BLUEPRINT LTD.

Contributors: Lex, Laurence, Matt, Farhad, Mike, Daniella

Want to discuss? Stop by our Discord and reach out here with questions.

Lex chats with Jerome Le Luel, founder and CEO of TRIVER -  a London-based startup that uses open banking data and AI to provide short-term working capital to SMEs. To kick off, Jerome discusses the application of AI in fintech lending for small businesses. He explains that traditional banks have struggled to automate lending decisions for SMEs due to regulatory constraints and manual underwriting processes. However, with the emergence of open banking and the ability to access transaction-level data, fintech companies like TRIVER can use data science to automate underwriting decisions and provide instant capital to small businesses. TRIVER's platform allows SMEs to apply for short-term financing in a few clicks, using bank data and credit bureau information to make lending decisions. The capital comes from a combination of equity and debt raised by TRIVER, and the company is also exploring partnerships with non-financial institutions to embed its technology and offer instant capital to their SME clients.

MENTIONED IN THE CONVERSATION

TRIVER's Website: https://bit.ly/3OiT1RN

Jerome's LinkedIn profile: https://bit.ly/3ubNWUz

Topics: Fintech, lending, SME, SME finance, Open Banking, Underwriting, API

Companies: TRIVER, Funding Circle, Barclays, Barclaycard, Capital One

ABOUT THE FINTECH BLUEPRINT

🔥Subscribe to the Fintech Blueprint newsletter to stay at the forefront of Fintech and DeFi: https://bit.ly/3hyhlC2

🤝 Partner with Fintech Blueprint through sponsorships: https://bit.ly/3UZllsV

👉 Twitter: https://twitter.com/LexSokolin

TIMESTAMPS

1’29: From analytics to innovation: Pioneering credit card strategies in the UK with Capital One

4’13: Segmentation and innovation: How Capital One's early customer insights revolutionized consumer finance

9’19: Scaling financial services: Lessons in clarity, efficiency, and rigorous execution from Capital One's rapid growth

14’53: From challenger to major player: Navigating the shift to large-scale operations in financial services at Barclaycard

18’59: Risk management in lending: Balancing uncertainty, reward, and scaling in financial services

26’44: Innovating in Fintech: Leveraging flexibility and focus to outpace traditional banking at Funding Circle and TRIVER

31’37: Entrepreneurship and innovation: The impact of organizational culture and talent on Fintech advancements

33’53: Solving short-term SME finance challenges: TRIVER's innovative approach leveraging data science and open banking

40’23: Real-time SME underwriting: Leveraging transaction data and open banking for effective financial decisions at TRIVER

41’53: Empowering SMEs with instant capital: TRIVER's seamless integration of tech, data, and finance for efficient working capital solutions

46’02: The channels used to connect with Jerome & learn more about TRIVER

Disclaimer here — this newsletter does not provide investment advice and represents solely the views and opinions of FINTECH BLUEPRINT LTD.

Contributors: Lex, Laurence, Matt, Farhad, Mike, Daniella

Want to discuss? Stop by our Discord and reach out here with questions.

Lex chats with David Minarsch, co-founder and CEO of Valory - a team focused on providing research, products, and services at the intersection of multi-agent systems (MAS) and distributed ledger technology (DLT), one of them being Autonolas - a platform that offers an open-source software stack and an on-chain protocol, facilitating secure operations and incentivizing autonomous application development. In this episode, David discusses the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and crypto networks. He explains that Valory is focused on building autonomous systems that connect to blockchain networks. David highlights the importance of AI agents in the future, as they can specialize in different roles and provide valuable services. He also discusses the launch of the Autonolas protocol on Gnosis chain, which allows for the creation of prediction markets and the coordination of autonomous services. David believes that autonomous agents will become the primary daily active users of crypto, providing a new user experience and abstraction for humans.

MENTIONED IN THE CONVERSATION

Valory's Website: https://bit.ly/4b3xuWP

David's LinkedIn profile: https://bit.ly/3S5EF8n

Topics: DLT, Distributed ledger technology, ai, blockchain, smart contract, game theory, autonomation, DAO, generative AI, crypto, economics

Companies: Valory, Autonolas, Fetch.ai, OLAS, Gnosis, Cosmos

ABOUT THE FINTECH BLUEPRINT

🔥Subscribe to the Fintech Blueprint newsletter to stay at the forefront of Fintech and DeFi: https://bit.ly/3hyhlC2

🤝 Partner with Fintech Blueprint through sponsorships: https://bit.ly/3UZllsV

👉 Twitter: https://twitter.com/LexSokolin

TIMESTAMPS

1’34: Mathematics to Game Theory: A Journey Through Academia and the Intricacies of Human Behavior

4’03: Network Games and Equilibria: Exploring Graph Theory and Game Theory in Economics at Cambridge

7’31: Quantitative Abstractions and Intuition: Navigating the Complexity of Equilibria in Economic Systems

12’08: From Academic Theory to Real-World Application: The Impact of Crypto Networks on Economic Modeling and Experimentation

16’17: Mathematics in Governance: Transforming Data for Constituency Insights and Political Decision-Making

19’04: From Human Insights to Blockchain Innovation: The Evolution of Fetch.ai and the Role of Autonomous Agents

23’36: Defining Autonomous Agents: The Evolution and Impact of AI-Driven Software Agents in Complex Systems

30’48: Agent Ownership and Automation: Exploring the Spectrum and Implications of Autonomous AI Systems

35’16: Autonolas Protocol and Valory Launch: Revolutionizing Autonomous Services and DAO Governance on the Gnosis Chain

39’44: Governance Through AI: Understanding the Role of Autonomous Agents in DAO Decision-Making and Proposal Analysis

43’34: OLAS Protocol on Gnosis Chain: Pioneering Autonomous Agents in Prediction Markets and DAO Governance

50’15: Envisioning the Future: The Rise of Autonomous Agents and AI in Crypto and Economic Systems

55’01: The channels used to connect with David & learn more about Valory

Disclaimer here — this newsletter does not provide investment advice and represents solely the views and opinions of FINTECH BLUEPRINT LTD.

Contributors: Lex, Laurence, Matt, Farhad, Mike, Daniella

Want to discuss? Stop by our Discord and reach out here with questions.

Lex chats with Steve McLaughlin, CEO and founder of FT Partners - the premier financial technology investment bank, and Jon Lear, president and co-founder of Fintech Meetup -  the leading fintech conference in the world today. They discuss the early days of fintech, the growth and evolution of the industry, and the current market trends. They also touch on the definition of fintech and its boundaries, as well as the sectors that are seeing the most activity and opportunity in the coming year. They highlight the importance of networks, infrastructure, and emerging markets in driving innovation and growth in fintech.

MENTIONED IN THE CONVERSATION

FT Partners' Website: https://bit.ly/3vEVbEG

Fintech Meetup's Website: https://bit.ly/48Nuzji

Steve's LinkedIn profile: https://bit.ly/48P6AAm

Jon's LinkedIn profile: https://bit.ly/3Sgz7cs

Topics: fintech, finance, financial technology, Investment Banking, Blockchain, crypto, paytech, insurtech, infrastructure

Companies: FT Partners, Fintech Meetup, NASDAQ, ETrade, EarthPort, Visa, Mastercard, JP Morgan, Goldman Sachs, Stripe, Worldcoin, Intuit

ABOUT THE FINTECH BLUEPRINT

🔥Subscribe to the Fintech Blueprint newsletter to stay at the forefront of Fintech and DeFi: https://bit.ly/3hyhlC2

🤝 Partner with Fintech Blueprint through sponsorships: https://bit.ly/3UZllsV

👉 Twitter: https://twitter.com/LexSokolin

TIMESTAMPS

2’21: From Goldman Sachs to FT Partners: Steve McLaughlin's Journey Through the Evolution of Fintech

6’39: Digital Finance Evolution: Steve expands on the Enduring Impact of Early Fintech Companies

9’35: Traversing the Fintech Landscape: Jon Lear’s journey from Procter & Gamble to Fintech Entrepreneurship and Beyond

15’58: Repeating Patterns in Fintech: Exploring Persistent Challenges and Innovations in Financial Technology

20’59: Defining Fintech: Navigating the Blurred Lines of Financial Technology in Today's Evolving Market

28’57: Emerging Ecosystems: How New Technologies Reshape Traditional Financial Services and Create Unique Economic Spheres

32’56: Fintech in Focus: Insights from Fintech Meetup on Market Dynamics, Innovation, and the Shift Towards Infrastructure

36’22: Risk Assessment in Fintech: Evaluating Current Market Dynamics and Venture Capital Trends in the Financial Sector

40’36: Navigating Challenges in Fintech: The Complex Dynamics of M&A and Growth Strategies Amid Market Volatility

43’39: Emerging Trends in Fintech: Identifying Growth Opportunities and Innovations in Blockchain and Payments

45’38: Future Fintech Frontiers: Uncovering Growth Sectors and Geographical Opportunities in the Financial Industry

50’57: The channels used to connect with Jon & learn more about Fintech Meetup

51’10: The channels used to connect with Steve & learn more about FT Partners

Disclaimer here — this newsletter does not provide investment advice and represents solely the views and opinions of FINTECH BLUEPRINT LTD.

Contributors: Lex, Laurence, Matt, Farhad, Mike, Daniella

Want to discuss? Stop by our Discord and reach out here with questions.

Lex chats with Jeff Boortz, the Chief Product Officer of Blockstream. Blockstream is a company at the forefront of Bitcoin ecosystem development, and they discuss the new developments and innovations in the Bitcoin space. Boortz talks about his career background, including his time at Google, and how he transitioned to Blockstream. They also discuss the skills and differences between tech companies like Google and financial institutions when it comes to product management. Boortz explains the concept of decentralization in building software products and how it applies to Google's organizational structure. They then dive into Blockstream's core business, which includes advancing the Bitcoin protocol, building layer 2 technology like the Lightning Network, providing mining and co-location services, and developing self-custody products like wallets. They discuss the scale and usage of the Liquid Network, a sidechain implementation by Blockstream, and its potential for programmability and representing other assets. They also touch on the future of Bitcoin and the potential paths for development, particularly in the financial markets.  

MENTIONED IN THE CONVERSATION

Blockstream's Website: https://bit.ly/3tzZ2Ck

Jeff's LinkedIn profile: https://bit.ly/3tzZ3pS

Topics: Bitcoin, layer-2, blockchain, ethereum, crypto, cryptocurrency, Protocol, L2

Companies: Blockstream, Bitcoin, Lightning Network, Google, Liquid Network, Blockstream Green, Ethereum, Product

ABOUT THE FINTECH BLUEPRINT

🔥Subscribe to the Fintech Blueprint newsletter to stay at the forefront of Fintech and DeFi: https://bit.ly/3hyhlC2

🤝 Partner with Fintech Blueprint through sponsorships: https://bit.ly/3UZllsV

👉 Twitter: https://twitter.com/LexSokolin

TIMESTAMPS

1’44: From web development to Google: Jeff’s journey through technology and his evolution from software developer to shaping business strategies

6’03: Integrating tech in finance vs. core technology companies: Insights on skill sets and product development

13’17: Blockstream's mission and portfolio: Rethinking trust in financial transactions with Bitcoin and layer 2 technologies

16’52: Blockstream's core business: Building protocols and tools for Bitcoin-connected networks and services

20’27: Liquid Network's scale and programmability: Exploring blinded transactions and asset representation on Blockstream's sidechain

24’09: Bitcoin's evolution since 2009: Balancing decentralization with development and the institutional investment narrative

29’20: Lightning Network's progress: Enhancing Bitcoin's scalability and adoption through Layer 2 solutions

33’37: Lightning Network adoption: Balancing user convenience and enterprise applications in Bitcoin's Layer 2

37’24: Bitcoin's evolving ecosystem: Exploring Ordinals, inscriptions, and the surging interest in programmable assets

41’18: Reimagining financial markets: Blockstream's vision for trust-minimized finance and the path to equitable systems

43’45: The channels used to connect with Jeff & learn more about Blockstream

Disclaimer here — this newsletter does not provide investment advice and represents solely the views and opinions of FINTECH BLUEPRINT LTD.

Contributors: Lex, Laurence, Matt, Farhad, Mike, Daniella

Want to discuss? Stop by our Discord and reach out here with questions.

Lex chats with Yat Siu, co-founder and chairman of Animoca Brands -  a global leader in blockchain and gaming that is working to provide property rights for virtual assets via NFTs and related technologies. Yat discusses his journey into technology and gaming, as well as the intersection of gaming and decentralized finance. He shares his early experiences with technology, including writing MIDI software in the 1980s and discovering the power of online communities. Additionally, Yat discusses the shift from Web2 to Web3 and the importance of ownership and interoperability in gaming. He highlights the potential for virtual goods and NFTs to become platforms for building experiences and creating network effects. Yat emphasizes the need for trust and transparency in the gaming industry and the potential for Web3 to democratize ownership and create new opportunities for gamers.

MENTIONED IN THE CONVERSATION

Animoca Brands' Website: https://bit.ly/47Vv3UD

Yat's LinkedIn profile: https://bit.ly/3NvEtxT

Topics: Web3, crypto, blockchain, DeFi, NFT, NFTFi, Metaverse, tokens, gaming, GameFi, Web2

Companies: Animoca Brands, Animoca, ConsenSys, Dapper Labs, CryptoKitties, Axiom Zen, Minecraft, Sandbox, Mocaverse

ABOUT THE FINTECH BLUEPRINT

🔥Subscribe to the Fintech Blueprint newsletter to stay at the forefront of Fintech and DeFi: https://bit.ly/3hyhlC2

🤝 Partner with Fintech Blueprint through sponsorships: https://bit.ly/3UZllsV

👉 Twitter: https://twitter.com/LexSokolin

TIMESTAMPS

1’28: Journey into tech: Yat Siu reflects on his early experiences with gaming, MIDI software, and the transformative impact of online communities

6’49: From early internet anonymity to Web3's shared value: The evolution of online identity and the power shift in data dynamics

15’30: Digital identity and data monopolies: Exploring the tension between privacy and community in the evolution from Web2 to Web3

21’04: Building Animoca Brands: Yat Siu on his journey from a mobile gaming pioneer to championing user empowerment in the digital world

27’37: Collaborative creation: The genesis of CryptoKitties and the emergence of Dapper Labs from the early days of NFT gaming

31’02: Gaming as a platform: The evolution of gaming experiences and the rise of interoperability in the digital asset ecosystem

37’48: Digital economy's growth: The transition from virtual goods in gaming to a democratic, capitalist Metaverse

40’48: Exploring digital economies: The intersection of Web3 adoption and gaming, and the evolution of user engagement

49’22: The channels used to connect with Yat & learn more about Animoca

Disclaimer here — this newsletter does not provide investment advice and represents solely the views and opinions of FINTECH BLUEPRINT LTD.

Contributors: Lex, Laurence, Matt, Farhad, Mike, Daniella

Want to discuss? Stop by our Discord and reach out here with questions.

Lex chats with Ed Maslaveckas, the founder and CEO of Bud, a FinTech company focused on data aggregation and artificial intelligence in financial services. They discuss the evolution of Bud's business model, the atmosphere of the FinTech industry in the UK, the challenges of data enrichment and customer insight, and the potential of AI agents and generative AI in transforming financial products. Maslaveckas highlights the value of accurate transaction data in reducing call center costs, improving lending decisions, and enabling personalized marketing. He also emphasizes the importance of automation and co-piloting in enhancing the customer experience and increasing efficiency in financial organizations.

MENTIONED IN THE CONVERSATION

Bud's Website: https://bit.ly/3TjBWue

Ed's LinkedIn profile: https://bit.ly/3TaEsTE

Topics: Fintech, open banking, embedded banking, banking, API, GenAI, AI, generative ai, artificial intelligence, data aggregation

Companies: Bud, Bud Financial, Plaid, Salesforce, Yodlee, mint.com

ABOUT THE FINTECH BLUEPRINT

🔥Subscribe to the Fintech Blueprint newsletter to stay at the forefront of Fintech and DeFi: https://bit.ly/3hyhlC2

🤝 Partner with Fintech Blueprint through sponsorships: https://bit.ly/3UZllsV

👉 Twitter: https://twitter.com/LexSokolin

TIMESTAMPS

1’18: Evolution of Ed’s fintech career: The journey from tech enthusiast to influencing the UK's vibrant financial technology scene

6’32: From consumer app to B2B platform: Bud's evolution amidst the neobank wave and the challenges of data integration in fintech

14’14: Decoding customer insights in fintech: Mastering data enrichment and unlocking personalized financial solutions

20’58: Unlocking transaction data's potential: How advanced AI is transforming financial institutions' approach to customer insights

23’19: Transforming financial services with AI: Bud's role in enhancing banks' transaction analysis and customer engagement strategies

30’57: AI and financial well-being: Navigating the balance between automation and user comfort in personal finance apps

37’01: Redefining workflows in banking: The integration of AI agents for enhanced enterprise efficiency and customer engagement

41’59: Shaping the future of fintech: How generative AI and advanced data capabilities are transforming financial services

45’37: The channels used to connect with Ed & learn more about Bud

Disclaimer here — this newsletter does not provide investment advice and represents solely the views and opinions of FINTECH BLUEPRINT LTD.

Contributors: Lex, Laurence, Matt, Farhad, Mike, Daniella

Want to discuss? Stop by our Discord and reach out here with questions.

Lex chats with Dan Finlay, co-founder of MetaMask, and Dean Tribble, CEO of Agoric, about the future of wallet strategy and the underlying technological changes in the Web3 space. They discuss the growth and usage of MetaMask, the philosophy behind its development, and the core dimensions in which they have tried to grow the wallet. They also talk about the concept of "Snaps," which allows developers to extend the functionality of MetaMask using JavaScript. The conversation touches on the potential of interconnecting different blockchains and the importance of user consent and security in the Web3 ecosystem. They also discuss the role of AI in wallets and the potential for users to have their own trusted AI companions. Overall, the discussion highlights the importance of building a more seamless and secure infrastructure in Web3 and the potential for innovation and integration in the space.

MENTIONED IN THE CONVERSATION

Agoric's Website: https://bit.ly/3GnHcFo

MetaMask's Website: https://bit.ly/3T1vGqY

Dean's LinkedIn profile: https://bit.ly/3Rptf03

Dan's LinkedIn profile: https://bit.ly/3RoPpjb

Topics: Web3, wallet, blockchain, interoperability, AI, smart contracts

Companies: MetaMask, Agoric, Snaps, Cosmos, JavaScript, Secret Network

ABOUT THE FINTECH BLUEPRINT

🔥Subscribe to the Fintech Blueprint newsletter to stay at the forefront of Fintech and DeFi: https://bit.ly/3hyhlC2

🤝 Partner with Fintech Blueprint through sponsorships: https://bit.ly/3UZllsV

👉 Twitter: https://twitter.com/LexSokolin

TIMESTAMPS

1’46: Web3's evolution and challenges: A conversation with Daniel Finlay on MetaMask's progress and future

6’52: Exploring Web3's potential: The role of MetaMask’s developer focus, safety, and the innovative Snaps platform in shaping the future

11’20: Revolutionizing wallets and Web3: Breaking down the role of JavaScript and secure confinement in enhancing user experience and innovation

17’32: Expanding Web3 development: How JavaScript and lightweight sandboxing in MetaMask unlock new possibilities for developers

19’52: Enhancing Web3 security and usability: The role of hardened JavaScript in simplifying and securing the development process

24’00: Expanding developer horizons in Web3: Understanding the impact of Snaps in MetaMask for creating diverse and innovative applications

28’20: Unifying Web3 ecosystems: How MetaMask and Agoric facilitate seamless integration and cross-chain functionality for developers and users

37’12: Crafting the future of Web3 interfaces: How MetaMask, Snaps and Agoric are paving the way for advanced cross-chain connectivity and AI integration

Disclaimer here — this newsletter does not provide investment advice and represents solely the views and opinions of FINTECH BLUEPRINT LTD.

Contributors: Lex, Laurence, Matt, Farhad, Mike, Daniella

Want to discuss? Stop by our Discord and reach out here with questions.

Lex chats with Christopher Pallotta - founder and CEO of Templum, a company focused on alternative investments and private markets. Pallotta discusses his background in technology and investing, as well as the journey of Templum and its transformation into becoming the operating system for private markets and alternative assets. He explains how Templum's technology, broker-dealer and alternative trading system (ATS) capabilities enable the trading of regulated private securities in a compliant manner. Pallotta also discusses the growing demand for alternative assets and the role of liquidity in driving adoption. He highlights the potential for alternative assets to outperform traditional markets and the need for liquidity mechanisms in the alternative asset space. Finally, Pallotta shares his vision for the future, where alternative assets become more accessible and investing in them becomes as ubiquitous as investing in public equities.  

MENTIONED IN THE CONVERSATION

Templum's Website: https://bit.ly/3GfLr63

Christopher's LinkedIn profile: https://bit.ly/47O2sjy

Topics: fintech, hedge fund, REIT, ETF, finance, real world assets, RWA, tokenization, alternative assets

Companies: Templum, Raptor Group, Eniac, 8VC, New York Stock Exchange, NASDAQ

ABOUT THE FINTECH BLUEPRINT

🔥Subscribe to the Fintech Blueprint newsletter to stay at the forefront of Fintech and DeFi: https://bit.ly/3hyhlC2

🤝 Partner with Fintech Blueprint through sponsorships: https://bit.ly/3UZllsV

👉 Twitter: https://twitter.com/LexSokolin

TIMESTAMPS

1’22: From business school to blockchain: A journey into tech and investment

6’12: The liquidity journey: Navigating markets from illiquid to fractionalized assets

8’47: Templum today: Powering alternative asset markets and beyond

12’13: Demystifying infrastructure: Public equities vs. alternative asset markets

14’57: Revolutionizing private asset markets: Templum's Shopify-inspired solution

17’12: Unifying the world of alternative assets: Templum's central operating system

20’03: Unlocking demand: The shift towards alternative assets in investment portfolios

22’18: Democratizing investment: The rise of alternative assets in retail portfolios

26’18: The expanding alt-finTech ecosystem: Templum's position in liquidity and access

28’39: Unlocking liquidity: The market implications of tradable alternative assets

31’16: The evolution of portfolio composition: A future with 60% alternatives and 40% ETFs?

33’10: The future of real-world asset tokenization: Trends, insights, opportunities, and challenges

37’50”: The channels used to connect with Chris & learn more about Templum

Disclaimer here — this newsletter does not provide investment advice and represents solely the views and opinions of FINTECH BLUEPRINT LTD.

Contributors: Lex, Laurence, Matt, Farhad, Mike, Daniella

Want to discuss? Stop by our Discord and reach out here with questions.

Lex chats with Eva Shang, CEO of Legalist - a technology-powered investment firm specialising in alternative assets. Shang discusses her company's strategies in litigation finance, bankruptcy, and government receivables. She explains that Legalist uses technology and data analysis to identify investment opportunities in the legal space. Shang also discusses the challenges and complexities of underwriting litigation cases and the importance of human judgment in the process. She highlights the need for uncorrelated sources of return in the investment landscape and the potential for technology to transform other asset classes. Shang also expresses caution about retail investors entering alternative investment spaces without proper knowledge and understanding of the risks involved.

MENTIONED IN THE CONVERSATION

Legalist's Website: https://bit.ly/46masHp

Eva's LinkedIn profile: https://bit.ly/49GENmD

Topics: fintech, hedge fund, litigation finance, asset management, alternative investments, AI, artificial intelligence, underwriting, investment

Companies: Legalist, Y-Combinator, LexisNexis

ABOUT THE FINTECH BLUEPRINT

🔥Subscribe to the Fintech Blueprint newsletter to stay at the forefront of Fintech and DeFi: https://bit.ly/3hyhlC2

🤝 Partner with Fintech Blueprint through sponsorships: https://bit.ly/3UZllsV

👉 Twitter: https://twitter.com/LexSokolin

TIMESTAMPS

1’23”: Overview of Legalist's Asset Management Strategies

2’31”: Litigation Finance: Core Strategy and Operation

6’20”: Integration of Data Analysis and Technology in Litigation Finance

9’37”: Early Development of Legalist’s Technology at Y-Combinator

14’59”: Transition from Legal Analytics to Litigation Finance

18’22”: Investment Process and Decision Making in Legalist

24’33”: Challenges and Innovations in Data-Driven Litigation Funding

27’24”: Growth and Expansion of Legalist Since 2019

31’51”: The Future of Alternative Investments and Legalist's Role

35’09”: The channels used to connect with Eva & learn more about Legalist

Disclaimer here — this newsletter does not provide investment advice and represents solely the views and opinions of FINTECH BLUEPRINT LTD.

Contributors: Lex, Laurence, Matt, Farhad, Mike, Daniella

Want to discuss? Stop by our Discord and reach out here with questions.

Lex chats with Guy Young - the CEO and Founder of Ethena Labs, the crypto infrastructure company building USDe which is the first-ever scalable stablecoin not reliant on existing banking institutions alongside a permissionless 'internet bond'. They discuss Ethena, a new protocol for the synthetic dollar, and the market dynamics around Ethereum and the concept of the internet bond. Young explains his background in distressed investing and the risks and mistakes commonly seen in financial services. They also delve into the mechanics of the perpetuals market and the funding rates, as well as the scalability and risks associated with Ethena. Young highlights the potential for the synthetic dollar to replace bonds in traditional bank accounts and the value of a crypto-native solution with different risk profiles.

MENTIONED IN THE CONVERSATION

Ethena's Website: https://bit.ly/3MDR1Td

Guy's LinkedIn profile: https://bit.ly/46gDDM4

Topics: crypto, blockchain, defi, ethereum, perpetual swaps, stablecoin, synthetic dollar, steth, usde

Companies: Ethena Labs, Ethena, Cerberus, BitGet, Binance, ByBit

ABOUT THE FINTECH BLUEPRINT

🔥Subscribe to the Fintech Blueprint newsletter to stay at the forefront of Fintech and DeFi: https://bit.ly/3hyhlC2

🤝 Partner with Fintech Blueprint through sponsorships: https://bit.ly/3UZllsV

👉 Twitter: https://twitter.com/LexSokolin

TIMESTAMPS

1’20”: Strategic Investments: Distressed Assets and Value Opportunities in Financial Services

4’19”: Analyzing Collapse: The Underlying Mistakes Leading to Financial Institution Failures

6’22”: Market Missteps and Innovation: The Human Element in Financial Risks and the Allure of Crypto Markets

9’37”: Decoding Value and Innovation: The Dynamics of Ethereum Economics and the Future of DeFi Tokens

16’40”: Balancing Returns and Risks: Understanding Ethereum's Capital Market Structure and the Role of Perpetual Swaps

21’47”: Synthetic Leverage in Crypto Markets: Analyzing the Persistent Tilt in Funding Rates and the $30 Trillion Perpetuals Phenomenon

25’26”: Strategic Hedging with ETH: Understanding the Perpetual Market Mechanics and Identifying the Risks

28’30”: Exchange Relations and Risk Mitigation: Balancing Volume and Counterparty Exposure in Perpetual Markets

31’42”: Impact of Scale on Ether: Assessing the Price Dynamics of Synthetic Assets and Their Influence on the Underlying Market

36’23”: Exploring Synthetic Stability: The Mechanics of Crypto-Native Dollars and the Potential for Traditional Market Integration

40’50”: The channels used to connect with Guy & learn more about Ethena

Disclaimer here — this newsletter does not provide investment advice and represents solely the views and opinions of FINTECH BLUEPRINT LTD.

Contributors: Lex, Laurence, Matt, Farhad, Mike, Daniella

Want to discuss? Stop by our Discord and reach out here with questions.

Lex chats with Sam Bobley, founder and CEO of Ocrolus - a fintech infrastructure company that powers underwriting processes for lenders like SoFi, Lending Club, and Enova. In this episode Sam starts off by sharing how he got started in entrepreneurship at a young age and the influence of his father, who was a serial entrepreneur. Bobley explains how Ocrolus focuses on document automation using OCR technology and the challenges they faced in the early days. He also discusses the evolution of machine vision and the improvements in handling semi-structured and unstructured documents. Bobley highlights the importance of vertical-specific solutions and the integration of AI technologies into financial services. He shares the company's experience during the COVID-19 pandemic and the pivot they made to focus on the Paycheck Protection Program. Bobley emphasizes the need for transparency, focusing on the big picture, and having a support system to navigate the challenges of entrepreneurship. He rounds off the episode discussing the trends he sees in the industry, including the rise of large language models and the adoption of cashflow-based underwriting.

MENTIONED IN THE CONVERSATION

Ocrolus's Website: https://bit.ly/3QHYoeN

Sam's LinkedIn profile: https://bit.ly/3SrC7TU

Topics: artificial intelligence, ai, machine vision, OCR, LLM, machine learning, automation, fintech, embedded banking

Companies: Ocrolus, Plaid, OpenAI, Google, Amazon, AWS, OnDeck

ABOUT THE FINTECH BLUEPRINT

🔥Subscribe to the Fintech Blueprint newsletter to stay at the forefront of Fintech and DeFi: https://bit.ly/3hyhlC2

🤝 Partner with Fintech Blueprint through sponsorships: https://bit.ly/3UZllsV

👉 Twitter: https://twitter.com/LexSokolin

TIMESTAMPS

1’22”: Early entrepreneurial insights: Money's role Sam’s upbringing and fintech's influence

5’15”: The dawn of image recognition: Founding a company on the cusp of AI advancements

12’23”: Building the ideal product: The journey to a four-hour turnaround time

19’48”: The evolution of machine vision: From early days to cutting-edge capabilities

26’34”: Enhancing the developer experience: A deep dive into integration and seamless interactions

34’02”: Navigating the journey of building Ocrolus: Inflection points, growth, and challenges

38’48”: Staying resilient through business challenges: Advice for entrepreneurs from a seasoned founder

40’28”: Maintaining leadership resilience: Strategies for navigating the roller coaster of entrepreneurship

44’42”: Future trends in AI and embedded finance: Insights from a tech entrepreneur

46’21”: The channels used to connect with Sam & learn more about Ocrolus

Disclaimer here — this newsletter does not provide investment advice and represents solely the views and opinions of FINTECH BLUEPRINT LTD.

Contributors: Lex, Laurence, Matt, Farhad, Mike, Daniella

Want to discuss? Stop by our Discord and reach out here with questions.

Lex chats with  Matt Bivons, the founder and CEO of Canopy, a modern digital lending company. Bivons discusses his background in fintech and his journey from being a product designer to starting his own company. He explains the importance of designing products for others and how he identified a gap in the market for a lending infrastructure solution. Bivons also talks about the evolution of the digital lending sector and the role of infrastructure companies in enabling fintech innovation. He shares his vision for the future of Canopy and the opportunities in the commercial lending space.

MENTIONED IN THE CONVERSATION

Canopy's Website: https://bit.ly/3Fwvg3Y

Matt's LinkedIn profile: https://bit.ly/3QyIu6x

Topics: fintech, lending, API, Paas, credit, loan servicing, digital lending

Companies: Canopy, Earnest, GreenSky, Stripe, Kabbage, YC

ABOUT THE FINTECH BLUEPRINT

🔥Subscribe to the Fintech Blueprint newsletter to stay at the forefront of Fintech and DeFi: https://bit.ly/3hyhlC2

🤝 Partner with Fintech Blueprint through sponsorships: https://bit.ly/3UZllsV

👉 Twitter: https://twitter.com/LexSokolin

TIMESTAMPS

1’37”: From self-design to universal solutions: A founder's journey

7’01”: Fostering empathy in product design: Balancing personal and market problems

10’25”: Marketing strategies & cost of acquisition in fintech: Insights from Earnest and GreenSky

17’45”: Expanding horizons: Gaining experience and expertise at GreenSky

22’24”: From insight to action: Building Canopy from scratch

25’58”: Navigating the go-to-market challenge: Insights from Canopy's founding journey

31’25”: Canopy's current landscape: Scale, competencies, and customer base

34’20”: Shaping the future of digital lending: Market evolution and exciting prospects

40’02”: The channels used to connect with Matt & learn more about Canopy

Disclaimer here — this newsletter does not provide investment advice and represents solely the views and opinions of FINTECH BLUEPRINT LTD.

Contributors: Lex, Laurence, Matt, Farhad, Mike, Daniella

Want to discuss? Stop by our Discord and reach out here with questions.

Lex chats with Nassim Eddequiouaq and Riyaz Faizullabhoy - Co-Founders of Bastion - a transaction and Web 3 orchestration company that aims to provide infrastructure for businesses to build user-friendly experiences on top of blockchain technology. The founders, Nas and Riyaz, have a background in security and have worked together for several years at companies like Docker, Anchorage, and Facebook. They believe that custodial wallets offer the best user experience and are focused on building a platform that allows businesses to issue wallets seamlessly to their users. Bastion also offers a smart transaction routing system that optimizes transactions and reduces costs. Both Nas and Riyaz see custodial services as a starting point for users, with the goal of eventually allowing them to graduate to self-custody. They emphasize the importance of security, compliance, and user experience in their platform.

MENTIONED IN THE CONVERSATION

Bastion's Website: https://bit.ly/3M8B6wb

Nassim's LinkedIn profile: https://bit.ly/46UYe9g

Riyaz's LinkedIn profile: https://bit.ly/3M5UGJi

Topics: crypto, payments, custody, Web3, Web2, cybersecurity, decentralization, wallets, user experience, security

Companies: Bastion, Libra, Meta, Andreessen Horowitz, a16z, Docker, Anchorage Digital, Facebook

ABOUT THE FINTECH BLUEPRINT

🔥Subscribe to the Fintech Blueprint newsletter to stay at the forefront of Fintech and DeFi: https://bit.ly/3hyhlC2

🤝 Partner with Fintech Blueprint through sponsorships: https://bit.ly/3UZllsV

👉 Twitter: https://twitter.com/LexSokolin

TIMESTAMPS

1’13”: From digital security to working on Facebook’s Libra project: The journey of Riyaz and Nas

7’09”: The Rationality of Digital Adversaries: A Look at Cybersecurity Challenges

9’45”: The Convergence of Decentralization and Corporate Ambitions: A Deep Dive into the Libra Project

16’52”: From Operator to Investor: Navigating the Crypto Space at Andreessen Horowitz

21’50”: Unlocking Crypto Security: The Mission of Bastion and its Innovative Approach

27’48”: Empowering Developers: How Bastion Fits into the Crypto Infrastructure Ecosystem

32’40”: Simplifying User Interactions: The Role of Bastion in Crypto Transactions and custody

38’51”: Data and the Future: Navigating the Possibilities of Web 3 Custodianship

41’02”: The channels used to connect with Riyaz and Nas & learn more about Bastion

Disclaimer here — this newsletter does not provide investment advice and represents solely the views and opinions of FINTECH BLUEPRINT LTD.

Contributors: Lex, Laurence, Matt, Farhad, Mike, Daniella

Want to discuss? Stop by our Discord and reach out here with questions.

Lex chats with Adam Felesky, CEO and co-founder of Portage - an investment firm focused on fintech and financial services. Felesky discusses his background in finance and tech, his experience as an entrepreneur, and the investment opportunities he sees in the fintech sector. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the nuances of different verticals within fintech and the potential for incumbent transformation in the industry. Felesky also discusses the current market environment for fintech investments and the challenges and opportunities it presents. He suggests that M&A activity and buyouts may play a role in the recovery of the fintech market and advises investors to be prepared for companies to stay private longer.

MENTIONED IN THE CONVERSATION

Portage's Website: https://bit.ly/3ttPRmO

Adam's LinkedIn profile: https://bit.ly/3Fi0ThE

Topics: investment, investment management, fintech, M&A, ETFs, venture capital, vc, private equity, roboadvisor, AI

Companies: Portage, Wealthsimple, Alan, Betterment, Wealthfront

ABOUT THE FINTECH BLUEPRINT

🔥Subscribe to the Fintech Blueprint newsletter to stay at the forefront of Fintech and DeFi: https://bit.ly/3hyhlC2

🤝 Partner with Fintech Blueprint through sponsorships: https://bit.ly/3UZllsV

👉 Twitter: https://twitter.com/LexSokolin

TIMESTAMPS

1’21”: From early passion to industry pioneer: The journey of ETF entrepreneurship in 2005

8’29”: The intersection of asset allocation and individual investments: Navigating two worlds in wealth management

11’41”: Exploring the robot-driven dynamics of fund complexes, trading firms, and quant hedge funds

18’25”: Unpacking the Wealthsimple investment: From founding to differentiation in the digital investing wave

21’04”: Navigating investment stages: Assessing startups from seed to series A

27’33”: Valuation challenges in fintech: The blurred traction and market trends

30’02”: From entrepreneur to investor: Mastering the art of saying no

32’59”: Fintech's future: Portage Ventures' promising themes and market structure insights

37’53”: Assessing risk and the credit cycle: A conversation on market perspectives

41’12”: Unlocking growth potential: Strategies for overcoming valuation challenges in fintech

44’59”: The channels used to connect with Adam & learn more about Portage

Disclaimer here — this newsletter does not provide investment advice and represents solely the views and opinions of FINTECH BLUEPRINT LTD.

Contributors: Lex, Laurence, Matt, Farhad, Mike, Daniella

Want to discuss? Stop by our Discord and reach out here with questions.

Lex chats with Chandini Jain, founder and CEO of artificial intelligence company Auquan. Together, Lex and Chandini discuss the use of AI in financial services. Jain explains that AI can help optimize information flow and improve decision-making by efficiently processing and analyzing large amounts of data. Jain highlights the importance of accuracy in AI models, particularly in the financial industry where incorrect information can have significant consequences. She introduces the concept of retrieval augmented generation (RAG) AI, which combines retrieval systems and generative models to provide accurate and credible answers to user queries. Jain also mentions that Auquan has published a white paper on RAG AI and offers a LinkedIn newsletter with frequently updated data points.

MENTIONED IN THE CONVERSATION

Auquan's Website: https://bit.ly/46j7GU2

Chandini's LinkedIn profile: https://bit.ly/3PHDj2x

Topics: artificial intelligence, AI, generative AI, capital markets, fintech, deep learning, LLM, Natural language models

Companies: Auquan, Optiver, Apple, Meta, ChatGPT, RAG AI, Andreessen Horowitz, A16z

ABOUT THE FINTECH BLUEPRINT

🔥Subscribe to the Fintech Blueprint newsletter to stay at the forefront of Fintech and DeFi: https://bit.ly/3hyhlC2

🤝 Partner with Fintech Blueprint through sponsorships: https://bit.ly/3UZllsV

👉 Twitter: https://twitter.com/LexSokolin

TIMESTAMPS

1’22”: Navigating Flying High: From Career Beginnings to Tackling Complex Problems

6’49”: Exploring Capital Markets: Finding Alpha and Transitioning to Entrepreneurship

15’20”: Building an Investment Solution: From Concept to Market-Ready Product

21’55”: Unlocking Private Equity Deal Insights: How to Leverage Auquan’s AI Services

26’37”: Demystifying AI in Financial Services: Core Trends and Model Insights

35’09”: Unlocking the Semantic Cosmos: AI Breakthroughs and Evolution in Knowledge Representation

41’24”: AI in Financial Services: Navigating the Bayesian Landscape of Probability and Accuracy

45’03”: The channels used to connect with Chandini & learn more about Auquan

Disclaimer here — this newsletter does not provide investment advice and represents solely the views and opinions of FINTECH BLUEPRINT LTD.

Contributors: Lex, Laurence, Matt, Farhad, Mike, Daniella

Want to discuss? Stop by our Discord and reach out here with questions.

Lex chats with Arik Shtilman, CEO of Rapyd - a leading fintech-as-a-service platform. In this episode, Shtilman discusses his background in technology and financial services, as well as the journey of building Rapyd into a leading payment company. He talks about the challenges of starting a consumer payment company and the pivot to becoming a fintech-as-a-service platform. Shtilman explains the importance of building a global business and the need for a platform that enables companies to build financial services at scale. He also discusses the growth of different products within Rapyd, such as the wallet and payment collection capabilities, and the importance of serving marketplace structures. Shtilman shares insights on failure modes in fintech, including the challenges of onboarding SMB clients and the complexities of high-velocity payment processing in the cloud. He also discusses the impact of COVID-19 on the fintech sector and the outlook for financial recovery. Finally, Shtilman highlights the increasing role of developers in the buying process and the importance of building relationships with developers through developer communities and tailored documentation.

MENTIONED IN THE CONVERSATION

Rapyd's Website: https://bit.ly/3EVv0ei

Arik's LinkedIn profile: https://bit.ly/45efpBg

Topics: fintech, fintech-as-a-service, payments, VOIP, Cloud, API, embedded banking

Companies: Rapyd, PayPal, Brex, RobinHood, Stripe

ABOUT THE FINTECH BLUEPRINT

🔥Subscribe to the Fintech Blueprint newsletter to stay at the forefront of Fintech and DeFi: https://bit.ly/3hyhlC2

🤝 Partner with Fintech Blueprint through sponsorships: https://bit.ly/3UZllsV

👉 Twitter: https://twitter.com/LexSokolin

TIMESTAMPS

1’22”: Navigating the early career: Entering technology and financial services

5’03”: Global business expansion: Strategies and expanding geographical reach, touching on Rapyd

8’33”: Evaluating opportunities: The quest for the ideal fintech platform

10’41”: Identifying the gap: Exploring unmet needs in the fintech platform landscape

15’52”: Landing marquee clients: The go-to-market journey of a fintech platform

19’12”: Driving growth: Exploring fintech product expansion and the mechanics of cross-border payments

25’02”: Beyond borders: Navigating the payments landscape and the global e-money licensing surge

28’46”: Investing in marketplace structures: Admired companies, lessons learned, and avoiding fintech failure modes

34’44”: COVID acceleration and financial recovery in fintech: Navigating strategic direction errors and shifting landscapes

38’42”: Empowering developers: Rapyd's role in the shift from financiers to developers

41’25”: The channels used to connect with Arik & learn more about Rapyd

Disclaimer here — this newsletter does not provide investment advice and represents solely the views and opinions of FINTECH BLUEPRINT LTD.

Contributors: Lex, Laurence, Matt, Farhad, Mike, Daniella

Want to discuss? Stop by our Discord and reach out here with questions.

Lex chats with Cynthia Kleinbaum Milner, CMO at MoneyLion - a mobile banking and financial membership platform that integrates spending, saving, borrowing, and investing tools to empower consumers towards better financial wellness. Kincking off the conversation, Cynthia delves into the intricacies of charting a career in the ever-evolving landscape of digital transformation, sharing her transition from brand marketing to holistic marketing. As they navigate through industry insights, Cynthia provides a closer look at the challenges and strategies of targeting different sectors and personas, as well as marketing at scale across various business verticals. A significant portion of the discussion revolves around MoneyLion's journey. Cynthia charts the evolution of the platform, highlighting its transformation from its early days to a renowned digital banking platform, underscoring its core value proposition. This leads to an insightful conversation on the growth, valuation, and shifting fintech market trends that have shaped MoneyLion's trajectory. Cynthia goes on to detail the importance of financial literacy within the app, focusing on content evolution and user value. She further discusses the nuances of content discovery, the company's revenue model, and the balance between engagement and profitability. Navigating the tricky waters of financial influencers, Cynthia stresses the importance of balancing content quality with regulatory compliance. The podcast culminates with a forward-looking view, as Cynthia sheds light on MoneyLion's strategic priorities in the upcoming years.

MENTIONED IN THE CONVERSATION

MoneyLion's Website: https://bit.ly/45YHQVl

Cynthia's LinkedIn profile: https://bit.ly/460jn1S

Topics: Fintech, marketing, brand, e-commerce, customer lifecycle, embedded finance, brand, Marketplace

Companies: MoneyLion, Walmart, Bonobos, Nestle, Gilt Groupe, Even Financial, Malka, ZenDrive

ABOUT THE FINTECH BLUEPRINT

🔥Subscribe to the Fintech Blueprint newsletter to stay at the forefront of Fintech and DeFi: https://bit.ly/3hyhlC2

🤝 Partner with Fintech Blueprint through sponsorships: https://bit.ly/3UZllsV

👉 Twitter: https://twitter.com/LexSokolin

TIMESTAMPS

1’16”: Charting a Career Journey: From Brand Marketing to Digital Transformation

8’49”: Industry Insights: Navigating Diverse Sectors and Targeting Personas

13’47”: Marketing at Scale: Strategies for Diverse Business Verticals

17’00”: The Evolution of MoneyLion: From Inception to Digital Banking, touching on its core value proposition

25’09”: The Unfolding Story of MoneyLion: Deciphering the Growth and Valuation journey Amidst evolving Fintech Market Trends

28’14”: Financial Literacy Engagement in the App: Content, Evolution, and User Value

31’30”: Content Discovery and Revenue Mix: Driving Engagement and the Core Economic Model

35’12”: Financial Influencers and Regulatory Considerations: Balancing Content Quality and Compliance

40’09”: The Future of MoneyLion: Company's Strategic Focus in the Coming Years

41’30”: The channels used to connect with Cynthia & learn more about MoneyLion

Disclaimer here — this newsletter does not provide investment advice and represents solely the views and opinions of FINTECH BLUEPRINT LTD.

Contributors: Lex, Laurence, Matt, Farhad, Mike, Daniella

Want to discuss? Stop by our Discord and reach out here with questions.

Lex chats with Pete Townsend, Managing Director of the Techstars Web3 Accelerator - one of the largest pre-seed investors and accelerator programs in the world. Pete kicks off the conversation by sharing his career journey, from early experiences in finance to the present, highlighting the evolution of finance, where technologists have emerged as key wealth creators. Their discussion covers successful go-to-market strategies in the blockchain industry and reevaluates these strategies in fintech over the past decade. They delve into aligning employee incentives with digital transformation in traditional financial enterprises before transitioning to Pete's role at Techstars, where startups are accelerated and innovation thrives. The conversation concludes with reflections on the ever-evolving Web3 landscape, considering market lessons and shifting trends. Pete also explores positioning for the future amid consumer discretionary spending and the selection of startups within the accelerator.

MENTIONED IN THE CONVERSATION

Techstars' Website: https://bit.ly/3EHx4qn

Pete's LinkedIn profile: https://bit.ly/3sSuV8B

Topics: Web3, investment banking, finance, Web3, crypto, Blockchain, tokenomics, VC, accelerator, incubator, VR, Metaverse

Companies: Techstars, Fidelity, 11:FS, BNP Paribas,  Norio Ventures, ALT21, Meta

ABOUT THE FINTECH BLUEPRINT

🔥Subscribe to the Fintech Blueprint newsletter to stay at the forefront of Fintech and DeFi: https://bit.ly/3hyhlC2

🤝 Partner with Fintech Blueprint through sponsorships: https://bit.ly/3UZllsV

👉 Twitter: https://twitter.com/LexSokolin

TIMESTAMPS

1’47”: Building a Career: Foundational Experiences and Early Jobs

8’50”: Evolution of Finance: From Machinery to Technologists as Wealth Creators

15’59”: Cracking the Code: Successful Go-to-Market Strategies in the Blockchain Industry

24’19”: Reevaluating the Go-to-Market Strategy in the Fintech Industry: Lessons from the Past Decade

30’34”: Incentivizing Innovation: Aligning Employee Motivation with Digital Transformation in Financial Enterprises

32’42”: Venturing into Techstars: Accelerating Startups and Nurturing Innovation

40’05”: Reassessing Web3: Learning from Market Performance and Shifting Trends

45’28”: Positioning for the Future: Navigating Consumer Discretionary Spending and Startup Selection in the Accelerator

51’46”: The channels used to connect with Pete & learn more about Techstars

Disclaimer here — this newsletter does not provide investment advice and represents solely the views and opinions of FINTECH BLUEPRINT LTD.

Contributors: Lex, Laurence, Matt, Farhad, Mike, Daniella

Want to discuss? Stop by our Discord and reach out here with questions.

Lex chats with Caitlin Long, CEO of Custodia Bank (formerly Avanti Financial Group) - a Wyoming payment system provider and a custodian of digital assets required to fully comply with Know Your Customer, Anti-Money Laundering, and related laws and regulations. Together they delve into the fascinating world of fintech, US banking history, and the evolution of banking and payment networks. Starting with Caitlin's early experiences in finance and the unique dynamics of the US banking industry, they explore the controversies and historical context surrounding the US Central Bank. They touch upon centralization in banking, the unintended consequences of regulatory compliance, and how technology trends have shaped the industry. The conversation then shifts to the founding principles of Custodia Bank and its mission. Caitlin also discusses the evolving role of card networks in payment rail integration and how Custodia Bank fits into the open macro economy, emphasizing client focus and ecosystem integration. This podcast provides valuable insights into the past, present, and future of the US financial industry.

MENTIONED IN THE CONVERSATION

Custodia Bank's Website: https://bit.ly/3Z6ZALr

Caitlin's LinkedIn profile: https://bit.ly/44KwXVD

Topics: Bitcoin, crypto, blockchain, finance, banking, Wyoming, macroeconomics, treasury management, fintech, monetary policy

Companies: Custodia Bank, The Fed, Salomon Brothers, FTX

ABOUT THE FINTECH BLUEPRINT

🔥Subscribe to the Fintech Blueprint newsletter to stay at the forefront of Fintech and DeFi: https://bit.ly/3hyhlC2

🤝 Partner with Fintech Blueprint through sponsorships: https://bit.ly/3UZllsV

👉 Twitter: https://twitter.com/LexSokolin

TIMESTAMPS

1’25”: Early lessons in finance: A journey into financial services and understanding industry stressors

5’05”: Unraveling the uniqueness of the US banking industry: A historical perspective and future trends

10’38”: A glimpse into the history of the US Central Bank: Controversies and evolution

22’25”: Centralization in banking: Unintended consequences of regulatory compliance and technology trends

30’38”: The inception of Custodia: Mission and ideation

36’02”: Heralding a new era: Card networks' evolution in payment rail integration

41’10”: Custodia's role in the open macro economy: Client focus and ecosystem integration

47’13”: The channels used to connect with Caitlin & learn more about Custodia Bank

Disclaimer here — this newsletter does not provide investment advice and represents solely the views and opinions of FINTECH BLUEPRINT LTD.

Contributors: Lex, Laurence, Matt, Farhad, Mike, Daniella

Want to discuss? Stop by our Discord and reach out here with questions.

Lex chats with Farouk Ferchichi, the President of Data and Analytics at Envestnet - supplies financial and wealth management technology and services to financial institutions. Farouk starts off by delving into the journey of understanding data and analytics. The conversation explores the challenges and dynamics of embracing quantitative decision-making across industries, emphasizing the transformative power of Yodlee in financial data aggregation. Farouk explains how Yodlee's scope has evolved from Personal Financial Management (PFM) to encompassing brokerage, spending, and credit data. Lex and Farouk also discuss the diversification of distribution by integrating payments and banking data beyond the advisory experience. Farouk provides valuable insights into navigating fintech market dynamics, striking a balance between payment trends and asset-based stories. The discussion culminates in a vision for revolutionizing financial identity through unifying data and enabling personalized decisions with AI.

MENTIONED IN THE CONVERSATION

Envestnet's Website: https://bit.ly/3r03h95

Yodlee's Website: https://bit.ly/45ucdT8

Farouk's LinkedIn profile: https://bit.ly/3L75W7A

Topics: Data, analytics, AI, embedded finance, aggregation, machine learning, AI, deep learning, neural networks, PFM, Wealth management

Companies: Envestnet, Yodlee, Amazon

ABOUT THE FINTECH BLUEPRINT

🔥Subscribe to the Fintech Blueprint newsletter to stay at the forefront of Fintech and DeFi: https://bit.ly/3hyhlC2

🤝 Partner with Fintech Blueprint through sponsorships: https://bit.ly/3UZllsV

👉 Twitter: https://twitter.com/LexSokolin

TIMESTAMPS

1’40”: Journey to understanding data and analytics: Definitional experiences and core insights

10’12”: Embracing quantitative decision-making: Challenges and dynamics across industries

15’15”: The power of Yodlee: Evolution and impact in financial data aggregation

23’16”: Expanding Yodlee’s scope: Evolution from PFM to aggregating brokerage, spending, and credit data

26’12”: Diversifying distribution: Integrating payments and banking data beyond the advisory experience

27’54”: Navigating fintech market dynamics: Balancing payment trends and asset-based stories34’23”: Revolutionizing financial identity: Unifying data and enabling Personalized decisions with AI

36’36”: The channels used to connect with Farouk & learn more about Envestnet and Yodlee

Disclaimer here — this newsletter does not provide investment advice and represents solely the views and opinions of FINTECH BLUEPRINT LTD.

Contributors: Lex, Laurence, Matt, Farhad, Mike, Daniella

Want to discuss? Stop by our Discord and reach out here with questions.

Lex chats with Aman Behzad, Managing Partner of Royal Park Partners - A group of Corporate Finance advisors focused on Fintech. Amas kicks off the conversation talking about his early experiences in banking and his strategic focus on financial institutions, the discussion covers the dynamics of investment banking, the success vectors in fintech at Financial Technology Partners and Royal Park Partners, and the ongoing innovations shaping capital markets. Together, they analyze fintech's performance, addressing its volatility, beta, and unique factors. The conversation shifts to the changing landscape of valuation dynamics in fintech, transitioning from rapid blitzscaling to a more rational approach in multiples. The discussion concludes by unraveling exit strategies, encompassing M&A, IPOs, and the intricate world of SPACs, highlighting their dynamics, performance, and underlying influencing factors. This podcast offers a condensed exploration of the multifaceted fintech realm through Aman Behzad's expertise.

MENTIONED IN THE CONVERSATION

Royal Park Partner's Website: https://bit.ly/3svb5A7

Aman's LinkedIn profile: https://bit.ly/45n80Rd

Topics: fintech, corporate advisory, crypto, SPAC, IPO, Investment banking, capital markets, M&A, venture capital, private equity

Companies: Royal Park Partners, Marco Polo Partners

ABOUT THE FINTECH BLUEPRINT

🔥Subscribe to the Fintech Blueprint newsletter to stay at the forefront of Fintech and DeFi: https://bit.ly/3hyhlC2

🤝 Partner with Fintech Blueprint through sponsorships: https://bit.ly/3UZllsV

👉 Twitter: https://twitter.com/LexSokolin

TIMESTAMPS

1’19”: Exploring the banking journey: Early experiences and focus on financial institutions

4’11”: Deconstructing investment banking: Balance of financial analysis, strategy, and sales

6’09”: Fintech investment banking: Success vectors at Financial Technology Partners and Founding Royal Park

11’35”: Reimagining Fintech: The Evolution of Capital Markets and Ongoing Innovations

18’39”: Analyzing Fintech's Performance: Volatility, Beta, and Idiosyncratic Factors

23’25”: Shifting Valuation Dynamics: From Blitzscaling to Rationality in Fintech Multiples

28’58”: Navigating Exit Strategies: M&A, IPOs, and SPACs in Fintech

34’41”: Unraveling the SPAC Market: Dynamics, Performance, and Factors Influencing Value

37’09”: The channels used to connect with Aman & learn more about Royal Park Partners

Disclaimer here — this newsletter does not provide investment advice and represents solely the views and opinions of FINTECH BLUEPRINT LTD.

Contributors: Lex, Laurence, Matt, Farhad, Mike, Daniella

Want to discuss? Stop by our Discord and reach out here with questions.

Lex chats with Paolo Ardoino, CTO of Bitfinex (one of the largest crypto exchanges) and Tether (a US-dollar pegged stablecoin). Paolo kicks off reflecting on his journey into the crypto space and the pivotal role of technology, community, and opensource in his learning. The discussion navigates through Bitcoin's diverse potentials, Bitfinex's growth, and the intricate challenges of crypto exchanges. Paolo emphasizes the importance of learning from past industry mistakes to guide future strategies. Tether's origin story is explored, shedding light on its initial architecture, on-ramp process, and strategies to manage banking counterparty risk. A significant aspect discussed is stablecoin usage dynamics, where Paolo delves into the primary customers—ranging from institutional demand to market makers and retail onboarding. The episode concludes with insights into Bitfinex and Tether's future directions.

MENTIONED IN THE CONVERSATION

Bitfinex's Website: https://bit.ly/3QFgzCo

Tether's Website: https://bit.ly/3ElM90N

Paolo's LinkedIn profile: https://bit.ly/45zFBak

Topics: crypto, web3, stablecoins, crypto exchanges, custody, banking, T-Bills

Companies: BitFinex, Tether, USDT, Poloniex, Bittrex, Binance, Bitcoin, Omni Layer, Copper

ABOUT THE FINTECH BLUEPRINT

🔥Subscribe to the Fintech Blueprint newsletter to stay at the forefront of Fintech and DeFi: https://bit.ly/3hyhlC2

🤝 Partner with Fintech Blueprint through sponsorships: https://bit.ly/3UZllsV

👉 Twitter: https://twitter.com/LexSokolin

TIMESTAMPS

1’37”: Laying the foundation: Early experiences and technological DNA in the crypto sphere

11’35”: The motivating forces: Tech's role in building, exploration, and human progress

14’49”: Embracing Bitcoin's multifaceted potential: From asset class to economic infrastructure

18’35”: The complexity of crypto exchanges: Grasping the scale of trading activity on Bitfinex and vertically integrated challenges

26’02”: Learning from exchanges' mistakes: Industry evolution and future strategies

30’01”: Tether's inception and early architecture: Addressing volatility in crypto transactions

35’02”: Tether's on-ramp process: Early days and acquiring Tether, banking counterparty risk, and risk mitigation strategies

42’36”: Stablecoin usage dynamics: Institutional demand, market makers, and retail onboarding

46’26”: The channels used to connect with Paolo & learn more about Bitfinex and Tether

Disclaimer here — this newsletter does not provide investment advice and represents solely the views and opinions of FINTECH BLUEPRINT LTD.

Contributors: Lex, Laurence, Matt, Farhad, Mike, Daniella

Want to discuss? Stop by our Discord and reach out here with questions.

Lex chats with Asaf Horesh - General Partner at Vintage Investment Partners - who invest in the leading venture funds and growth-stage technology companies that are spearheading disruptive innovation. Asaf shares insights into his venture journey, highlighting core lessons in becoming a successful investor. Emphasizing the significance of people and recognizing signals of success, Asaf delves into the essence of venture investing. He unveils a key strategy flywheel that drives venture success and further examines the venture asset class, including returns, cycles, and strategic positioning. Additionally, he sheds light on identifying hidden gems in investments beyond conventional metrics. Asaf discusses the impact of industry-specific funds on venture performance and dives into the challenges and dynamics of the current venture landscape, particularly addressing issues related to valuation storms, overhang, and the evolution of the DPI metric.

MENTIONED IN THE CONVERSATION

Vintage Investment Partners' Website: https://bit.ly/444yNAq

Asaf's LinkedIn profile: https://bit.ly/4456T75

Topics: Investment, Venture Capital, fintech, growth equity, private equity, crypto, Web3

Companies: VintageIP, Vintage Investment Partners, Softbank, Andreessen, iZettle, Creandum

ABOUT THE FINTECH BLUEPRINT

🔥Subscribe to the Fintech Blueprint newsletter to stay at the forefront of Fintech and DeFi: https://bit.ly/3hyhlC2

🤝 Partner with Fintech Blueprint through sponsorships: https://bit.ly/3UZllsV

👉 Twitter: https://twitter.com/LexSokolin

TIMESTAMPS

1’26”: Asaf’s venture journey: From early engagements to core lessons, and what makes a good investor

6’14”: The essence of venture investing: People and signals of success

12’40”: Driving venture success: A core strategy flywheel

16’17”: Understanding the venture asset class: Returns, cycles, and positioning

21’27”: Identifying hidden gems: Uncovering factors beyond access and past performance

25’56”: Navigating industry focus: Impact of industry-specific funds on venture performance

35’03”: Venture landscape and challenges: Overcoming valuation storms and overhang, and breaking down DPI

41’17”: The channels used to connect with Asaf & learn more about Vintage Investment Partners

Disclaimer here — this newsletter does not provide investment advice and represents solely the views and opinions of FINTECH BLUEPRINT LTD.

Contributors: Lex, Laurence, Matt, Farhad, Mike, Daniella

Want to discuss? Stop by our Discord and reach out here with questions.

Lex chats with Aron Alexander - CEO, and Founder of Runa - a digital value infrastructure and network that enables people to pay and get paid by anyone, anywhere, instantly. The discussion delves into the founding story of Runa, which was inspired by insights from commerce experiences. Together Lex and Aron explore the significance of payment networks and loyalty programs in aligning incentives for merchants and providers. Runa's integration, impact, and impressive numbers in simplifying payments for merchants are unveiled. The conversation also covers the industry structure of third-party gift card providers, considering concentration, diversity, and geographic impact. The decision-making process behind building a global API layer and the mechanism of cross-border money movement are discussed. Aron dives into international transactions, scale, and the best customer use case—an embedded finance layer for business-to-consumer payouts. The growth strategy and revenue model are explored, focusing on incentives for success. The episode concludes with an insightful discussion about alternative forms of value, including equity shares, cryptocurrencies, and NFTs, and how Runa embraces alternative assets to mitigate volatility and facilitate seamless transactions.

MENTIONED IN THE CONVERSATION

Runa's Website: https://bit.ly/45coLOs

Aron's LinkedIn profile: https://bit.ly/3QrdAgF

Topics: payments, paytech, infrastructure, cryptocurrency, digitalization, embedded finance

Companies: Runa, WeGift, PayPal, TransferWise, CoinBase, Twilio

ABOUT THE FINTECH BLUEPRINT

🔥Subscribe to the Fintech Blueprint newsletter to stay at the forefront of Fintech and DeFi: https://bit.ly/3hyhlC2

🤝 Partner with Fintech Blueprint through sponsorships: https://bit.ly/3UZllsV

👉 Twitter: https://twitter.com/LexSokolin

TIMESTAMPS

1’19”: Unveiling the founding story: How commerce insights led to startup ideation

7’36”: Understanding the role of payment networks and loyalty programs: Aligning incentives for merchants and providers

12’34”: Introducing Runa: Integration, impact, and numbers in simplifying payments for merchants

17’52”: Decoding the industry structure of third-party gift card providers: Concentration, diversity, and geographic impact

20’16”: Building a global API layer: Navigating the choice of wide coverage vs. deep focus

24’20”: Mechanisms of cross-border money movement: Understanding infrastructure, risk, and partnerships

27’16”: Handling international transactions and scale: Bank accounts, volumes, and consumer impact

30’17”: Exploring the best customer use case: An embedded finance layer for business-to-consumer payouts

33’01”: Understanding the growth strategy and revenue model: Structuring incentives for success

36’14”: Exploring alternative forms of value: Role of equity shares, cryptocurrencies, and NFTs in the business

39’13”: Embracing alternative assets: Mitigating volatility and facilitating seamless transactions

40’59”: The channels used to connect with Aron & learn more about Runa

Disclaimer here — this newsletter does not provide investment advice and represents solely the views and opinions of FINTECH BLUEPRINT LTD.

Contributors: Lex, Laurence, Matt, Farhad, Mike, Daniella

Want to discuss? Stop by our Discord and reach out here with questions.

Lex chats with  Emma Kerr - Senior Vice President, Head of Strategic Partnerships, Europe at Visa - one of the world's largest payment networks. In this episode, Emma unravels Visa's comprehensive definition of commerce and the nuances of being a merchant. She shares her remarkable journey within Visa and the evolution of payment networks over time. The discussion delves into the intriguing concept of the "network-of-networks," exploring Visa's strategic position amidst the ever-changing landscape of payments, including the emergence of crypto and Web3. Emma sheds light on the exciting world of Web3 commerce, where utility, value, and digital objects converge. They discuss the significant value of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and digital object wrappers, and how they shape the future of the crypto industry. As they look ahead, they predict the evolution of digital objects and crypto payments, envisioning a shift from primitives to highly interactive software and the seamless integration of crypto into payment rails. The episode concludes with Emma offering insights into Visa's forward-thinking strategy to navigate the multi-rail payments landscape and maintain hyper-relevance in this dynamic and complex space.

MENTIONED IN THE CONVERSATION

Visa's Website: https://bit.ly/3Owc5MO

Emma's LinkedIn profile: https://bit.ly/3Kjr3DD

Topics: Payments, crypto, paytech, NFT, web3, commerce, network, payment network, payment rail, E-commerce

Companies: Visa, USDC, VisaNet, Visa B2B Connect

ABOUT THE FINTECH BLUEPRINT

🔥Subscribe to the Fintech Blueprint newsletter to stay at the forefront of Fintech and DeFi: https://bit.ly/3hyhlC2

🤝 Partner with Fintech Blueprint through sponsorships: https://bit.ly/3UZllsV

👉 Twitter: https://twitter.com/LexSokolin

TIMESTAMPS

1’12”: Unpacking Visa's definition of commerce and merchant: Understanding the scope and qualifications

5’14”: Unveiling Emma’s journey within Visa: Exploring her career progression and during the evolution of payment networks

11’36”: Navigating the network of networks: Visa's position in the evolving landscape of payments and the categorization of crypto and Web3

16’09”: Exploring Web3 commerce: The intersection of utility, value, and digital objects

20’15”: Unraveling the value of NFTs: Why non-fungible tokens and digital object wrappers matter

22’44”: Breaking down the future of NFTs and crypto: Scaling, interoperability, and evolving value propositions

25’56”: Predicting the future of digital objects and crypto payments: From primitives to interactive software & integrating crypto into payment rails

29’25”: Constructing the future of crypto infrastructure: USDC integration and layer 2 solutions

31’55”: Navigating the multi-rail payments landscape: Visa's strategy for staying hyper relevant

33’29”: The channels used to connect with Emma & learn more about Visa

Disclaimer here — this newsletter does not provide investment advice and represents solely the views and opinions of FINTECH BLUEPRINT LTD.

Contributors: Lex, Laurence, Matt, Farhad, Mike, Daniella

Want to discuss? Stop by our Discord and reach out here with questions.

Lex chats with Leif Abraham, Co-CEO and Founder of Public - Public.com is an investing platform that helps people be better investors. Members can build a diverse portfolio of stocks, funds, and crypto within a single platform. In this episode, Leif delves into his journey through design, creativity, and venture, including early career insights in video game web development. Together, Lex and Leif discuss the prescience of "Pay with a Tweet" and its connections to attention, payments, and Web3. Leif navigates his career path from community and advertising to FinTech, leading to investments and the connection to Public. They explore scaling in the digital brokerage market amidst fierce competition and tailwinds. Balancing engagement and financial health, Leif shares how Public crafts the optimal user experience. The conversation covers integrating diverse financial instruments, Public's commission-free trading model, and the revolutionary "Alpha" AI feature. They also touch on how Public's financial bot handles unusual queries. The podcast concludes with a discussion about connecting with Leif and learning more about Public.

MENTIONED IN THE CONVERSATION

Public's Website: https://bit.ly/43CUNSH

Leif's LinkedIn profile: https://bit.ly/44VfGtm

Topics: Fintech, banking, investments, artificial intelligence, AI, trading

Companies: Public, Fiverr, AND CO, ChatGPT, Alpha, Morningstar, Coinbase

ABOUT THE FINTECH BLUEPRINT

🔥Subscribe to the Fintech Blueprint newsletter to stay at the forefront of Fintech and DeFi: https://bit.ly/3hyhlC2

🤝 Partner with Fintech Blueprint through sponsorships: https://bit.ly/3UZllsV

👉 Twitter: https://twitter.com/LexSokolin

TIMESTAMPS

1’38”: Journey through design, creativity, and venture: Early career insights & video game web development

5’31”: The prescience of Pay with a Tweet: Early connections between attention, payments, and web3

9’28”: Navigating the career path from community and advertising to FinTech: The journey to investments and the connection to Public

13’57”: Entering the digital brokerage market in 2019: Scaling in a landscape of fierce competition and tailwinds

19’18”: Navigating the challenges of building for the "active-ish" persona: Understanding the market shape and crafting the right experience

22’41”: Constructing the optimal user experience: Balancing engagement and financial health

24’54”: Navigating the product journey: Integrating diverse financial instruments & market infrastructure

29’18”: Exploring business model differentiation: Public's approach to commission-free trading

33’52”: Revolutionizing financial insights: Unveiling Alpha, Public's AI feature

38’07”: Interpreting emotional boundaries: How Public's financial bot handles unusual queries

45’33”: The channels used to connect with Leif & learn more about Public

Disclaimer here — this newsletter does not provide investment advice and represents solely the views and opinions of FINTECH BLUEPRINT LTD.

Contributors: Lex, Laurence, Matt, Farhad, Mike, Daniella

Want to discuss? Stop by our Discord and reach out here with questions.

Lex chats with Sankaet Pathak, the founder and CEO of Synapse - the largest regulated banking-as-a-service platform that provides payment, card issuance, deposit, lending, compliance, credit and investment products as APIs to more than 18 million end users. In this episode, Sankaet delves into his journey that led him to fintech and the decision to build a robust financial infrastructure. Together, Lex and Sankaet explore the value of modular architecture in dissecting financial infrastructure and the role of middleware in distribution. Reflecting on the global demand for the US dollar in crypto markets, and assessing its implications. Sankaet shares key metrics for evaluating Synapse's scale and success and discusses revenue generation and cost alignment in the FinTech space. They analyze market dynamics, the impact of COVID, and navigating the regulatory landscape.

MENTIONED IN THE CONVERSATION

Synapse's Website: https://bit.ly/3DiUT6Y

Sankaet's LinkedIn profile: https://bit.ly/3Da8jCx

Topics: BaaS, API, Open Banking, payments, banking, Fintech, Embedded Finance

Companies: Synapse, SynapseFi, Stripe, Square

ABOUT THE FINTECH BLUEPRINT

🔥Subscribe to the Fintech Blueprint newsletter to stay at the forefront of Fintech and DeFi: https://bit.ly/3hyhlC2

🤝 Partner with Fintech Blueprint through sponsorships: https://bit.ly/3UZllsV

👉 Twitter: https://twitter.com/LexSokolin

TIMESTAMPS

1’21”: Journey into fintech: Understanding the founder's background, skills, and motivation for building a banking infrastructure company

5’45”: From consumer play to financial infrastructure: The decision to build a foundational layer in the fintech landscape

10’31”: Dissecting financial infrastructure: The value of modular architecture and the challenges of integrating traditional banking services

15’45”: Envisioning the role of middleware: Banks as distribution mechanisms through third-party applications

20’52”: Examining the global demand for the dollar in crypto markets: Reflecting on the US role and implications for crypto companies

25’55”: Evaluating Synapse's scale and success: Key metrics for progress and growth

28’02”: Balancing Synapse’s business economics: Revenue generation, cost alignment, and pricing strategies in the FinTech space

31’30”: Analyzing market dynamics: Impact of COVID, growing demand, competitive landscape, and future outlook in embedded finance

37’37”: Navigating the regulatory landscape: Addressing challenges and fostering stability in a transforming financial industry

41’39”: The channels used to connect with Sanket & learn more about Synapse

Disclaimer here — this newsletter does not provide investment advice and represents solely the views and opinions of FINTECH BLUEPRINT LTD.

Contributors: Lex, Laurence, Matt, Farhad, Mike, Daniella

Want to discuss? Stop by our Discord and reach out here with questions.