Wharton FinTech Podcast

In this episode, Ezra Kebrab, Founder and CEO of Caliza, shares his journey from Visa to revolutionizing cross-border payments with stablecoins. He discusses how Caliza addresses payment inefficiencies in Brazil and its expansion to Mexico and Asia. Ezra highlights the advantages of stablecoins over traditional systems like SWIFT and their potential for economic opportunities in Latin America. Additionally, he reflects on fundraising efforts and the importance of maintaining personal convictions as a founder while navigating diverse advice.

Tom DeBow, CTO of Schonfeld Strategic Advisors, discusses the exciting intersection of AI and hedge funds. With a rich background at firms like SAC Capital, he shares Schonfeld's innovative AI tool, SchoenGPT, and its impact on decision-making processes. DeBow emphasizes a balanced approach—leveraging technology without replacing human intuition. He also explores the challenges of siloed operations and the importance of teamwork in navigating the evolving investment landscape, all while fostering a culture of career growth and innovation in finance.

In today’s episode, Kimberly Zhang sits down with David Fortunato, CEO of Wealthfront, for an in-depth conversation on how technology is transforming wealth management, and what it takes to build a truly digital-first financial advisor. David shares his journey from early software engineer to CEO, reflecting on how an engineering mindset helped shape Wealthfront’s product-led culture and commitment to automation. Tune in to hear about: • How Wealthfront is navigating the shifting landscape of wealth management • The company’s approach to making institutional-grade financial strategies accessible through innovative products • David’s thoughts on the future of WealthTech and leading a company that’s reshaping how a generation grows their money

In this episode of the Wharton Fintech Podcast, host Sabrina Fathi sits down with Marshall Hayner, Co-Founder and CEO of Metallicus. A true pioneer in the blockchain space, Marshall shares his journey from the early days of Bitcoin, Dogecoin, and Stellar to building a compliance-first digital asset infrastructure that bridges blockchain and traditional finance. Marshall reflects on how his background in cryptography, early product innovation, and respect for the banking system led him to reimagine how blockchain can serve as secure, regulated infrastructure. He also unpacks why compliance isn’t a roadblock to innovation — but rather the unlock that will shape the future of digital finance.

In today’s episode, Kimberly Zhang sits down with David Blumberg, Founder and Managing Partner of Blumberg Capital. David shares his journey from his early days in venture capital to building a leading early-stage investment firm, with a deep dive into his rules of thumb in identifying and supporting groundbreaking technologies from inception through exit. Tune in to hear about: - The impacts of technological evolution on early-stage venture investing - The expectations for funds to provide value beyond capital and to foster strong ecosystems to drive success - David’s long-term vision for Blumberg Capital and how to stay ahead of the curve in identifying and nurturing the next wave of innovation

In today's episode, Ben Newman sits down with Sam Gaynor, managing director at Altamont Capital Partners, for an insightful conversation on investing across the insurance landscape. Sam shares his path to private equity, how Altamont navigates the complexity of investing in insurance businesses, and his perspective on when it makes sense to build vs. buy a company. Tune in to hear about: - Why private equity has traditionally shied away from insurance—and why Altamont is leaning in - Altamont’s investment in Accelerant, a risk exchange transforming the specialty insurance value chain through advanced data ingestion, transparency, and analytics - Altamont’s approach to de novo financial services investments

In today’s episode, Kimberly Zhang sits down with Kevin McColly, CEO of Coinstar, for a conversation on the evolving role of cash in a digital world. Kevin shares his journey at Coinstar from financial analyst to CEO and how the well-known coin giant is making moves into financial innovations by bridging the gap between physical and digital finance. Tune in to hear about: • How Coinstar is expanding into cryptocurrency and digital wallets • The role of cash in an increasingly digital economy and what that means for financial accessibility • Kevin’s perspective on the future of fintech, innovation, and adapting to changing consumer behaviors

In today’s episode, Djavaneh Bierwirth and Kimberly Zhang welcome Stephany Kirkpatrick, the Founder and CEO of Orum, for an exciting discussion about the future of payments, entrepreneurship, and the role of technology in financial infrastructure. Stephany shares her journey as a non-technical founder, her mission to transform how money moves, and her perspective on the evolving U.S. payments landscape. Tune in to hear about: • The $80 trillion opportunity to make money move by modernizing payments infrastructure • How Orum is simplifying and accelerating payments with unified API-based solutions • The challenges and advantages of being a solo, non-technical founder in the fintech space • Stephany’s vision for the future of payment orchestration and how faster payments will redefine business operations

In today's episode, Jackson Ellis hosts Rex Salisbury, a solo General Partner at Cambrian Ventures, a venture capital fund focused on early stage fintech investments. Tune in to hear about: - How to build a fintech community - How AI will impact fintech - How the new administration may impact the fintech landscape

In today’s episode, Kimberly Zhang sits down with David Rolf, the Head of Visa Ventures, for a fascinating discussion on technology, investing, and the payments industry. David shares his journey as both a father and a leader of one of the most strategic investment arms in fintech, and shares his thoughts on VISA Venture's unique position as well as emerging markets and technologies that are already making waves. Tune in to hear about: - How Visa Ventures partners with startups to drive innovation beyond traditional venture capital - The key attributes Visa looks for in AI and other applied technologies - David’s insights on balancing innovation with regulation, staying informed in a fast-evolving field, and anticipating the future of fintech investing