Purpose Driven FinTech

The retirement crisis is a women's crisis - and the numbers are shocking! For every dollar men have in wealth, women have just 32 cents. Even worse? That gap is growing, not shrinking.In this episode, I speak with Kristine Beese, Founder and CEO of Untangle Money, about the alarming wealth gap affecting women and why traditional financial services aren't designed for our needs. Kristine shares powerful insights from her journey as a former stock analyst and portfolio manager to building a FinTech solution that's actually helping women take control of their financial futures.We explore the real drivers behind wealth inequality, the hidden costs women face throughout their careers (hint: it's between $500K-$1M in lost earnings in the US and Canada), and why financial stress hits women harder. Kristine also breaks down her practical "hours worked" framework that removes judgment from spending decisions and explains why robo-advisors might be your best investment ally.🔑 Key Highlights:Women have lost ground on wealth accumulation — from 36 cents to 32 cents per dollar over just one decadeWhy women plateau in earnings at age 40 while men continue earning $10K-$25K more annually for 25+ yearsThe powerful "hours worked" framework that transforms how you think about money and joyWhy every rich person has a financial plan, but middle-income earners don't — and how that needs to changeHow living to 95 (not 90) completely changes your retirement planning strategy👉 Kristine Beese LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinebeese/Website: https://www.untangle.money/👉 MonicaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monicamillares/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@moni_millares TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@moni_millaresFollow for more discussions on building FinTech products with customer and commercial impact and to stay updated on the latest episodes.We cover[00:00:00] The retirement crisis is a women's crisis[00:02:00] Shocking stats: 32 cents on the dollar wealth gap[00:06:00] Why the wealth gap keeps growing[00:11:00] Untangle Money: Building purpose-driven FinTech[00:15:00] Women's financial superpowers we don't talk about[00:18:00] The $500K-$1M career earnings gap explained[00:24:00] The longevity paradox: Why living longer is actually a superpower[00:28:00] How financial stress affects women differently[00:33:00] Why Untangle Money threw out traditional financial planning[00:39:00] The revolutionary "hours worked" spending framework[00:49:00] Managing spending with joy, not judgment[00:55:00] Why robo-advisors beat 80% of professional investors[01:00:00] Planning for 95, not 90: The retirement reality check[01:08:00] Key takeaway: Every rich person has a financial planSEARCH QUESTIONSWhy is the retirement crisis worse for women? What is the women's wealth gap in 2025? How much less do women earn than men over their careers? Why do women plateau in earnings at age 40? How to calculate what I can afford using hours worked? What is Untangle Money and how does it work? Why are women better investors than men? How much money do I need to retire at 65? What is the best robo-advisor in Canada? Should I use Wealthsimple? How to remove judgment from spending decisions? Why is financial stress worse for women? How to align spending with joy and values? What is the pink tax and how does it affect women? How to start investing with limited money? Why should financial plans go to age 95 not 90? How to create a financial plan on a budget? What can women do about the wealth gap? How to make a financial plan without thousands of dollars? Why do traditional financial services fail women?#WomenAndWealth #FinancialPlanning #WealthGap #PurposeDrivenFinTech #RetirementPlanningDisclaimer: This episode does not constitute professional nor financial advice and does not represent the opinion nor views of my current, past or future employers. The guest has agreed to record and release our conversation for the use of this podcast and promotion in social media.

What if home ownership could start with just 1% down and you could build equity without taking on any debt? This revolutionary approach is transforming how people achieve the dream of owning their own home.In this episode, I speak with Chris Smith, Founder and CEO at Bloxxs. We explore an alternative to traditional mortgages that's opening doors for people who thought home ownership was out of reach. Chris shares his powerful journey from banking executive to unpaid startup founder, building a solution that directly connects capital to aspiring homeowners.We dive into the innovative “subscription” model that's making home ownership accessible, how indigenous values are reshaping our approach to property and community, and why Chris and his team of 20 executives have worked unpaid for years to bring this mission-driven vision to life. This conversation reveals how one bold idea is creating pathways to happier, healthier lives through the stability and security of home ownership.Follow for more discussions on building FinTech products and teams with customer and commercial impact and to stay updated on the latest episodes.👉 Follow Chris: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/therealchris-smith/Website: https://www.bloxxhome.com/👉Follow Monica: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monicamillares/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@moni_millares TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@moni_millaresWe cover:[00:00:00] The mission: Making home ownership accessible to everyone[00:03:00] Why home ownership creates happier and healthier societies[00:05:00] From banking executive to unpaid founder: The inspiring journey[00:08:00] Lessons from 2008: Understanding what needs to change[00:10:00] Building a values-driven company with 20 unpaid executives[00:13:00] The power of sacrifice: Protecting the mission over profits[00:16:00] How capital really flows in the housing market[00:18:00] The Blocks breakthrough: Subscription to home ownership explained[00:20:00] Starting with 1% deposit instead of 20%: Opening new doors[00:23:00] Built-in flexibility: Supporting homeowners through life's challenges[00:27:00] Indigenous values: Community-driven approach to home ownership[00:30:00] The vision: Taking Blocks global and helping millions[00:32:00] From social housing to solutions: Why this mission is personal[00:34:00] Creating pathways to stability, security, and intergenerational wealthSEARCH QUESTIONSHow to buy a house with 1% deposit?What is Blocks home ownership platform?How does home ownership without a mortgage work?Can you buy a home without taking on debt?What are innovative alternatives to traditional mortgages?How do subscription home ownership models work?What is equity-based home buying?How to get into home ownership in 2025?What are alternatives to traditional mortgages?How does home ownership create happiness and stability?Can you buy a home without a 20% deposit?What is the subscription model for home ownership?How to build equity in a home without debt?What is purpose-driven FinTech innovation?How do indigenous values apply to property ownership?What are solutions to the housing affordability challenge?How to make home ownership accessible to first-time buyers?What happens if I need flexibility with home payments?How is technology changing home ownership?What is the future of affordable housing?#HomeOwnership #FinTechInnovation #AffordableHousing #PurposeDrivenTech #FutureOfHousingDisclaimer: This episode does not constitute professional nor financial advice and does not represent the opinion nor views of my current, past or future employers. The guest has agreed to record and release our conversation for the use of this podcast and promotion in social media.

In this episode, I speak with Akhil Nigam, CoFounder at Finmo, and we answer the critical question: How can global businesses transform their fragmented treasury operations into unified, intelligent systems that drive growth?He shares insights on why SMEs deserve better treasury solutions, how real-time payment rails are transforming cash management, and why MO AI is becoming the intelligent co-pilot every finance team needs.👉 Follow Akhil Nigam:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/akhilnigam562/Website: https://finmo.net/👉 Follow Monica:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monicamillares/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@moni_millaresTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@moni_millaresWe cover: [00:00:00] Why SMBs should be at the center of treasury innovation[00:01:00] The economic impact of SME financial health on the wider economy[00:03:00] Why SMBs are fast-moving segments banks ignore for enterprise clients[00:05:00] How automation frees finance teams from manual work to focus on growth[00:07:00] Enterprise vs SMB treasury: The critical differences explained[00:10:00] The connected finance challenge: Why bank integration matters[00:12:00] The purpose behind building Finmo's complex treasury platform[00:15:00] Why the founding team's diverse skill set made payments possible[00:16:00] How to keep purpose alive when you're in the trenches[00:19:00] Reimagining treasury workflows: Real-time visibility and forecasting[00:20:00] The cosmetics company spending $1M on treasury with 6-month reporting delays[00:22:00] Outcome-driven product development: From features to measurable KPIs[00:23:00] Introducing MO AI: The intelligent advisor for CFOs[00:27:00] The practical transition: From FinTech to AI-powered FinTech[00:30:00] How Finmo uses AI to help AI build AI (yes, really!)[00:33:00] Upskilling product teams on vector databases, MCPs, and AI infrastructure[00:34:00] Advice for PMs: How to upskill on AI when it's not your day job[00:37:00] The cost reality of AI: Why capital intensity matters for innovation[00:38:00] Final message: From reactive reporting to growth driverSearch QuestionsWhat is the difference between enterprise and SMB treasury management?How can SMEs get real-time cash visibility across multiple currencies?Why do finance teams spend so much time on manual reconciliation?What is MO AI and how does it help CFOs?How to transform fragmented treasury operations into unified systems?What are real-time payment rails and why do they matter?How much does treasury management software cost for SMBs?Why is connected finance important for global businesses?How to automate cash flow forecasting for small businesses?What is the biggest challenge SME finance teams face?How to build AI-powered features in FinTech products?What skills do product managers need to understand AI?How to upskill on AI for non-technical product teams?Why is AI implementation so expensive for startups?What is vector database and MCP in AI development?How to justify AI costs in early-stage FinTech companies?What is purpose-driven product development in FinTech?How to measure success in treasury management platforms?What are the key KPIs for SME cash management?How to choose between building in-house AI vs using cloud APIs?#TreasuryManagement #FinTechInnovation #AIinFinance #SMEFinance #ProductLeadershipDisclaimer: This episode does not constitute professional nor financial advice and does not represent the opinion nor views of my current, past or future employers. The guest has agreed to record and release our conversation for the use of this podcast and promotion in social media.

Trust remains the biggest barrier to crypto adoption. Security breaches, lost access, and the fear of irreversible mistakes keep 79% of users demanding better protection before they'll fully commit to crypto.In this episode, I speak with Anthony Yeung, Chief Commercial Officer at CoinCover, the leader in digital asset protection, and we answer the critical question: How can FinTechs build crypto products that users actually trust?Anthony shares insights on the real risks FinTech leaders need to understand when building crypto offerings, the layered protection approach that top institutions use, and why traditional banking security just doesn't transfer to the crypto world.🔑 Key Highlights:Why 79% of crypto users demand mandatory compensation schemes for protectionHow 20% of all Bitcoin ($billions) is permanently lost due to access issuesWhy your existing bank security partners won't work for crypto infrastructureThe layered defense approach that protects 600+ institutions globallyHow fraud protection with compensation builds trust like traditional card paymentsFollow for more discussions on building FinTech products with customer and commercial impact and to stay updated on the latest episodes.👉 Follow Anthony Yeung: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coincover-anthony/Website: https://www.coincover.com👉 Follow Monica: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monicamillares/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@moni_millares TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@moni_millares We cover:[00:01:00] Why trust is crypto's biggest barrier to adoption[00:05:00] What is CoinCover and why 600+ institutions use it[00:09:00] The loss of access crisis: 20% of Bitcoin is gone forever[00:14:00] When exchanges get hacked: The $1.5B Bybit story[00:18:00] Why the crypto industry collaborates differently than traditional finance[00:19:54] The risks FinTech CEOs don't know they don't know[00:22:14] Why you can't reuse your bank security partners for crypto[00:27:45] Making crypto accessible: Beyond the top of the pyramid[00:30:32] What is layered protection and why it matters[00:35:30] How to protect against loss of access to wallets[00:41:11] The breakthrough: Fraud protection that works like card disputes[00:44:33] Why 79% of users demand compensation schemes[00:45:48] Top 3 takeaways for FinTech teams launching crypto[00:47:52] CoinCover's global reach and regulatory approachSEARCH QUESTIONSHow to protect crypto users from losing access to wallets?Why is 20% of all Bitcoin permanently lost?How do crypto exchanges get hacked?What is layered protection in crypto security?How to build trust in crypto products?Why traditional banking security doesn't work for crypto?What happens when users lose their crypto wallet password?How to prevent crypto fraud and scams?What is non-custodial crypto backup?How much does crypto security cost for FinTech companies?What are the biggest risks when launching crypto products?How to make crypto accessible for mainstream users?What is MPC and multi-sig in crypto security?How does crypto fraud protection with compensation work?Why do 79% of crypto users want mandatory compensation?How to choose crypto security partners for FinTech?What happened in the Bybit crypto hack?How to recover lost crypto wallet access?What is defense in depth for digital assets?How to build crypto products users actually trust?#CryptoSecurity #FinTechInnovation #DigitalAssets #TrustInCrypto #Web3ProductDisclaimer: This episode does not constitute professional nor financial advice and does not represent the opinion nor views of my current, past or future employers. The guest has agreed to record and release our conversation for the use of this podcast and promotion in social media.

The MENA region presents a massive opportunity for growth: The High Earners, Not Rich Yet (HENRY's).In this episode, I speak with Ziad Mabsout, Co-Founder & CEO at Vennre, about building investment platforms specifically for the Henry segment in MENA and why Sharia-compliant solutions are an unlock. Ziad shares his journey from getting rejected for a $50K investment to building a fintech that solves exactly the problem he had back then: Accessibility. We explore how the lack of pension systems in MENA creates urgent demand for investment solutions, and why Sharia-compliant products attract non-Muslim customers seeking ethical investing options.We dive deep into the unique challenges of building for emerging markets, the importance of customer protection in investment platforms, and practical strategies for serving high earners who lack access to private banking. Ziad also shares invaluable insights on startup team building, the importance of conviction in your mission, and why being humble while staying persistent is crucial for FinTech founders.Follow for more discussions on building FinTech products with customer and commercial impact and to stay updated on the latest episodes!👉 Follow Ziad Mabsout: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ziadmabsout/Website: https://www.vennre.com/👉Follow Monica: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monicamillares/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@moni_millares TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@moni_millaresWe cover:[02:30:00] Defining High Earners, Not Rich Yet (Henrys) [05:12:00] Why Henrys are underserved by traditional wealth management [08:31:00] The relationship with money: spending, saving, investing [12:40:00] MENA vs Western market differences for Henrys[17:26:00] The pension gap crisis in emerging markets [20:00:00] Understanding Sharia-compliant investing [23:46:00] Why non-Muslims choose Sharia-compliant products[26:10:00] Incorporating Zakat calculation into the platform [34:09:00] Building startup teams: values, attitude, conviction[36:34:00] The importance of humility and learning as founders [39:05:00] Handling failures and maintaining persistence [42:52:00] Future vision and conviction in the Henry marketSEARCH QUESTIONSWhat is FinTech?What are Henrys in FinTech and why do they matter? How to build investment platforms for high earners in MENA? What is Sharia-compliant investing and how does it work? How to build FinTech products for emerging markets? What is the pension gap in MENA region? How to serve underserved high earners with FinTech? Building wealth management platforms for professionals? What makes Sharia-compliant FinTech successful? How to protect customers in investment platforms? Building startup teams in FinTech: best practices? Why is team building harder than fundraising for startups? How to find a job in FinTech?How to validate FinTech product ideas in MENA? What are the challenges of building FinTech in emerging markets? How to design investment products for busy professionals? What makes investment platforms successful in MENA? How to serve the middle market in wealth management? #MENAFinTech #ShariaCompliant #WealthTech #FinTechFounders #EmergingMarketsDisclaimer: This episode does not constitute professional nor financial advice and does not represent the opinion nor views of my current, past or future employers. The guest has agreed to record and release our conversation for the use of this podcast and promotion in social media.

With 400 Neobanks globally raising $300 billion but only a few achieving profitability, the industry faces a critical question about sustainable business models.In this episode, I speak with Brian Muse-McKenney, Chief Revenue Officer at Episode Six, and we answer the big question: What separates sustainable Neobanks from those that fail to reach profitability?Brian brings deep expertise from over 16 years in global payments, having led PayMe to become Hong Kong's #1 payments app and now helping fintechs build modern payment products at global scale in Episode Six. He shares insights on the fundamental shift from growth obsession to economic discipline and reveals the specific metrics and strategies that actually drive profitability.We explore the critical importance of unit economics over vanity metrics, the power of the 80/20 rule in customer focus, and why multi-product revenue strategies are essential beyond interchange fees. We also discuss the infrastructure decisions that can make or break scaling economics, the culture shifts needed for sustainable growth, and practical frameworks for identifying and nurturing profitable customer segments.🔑 Key Highlights:The shift from growth at all cost mentality to disciplined economics in Neobank’s strategyWhy LTV matters more than downloads and monthly active usersHow the 80/20 rule transforms customer acquisition into profitable growthThe infrastructure partnerships that enable or destroy unit economics at scaleWhy saying "I was wrong" creates winning cultures that drive profitabilityFollow for more discussions on building FinTech products with customer and commercial impact and to stay updated on the latest episodes.Socials👉 Follow Brian Muse-McKenney:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-muse-mckenney-1423a21aa/Website: https://episodesix.com/👉Follow Monica:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monicamillares/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@moni_millaresTimestampsWe cover:[00:00:00] Neobanking profitability state : 400 companies, 15 profitable[00:02:00] From growth at all costs to economic discipline mindset shift[00:03:00] Unit economics that actually matter for sustainable growth[00:09:00] Revenue diversification beyond interchange fees[00:11:00] FX, lending, and subscription models that drive margins[00:16:00] The 80/20 rule: Why power users beat customer acquisition[00:19:00] Customer research strategies for identifying profitable segments[00:24:00] Low-hanging fruit for struggling Neobanks[00:26:00] The courage to say "I was wrong" and cut unprofitable customers[00:29:00] Psychological safety and winning culture fundamentals[00:32:00] Global profitability patterns: Asia vs Europe vs North America[00:39:00] The 10X innovation doctrine for market differentiation[00:45:00] Infrastructure partnerships that enable profitable scaling[00:51:00] Three key takeaways for sustainable Neobank successSearch QuestionsWhat separates profitable neobanks from failing ones?How many neobanks are actually profitable in 2025?What unit economics metrics matter most for neobanks?How to build revenue beyond interchange fees in fintech?Why do most Neobanks fail to reach profitability?What is the 80/20 rule for Neobank customer growth?How to identify profitable customer segments in fintech?What infrastructure decisions affect Neobank profitability?How to create winning culture in fintech startups?What revenue streams work best for Neobanks ?How to calculate customer acquisition cost for fintech?What gross margins should Neobanks target by product?How to build multi-product strategy for sustainable growth?When should Neobanks cut unprofitable customers?What psychological safety techniques work in fintech teams?How do profitable Neobanks differ globally by region?What lending products drive the highest margins for Neobanks?How to build hypothesis-driven testing culture in fintech?What subscription models work for digital banking?How to negotiate better infrastructure partnerships for scale?#NeobankProfitability #FinTechEconomics #UnitEconomics #SustainableGrowth #FinTechStrategyDisclaimer: This episode does not constitute professional nor financial advice and does not represent the opinion nor views of my current, past or future employers. The guest has agreed to record and release our conversation for the use of this podcast and promotion in social media.

Neobanks are struggling with differentiation, rising costs, and intense competition - but what if Bitcoin and stablecoin infrastructure could be your competitive advantage?In this episode, I speak with Richard Green, Director of Ecosystem and Rootstock Institutional at RootstockLabs, the largest and longest-running Bitcoin sidechain, and we answer the big question: How can neobanks strategically integrate Bitcoin and stablecoin infrastructure to create competitive advantages?Richard leads GTM for strategic partnerships and growth across cross-border remittance, DeFi, institutions and stablecoins clients, bringing deep expertise from Bloomberg, Circle, and now RootstockLabs. He shares practical insights on building crypto-enabled products that solve real customer problems.We explore the fundamentals of stablecoins, cost considerations for implementation, user experience challenges, security and fraud protection, partnership selection strategies, and practical frameworks for getting started. Richard breaks down complex technical concepts into actionable strategies that Neobank founders can implement without breaking their budgets.Follow for more discussions on building FinTech products with customer and commercial impact and to stay updated on the latest episodes.👉 Follow Richard Green:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-thomas-green/Website: https://www.rootstocklabs.com/👉Follow Monica:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monicamillares/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@moni_millaresTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@moni_millaresWe cover:[00:00:00] Welcome and key question introduction[00:01:00] The most overlooked competitive advantage for neobanks[00:06:00] Stablecoin basics: What they are and how they differ from Bitcoin[00:09:00] Top use cases: Global payments and remittances[00:13:00] Cross-border payment infrastructure and partnerships[00:18:00] Real-world application and user adoption challenges[00:20:00] Cost considerations: Custodial vs self-custody models[00:24:00] Security and fraud protection in blockchain systems[00:29:00] Product design and user experience considerations[00:31:00] Customer education and trust building strategies[00:34:00] Partnership selection and evaluation criteria[00:39:00] What RootstockLabs does and Bitcoin sidechain benefits[00:41:00] Practical implementation roadmap for neobanks[00:45:00] Security advantages of Bitcoin-backed infrastructure[00:49:00] Common implementation mistakes to avoid[00:50:00] Three key takeaways for neobank foundersSEARCH QUESTIONSHow can neobanks use Bitcoin for competitive advantage?What are stablecoins and how do they work for neobanks?How to reduce cross-border payment costs with crypto?What are the security risks of Bitcoin in banking?How to choose stablecoin partners for neobanks?What is custodial vs self-custody in crypto banking?How to implement Bitcoin infrastructure on a budget?What user experience challenges exist with crypto payments?How does blockchain fraud protection work?What is RootstockLabs and Bitcoin sidechains?How to educate customers about crypto banking features?What compliance requirements exist for crypto integration?How to build crypto products without technical expertise?What revenue streams do Bitcoin features create?How to differentiate neobanks with crypto infrastructure?What are the costs of implementing stablecoin payments?How to serve underserved markets with crypto banking?What mistakes do neobanks make with crypto integration?How to build secure Bitcoin-enabled banking products?What partnerships do neobanks need for crypto features?Disclaimer: This episode does not constitute professional nor financial advice and does not represent the opinion nor views of my current, past or future employers. The guest has agreed to record and release our conversation for the use of this podcast and promotion in social media.

In today's episode, we explore how innovative fintech partnerships are tackling the UK's massive £4 billion energy debt crisis through compassionate collections and flexible payment solutions.I speak with Fliss Berridge, UK Managing Director and Co-Founder at Ordo, and James Sharpe, Sales Director, Digital Native Business at Eviden. We talk about their groundbreaking partnership creating an intelligent recommendation and notification engine that helps consumers manage utility payments in a way that matches their actual income patterns, not arbitrary monthly billing cycles.Their solution combines open banking, AI, and a deep understanding of customer behavior to transform how utilities collect payments while making financial management more accessible and humane for consumers struggling with the cost of living crisis.🔑 Key Highlights:The UK energy debt crisis £4 billion challengeThe concept of "compassionate collections with kindness" that benefits both consumers and utilitiesUsing AI and open banking to create payment schedules that match actual income patternsThe importance of designing financial services around people's lives, not forcing people to adaptHow partnerships between large corporations and agile fintechs can drive purpose-driven innovationWe discuss how traditional payment methods like direct debits are failing vulnerable customers, particularly those with irregular income streams or in the gig economy. The solution recognizes income patterns and suggests appropriate payment amounts at the right times, providing relief for consumers while improving collection rates for utilities.This collaboration demonstrates how fintech innovations can address significant social challenges while creating commercial value, proving that compassion and profitability can coexist in financial services.Follow for more discussions on building FinTech products with customer and commercial impact and to stay updated on the latest episodes.👉 Connect with Fliss and James: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fliss-berridge-07a05b84/Website: https://ordopay.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesrnsharpe/Website: https://eviden.com/👉 Follow Monica: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monicamillares/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@moni_millares TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@moni_millaresWe cover: [00:00:00] Introduction to the UK's £4 billion energy debt crisis[00:03:00] Breaking down large bills into manageable chunks[00:07:00] Compassionate collections: How kindness can coexist with effective payment solutions[00:11:00] Preventing late payments through early intervention and intelligent recommendations[00:15:00] Designing financial services around people's lives, not the other way around[00:19:00] Partnership for purpose: How Eviden and Ordo collaborate effectively[00:25:00] How startups and large corporations can work together effectively[00:32:00] The six-week proof of concept: How rigor and discipline drive innovation[00:37:00] Understanding diverse customer attitudes toward money and bill payment[00:42:00] The trust problem with direct debits and how open banking solves it[00:47:00] How AI creates personalized, ethical payment recommendations[00:51:00] The future: Variable recurring payments and expanding to other sectors#CompassionateCollections #OpenBanking #FinTechPartnerships #EnergyDebtCrisis #FlexiblePaymentsDisclaimer: This episode does not constitute professional nor financial advice and does not represent the opinion nor views of my current, past or future employers. The guest has agreed to record and release our conversation for the use of this podcast and promotion in social media.

In this episode, I speak with Natalya Thakur, CEO of Knova, and Kevin Hoang Founder of EQ Exchange (EQX), two innovative founders who are tackling the fundamental issue of trust in the digital assets space🔑 Key Highlights:How EQX aims to become the first company in the world to disclose financial statements in real-timeThe critical difference between "compiled" vs "generated" financial statements for transparencyHow technology can play a central role in creating new trust frameworks for financial services👉 Follow Natalya and KevinNatalya: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nthakur9/Kevin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinh5/https://www.eq.exchange/Press release of their partnership: https://www.eq.exchange/blog/building-a-new-era-of-trust-in-digital-assets-with-knox-network👉Follow Monica:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monicamillares/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@moni_millaresTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@moni_millaresWe cover:[00:00:00] Introduction and defining trust in financial services[00:04:00] Exploring the components of trust: what is transacted and who is transacting[00:06:00] Knox's purpose: creating a multi-asset ledger as a unified source of truth[00:08:50] Natalya's background in traditional finance and digital assets[00:12:30] EQX's purpose: rewriting the script on crypto exchanges[00:15:00] How Knova and EQX collaborate to solve trust problems[00:18:30] Kevin's background and entrepreneurial journey[00:21:30] EQX's innovative approach to real-time financial statements[00:24:00] Product thinking behind building a trust-based moat[00:28:45] Translating radical transparency into user-facing features[00:32:00] How companies can help customers trust the crypto space[00:36:00] Challenges of applying design thinking with institutional users[00:39:00] Obstacles financial institutions face with crypto adoption[00:42:00] Why crypto remains too complex for mainstream adoptionSEARCH QUESTIONSWhat is the definition of trust in financial services?How did FTX collapse affect crypto exchange trust?What does transparent financial reporting in crypto look like?How to build trust in cryptocurrency exchanges?Why do we trust traditional banks over crypto platforms?What are real-time financial statements for crypto exchanges?How can crypto exchanges improve user experience?What is a multi-asset ledger in cryptocurrency?How to manage both traditional and digital assets together?What challenges do financial institutions face with crypto adoption?Why is crypto still too complex for mainstream users?How can design thinking improve crypto user experience?What's the difference between compiled and generated financial statements?How can technology build trust in financial services?What is radical transparency in financial services?How do you establish trust as a new financial services company?What are best practices for crypto custody and security?How to simplify cryptocurrency for everyday users?What is the purpose of Knova in the crypto ecosystem?What trust problems is EQX trying to solve?Disclaimer: This episode does not constitute professional nor financial advice and does not represent the opinion nor views of my current, past or future employers. The guest has agreed to record and release our conversation for the use of this podcast and promotion in social media.

The financial industry is transforming rapidly, with traditional banking giving way to innovative FinTech solutions that are reshaping how people interact with money worldwide.In this solo episode, I share my personal journey from traditional banking to building FinTech startups and products across multiple continents, revealing the challenges, insights, and transformational lessons learned along the way. From my first steps into product leadership to scaling products to millions of users, I share the journey, what helped me succeed and the mistakes that taught me the most valuable lessons.What you'll learn:How I transitioned from traditional banking to the dynamic world of FinTechMy unexpected path into product leadership How I ended up in Malaysia - from startup to scaleupThe reality of building financial products across different markets and culturesKey insights from 10 years of FinTech product developmentFollow for more discussions on building FinTech products with customer and commercial impact and to stay updated on the latest episodes.👉 Follow Monica:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monicamillares/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@moni_millaresTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@moni_millaresWe cover:[00:00] My journey into FinTech - why I left traditional banking[05:30] The catalyst moment that changed my career trajectory[10:45] Discovering product leadership and the early challenges[15:20] Building FinTech products from Mexico to Malaysia[22:10] The unique challenges of developing products across different markets[28:40] How purpose drives better product decisions[34:15] Balancing innovation with compliance and security[39:30] My framework for building high-performing product teams[45:10] The future of FinTech and where I see the industry heading[50:25] Critical advice for aspiring FinTech buildersSEARCH QUESTIONSHow to transition from banking to FinTech?What skills transfer from banking to FinTech product development?How to build FinTech products that solve real customer problems?What are the biggest challenges when building FinTech products?How to balance innovation with compliance in FinTech?How to build purpose-driven financial products?What does a FinTech product leader do?How to build FinTech products across different markets?What are the key differences between banking and FinTech product development?How to build high-performing FinTech product teams?How to create successful FinTech products with limited resources?What is the future of FinTech product development?How to build customer-centric financial products?What are the most important metrics for FinTech products?How to identify opportunities in the FinTech space?How to navigate regulatory challenges in FinTech?What does it take to be a successful FinTech builder?How to scale FinTech products globally?How to create inclusive financial products?What are the biggest pitfalls when building FinTech products?#FinTechBuilder #BankingToStartups #ProductLeadership #FinancialInclusion #PurposeDrivenFinTechDisclaimer: This episode does not constitute professional nor financial advice and does not represent the opinion nor views of my current, past or future employers.