Leaders In Payments

Andrew Riabchuk's journey from building a payment gateway prototype as a computer science student in Ukraine to founding Akurateco—a global payment orchestration platform—reveals how technical expertise shapes fintech innovation. During our conversation, Andrew offers a fascinating perspective on what payment orchestration truly means beyond simple transaction routing: it's about creating value, reducing complexity, and enabling businesses to scale globally with minimal friction.The technical side of payments is becoming increasingly sophisticated while consumer experiences grow more seamless. Andrew explains how Akurateco navigates this paradox by providing a platform that handles the complexity behind the scenes, allowing their clients—payment service providers, banks, and enterprise merchants—to focus on their core business. With over 50 pre-integrated financial partners accessible through a single integration point, businesses can quickly expand into new markets and offer localized payment methods without the traditional technical burden.What stands out most about Andrew's approach is the emphasis on partnership over mere service provision. Their "payment team as a service" concept reflects a deeper understanding that payments success requires both advanced technology and human expertise. As payment verticals become increasingly specialized for specific industries, and as cryptocurrency gradually moves toward mainstream adoption, Andrew's insights offer a valuable roadmap for navigating the evolving payments landscape. Want to learn more about streamlining your payment operations or explore how payment orchestration could transform your business? Connect with Andrew and the Akurateco team to discover strategies that could simplify your technical infrastructure while expanding your global reach.

Blockchain technology is finally crossing the threshold from speculative promise to practical implementation, and Will Martino is at the forefront of this transformation. As President and Co-Founder of Kadena, Will brings unique credentials to the blockchain space—having built JP Morgan's first blockchain payment system before leaving to solve the fundamental limitations preventing enterprise-grade adoption.The blockchain industry has struggled with a persistent trilemma: how to achieve security, decentralization, and scalability simultaneously. Kadena's breakthrough comes through its innovative ChainWeb architecture, which horizontally scales proof-of-work consensus without corresponding increases in energy consumption. "Right now we have 20 chains that are all in a single network, braided together using proof of work," Will explains. "When we go from 20 to 40, we actually increase our efficiency by 2x for basically no cost."This technical achievement arrives at a pivotal moment. Financial institutions that once insisted on private blockchains are now actively exploring public blockchain integration following BlackRock's successful SEC-approved protocol launch. This shift has created unprecedented opportunity for proof-of-work blockchains like Kadena that offer stronger security guarantees than proof-of-stake alternatives.Beyond the technical architecture, Will's team is addressing critical user experience challenges through SpireKey—a decentralized authentication system inspired by Sweden's Bank ID that transforms smartphones into hardware wallets. Having lived through the early, sometimes painful days of blockchain development (including lost wallet keys worth thousands), Will is committed to making the technology accessible to everyone.Check out kadena.io to explore how this next-generation blockchain is building the infrastructure for crypto's inevitable mainstream adoption.

Joe Mach, CEO of North America at Castles Technology, reveals how this fourth-largest player in payment terminals has captured massive market share while flying under the radar. Their secret? Over 60% of everything they sell doesn't bear their name - it's white-labeled for partners who trust them enough to put their own brands on the technology.Castles' success stems from their deep technical expertise and customer-first approach. Based in Taiwan ("Technology Island"), they innovate faster than legacy providers, delivering not just hardware but comprehensive solutions tailored to specific industry challenges. Their movement from basic terminal management to true Mobile Device Management capabilities enables remote troubleshooting, geofencing for security, and even AI-powered predictive maintenance.Looking forward, Mach identifies three transformative trends: the rising influence of specialized software vendors, seamless integration of AI with payments, and the emergence of SoftPOS technologies on consumer devices. These innovations address the expectations of younger consumers who simply won't tolerate friction in their shopping experiences.As an "accidental CEO" who rose through sales and commercial roles, Mach's leadership philosophy centers on growth - not just for shareholders, but as a vehicle to create opportunities for employees. Listen now to discover how Castles Technology is transforming the payment landscape for merchants of all sizes.

The payments ecosystem is evolving rapidly, creating both challenges and opportunities for every player in the industry. In this thought-provoking conversation with Alexander Renzi and Aleks Teichman of MAPP Advisors, we dive deep into how ISOs, ISVs, banks, and fintechs can navigate this changing landscape.Alexander and Aleks bring unique perspectives from their decades of experience across all facets of the payments industry. They offer invaluable insights into the practical realities of growing a payments business today. Their firm, MAPP Advisors, works collaboratively with companies across the ecosystem, providing actionable guidance rather than theoretical advice.For ISOs facing unprecedented pressure from all angles – regulatory scrutiny, processor competition, and integrated payments solutions – the message is clear: adapt or perish. The most successful ISOs are evolving beyond transaction processing, building deeper relationships with merchants through value-added services. Bank-fintech partnerships represent another critical evolution in payments. What was once a vendor-client relationship has transformed into essential collaborative partnerships. Banks are no longer just fine print on merchant applications – they're strategic partners whose sustainability and approach are key considerations for fintechs and ISOs alike.Whether you're running an ISO, developing payments technology, or working within a financial institution, this episode offers strategic insights to help you navigate growth, regulation, and partnerships in today's complex payments landscape. 

What happens when you build a payment processor focused on extraordinary customer service and cutting-edge technology? You become the ETA 2025 ISO of the Year. Jared Ronski, co-founder and President of Payarc, reveals the journey from small startup to industry award-winner in this engaging conversation.Ronski shares Payarc's origin story, which began with a friendship between himself—then a payment agent—and entrepreneur Zach Martinez. Frustrated by how larger processors often sacrificed service as they scaled, the duo created Payarc with a clear mission: do everything better while putting customers first. This philosophy, known as "the Payarc Way," prioritizes meaningful relationships over transactional interactions.Technology serves as Payarc's second pillar of success. Their team is developing practical AI applications that address real industry challenges, including merchant churn prediction, risk assessment tools, and self-service capabilities for agents. By focusing on reducing friction in the payment process, they've created seamless experiences that partners rave about—including ISV integrations described as "one of the easiest" their partners have ever conducted.Ready to experience payment processing that combines technological innovation with genuine service? Discover how Payarc's unique approach could transform your business one payment at a time.

This episode is sponsored by American Express. In the latest Leaders in Payments episode, Greg Myers speaks with R.J. Ancona, Vice President and General Manager, B2B Product, Partner and Client Management at American Express, about the evolving B2B payments landscape. With 24 years at Amex, R.J. has seen firsthand how digital transformation is reshaping payments, making transactions faster and more efficient.Buyers aim to optimize working capital, while suppliers want faster payments -yet late payments remain a challenge. According to Amex Trendex, 26% of business leaders have stopped working with a buyer or supplier due to slow payments.To address these challenges, Amex is investing in automation and fintech partnerships. Recent collaborations with Boost and Versapay are streamlining virtual card acceptance and AR automation, helping suppliers reduce manual work and accelerate cash flow. AI and automation continue to drive efficiency, security, and better customer relationships in the payments ecosystem.R.J. emphasizes that one-size-fits-all solutions no longer work. Businesses must customize payment strategies, maintain open communication, and leverage technology to stay competitive. As B2B payments evolve, trust, speed, and efficiency will define success.

This episode is sponsored by American Express. Dean Leavitt, founder and CEO of Boost Payment Solutions, takes us behind the scenes of a revolution happening in enterprise-level B2B payments. Founded to fill a critical gap in the market, Boost has spent 16 years perfecting technology that streamlines how large organizations pay their suppliers.At the center of our discussion is the transformative power of virtual cards – single-use payment instruments that dramatically enhance security while simplifying operations. Unlike traditional payment methods that require companies to maintain sensitive banking information of thousands of suppliers, virtual cards create a secure, automated payment flow that dramatically reduces fraud risk. As Dean proudly shares, Boost has never experienced a single chargeback or fraud loss in its entire history.The conversation spotlights Boost's groundbreaking collaboration with American Express, featuring their patented Boost Intercept technology. This innovation solves a persistent pain point in virtual card adoption by converting what were once manual, email-based payment processes into fully automated, straight-through experiences. The partnership enables American Express corporate customers to shift more spending to virtual cards while eliminating operational friction for suppliers receiving these payments.Beyond the technical details, Dean shares insights into the "PARTS" framework (Pricing, Automation, Reporting, Timing, Security) that guides their approach to payment optimization. The conversation reveals how thoughtful technology implementation creates genuine win-win scenarios for both sides of the transaction equation, making this a fascinating exploration of how innovation is reshaping corporate financial operations.

This episode is sponsored by American Express. Cash flow shouldn't be a constant struggle. Yet for many mid-market companies, the path from invoice to payment is filled with unnecessary friction, manual processes, and frustrating delays that hurt both the bottom line and customer relationships.Barrett Smith, Chief Payments and Customer Operations Officer at Versapay, reveals how accounts receivable automation is transforming finance operations for growing businesses. Drawing from his extensive background in payments and financial analytics, Smith shares practical insights on how automation creates measurable improvements in cash flow while elevating the finance department's strategic value.The conversation tackles common pain points like the persistence of paper-based processes (imagine entire floors filled with invoice file cabinets), the challenges of managing increasing invoice volumes without proportional staffing increases, and the critical need for real-time financial visibility. Most compelling is how automation shifts finance teams from being perceived as back-office gatekeepers to becoming drivers of positive customer experiences.Whether you're struggling with slow cash conversion, limited financial visibility, or simply want to free your finance team from manual data entry to focus on strategic initiatives, this episode provides a roadmap for leveraging AR automation to transform your business operations. The future of finance isn't just about counting money - it's about making it flow more efficiently through your organization.

Arik Shtilman, CEO of Rapyd, joined the Leaders in Payments podcast to discuss the company’s growth, industry trends, and the impact of AI and crypto on fintech. Over the past two and a half years, Rapyd has shifted its strategy from rapid expansion to profitability, achieving profitability in late 2024. This shift required streamlining operations, focusing on high-margin markets, and reducing headcount growth. A significant milestone was Rapyd’s $610 million acquisition of PayU, expected to finalize soon.Shtilman highlighted major macroeconomic shifts, including changing interest rates and geopolitical events, which have influenced the company’s approach. He believes AI will revolutionize financial services, comparing its impact to the rise of the internet in 1998. Rapyd has already integrated AI into compliance, financial operations, and customer support, leading to faster onboarding, improved risk assessment, and reduced operational costs. AI-driven efficiencies are expected to shape the competitive landscape, favoring companies with advanced automation.On crypto, Rapyd initially stayed cautious but has now embraced stablecoins for settlements and payments, anticipating further mainstream adoption. Looking ahead, Shtilman predicts continued consolidation in fintech, AI-driven efficiencies, and an industry transformation that will reshape how financial services operate in the coming years.

Dive into the fascinating world of digital payments in our latest episode featuring Ariel Tiger, CEO of EverC. We explore the intricate landscape of risk management as the payments industry evolves at an unprecedented pace. With the surge in online merchants post-pandemic, fraud is on the rise, transforming the way companies approach security.Discover how EverC combines innovative technology with risk intelligence to equip businesses with the tools they need to intercept illegal activity before it occurs. Ariel shares his perspective on the dynamic role artificial intelligence plays in this context, suggesting that incorporating AI doesn't just enhance operational efficiency; it’s essential for sustainability in the ever-changing payment ecosystem.Listeners will gain insights into the challenges facing digital commerce today and learn why building strong foundations in compliance and adaptability is key for future success. Whether you are a startup entering the fintech space or an established player navigating new technological advances, this episode offers valuable takeaways for everyone.