The Fintech Blueprint

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/3MDR1TdGuy'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, DaniellaWant 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/3QHYoeNSam'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, DaniellaWant to discuss? Stop by our Discord and reach out here with questions.

Matt Bivons, CEO of Canopy, discusses his journey from product designer to starting his own lending company. He highlights the importance of designing products for others and shares his vision for the future of Canopy. Topics include fintech, lending, API, and digital lending evolution.

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/3M8B6wbNassim's LinkedIn profile: https://bit.ly/46UYe9gRiyaz'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, DaniellaWant 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/3ttPRmOAdam'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, DaniellaWant 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/46j7GU2Chandini'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, DaniellaWant 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/3EVv0eiArik'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, DaniellaWant 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/45YHQVlCynthia'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, DaniellaWant to discuss? Stop by our Discord and reach out here with questions.

Pete Townsend, Managing Director of Techstars Web3 Accelerator, discusses his career journey in finance and the evolution of finance. They also cover successful go-to-market strategies, Pete's role at Techstars, the ever-evolving Web3 landscape, and positioning for the future amid consumer discretionary spending. The podcast explores topics such as Web3, finance, crypto, blockchain, tokenomics, and VR. They also touch upon Techstars' program, the metaverse, and the importance of tokenomics and composability in Web3.

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/3Z6ZALrCaitlin'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, DaniellaWant to discuss? Stop by our Discord and reach out here with questions.