The Fintech Blueprint

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/3GnHcFoMetaMask's Website: https://bit.ly/3T1vGqYDean's LinkedIn profile: https://bit.ly/3Rptf03Dan'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, DaniellaWant 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/3GfLr63Christopher'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, DaniellaWant 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/46masHpEva'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, DaniellaWant 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/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.