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Curiosity Code Podcast

Alex Khomyakov

Discover the fintech podcast "Curiosity Code", featuring exclusive interviews on fintech innovation and financial technology. Hosted by Alex, founder of the digital agency Productera, with a background in B2B and SaaS companies, the podcast brings together founders, CEOs, visionaries, and fintech leaders driving financial innovation, AI, open banking, and digital transformation.Each episode offers success stories, challenges, and groundbreaking ideas about the future of blockchain, AI agents, digital payments, wealth management, and other related financial technologies.

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  • 22 episodes
  • Avg 30 min
  • English

Episodes 22

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  • Tuesday · 26 min

    Crypto-Backed Lending Explained | Himanshu Sahay

    Lovely listener, share with us your thoughts! Himanshu Sahay, Co-Founder of Arch Lending and a former engineering leader at Snapchat, Tinder, and Bird, breaks down how crypto-backed lending works, from bitcoin-collateralized loans to no-liquidation borrowing, currently available to institutional borrowers and rolling out soon for retail clients. This episode dives deep into the mechanics of institutional and retail crypto lending, cost of capital, and the future of bitcoin-backed finance. 📌 Key Topics & Timestamps: 0:00 Introduction 8:33 Why people still aren't educated on how to use bitcoin 11:47 No-liquidation loans: available to institutions now, rolling out soon for retail 15:02 Lending mechanics: where Arch's cost of capital comes from 19:37 What happens to Arch if Bitcoin drops 50% 22:09 Why rates have dropped significantly for retail and institutional borrowers Himanshu Sahay is Arch Lending’s Co-Founder. Before Arch, he led engineering at Snapchat, Tinder, and Bird. At Arch, he leads Arch’s institutional lending and structured-products business, helping companies and funds access tailored Bitcoin-backed financing. Connect with Himanshu Sahay on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/himanshusahay/ 🎙️ Subscribe for weekly episodes on fintech, AI, and innovation 🌐 Website: https://curiositycodepodcast.com/ 📱 Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/akhomyakov/ 🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4ePKf2qCLzcKATS7o6w2U5 🍎 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1797349967 This conversation is essential viewing for fintech founders, crypto investors, and banking innovators looking to understand how bitcoin-backed lending is reshaping consumer and institutional finance. Learn how Arch structures crypto collateral, manages risk during market volatility, and builds compliant infrastructure for the next generation of digital asset lending. Whether you're exploring bitcoin loans, DeFi-adjacent lending models, or crypto compliance strategy, this episode of The Curiosity Code Podcast delivers actionable insight. 🎙️ Subscribe for weekly episodes on fintech, AI, and innovation 🌐 Website: https://curiositycodepodcast.com/ 📱 Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/akhomyakov/ 🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/curiosity-code 🍎 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/the-curiosity-code-podcast/id1748596092

  • Friday · 9 min

    AI Agents in Fintech: Are They Out of Control?

    Lovely listener, share with us your thoughts! Are AI agents out of control, or are most companies just governing them with suggestions? A solo episode on agentic AI in banking and fintech: who is in control, and who is accountable when an agent gets it wrong. In July, hundreds of AI agents inside an OpenAI test broke into Hugging Face. Meanwhile TD Bank cut a mortgage step from fifteen hours to under three minutes with an agent. Same technology, opposite outcomes. This episode looks at why, what my podcast guests disagree on, and why US bank model-risk guidance still excludes agentic AI by name. Chapters 0:00 Hundreds of AI agents broke into Hugging Face 0:50 Risk or productivity tool? 2:15 What my guests said 3:42 My take: prompts are suggestions, not controls 5:36 The evidence on both sides 7:52 What it means for banks and fintechs Episodes mentioned Parul Kaul-Green on AI in insurance claims: https://youtu.be/foiPOGZbqMA Krista Griggs on trust and technology in digital banking: https://youtu.be/BNuzc0k-5SA Christie Kristensen on open banking APIs: https://youtu.be/X-ELxbqyN78 Sources Hugging Face technical timeline: https://huggingface.co/blog/agent-intrusion-technical-timeline OCC Bulletin 2026-13, model risk management: https://www.occ.gov/news-issuances/bulletins/2026/bulletin-2026-13.html METR study on AI tools and developer speed: https://metr.org/blog/2025-07-10-early-2025-ai-experienced-os-dev-study/ 🎙️ Subscribe for weekly episodes on fintech, AI, and innovation 🌐 Website: https://curiositycodepodcast.com/ 📱 Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/akhomyakov/ 🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4ePKf2qCLzcKATS7o6w2U5 🍎 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1797349967 Agentic AI is moving into lending, fraud and payments faster than the rules that govern it. For anyone running technology at a bank or fintech, the question is where your agents' limits actually live, and who owns them. 🎙️ Subscribe for weekly episodes on fintech, AI, and innovation 🌐 Website: https://curiositycodepodcast.com/ 📱 Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/akhomyakov/ 🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/curiosity-code 🍎 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/the-curiosity-code-podcast/id1748596092

  • September 16 · 38 min

    Crypto Won. So Where Did the Money Go? | Colin Butler

    Lovely listener, share with us your thoughts! Colin Butler spent 2022 to 2025 as Global Head of Institutional Capital at Polygon Labs, where his team ran every major institutional launch on the chain. In this episode he goes back through four years of his own calls and says where he was wrong: why stablecoins were crypto's first product-market fit but not its only one, why the value never accrued to the infrastructure layer he was building, and why it went to the firms that already had the customers. 📌 Key Topics & Timestamps: 0:00 Introduction 0:40 Where crypto actually found product-market fit 4:29 Why value didn't accrue to the infrastructure layer 10:32 Securitize and the economics of the application layer 19:22 Why blockchains are rethinking their business models 20:43 Are digital asset treasuries dead? 26:07 Why stablecoin growth stalled, and where it goes next 32:35 Leaving crypto for AI, and the problem of governing agents Correction at 22:21, from Colin after recording: when mNAV is below 1, a digital asset treasury sells tokens and buys back its own stock. About the Guest: Colin Butler was Global Head of Institutional Capital at Polygon Labs from 2022 to 2025, and most recently EVP of Capital Markets at Mega Matrix. He is now leaving crypto to build in AI, at a company currently in stealth. Connect with Colin Butler on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colin-p-butler 🎙️ Subscribe for weekly episodes on fintech, AI, and innovation 🌐 Website: https://curiositycodepodcast.com/ 📱 Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/akhomyakov/ 🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4ePKf2qCLzcKATS7o6w2U5 🍎 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1797349967 A candid look at tokenization, stablecoins and institutional crypto from someone who helped build the infrastructure, for fintech founders, investors and anyone in capital markets working out where the value in digital assets actually sits. 🎙️ Subscribe for weekly episodes on fintech, AI, and innovation 🌐 Website: https://curiositycodepodcast.com/ 📱 Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/akhomyakov/ 🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/curiosity-code 🍎 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/the-curiosity-code-podcast/id1748596092

  • S4 · E5
    August 21 · 28 min

    Will Open Finance Democratize Banking? | Jose Luis Navarro

    Lovely listener, share with us your thoughts! Open banking is evolving faster than most traditional banks can keep up with — so where should they even start? In this episode, Jose Luis Navarro Llorens, Strategy lead for Open Banking at BBVA, breaks down what open banking, open finance, and embedded finance really mean for the future of the financial industry. ⏱️ Chapters: 0:00 Introduction 9:13 Why open banking is more than just screen scraping 14:35 Where traditional banks should begin amid rapid open banking evolution 18:19 How embedded finance and open banking are redefining entire industries 21:46 Will open finance be remembered as what democratized financial services? 24:19 Open banking and open finance exist to serve the customer About the guest: Jose Luis Navarro Llorens leads Open Banking Strategy at BBVA, one of the world's most innovative global banks. With deep expertise in open finance and embedded finance, he shares an insider's perspective on how traditional banks can adapt and thrive in an API-driven financial ecosystem. Connect with Jose Luis Navarro Llorens on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jose-luis-navarro-llorens/ This conversation dives deep into open banking, open finance, and embedded finance trends shaping the future of banking innovation. Whether you're a fintech founder, banking executive, or PE/VC professional tracking payments and financial technology disruption, this episode offers a first-hand look at how BBVA is navigating the shift toward customer-centric open finance. #OpenBanking #OpenFinance #EmbeddedFinance #Fintech #BankingInnovation 🎙️ Subscribe for weekly episodes on fintech, AI, and innovation 🌐 Website: https://curiositycodepodcast.com/ 📱 Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/akhomyakov/ 🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/curiosity-code 🍎 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/the-curiosity-code-podcast/id1748596092

  • S4 · E4
    July 20 · 34 min

    Tokenization in Banking: Stablecoins & Digital Assets | Parag Monteiro

    Lovely listener, share with us your thoughts! Tokenization is transforming banking. Parag Monteiro, Global Head of Digital Asset Platforms at Standard Chartered, reveals how major banks are building tokenization platforms, why stablecoins have achieved product-market fit, and how the UAE is leading crypto-friendly regulation. Discover how a 170-year-old bank is embracing digital assets, blockchain technology, and on-chain finance to solve real problems in the financial value chain. ⏱️ KEY TOPICS & TIMESTAMPS 0:00 Introduction 4:33 How Standard Chartered is transforming towards tokenization 8:16 Does regulation block banks from adopting digital assets? 10:45 Crypto ETFs, the Genius Act, and regulatory evolution 13:11 Why stablecoins are the first product-market fit for tokenization 19:39 How tokenization solves problems across the financial value chain 24:41 Every major bank is now building tokenization platforms 27:46 Why the UAE is the most crypto-friendly jurisdiction globally 30:54 What percentage of global financial assets are tokenized today? 👤 ABOUT THE GUEST Parag Monteiro is Global Head of Digital Asset Platforms at Standard Chartered, where he leads the bank's blockchain and tokenization initiatives across global markets. With deep expertise in institutional digital assets, Parag is at the forefront of how traditional banking is integrating on-chain finance and cryptocurrency infrastructure. Connect with Parag on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/parag-monteiro-72bb871/ This episode covers institutional adoption of blockchain technology, digital asset regulation, stablecoin payments, tokenization platforms, and how crypto-friendly jurisdictions like the UAE are accelerating on-chain finance for global banks. Essential viewing for fintech founders, banking executives, and anyone interested in the future of digital assets in traditional finance. #Tokenization #DigitalAssets #Stablecoins #BankingInnovation #Fintech 🎙️ Subscribe for weekly episodes on fintech, AI, and innovation 🌐 Website: https://curiositycodepodcast.com/ 📱 Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/akhomyakov/ 🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/curiosity-code 🍎 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/the-curiosity-code-podcast/id1748596092

  • S4 · E3
    June 30 · 32 min

    Open Banking APIs Transform Fintech | Christie Kristensen

    Lovely listener, share with us your thoughts! Open banking APIs revolutionized how banks and fintechs collaborate. Christie H. Kristensen from Danske Bank shares insider strategies on API infrastructure, real-time settlement, and the data governance decisions that make or break fintech startups. Discover why smaller fintechs must build for real-time settlement, when to build vs. buy third-party solutions, and how APIs transformed consumer behavior in banking. ⏱️ KEY TOPICS & TIMESTAMPS 0:00 Introduction 5:45 When banks realized they could become consumers of APIs, fintech movement thrived 10:46 Smaller fintechs have to build infrastructure supporting real-time settlement 14:09 Why infrastructure and data governance are crucial for fintech startups 17:34 Build vs. buy: One critical question when starting a fintech startup 21:42 Change management sits at the essence of digital transformation today 23:56 Examples of how APIs have fundamentally changed consumer behavior 29:45 Will real-time settlement become table stakes like mobile apps in five years 👤 ABOUT THE GUEST Christie H. Kristensen serves as Advisory Board Member at Nordic Fintech Week & NOLO collective, and Partnership Manager for Open Banking Premium & ERP Integration at Danske Bank. She brings deep expertise in API strategy, banking infrastructure, and fintech ecosystem development. Connect with Christie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chkristensen/ This episode of Curiosity Code explores open banking transformation, API-first infrastructure strategies, and real-time payment systems reshaping fintech. Perfect for fintech founders evaluating build vs. buy decisions, banking executives implementing API strategies, and investors tracking payments innovation. #OpenBanking #Fintech #APIs #RealtimePayments #BankingInnovation 🎙️ Subscribe for weekly episodes on fintech, AI, and innovation 🌐 Website: https://curiositycodepodcast.com/ 📱 Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/akhomyakov/ 🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/curiosity-code 🍎 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/the-curiosity-code-podcast/id1748596092

  • S4 · E2
    June 19 · 34 min

    AI Fraud Detection in Payments | Srishti Andreasen

    Lovely listener, share with us your thoughts! AI-powered fraud is reshaping payment security. Srishti Jain Andreasen, Global Business Development Executive at RS Software, reveals why synthetic identity fraud is the fastest-growing financial crime and what consumers and regulators must do to fight back. Discover how the globalization of online commerce has turned payments into the primary attack vector for fraudsters, whether banks should share fraud intelligence, and how women in fintech are approaching fraud prevention differently than traditional security teams. 📖 KEY TOPICS & TIMESTAMPS 0:00 Introduction 4:59 How online commerce turned payments into the primary fraud vector 11:13 Synthetic identity: The fastest growing financial crime today 18:06 Should banks share fraud intelligence or protect competitive advantage? 23:59 What consumers must stop doing to avoid AI-powered fraud 29:07 Why regulators need to focus on interoperability to fight fraud 31:27 How women in fintech approach fraud differently than traditional teams 34:14 Final thoughts on fraud and technology 👤 ABOUT THE GUEST Srishti Jain Andreasen is Executive Global Business Development at RS Software, specializing in payment security and fraud prevention solutions for financial institutions worldwide. Connect with Srishti on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/srishti-jain-andreasen-b339175/ This episode explores critical payment fraud prevention strategies, synthetic identity detection techniques, and the role of AI in modern financial crime. Learn how fintech leaders and banking innovators are collaborating to build more secure payment ecosystems while balancing fraud prevention with competitive intelligence. #FintechSecurity #PaymentFraud #AIFraud #SyntheticIdentity #FinancialCrime 🎙️ Subscribe for weekly episodes on fintech, AI, and innovation 🌐 Website: https://curiositycodepodcast.com/ 📱 Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/akhomyakov/ 🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/curiosity-code 🍎 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/the-curiosity-code-podcast/id1748596092

  • S4 · E1
    June 4 · 39 min

    Blockchain Bonds & On-Chain Assets | Steve Wallace

    Lovely listener, share with us your thoughts! Which asset class gets fully tokenized first? Steve Wallace breaks down blockchain tokenization, on-chain bonds, regulatory gaps, crypto vaults, and why distribution remains traditional finance's biggest competitive advantage. Discover how real-world asset tokenization is reshaping institutional investing, which tokenization use cases are smart versus questionable, and how cryptonative firms can compete with traditional asset management distribution power. 📍 KEY TOPICS & TIMESTAMPS 0:00 Introduction 5:55 Issuing bonds on-chain: emerging blockchain use cases 17:05 Regulatory harmonization gaps for blockchain tokenization 22:21 Smart vs. questionable tokenization use cases analyzed 25:10 Which asset class gets fully tokenized first? 31:07 Distribution advantages: can cryptonative firms compete with traditional finance? 33:47 Crypto vaults as potential disruptors in asset management 36:49 Final thoughts on the future of tokenization 👤 ABOUT THE GUEST Steve Wallace is an Advisor at Alpine Capital Advisors and Blocklogica, and Co-Founder at Monolythic, bringing deep expertise in blockchain tokenization, regulatory frameworks, and institutional digital asset adoption. Connect with Steve Wallace on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-wallace/ This episode explores institutional tokenization strategies, blockchain bond issuance, DeFi regulatory challenges, and how real-world asset tokenization is transforming banking and asset management. Learn why distribution remains the ultimate competitive moat and which asset classes are positioned for full tokenization adoption first. #Tokenization #BlockchainBonds #RWA #DeFi #AssetManagement 🎙️ Subscribe for weekly episodes on fintech, AI, and innovation 🌐 Website: https://curiositycodepodcast.com/ 📱 Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/akhomyakov/ 🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/curiosity-code 🍎 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/the-curiosity-code-podcast/id1748596092

  • S3 · E20
    March 16 · 19 min

    Blockchain in Banking: Threat or Opportunity | Artur Kartshikyan

    Lovely listener, share with us your thoughts! Digital banking transformation in Armenia and Central Asia: ACBA Bank's Head of Digital Banking reveals how banks are navigating blockchain adoption, payment infrastructure gaps, and compliance challenges in emerging markets. Artur Kartshikyan, Head of Digital Banking at ACBA Bank, discusses the future of banking in Armenia, blockchain's role in financial institutions, and why Central Asia's payment corridor lacks modern infrastructure. This episode explores digital banking strategy, regulatory compliance, and innovation opportunities in emerging fintech markets. ⏱️ KEY TOPICS & TIMESTAMPS 0:00 Introduction 5:21 Central Asia Corridor Payment Infrastructure Challenges 7:32 Blockchain as Banking Threat or Collaboration Opportunity 12:44 ACBA Bank Balances Innovation and Compliance in Digital Infrastructure 16:06 The Future of Banking: Digital Transformation Ahead 19:16 Armenian Banking Outlook and Digital Payment Evolution 👤 ABOUT THE GUEST Artur Kartshikyan is the Head of Digital Banking Department at ACBA Bank OJSC, where he leads digital transformation initiatives and modern banking infrastructure development in Armenia. Connect with Artur on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arturkartshikyan/ #DigitalBanking #Blockchain #FintechPodcast #BankingInnovation #Armenia 🎙️ Subscribe for weekly episodes on fintech, AI, and innovation 🌐 Website: https://curiositycodepodcast.com/ 📱 Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/akhomyakov/ 🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/curiosity-code 🍎 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/the-curiosity-code-podcast/id1748596092

  • S3 · E19
    March 9 · 20 min

    Fintech M&A Strategy: Exit Timing | Mayerlin Garcia

    Lovely listener, share with us your thoughts! Investment banking expert Mayerlin Garcia reveals when fintech founders should pursue M&A, why scaling companies need external advisors, and the critical mistakes that cause fintech deals to fail post-acquisition. Learn fintech M&A strategy, exit timing, and how to navigate investment banking for high-growth fintech companies. ⏱️ KEY TOPICS & TIMESTAMPS 0:00 Introduction 2:31 Why External Advisors Are Crucial for Fintech Success 8:05 Funding Challenges Companies Face When Scaling 13:26 When Founders Should Start Thinking About M&A or Exit 17:06 Why Many Fintech Deals Fail to Deliver Promised Outcomes 👤 ABOUT MAYERLIN GARCIA Mayerlin Garcia is Managing Director at Senahill Advisors, specializing in fintech mergers, acquisitions, and strategic exits for high-growth technology companies. Connect with Mayerlin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mayerlingarcia/ #FintechMA #InvestmentBanking #FintechFounders #MergersAndAcquisitions #FintechStrategy 🎙️ Subscribe for weekly episodes on fintech, AI, and innovation 🌐 Website: https://curiositycodepodcast.com/ 📱 Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/akhomyakov/ 🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/curiosity-code 🍎 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/the-curiosity-code-podcast/id1748596092

  • S3 · E18
    February 27 · 21 min

    UX Design in Fintech: Banking Innovation | Patrik Borgatai

    Lovely listener, share with us your thoughts! Discover the major differences between investment banking and consumer fintech UX design, and why legacy financial systems make digital transformation so challenging. Learn strategies for aligning UX across distributed financial organizations. Patrik Borgatai discusses the unique challenges of designing user experiences for traditional financial institutions versus modern fintech companies, exploring how legacy systems create barriers to innovation and what it takes to measure good UX in complex financial environments. ⏱️ KEY TOPICS & TIMESTAMPS 0:00 Introduction 2:23 Designers discuss major differences between investment banking and consumer fintech 5:31 How do you define and measure good UX in financial environments? 8:41 Biggest challenges in aligning UX strategy across distributed financial organizations 11:55 Legacy financial systems make redesigning difficult 16:58 Main barriers for digital transformation in traditional financial institutions 👤 ABOUT PATRIK BORGATAI Patrik is a Product & UX Strategy Consultant at Lab49, designing tools for traders and investment bankers at some of the world's largest financial institutions. He's spent years in the trenches of enterprise fintech. Connect with Patrik on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrikborgatai/ 🎙️ Subscribe for weekly episodes on fintech, AI, and innovation 🌐 Website: https://curiositycodepodcast.com/ 📱 Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/akhomyakov/ 🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/curiosity-code 🍎 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/the-curiosity-code-podcast/id1748596092

  • S3 · E16
    February 10 · 28 min

    Digital Banking Strategy: Launching 7 Banks | Al Southall

    Lovely listener, share with us your thoughts! Learn digital banking best practices from someone who's launched 7 banks across 25 years. Al Southall shares the real playbook for building customer-centric digital banks that balance speed, compliance, and innovation — without repeating legacy mistakes. From early internet banks to cloud-native platforms, discover why "bank in a box" rarely works, how to navigate regulatory requirements while innovating, and the critical importance of customer-first product design before technology decisions. 📌 KEY TOPICS & TIMESTAMPS 0:00 Introduction 4:24 Pre-built solutions and core banking platforms as enablers for digital banking 7:19 Why bank in a box fails: only few players succeed with turnkey solutions 9:49 How to start building a digital bank: customer-centric design first 13:28 Banking license requirements and regulatory expectations for new entrants 16:46 Managing vendor lock-in risk while maintaining product flexibility 18:54 Cloud resilience strategies and operational risk in digital banking 22:25 Customer-centric design and personalization in modern banking 27:16 Critical advice for fintechs moving into banking 🎙️ GUEST Al Southall is a digital transformation and bank launch specialist with 25+ years of experience leading technology and operations for seven digital banks across multiple markets. His expertise spans the full evolution of digital banking — from early internet banking platforms to today's cloud-native architectures. 🔗 Connect with Al: https://www.linkedin.com/in/al-southall-cio/ #DigitalBanking #Fintech #BankingInnovation #CoreBanking #FintechPodcast 🎙️ Subscribe for weekly episodes on fintech, AI, and innovation 🌐 Website: https://curiositycodepodcast.com/ 📱 Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/akhomyakov/ 🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/curiosity-code 🍎 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/the-curiosity-code-podcast/id1748596092

  • S3 · E17
    February 9 · 43 min

    ATM Technology & Future of Cash Payments | Paul Gardiner

    Lovely listener, share with us your thoughts! ATM technology expert Paul Gardiner reveals why cash payments continue rising globally despite digital transformation, the hidden innovations in ATM infrastructure, and critical insights every fintech founder needs about payment systems economics. Discover the surprising data behind cash vs digital payments, the future of ATM networks, banking infrastructure evolution, and untapped fintech opportunities in cash management technology. ⏱️ KEY TOPICS & TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 Cash in circulation continues to arise in every major economy over the past decade 0:29 Today we're talking about ATMs and infrastructure of money from cash to AI 3:21 What people misunderstand most about how money actually moves behind the scenes with ATMs 13:57 Number of ATMs deployed globally have gone down over the last few years 17:15 How to approach security of ATM networks from physical and cyber aspects 25:17 Paul Gardiner recently led two billion dollar fintech carve outs 30:52 What problems in fintech and payments today are the most fixable 36:04 If you could design the future state from scratch: payments, ATMs, and AI 40:54 Why big payments networks still go down far too often 👤 ABOUT PAUL GARDINER: Paul Gardiner is the Founder of Marin FinTech, a leading consultancy specializing in payment systems innovation and banking technology. With deep expertise in ATM networks, cash infrastructure, and having led two billion-dollar fintech carve-outs, Paul advises fintech companies and financial institutions on navigating the evolving payments landscape. #FintechPodcast #ATMTechnology #PaymentSystems #CashPayments #BankingInnovation 🎙️ Subscribe for weekly episodes on fintech, AI, and innovation 🌐 Website: https://curiositycodepodcast.com/ 📱 Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/akhomyakov/ 🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/curiosity-code 🍎 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/the-curiosity-code-podcast/id1748596092

  • S3 · E15
    Dec 23, 2025 · 21 min

    Gen Z Workplace Culture: New Leadership Rules | Akita Somani

    Lovely listener, share with us your thoughts! Gen Z is transforming workplace culture, leadership, and inclusion in financial services. Akita Somani, SVP of Inclusive Growth Strategy at U.S. Bank and 2024 Women in FinTech honoree, shares how digital-first communication, authenticity, and purpose-driven values are reshaping modern leadership. Discover how Gen Z's workplace expectations differ from previous generations, why values alignment matters more than compensation, and practical strategies for building inclusive cultures in multi-generational teams. Learn what fintech and banking leaders need to know as Gen Z becomes the workforce majority. 📌 KEY TOPICS & TIMESTAMPS 0:00 Introduction 4:16 Gen Z values alignment with values and purposes over compensation 8:27 What inclusion looks like in a multi-generational workplace today 14:15 The struggle for companies to build a culture of inclusion 17:36 Gen Z taking leadership roles as they mature in their careers 👤 ABOUT THE GUEST Akita Somani is Senior Vice President of Inclusive Growth Strategy at U.S. Bank and a 2024 Women in FinTech honoree. She leads global, multi-generational teams and specializes in creating inclusive workplace cultures that drive business performance and innovation in financial services. #GenZWorkplace #InclusiveLeadership #WorkplaceCulture #FintechLeadership #FutureOfWork 🎙️ Subscribe for weekly episodes on fintech, AI, and innovation 🌐 Website: https://curiositycodepodcast.com/ 📱 Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/akhomyakov/ 🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/curiosity-code 🍎 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/the-curiosity-code-podcast/id1748596092

  • S3 · E14
    Dec 2, 2025 · 39 min

    Building Banking Software: What VCs Don't Tell You

    Lovely listener, share with us your thoughts! Hanif Nezhad, Co-Founder of Neco Solutions, reveals why EU fintech regulation kills innovation, how US markets differ, and what it really takes to sell banking software to enterprises. From building robo-advisors acquired by ING to launching automated trading platforms, this is fintech product development unfiltered. In this episode, Alex Khomyakov and Hanif discuss the hidden challenges of building fintech software under regulatory pressure, navigating compliance across EU and US markets, and designing wealth management technology that financial institutions trust. 📍 KEY TOPICS & TIMESTAMPS 0:00 Introduction 4:21 Working with financial services clients: exchanges, banks, and early fintech platforms 7:23 How fintech regulations reshape product development and shipping timelines 14:15 The role of co-founders in navigating business challenges and regulatory complexity 16:36 Designing a white-label robo advisor acquired by ING: technical scope vs enterprise integration 22:49 Enterprise sales strategy: plan for the worst, hope for the best with bank timelines 25:11 European vs US fintech regulations: why the EU lags in innovation and adoption 33:51 AI's impact on wealth management: reshaping human advisors and client relationships 36:56 Building cross-disciplinary teams for fintech success: compliance, product, and engineering 🎙️ ABOUT THE GUEST Hanif Nezhad is Co-Founder and Product Lead at Neco Solutions, a fintech software company specializing in neobanking platforms, wealth management systems, and algorithmic trading technology. His background spans high-frequency trading infrastructure, white-label robo-advisor platforms (including one acquired by ING), and Options Robot, an automated options-management product for U.S. retail traders. 🔗 Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hanif-nezhad-b9450285/ #FintechRegulation #BankingSoftware #RoboAdvisor #FintechCompliance #WealthTech 🎙️ Subscribe for weekly episodes on fintech, AI, and innovation 🌐 Website: https://curiositycodepodcast.com/ 📱 Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/akhomyakov/ 🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/curiosity-code 🍎 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/the-curiosity-code-podcast/id1748596092

  • S3 · E13
    Nov 12, 2025 · 18 min

    Stablecoin Payments for Brokers | Jonathan Cumberlidge

    Lovely listener, share with us your thoughts! How brokers are using stablecoin payments and blockchain infrastructure to solve liquidity management, instant settlement, and margin call challenges in 2025. Jonathan Cumberlidge, Co-Founder & CEO of Sintvia, reveals how blockchain technology is transforming broker payments, treasury management, and institutional asset movement. Discover how CFD brokers and financial institutions are implementing stablecoin settlement, tokenization, and hybrid fiat-crypto systems to bridge traditional finance with digital asset infrastructure. 📌 KEY TOPICS & TIMESTAMPS 0:00 Introduction 6:52 How Sintvia helps brokers move assets from customers to counterparties using blockchain 8:56 How regulations and compliance are impacting asset digitalization 12:05 Trust is the most important factor when dealing in financial services 16:31 How blockchain will reshape the institutional payments landscape over the next five years 🎤 GUEST Jonathan Cumberlidge — Co-Founder & CEO at Sintvia, bringing nearly 20 years of traditional finance experience to blockchain-powered broker infrastructure. He's pioneering the integration of stablecoins, fiat rails, and digital asset settlement for CFD brokers and financial institutions worldwide. 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-cumberlidge-b927731a #StablecoinPayments #BlockchainFinance #BrokerTech #TreasuryManagement #FintechInnovation 🎙️ Subscribe for weekly episodes on fintech, AI, and innovation 🌐 Website: https://curiositycodepodcast.com/ 📱 Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/akhomyakov/ 🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/curiosity-code 🍎 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/the-curiosity-code-podcast/id1748596092

  • S3 · E12
    Oct 29, 2025 · 38 min

    Smart Contract Security Mistakes | João Andrade

    Lovely listener, share with us your thoughts! João Andrade, Head of Cybersecurity at Hacken, reveals the costly smart contract vulnerabilities and blockchain security mistakes that have drained millions from Web3 projects. Learn how MiCA and DORA regulations are reshaping crypto compliance and why prevention-first security frameworks matter more than ever. João shares his 12-year blockchain journey from accidentally mining Bitcoin in 2012 (and losing 5 BTC) to building enterprise-grade security and compliance frameworks for decentralized systems. This deep dive covers smart contract attack surfaces, the difference between startup and enterprise security approaches, real-world asset tokenization reality checks, and how aviation safety principles apply to blockchain cybersecurity. ⏱️ KEY TOPICS & TIMESTAMPS 0:00 Introduction 4:08 At what point did you realize that crypto is becoming more than a hobby 7:18 What are the biggest milestones or growing pains in the cryptocurrency industry today 14:05 Security is the biggest concern for Hacken. It's our biggest concern 18:15 Joao has worked in startups and large scale organizations on security issues 23:32 I'd like to get your take on what's happening with regulations regarding cryptocurrencies 27:07 Another topic I'd like to get your opinion on is real world asset tokenization 33:06 Being a pilot impacts your perspective on security and cybersecurity and blockchain 35:27 Alex says he has some advice for people in 2012 about bitcoin mining 👤 ABOUT THE GUEST João Andrade is Head of Cybersecurity & Compliance at Hacken, a blockchain security veteran since 2012, and a licensed pilot. He brings over a decade of experience helping shape blockchain compliance frameworks and securing decentralized systems across Europe and the U.S. Connect with João on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joaoblockandrade/ #BlockchainSecurity #SmartContractSecurity #CryptoRegulation #Web3Cybersecurity #FintechPodcast 🎙️ Subscribe for weekly episodes on fintech, AI, and innovation 🌐 Website: https://curiositycodepodcast.com/ 📱 Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/akhomyakov/ 🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/curiosity-code 🍎 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/the-curiosity-code-podcast/id1748596092

  • S3 · E11
    Oct 21, 2025 · 26 min

    Stablecoins & DeFi: Banking's Future | Elena Shiltseva

    Lovely listener, share with us your thoughts! DeFi is reshaping how money moves across borders — without banks. Elena Shiltseva, Web3 & Fintech CPO who raised $9M+ in token sales, explains how decentralized finance, stablecoins, and blockchain will transform banking in the next decade. Discover why DeFi is more than crypto speculation, how stablecoins drive real-world adoption for freelancers and businesses, and what happens when code replaces traditional financial intermediaries. Elena shares ground-level insights on self-custody, CBDCs, algorithmic stablecoins, and the invisible infrastructure making borderless payments possible today. 🕐 KEY TOPICS & TIMESTAMPS 0:00 Introduction 2:26 DeFi is the short for decentralized finance — What it really means 12:58 Stablecoins: The bridge between crypto and everyday finance 20:00 How blockchain will change finance for the average person in 10 years 25:43 Making DeFi clear: Practical takeaways for founders and builders 👤 GUEST Elena Shiltseva is a Web3 & Fintech CPO and advisor with product leadership experience at Rarible and Tinkoff. She has helped raise over $9M in token sales and advises startups on decentralized finance, tokenomics, and Web3 product strategy. 🔗 linkedin.com/in/elenashiltseva #DeFi #Stablecoins #DecentralizedFinance #FintechInnovation #Web3 🎙️ Subscribe for weekly episodes on fintech, AI, and innovation 🌐 Website: https://curiositycodepodcast.com/ 📱 Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/akhomyakov/ 🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/curiosity-code 🍎 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/the-curiosity-code-podcast/id1748596092

  • S3 · E10
    Oct 1, 2025 · 26 min

    AI in Fintech Hiring: Compliance Talent Crisis | Owen Dearn

    Lovely listener, share with us your thoughts! AI is transforming fintech hiring—but not in the way you think. Owen Dearn, founder of Find and fintech talent strategist, reveals why compliance and risk roles are the biggest bottleneck for startups, how AI is eliminating junior positions, and why human trust still matters more than automation. Discover the hidden talent crisis facing fintech companies, the rise of "AI gatekeepers" in every role, and which jobs will survive the automation wave. If you're building a fintech company, scaling a team, or navigating AI transformation, this conversation reveals what really matters when regulation, compliance, and artificial intelligence collide. 📌 KEY TOPICS & TIMESTAMPS 0:00 Introduction 2:15 The biggest issue facing fintech startups right now is compliance and risk talent 5:47 Traditional first line defense roles are increasingly becoming automated 15:05 Let's talk about the hiring process. I've seen many founders eager to use AI 20:28 Mind says AI may create new jobs but humans will remain central to business 👤 GUEST Owen Dearn is the founder of Find, a specialized talent firm focused on fintech, payments, and Web3. He works with some of the world's fastest-growing financial technology companies to solve critical hiring challenges in compliance, risk, and technical roles. Connect with Owen on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/owendearn/ 🎙️ Subscribe for weekly episodes on fintech, AI, and innovation 🌐 Website: https://curiositycodepodcast.com/ 📱 Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/akhomyakov/ 🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/curiosity-code 🍎 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/the-curiosity-code-podcast/id1748596092 #FintechHiring #AIinFintech #ComplianceTalent #FintechRecruitment #FutureOfWork 🎙️ Subscribe for weekly episodes on fintech, AI, and innovation 🌐 Website: https://curiositycodepodcast.com/ 📱 Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/akhomyakov/ 🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/curiosity-code 🍎 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/the-curiosity-code-podcast/id1748596092

  • S3 · E9
    Oct 1, 2025 · 38 min

    Human AI Collaboration: 5 Pillars Framework | Manuj

    Lovely listener, share with us your thoughts! AI adoption fails when companies focus only on technology. Manuj Aggarwal shares his 5-pillar framework for aligning AI with human potential, enterprise adoption strategies, and the skills that will matter most in an AI-first world. From earning $2 a day in India to advising Fortune 500 companies, Manuj Aggarwal (AI Pioneer & Founder of TetraNoodle Technologies) reveals why most enterprises miss AI's real value, how startups can compete without massive budgets, and which human skills will become irreplaceable as AI handles coding and driving. 📍 KEY TOPICS & TIMESTAMPS 0:00 Introduction 11:35 Relationships: Why most people fail to cultivate meaningful connections 17:16 Enterprise AI adoption: Where big companies go wrong 26:18 AI bias, governance & regulation: Optimism vs concern 31:00 Doing less, achieving more: The productivity paradox with AI 35:24 Essential skills to thrive in an AI-driven future 💡 WHAT YOU'LL LEARN — The Digital Twin Framework: 5 pillars for personal and professional growth with AI — Enterprise AI mistakes that waste millions and how to avoid them — Startup strategies for competing against big tech in narrow AI niches — Why emotional intelligence and creativity will outlast technical skills — The next 10 years of human-AI collaboration and what disappears first — Daily practices for mindset and productivity in an AI-accelerated world — How AI bias and regulation will shape innovation vs. safety balance 👤 ABOUT OUR GUEST Manuj Aggarwal is an AI Pioneer, Entrepreneur, and Founder of TetraNoodle Technologies. He advises Fortune 500 companies on AI strategy and has built a career bridging deep technology with human development, mindset, and innovation. Connect with Manuj on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/manujaggarwal/ #AIAdoption #EnterpriseAI #FutureOfWork #AIStrategy #DigitalTransformation 🎙️ Subscribe for weekly episodes on fintech, AI, and innovation 🌐 Website: https://curiositycodepodcast.com/ 📱 Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/akhomyakov/ 🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/curiosity-code 🍎 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/the-curiosity-code-podcast/id1748596092

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