The Signal: Untangling B2B Payments: Why Complexity Persists & How to Fix It with Fauwaz Hussain, Global Payments | Episode...
In this episode, Fauwaz Hussain, Senior Director of B2B Partnerships and Strategy at Global Payments, breaks down why B2B payment processes remain tangled and how companies can streamline them. He highlights the friction points of card‑not‑present transactions, partial shipments, and manual reconciliation, then shows how embedding payments directly into ERP systems eliminates re‑keying errors, aligns finance, sales, and support, and strengthens security. Practical fixes include self‑serve portals, one‑click payment links, stored credentials for auto‑pay, and supporting multiple payment methods from ACH to virtual cards. Hussain also looks ahead to AI‑driven cash application, predictive delinquency alerts, and API‑first architectures that create a unified payment fabric.
Transak - The Crypto On-Ramp
In this episode, Andy Werner, VP of Partnerships and Strategy at Transak, discusses how the company builds the compliance and payments infrastructure that powers fiat‑to‑crypto on‑ramps for hundreds of platforms. He explains the evolving role of stablecoins as practical, programmable...
Rebuilding Global Payments with Stablecoins | Circle & USDC with Nikhil Chandhok
In this episode, Nikhil Chandhok, Circle’s Chief Product & Technology Officer, explains how USDC is evolving from a digital dollar into a global payments network. He covers its role in driving economic inclusion, enabling internet‑scale programmable payments, and supporting emerging...
Weekly Roundup 02/06/26 (Bitcoin Bloodbath, Digesting Epstein's Emails, Ethereum Rethinks L2s) (EP.699)
In this episode Matt and Nic dissect a turbulent week in crypto, covering Bitcoin’s sharp price drop and the fallout from leaked Jeffrey Epstein emails that hint at possible influence on Bitcoin development. They note Tether trading at a slight...
From 70 Hours to Minutes: Vestwell CEO Aaron Schumm on Simplifying and Automating Savings
In this episode, Vestwell CEO Aaron Schumm explains how America's savings system is broken, recounting his own frustrating experience setting up a 401(k) that sparked Vestwell's creation. He details how Vestwell has streamlined retirement plan setup from 40‑70 hours to...
The Myth of the “Most Used” Blockchain | The Breakdown
The episode challenges the hype around being the "most used" blockchain by dissecting the metrics that compare Solana and Ethereum, revealing how usage, revenue, and adoption are often misinterpreted. It highlights that no single chain can dominate every use case,...
Fintech Recap: Shorting Tender, Crypto Market Structure & More
In this Fintech Recap episode, Jason Mikula and Alex Johnson dissect the latest fintech headlines, from the dark banking drama portrayed in HBO's "Industry" to Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong's unexpected pullback on crypto market‑structure legislation. They evaluate the potential impact...
EP1 - Bitcoin Before Maximalism: The Experiments We Forgot.
In this debut episode, the hosts revisit Bitcoin’s early experimental era (2012‑2014), highlighting projects like Colored Coins, Mastercoin, Counterparty’s NFTs, and the Lightning Network. Guests JR Willett, Matt Luongo, Yoni Assia, Adam Krellenstein, and Elizabeth Stark discuss how these innovations...
2026 Capital Markets Forecast: Non-Agency Growth, Pricing Certainty, and the New Mortgage Playbook
In this episode, host Michael Hammond talks with Eloise Schmitz, CEO and Co‑Founder of LoanNEX, about the rapid growth of non‑agency mortgage originations and how pricing certainty is becoming a competitive edge. Schmitz explains that non‑agency volume has doubled year‑over‑year,...
The Signal: What's New for Platforms & Payments Featuring Matt Downs of Global Payments | Episode 463
In this episode, Matt Downs, President of Integrated and Platforms at Global Payments, discusses the major shifts in platform payments as the industry heads toward 2026, emphasizing that payments have become a growth engine rather than a mere feature. He...
$200 Trillion at Risk: The New Threat to Banking
In this episode of Banking Transformed, Jim Marous convenes a roster of banking innovators to discuss how generative AI, digital‑first experiences, and platform‑based models are reshaping the industry amid a looming $200 trillion risk to traditional banks. Guests such as Abbas...
What’s Driving the Rapid Growth in ACH Payments
In this episode, Michael Herd of Nacha and analyst Ben Danner discuss the surge in ACH payments, highlighting a 4.9% rise in transaction volume and a 7.9% jump in value in 2025, driven largely by B2B use cases and the...
Why Small Businesses Fail: The Cash Flow Problem Nobody Talks About
In this episode, host Tedd Huff talks with Ariel Blum of Receive and Bo Jiang of Lithic about how fintech infrastructure can give small businesses instant, interest‑free access to the revenue they’ve already earned, bypassing the delays of legacy banking. They explain...
Why OG DeFi Failed | Kain Warwick, Founder of Synthetix
In this episode of The Defiant, Kain Warwick—founder of Synthetix and Infinex—dissects why early DeFi projects faltered, pinpointing poor user experience and token distribution as the real bottlenecks rather than decentralization itself. He explains the controversial INX token sale, the...
Weekly Roundup 01/30/26 (Fidelity's FIDD, Gold Rally, Worldcoin and AI Bots, Digital Alibis) (EP. 698)
Matt and Nic dissect the week’s crypto headlines, spotlighting Fidelity’s launch of the FIDD stablecoin on Ethereum and the Senate Agriculture Committee’s approval of new market‑structure legislation. They debate the macro impact of stablecoins on bank deposits, note Tether’s surge...
Why the Future of Financial Fraud Prevention Is Passwordless
In this episode, Dr. Adam Lowe of CompoSecure/Arculus and fraud analyst Suzanne Sando discuss the surge in AI‑driven financial fraud and why traditional passwords are no longer sufficient. They highlight how retailers like eBay and Amazon are moving to password‑less...
#513: Sun Raghupathi, CEO of Veda, on Consumer-Grade DeFi, Vaults, Onchain Yield, and The Future of RWAs
In this episode Sun Raghupathi, CEO of Veda, explains how DeFi vaults work and why on‑chain yield is becoming a core use‑case for crypto users. He outlines Veda’s cross‑chain architecture, its focus on consumer‑grade products, and the challenges facing current...
Veera - The OnChain Neobank
In this episode, Andy interviews SB, the CEO and co‑founder of Veera, about building a true on‑chain neobank that prioritises user experience over yield. SB explains Veera’s product‑led approach to simplify crypto for everyday users, using passkeys, abstracted onboarding, and...
MORPHO Price Targets You NEED To See
The episode examines Morpho, a decentralized lending protocol that is emerging as the core infrastructure for the crypto credit market, distinguishing itself from more well-known platforms like Aave and Compound. It highlights Morpho's "universal backend" technology, which is already integrated...
Accelerating Disaster Response with GiveDirectly's Nick Allardice - Ep. 287
In this episode, Nick Allardice, President and CEO of GiveDirectly, discusses how his organization leverages AI, mobile money, and satellite imagery to deliver cash assistance to people affected by disasters, often within days. He explains AI-driven flood forecasting in regions...
The Future of Hardware and Software Integration - Rand Hindi | ATC #596
In this episode, Stephen Sargeant interviews Rand Hindi, CEO of Zama, about the company's work on Fully Homomorphic Encryption (FHE) for Web3. They explore how FHE enables confidential transactions on public blockchains such as Ethereum and Solana without sacrificing security...
Market Structure Thaw as Stablecoin Fight Intensifies
The episode examines the renewed momentum behind the stalled crypto market structure bill, highlighting behind‑the‑scenes negotiations in the Senate Agriculture Committee and the political trade‑offs shaping its next markup. It delves into why stablecoin yield remains the chief obstacle, despite...
Institutional Capital and the Next Phase of On-Chain Finance with Andy Kangpan of Metalayer
In this episode, Andy Kangpan, Partner at Metalayer, discusses how institutional capital is shaping the next phase of on‑chain finance, emphasizing the need for robust, regulated‑grade infrastructure. He explains Metalayer’s investment thesis, focusing on seed and early‑stage companies that bridge...
The Secrets to Successful Payment Implementations
In this episode, host Paul McMeekin interviews Solitaire Moffett, Director of Implementations at Bottomline, about best practices for smooth payment system rollouts. She emphasizes early stakeholder engagement, thorough preparation, and clear communication to avoid common pitfalls such as testing fatigue...
2025 a Tipping Point: GENIUS, $308B Stablecoins, XRP & NFT Wins, Circle IPO
In this episode, Tedd Huff and legal expert Robert Musiala dissect how 2025 became a watershed year for crypto regulation, highlighting the SEC’s reversal on securities classification, the rapid passage of the Genius Act, and the surge of stablecoins to...
The Evolution of Direct Debit
In this episode, host Mike Chambers sits down with Richard Ransom of Bottomline and Mike Hutchinson of The Regular Payments Marketing Company to trace the half‑century history of direct debit, examining current transaction volumes, value trends, and the evolving supply...
Bitcoin Meets Davos
In this 8‑minute episode, Brian Armstrong brings Bitcoin to the World Economic Forum, detailing his meetings with European officials, former President Trump, and White House staff about crypto legislation. He explains the mounting pressure to finalize a market‑structure bill and...
Technology Meets Trust: The Real Role of Digital Banking, with Frank Hopkins.
In this episode, host Josh DeTar talks with Frank Hopkins, founder and CEO of Hopkins Leadership, about how community banks can stay relevant amid rapid technological change and competition from larger institutions. Hopkins emphasizes that a bank’s true advantage lies...
Utah's Hidden Fintech Powerhouse: Ryan Christiansen on Building Bridges Between Academia and Industry
In this episode, Ryan Christiansen recounts his journey from managing credit portfolios during the 2008 crisis to pioneering open‑banking platforms at Finicity and now leading the University of Utah’s Fintech Center. He explains the Center’s multidisciplinary model that blends business,...
Why Data-Driven Marketing Fails in Banking
In this episode of Banking Transformed, Jim Marous and a panel of senior banking leaders dissect why data‑driven marketing often falls short in the banking sector. They reveal that siloed data, over‑reliance on vanity metrics, and a lack of real‑time...
Afshin Yazdian, CEO of Kurv | Episode 459
In this episode, Afshin Yazdian, CEO of Kurv, discusses how his company transformed a legacy payments business into a streamlined, SMB‑focused platform by eliminating friction, offering transparent pricing, and prioritizing human‑centered service. He shares his unconventional journey from law to...
Fintech Recap: Kontig-Uh-Oh. Are Stablecoins Speed Running BaaS?
In this bonus Fintech Recap episode, Jason and Alex Johnson dissect the controversial rise of Kontigo, a Y Combinator- and Coinbase-backed startup accused of facilitating sanctions evasion. They clarify AML versus sanctions, detail Kontigo's retail service and the hidden role...
Weekly Roundup 01/16/26 (CLARITY Problems, InfoFi Dead, CA Wealth Tax, Kontigo) (EP.696)
Matt Walsh and Nic Carter recap the week’s blockchain headlines, noting the delayed markup of the Clarity market‑structure bill and Coinbase’s withdrawal of support amid bank lobby pressure. They flag Kontigo’s alleged sanctions‑evasion issues and X’s API change that blocks...
The Embedded Tax Revolution: Ben Borodach, CEO of April, on Building Tax Infrastructure From Scratch
In this episode, Ben Borodach, founder and CEO of april, explains how his company built the first nationally licensed tax engine in over 15 years to embed real‑time tax intelligence into banking, fintech, and payroll platforms. He discusses the technical...
#509: Nic Roberts-Huntley, CEO of Blueprint Finance, on DeFi’s Next Frontier, Institutional Yield Generation, and Crypto Vaults
In this episode, Nic Roberts-Huntley, a former surgeon turned DeFi entrepreneur, explains how institutional yield generation is poised to become crypto's next growth engine, highlighting Blueprint Finance's Concrete and Glow protocols that offer institutional-grade earning, borrowing, protection, and advanced trading...
AI Predictions for 2026 — Agentic Browsers, In-Chat Purchases, and What Marketers Should Actually Prepare For
In this episode, Paul and Martin forecast AI’s impact on marketing for 2026, highlighting the imminent launch of Google’s Gemini‑powered agentic Chrome, the rise of in‑chat purchasing via protocols like Google Agent Payments and Microsoft Copilot Checkout, and the emergence...
Decentralized Wallets for Business Payments - Yolanda Liu | ATC #594
In this episode, host Stephen Sargeant talks with Pay Protocol co‑founder Yolanda Liu about the rise of decentralized, self‑custodial wallets for business payments. Liu explains how Pay Protocol tackles high gas fees and security concerns while enabling merchants to accept...
How AI Is Revolutionizing Mortgage Servicing | Trina, ICE Mortgage Technology | FinTech Hunting Podcast
In this episode, Michael Hammond talks with Trina, Senior Director of Servicing Product Strategy at ICE Mortgage Technology, about how AI is reshaping mortgage servicing. She explains that tools such as call prediction, note summarization, chatbots, and intelligent virtual agents...
Daren Guo, Co-Founder of Reap, on Building Stablecoin-Powered Infrastructure for Global Finance
In this episode, Daren Guo, co‑founder of Reap, discusses how stablecoins are evolving from faster cross‑border payments into the backbone of a tokenized financial system, enabling on‑chain FX, securities, and novel products like payroll streaming. He shares his journey from...
THE SIGNAL: Payments as the Small Business OS with US Bank's Shruti Patel | Episode 456
In this episode, Shruti Patel, U.S. Bank's Chief Product Officer for Business Banking, discusses how small businesses are navigating optimism and pressure from inflation and supply‑chain issues, emphasizing the need for working capital and lower operating costs. She outlines U.S....
Ep 272- 645 Ventures Managing Partner Nnamdi Okike
In this episode, Nnamdi Okike, co‑founder and managing partner of 645 Ventures, discusses the current AI hype cycle and its implications for fintech startups, emphasizing the need to differentiate genuine innovation from hype. He offers practical advice for fintech founders...
How ETFs Inform the Next Phase of Tokenized Finance with Janus Henderson
In this episode, Nick Cherney, Head of Innovation at Janus Henderson, discusses how ETFs serve as a blueprint for the next wave of tokenized finance, highlighting the practical benefits of on-chain infrastructure for both DeFi-native demand and traditional investment products....
High-Tech, Low-Touch Failure: How Banks Can Fix the Experience Gap
The episode examines why banks are falling short in delivering seamless, human‑centric experiences despite heavy tech investment, highlighting the "experience gap" between high‑tech tools and low‑touch service. It underscores the need for banks to adopt a customer‑first mindset, leverage generative...
How the Stablecoin Milkshake Will Redollarize the World | Brent Johnson
In this episode, Brent Johnson revisits his Dollar Milkshake Theory, arguing that while de‑dollarization narratives gain traction, the Eurodollar system and debt dynamics will ultimately pull demand back to the U.S. dollar, especially as sovereign debt crises trigger political instability....
ROLLUP: Silver Parabolic | Aave Civil War | Uniswap Unifies | New CFTC Chair | Bitcoin Vs. Quantum
David Hoffman and Anthony Sassano discuss the surge in precious metals and the S&P, highlighting silver's 10x potential and bullish market sentiment. They examine Aave's internal governance clash over fee structures, celebrate Uniswap's successful protocol unification, and note the appointment...
Why BofA Is Betting on Branches
In this episode, Jim Marous explores why Bank of America is reinvesting in its physical branch network, arguing that branches remain vital for building trust, delivering complex services, and gathering real‑time customer insights in an increasingly digital world. He highlights...
What Makes a Great Crypto Wallet? - Jamie Elkaleh | ATC #592
In this episode, Stephen Sargeant interviews Jamie Elkaleh, CMO of Bitget Wallet, to explore what defines a great crypto wallet, covering technical metrics like TVL, investor protection, and compliance across jurisdictions. Jamie shares his transition from sports analytics to Web3...
The Banking Growth Opportunity Banks Keep Missing
The episode explores why banks consistently miss growth opportunities, emphasizing that true expansion comes from dynamic co‑creation, AI‑driven marketing, and seamless digital experiences rather than size alone. Guests highlight how generative AI can boost efficiency, personalization, and fraud mitigation, while...
Darragh Buckley, CEO of Increase, on Building the Next Generation of Banking Infrastructure
Darragh Buckley, former Stripe employee #1 and now CEO of Increase, explains how his experience scaling Stripe’s payments infrastructure inspired him to build a new fintech layer that connects directly to the Federal Reserve via its own banking core, exposing...
12 Big Crypto Predictions for 2026 | Ryan & David
Ryan and David dissect the top 2026 crypto forecasts from major firms, highlighting a consensus that stablecoins will become genuine payment rails and tokenization will move beyond pilots to mainstream use. They anticipate a surge in crypto ETFs expanding institutional...