Leaders in Payments
Afshin Yazdian, CEO of Kurv | Episode 459
Leaders in Payments
•January 20, 2026•26 min
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Leaders in Payments•Jan 20, 2026
Why It Matters
Simplifying payments and enhancing security are critical for small businesses striving to compete in a digital economy, and Kurv’s approach offers a replicable blueprint for reducing operational complexity and risk. As AI‑driven fraud grows, understanding how fintechs balance automation with human support provides timely insights for anyone building or using payment solutions.
Key Takeaways
- •Curve transformed a lifestyle payments business into scalable platform.
- •Simplicity and customer experience drive Curve’s competitive edge.
- •Omni‑channel and tap‑to‑pay solutions fuel Curve’s growth.
- •AI enhances underwriting, fraud detection, and operational efficiency.
- •Private‑equity backing enabled rapid modernization and 10x application growth.
Pulse Analysis
In Episode 459, Afshin Yazdian recounts his journey from law school to leading Curve, the rebranded successor of EMS. After turning around multiple payment firms—including iPayment, Synergy Data, and Paysafe—Yazdian leveraged private‑equity capital to acquire EMS and reshape it into a high‑growth, technology‑focused platform. The rapid modernization effort, which replaced legacy teams with a new management structure, resulted in a ten‑fold increase in merchant applications within 18 months, positioning Curve as a forward‑looking player in the fragmented payments ecosystem.
Curve’s core differentiation rests on two mantras: simplicity and customer experience. By streamlining onboarding, offering transparent pricing, and building self‑service tools, the company removes the friction that often plagues small‑business owners. A dedicated ISO agent channel, inside sales, and direct retail outreach broaden its reach across SMBs, while an AI‑driven underwriting and fraud‑prevention engine safeguards both merchants and the platform. These initiatives reflect a broader industry shift where payments are no longer a commodity but a service that must be intuitive, reliable, and supportive of the entire stakeholder ecosystem—including employees and vendors.
Looking ahead, Yazdian highlights omni‑channel expansion and real‑time payments as the next growth frontiers. Curve’s new CurvePay app enables tap‑to‑pay on mobile devices, empowering field‑service reps and hybrid retailers to accept payments anywhere. Coupled with AI‑enhanced fraud detection and faster settlement cycles, these capabilities address the accelerating demand for speed and security in the SMB market. Success, according to Yazdian, will be measured by sustained profitability, recurring revenue, and a reputation that makes stakeholders proud to wear the Curve brand. The strategic blend of private‑equity backing, technology investment, and a relentless focus on simplicity positions Curve to capture a larger slice of the evolving payments landscape.
Episode Description
Payments shouldn’t feel like a maze. We sit down with Kurv’s CEO, Afshin Yazdian, to unpack how a legacy “lifestyle business” evolved into a modern payments platform by stripping out friction, investing in human-centered service, and doubling down on tools that make small businesses stronger. From tap-to-pay on everyday smartphones to faster access to funds, the strategy centers on clarity and speed so owners can focus on sales, staff, and customers - not statements and support tickets.
Afshin walks us through his unconventional path from law to leading roles at iPayment, Priority, and Paysafe before acquiring and rebranding EMS as Kurv. He shares what it took to rebuild operations, unify a new leadership team, and scale applications and activations nearly 10x in 18 months. We explore why transparent pricing, intuitive onboarding, and self-service matter just as much as getting a live expert on the phone, and how that blend becomes a moat in a commoditized market.
We also dig into the high-stakes frontier of AI and fraud. With more digital leads and synthetic identities hitting underwriting queues, Kurv deploys machine learning to protect onboarding and e-commerce merchants while preserving approval rates. Add in real-time payments for better cash flow and a truly omnichannel approach - retail, field services, and online and you’ve got a playbook for SMB payments that is powerful without being complicated. Along the way, Afshin makes a strong case for culture as strategy: communicate clearly, care for people, and let that pride carry through every interaction.
If you’re building, selling, or relying on payments, this conversation will leave you with practical ideas for simplifying workflows, reducing risk, and earning loyalty.
Show Notes
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