Fintech Business Podcast

A deep dive into Bilt’s troubled migration between banking partners and why the switch caused declines, freezes and payout failures. A look at how rewards mechanics were rewritten and hardcore points fans reacted. A broader conversation about the graduation problem in banking-as-a-service and how charters, M&A and deposit strategies reshape fintech partnerships. Coverage of New York’s sweeping financial data rights proposal.

In this episode, I had the chance to chat with Tyler Allen, the chief operating offier at Unit21. We had the chance to discuss:* How fintech, financial crimes compliance, and software engineering have evolved since Tyler joined Unit21 back in 2019* The limitations of addressing compliance challenges by throwing bodies at them* How regulators are thinking about agentic AI* What an AI-first approach to compliance looks like* And much more! Get full access to Fintech Business Weekly at fintechbusinessweekly.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, I had the chance to chat with S.P. “Wije” Wijegoonaratna, the cofounder and CEO of Aliya Financial Technologies. We had the chance to discuss:* The challenges different segments of consumer lenders are facing today* How AI-powered infrastructure is fundamentally reshaping how financial institutions think about making decisions* How Aliya is thinking about its go-to-market approach* How Aliya can help banks improve their returns* What folks who have never worked in lending through a true credit cycle/recession should know* And much more! Get full access to Fintech Business Weekly at fintechbusinessweekly.substack.com/subscribe

Discussion of Block’s plan to sell its proprietary Cash App credit score and how first‑party data changes lending dynamics. A dive into the resurgence of no‑KYC crypto cards and the operational tricks that enable them. Examination of stablecoin infrastructure derisking and deep vendor risks in crypto stacks. Debate over prediction market regulation and rising political and ethical concerns.

Matt Marcus, CEO and cofounder of Modern Treasury, builds payments infrastructure and ledgers. Matt Janiga, lead counsel, brings payments regulation and compliance expertise. They discuss Modern Treasury’s new integrated PSP, payment orchestration and who benefits, and the rising use cases and regulatory approach to stablecoins. Short, fast onboarding plus compliance is a recurring theme.

A lively rundown of a fictional bank scandal inspired by real neobank dramas and short-seller tactics. A deep dive into crypto market structure fights, stablecoin yield debates, and industry messaging wars. Discussion of charter strategies as fintechs chase deposits and regulatory optionality. Corporate moves like Capital One buying Brex and a bizarre fintech lawsuit round out the highlights.

In this engaging conversation, Peter Piatetsky, co-founder and CEO of Castellum.AI—an expert in AI-driven financial compliance—discusses the transformative power of agentic AI in AML/KYC workflows. He outlines how compliance leaders can effectively evaluate these solutions and the importance of integrating them with legacy systems. Peter emphasizes the role of regulators in fostering innovation while ensuring safety and the critical need for proper model governance. He predicts that agents will revolutionize compliance teams by streamlining processes and enhancing human oversight.

Alex Johnson, a savvy fintech commentator from Fintech Takes, dives into the captivating story of Kontigo, a fintech service supporting Venezuelans amidst severe economic turmoil. They unpack the nuances of anti-money laundering versus sanctions, and why stablecoin services matter. The discussion includes the complex infrastructure behind Kontigo, the accountability (or lack thereof) of service providers, and the geopolitics tied to crypto. Alex warns about rapid growth often hinting at financial mischief, all while maintaining a light-hearted tone.

In this year-end episode, Alex and I took a look back at major themes and stories from 2025 and look ahead to 2026. We had the chance to discuss:* The major shifts in the US banking regulatory landscape* The explosive growth of interest in stablecoins* Open banking’s setbacks* Why everything seems to be gambling now* Fintech IPOs* Our predictions for 2026, such as they are* And, as always, what we just can’t let go of Get full access to Fintech Business Weekly at fintechbusinessweekly.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, Alex and I had the chance to discuss:* The latest developments in the “do over” of the CFPB’s open banking rule* Apple’s fledgling Digital ID* Green Dot going private* And, as always, what Alex and I just can’t let go of Get full access to Fintech Business Weekly at fintechbusinessweekly.substack.com/subscribe