Interview: Aliya’s CEO and Co-Founder, SP “Wije” Wijegoonaratna

Exclusive: Neobank Current Raises $80M Series E

In this episode, I had the exclusive chance to chat with Current’s [https://current.com/] CEO Stuart Sopp and CTO Trevor Marshall on the company’s $80 million Series E, led by Springcoast Partners, announced [https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/current-secures-80-million-series-e-at-1-5-billion-valuation-following-third-consecutive-year-of-70-growth-302797260.html] earlier today. We also discussed: * Current’s expanded product suite and impressive 70% growth for the third year in a row * The role AI has played across the company’s business and how Stu and Trevor think about cost discipline and “return on tokens” * Current’s expanded financing facility with bank partner Cross River and General Catalyst * How Stu and Trevor think about the latest wave of foreign fintechs entering the U.S. * How the “K-shaped” economy and renewed inflation are impacting everyday American consumers * And on building a sustainable business that’s ready for the public markets Get full access to Fintech Business Weekly at fintechbusinessweekly.substack.com/subscribe [https://fintechbusinessweekly.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

Fintech Recap: Everyone Wants To Be A Bank

In this episode, Alex and I had the chance to discuss: * Why seemingly every bank, crypto, and stablecoin company wants to become a bank (and what it could mean for their valuations) * A return to BaaS Island: CFSB’s consent order, and how it compares to those of other fintech partner banks * President Trump’s fintech- and banking-related executive orders * 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 [https://fintechbusinessweekly.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

Interview: zerohash's Founder & CEO Edward Woodford

In this episode, I had the chance to chat with Edward Woodford [https://www.linkedin.com/in/edwardwoodford/], the founder and CEO of crypto, stablecoin, and tokenization infrastructure platform zerohash [https://zerohash.com/]. Edward and I had the chance to talk about: * Why zerohash is applying for a national trust bank charter * How the CLARITY Act (crypto market structure legislation) may impact the U.S. crypto industry * What Edward is hearing from non-financial industry execs about crypto, stablecoins, tokenization, and blockchain * Thinking about crypto as an “asset class” vs. crypto as “software” * The potential synergies between crypto/stablecoins and AI agents * What keeps Edward up at night and what he’s most excited about * And much more! Get full access to Fintech Business Weekly at fintechbusinessweekly.substack.com/subscribe [https://fintechbusinessweekly.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

Interview: Knot CEO Rory O'Reilly

In this episode, I had the chance to chat with merchant connectivity platform Knot’s [https://www.knotapi.com/] cofounder and CEO Rory O’Reilly [https://www.linkedin.com/in/rory-oreilly/]. Rory and I had the chance to discuss: * Rory dropping out of Harvard to start his first company * How Knot became the industry’s go-to solution for card switching * Expanding from its initial card switching product to building the merchant connnectivity layer, and how Knot complements other core fintech infrastructure * Hitting a 100 million API call per month milestone * Knot’s international expansion to Canada and Latin America * And much more! Get full access to Fintech Business Weekly at fintechbusinessweekly.substack.com/subscribe [https://fintechbusinessweekly.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

Fintech Recap: Is AI the Unlock PFM Has Been Waiting For?

In this episode, Alex and I had the chance to discuss: * If there’s one idea fintech founders can’t quit, it’s solving personal financial management. There’s a new wave of AI-powered tools. But can they solve some of the fundamental challenges that have prevented a breakout company from emerging in the category? * Bolt, the one-click checkout turned financial “super app,” is in headlines, again, with further layoffs and as it struggles to pay its vendors. Why Americans don’t really want a “super app.” * Congress actually tries to legislate: the bipartisan PACE Act could offer a pathway for non-banks to have direct access to payment rails. But, even if it were to become law (a big if), as a layer on top of existing requirements and at a time when getting a bank charter seems easier than ever, is the PACE Act fit for purpose? Get full access to Fintech Business Weekly at fintechbusinessweekly.substack.com/subscribe [https://fintechbusinessweekly.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]