Curiosity Code Podcast

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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/alexkhomyakov/
🎧 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

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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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AI is transforming expert networks—but the human element still defines success. Daniel Entrup, expert network veteran and strategist, reveals what technology can't replace and how to build trust-driven marketplaces that blend automation with relationship management.

From fraud prevention to AI coaching for analysts, this episode explores the invisible infrastructure behind professional knowledge sharing. Learn why early automation failed, how data gaps hold back AI adoption, and which use cases will reshape the industry in the next 5 years.

📍 KEY TOPICS & TIMESTAMPS
0:00 Introduction
3:26 Data management service purpose-built for knowledge networks
6:40 Why experts aren't always "expert experts" in traditional networks
10:11 How expert networks identify the right candidates for project requests
14:51 Why recruiting and executive search markets are ripe for AI disruption
20:18 AI applications beyond recruitment in expert networks
22:28 Voice AI conducting expert research at unprecedented scale
30:31 LinkedIn prediction: 40% of entry-level professional services jobs disappearing
36:22 Using AI to help analysts improve interviewing skills
44:04 Building a brand new expert network from scratch today

👤 GUEST
Daniel Entrup is an expert network leader and strategist with extensive experience building technology-driven knowledge marketplaces. He specializes in balancing automation with human-centered client service in two-sided professional networks.

Connect with Daniel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielentrup/

#ExpertNetworks #AIinBusiness #FutureOfWork #ProfessionalServices #KnowledgeWork

🎙️ 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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AI in financial services isn't failing because of the technology—it's failing because of integration, data challenges, and legacy infrastructure that nobody wants to replace. Matt Gosden reveals what truly blocks AI adoption in pensions and wealth management.

Matt Gosden—strategist, enterprise architect, and advisor on AI in highly regulated financial services—joins Alex Khomyakov to explore why meaningful innovation in pensions and wealth requires more than just new technology. Discover how AI-driven customer guidance (not advice) can prevent costly mistakes, why agent-ready infrastructure matters now, and what the industry would look like if redesigned from scratch today.

📍 What You'll Learn:
0:00 Introduction
3:04 Why AI companies carry heavy technical debt from legacy systems that still work
6:11 Hypothetical providers that could overtake the traditional pension industry
9:58 Responsible rollout of AI in financial services and regulatory challenges
14:46 When AI responds to users: managing accuracy and trust issues
17:48 The critical difference between AI guidance vs. financial advice
26:06 Overlooked innovation opportunities in pensions and wealth space
28:39 Redesigning pensions and long-term investments from the ground up
34:40 Closing thoughts and key takeaways

👤 About Matt Gosden:
Matt Gosden is a strategist and enterprise architect specializing in AI, data, and innovation within financial services. He advises regulated institutions on responsible AI implementation, modernizing legacy infrastructure, and building agent-ready systems for the future of wealth and pensions.
Connect with Matt on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-gosden-ins/

#AIinFinance #WealthManagement #PensionInnovation #FinTech #GenAI

🎙️ 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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Digital identity will matter more than money itself. David Birch, author and fintech futurist, explains why reputation economies, AI-to-AI payments, and smart wallets controlled by bots are reshaping the financial infrastructure—and why most people are looking at the wrong signals.

In this episode of Curiosity Code, host Alex Khomyakov sits down with David G.W. Birch to explore the unseen forces driving the future of finance. We go beyond payments and blockchain hype to examine the foundational shifts: identity as commerce infrastructure, the twilight of traditional money, and what happens when AIs start transacting with each other.

📌 KEY TOPICS & TIMESTAMPS

0:00 — Introduction: Trust, Infrastructure & the Future of Money
4:47 — Will We Ever Have Universally Trusted Digital Identity Infrastructure?
7:25 — The Biggest Myths About Money in the Digital Age
14:55 — Why AI-to-AI Payments Are Using Stablecoins Now
19:51 — Can Regulation Be Both Innovation-Friendly and Resilient to Crime?
22:41 — Societal Implications of Fintech: Privacy, Surveillance & AI Agency
25:38 — The Future Isn't a Single Currency: What Comes Next?

We cover:
→ Identity as the foundation of future commerce and reputation economies
→ Why smart wallets are designed for bots, not humans
→ The critical difference between CBDCs and stablecoins (and why it matters)
→ How central banks could design resilient, inclusive digital money systems
→ Zero-knowledge infrastructure and why most regulation debates miss the point
→ The ethical evolution from surveillance capitalism to AI-driven financial agency
→ AI as a strategic event horizon for financial services

👤 ABOUT THE GUEST

David G.W. Birch is an internationally recognized keynote speaker, author, advisor, and commentator on digital financial services. He's co-author of "Money in the Metaverse" and has spent decades advising central banks, fintech startups, and financial institutions on the future of money, identity, and digital infrastructure.

Connect with David on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dgwbirch

#Fintech #DigitalIdentity #AIPayments #CBDCs #Stablecoins

🎙️ 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