Curiosity Code Podcast

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AI in banking is reshaping everything from customer experience to compliance. Fintech leader Krista Griggs reveals why the future isn't about neobanks vs legacy banks—it's about convergence, distributed trust, and building innovation cultures that scale.

Krista has guided top banks, fintechs, and global technology teams through complex digital transformations. As a Top 100 Woman in FinTech, she's led internet banking innovations, regulatory change programs, and built cultures of fearless experimentation at the intersection of payments, AI, and compliance.

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS

0:00 Introduction
7:06 AI in banking: GenAI and agentic AI use cases reshaping the industry
11:48 Payments landscape trends: stablecoins, DLT, and AI-powered purchasing
14:23 Future of digital banking: what will drive the next wave of innovation
19:58 Top 100 Woman in FinTech recognition and leading innovation culture
23:03 Advice for budding fintech leaders entering the space
26:12 Rebuilding banking on distributed trust: Krista's vision for the future

🎯 KEY TOPICS COVERED

— How legacy banks and fintechs are converging in the new financial landscape
— GenAI reshaping consumer interaction and back-office automation
— Compliance vs innovation: scaling both simultaneously in banking
— Payments evolution: stablecoins, distributed ledger technology, platform economy
— The flywheel of fintech innovation and navigating regulatory hurdles
— Women in fintech: opportunities, responsibilities, and leadership
— Distributed trust as the foundation for rebuilding modern banking
— Building innovation cultures across financial services organizations

👤 ABOUT THE GUEST

Krista Griggs is Global Account Director at GFT Technologies and a recognized Top 100 Woman in FinTech. She specializes in guiding banks, fintechs, and technology teams through digital transformation, regulatory compliance, and innovation strategy.

Connect with Krista on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/krista-griggs/

#Fintech #AIinBanking #DigitalBanking #PaymentsInnovation #BankingTransformation

🎙️ 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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Tokenization isn't just digitizing assets—and most projects fail because they ignore the fundamentals. Karl Schlegel, strategic advisor in asset tokenization and digital infrastructure, reveals why dirty data, fragile trust models, and siloed blockchains are killing real-world asset projects before they scale.

Learn the difference between tokenization and digitization, why proof-of-reserve isn't enough, and where real innovation will happen in the next 24 months—from gold and energy tokenization to AI-powered verification systems.

⏱️ Key Topics & Timestamps:
0:00 Introduction to Karl Schlegel and why tokenization projects are failing
4:14 Tokenization of in-ground gold: real case study and commodity lessons
12:09 Challenges preventing blockchain from scaling across applications
16:46 How close are we to full digitization of real-world assets?
24:11 Proof of Reserve vs Proof of Verification: what's the difference?
30:29 Industry power shifts as blockchain deploys into conventional processes
36:05 Common misconceptions about tokenization still ignored in pitch decks
40:09 Where real innovation will show up in tech, regulation, and business models

👤 About Our Guest:
Karl G. Schlegel is a strategic advisor specializing in asset tokenization, emerging tech, and digital infrastructure. He has advised billion-dollar ventures, led cross-border M&A, and shaped policy conversations with the Federal Reserve on blockchain and real-world asset digitization.

Connect with Karl on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karlschlegel/

#Tokenization #RealWorldAssets #Blockchain #Fintech #AssetTokenization

🎙️ 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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Most fintech startups fail from internal misalignment—not competition. Former fintech product leader Maribeth Martorana reveals the hidden patterns that kill good ideas: strategy drift, misaligned teams, bloated MVPs, and data ignored as an asset.

Discover why fintechs burn capital solving the wrong problems, how AI hype masks alignment issues, and the real difference between agile rituals and agile culture. If your startup moves fast but feels misaligned, this is your diagnosis.

👇 KEY TOPICS & TIMESTAMPS
0:00 Introduction: Bridging Vision and Execution in Fintech
5:39 Coaching Teams Through Messy Growth Phases
10:57 When Founders Over-Control Product Without Losing Strategy
15:01 Building True Agile Teams in Large Organizations
17:25 Learning as the Core of Agile Product Development
21:11 Data Strategy: Monetizing Data as a Product Asset
24:50 The Formula: Data + AI + UX = Value in Fintech
26:50 Governance in AI: Where It Fits in the Value Formula
30:09 The Most Underused Metric in Product Strategy

🎤 ABOUT THE GUEST
Maribeth Martorana is Founder & CEO of Sapient Advisors and Strategic Advisor at Spatial Risk Systems. She has led product strategy at early-stage and scaling fintechs, specializing in aligning vision with execution and building data-driven product cultures.

🔗 Connect: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maribeth-martorana/

#FintechStartups #ProductStrategy #AgileTransformation #DataStrategy #StartupFailure

🎙️ 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 risks, artificial intelligence threats, and risks of AI in finance are evolving faster than regulation can catch up. In this episode of The Curiosity Code, we explore the hidden flaws in AI monitoring, the systemic cracks in artificial intelligence risk & governance, and the fast-rising use of AI in financial crime networks.

Joining us are Dr. Edgar Lopez Rojas, founder of Revizor, and Valery Chua, an advocate of ethical AI, who expose the blind trust placed in AI systems and the invisible biases shaping critical decisions in fraud detection, KYC, and AML.

#airisks #DangerOfAI #financialcrime  #fintechpodcast #AIMonitoring #FinCrime #AICompliance #RiskArtificialIntelligence #FinancialFraud #aiinfinance 


👇 Chapters & Timestamps

00:00 – Intro: The Real Risk of AI
01:33 – Meet Edgar & Valery: Fighting Fin Crime with AI
03:42 – The Invisible Bias Threat in Financial Data
05:37 – Trusting AI Without Context: A Dangerous Game
08:38 – Ethical Shortcuts in AI POCs
11:06 – Compliance vs Innovation in Financial AI
15:39 – What's Missing in Today’s AI Monitoring Tech
17:46 – FCA, EU AI Act & The Compliance Wave
20:41 – Proactive vs Reactive AI Governance
24:30 – Cultural Resistance to Real-Time AI Monitoring
27:21 – AI Misuse and Reputational Risk in Banking
29:26 – Can Anyone Keep Up with AI Speed?
34:56 – AI & Synthetic Identity Fraud: New Frontlines
36:26 – Cracks in AI Model Validation
40:00 – Data Entropy, Quality & Model Hallucinations
43:18 – Solving Bias Requires a Community Effort
47:13 – Join the Ethical AI Movement

💥 If you're involved in fintech, GRC, or innovation teams, this episode is a must-watch. Understand how financial fraud, security fraud, and AI-powered deception are forcing firms to rethink their compliance strategies.

Our guests:
Edgar Lopez-Rojas, CEO & Founder at RevAIsor
https://www.linkedin.com/in/edgar-lopez-rojas/

Valerie Chua, Head of Business Development at RevAIsor
https://www.linkedin.com/in/valeriechuauk/

🎙️ 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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Burning cash, poor risk management, and weak strategies around enterprise risk management - they're the real reasons why so many promising startups fail quietly. In the NEW season of The Curiosity Code from London, we speak with fintech board advisor Stephane Malrait (ex-JPMorgan, ING, SocGen) to expose overconfidence, cash burn, and poor risk handling.

You'll hear hard-earned lessons from inside the boardrooms and trenches on how calculating cash burn wrong can destroy momentum, why risk mgmt is more than compliance, and how to scale fintech without losing your edge. Stephane shares thoughtful stories of costly product failures, misaligned teams, and how founders underestimate the complexity of risk and management in scaling environments.

#BurningCash #riskmanagement #RiskMgmt #RiskAndRiskManagement #RiskAndManagement #RiskHandling #StartupRiskMgmt #fintechpodcast 

00:00 – Intro
02:11 – Meet Stephane: Fintech Insider & Risk Expert
03:33 – Why Great Ideas Fail Without Execution
05:56 – Risk Management Starts with Execution
11:06 – Burning Cash Too Fast? Here’s What Happens Next
13:28 – Scaling Chaos: Risk Handling Mistakes That Break Startups
17:25 – The Lonely CEO: When Risk Becomes Personal
23:22 – A $2M Mistake in Enterprise Risk Management
29:52 – Failing Fast vs Failing Late: The Real Startup Choice
34:00 – Why Digital Transformations Really Fail (and How to Fix Them)
42:42 –Why Nimble Fintechs Beat Slow Giants
51:08 – GenAI Blind Spots in Enterprise Risk Management
54:40 – Data Overload = Risk? The Fintech Data Trap
56:47 – Wrap-up: Key Lessons in Risk, Scale & Strategy

What’s the biggest risk you’ve taken in your startup — and did it pay off or burn out?
Drop your story in the comments!

🎙️ 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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Is UK fintech in decline, or is this just the beginning of a new wave of innovation? In this episode of The Curiosity Code, we’re joined by Veronica Maria Glab, a fintech strategist and former Head of Partnerships at Innovate Finance, to uncover the real story behind the recent drop in VC investment in UK fintech and what’s next for the ecosystem.

👉 If you're interested in UK fintech trends 2025, global fintech investment, or the impact of AI and crypto in finance, this episode is for you. Veronica shares exclusive insights from her time producing the UK’s most trusted fintech investment report—a report that’s even made it to 10 Downing Street.

We talk about:
• What caused the UK fintech funding drop in 2022 and 2023
• How Fintech 3.0 is reshaping the financial services world
• The role of regulation vs innovation in the UK, US, and Middle East
• Why wealthtech and embedded finance are quietly booming
• What VCs really look for in 2024-2025
• How the UK compares globally in fintech performance

Whether you're a founder, investor, policymaker, or fintech fan, this deep dive into the UK fintech landscape will help you understand where the market is heading and how to stay ahead of the curve.

00:00 - Intro: live from Lisbon
02:00 - UK Fintech history: From 1800s to Fintech 3.0
06:30 - Fintech investment peak in 2021: $106B globally
09:45 - Why VC funding in UK fintech dropped post-2022
13:30 - How UK regulation is impacting fintech startups
17:15 - Malta, crypto, and the new fintech hubs
19:30 - Global fintech: US, EU, and Middle East comparison
21:20 - Crypto, AI, and quantum: Hype vs substance
26:00 - The rise of wealth tech and new investment tools
28:50 - Founders’ guide: Surviving the 2024 fintech climate
31:10 - Breaking into fintech: events, VCs, and ecosystems
34:15 - Top fintech conferences in Europe and MENA

#UKFintech2025 #UKFintechInvestment  #FintechFundingUK #FintechInvestmentTrends #VCFundingUK #CryptoRegulationUK #WealthTechInnovation #FintechRegulation2025 #FintechVCInsights #QuantumFinance

🎙️ 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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Ready to scale your fintech globally? Avoid costly mistakes! Discover the critical red flags fintechs overlook when expanding into new markets.

Elif Kocaoglu Ulbrich, Founder of Contextual Solutions, Author,  reveals the hidden pitfalls and critical red flags that can derail international expansion. Discover why localization and understanding local culture are paramount, and learn about the regulatory hurdles in key markets like Germany and the EU. Gain insights on optimal timing for scaling, avoiding the trap of overestimating new regions, and the surprising differences between startup and corporate approaches. Plus, explore the evolving role of AI in global fintech compliance and uncover underrated factors essential for successful market entry.

00:02 - Introduction to the conversation on global fintech expansion with Elif Kocaoglu Ulbrich.
03:52 - Identifying the most overlooked factors when fintechs expand internationally.
06:03 - The discussion on balancing product localization with a global strategy.
07:57 - Insights into the most challenging and underestimated markets for fintechs.
10:44 - Determining the optimal timing for international scaling and key red flags.
13:05 - Comparing global expansion approaches of startups and established financial institutions.
15:28 - Uncovering potentially overlooked markets for fintech growth.
18:26 - Exploring underrated factors that can significantly impact market entry.
21:49 - Examining the role of AI-driven compliance tools in international fintech expansion.

Check out this comprehensive guide to navigating the complexities of global fintech expansion!

Elif has kindly offered free resources on the European and German markets, including studies and checklists, to assist companies with their expansion plans. You can find the links below:

https://www.contextualsolutions.de/german-market-checklist

https://www.contextualsolutions.de/fintech-publications-legaltech/the-german-banking-and-fintech-market-2025

#FintechGlobalExpansion #FintechExpansion #GermanyFintechEntry #LessonsonMarketEntry #GlobalScaling #FintechMistakes #MarketEntryStrategy  #HiddenMarketOpportunities 

🎙️ 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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Can you believe insurance could be fast? Discover how AI in insurance, insurance automation, and digital transformation in insurance are changing the industry! Join us as we speak with Parul Kaul Green, a leading expert in the field, about the future of insurance, including AI underwriting and faster insurance claims. Learn how efficient insurance powered by AI is becoming a reality.

Discover the advancements in AI underwriting, the potential for faster insurance claims, and the overall future of insurance with insights from a leading expert!

#AIinInsurance #AIUnderwriting #InsuranceAutomation #ClaimsAutomation #InsureTech #FutureofInsurance #EfficientInsurance #InsuranceTrends #AIInsurance #FastInsurance #InsureTech

🎙️ 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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The Future of 401k, Retirement Saving Trends, Retirement Tech, Next Gen 401k, Secure Act, PEPs, AI in Retirement Planning are all converging to reshape how we save for our future, as explored in this insightful discussion with retirement innovation experts Will Prest and Lisa Kottler

Interested in the future of your 401k? Tap to listen about the key retirement savings trends driving change in retirement tech, including the emergence of next-gen 401k solutions and the impact of fintech retirement innovations. Understand how the Secure Act has paved the way for developments like PEPs explained in detail by Lisa Kottler. Discover the crucial role of AI in retirement planning, offering personalized strategies and efficiencies for the future. 

Will Prest https://www.linkedin.com/in/willprest/
Lisa Kottler https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-kottler/
RetireTech Map  https://www.kwpworks.com/map

#RetirementTech #FutureofRetirement #Futureof401k  #RetirementPlanning #RetirementStrategy #AIinRetirement #PEPs #SecureAct  #RetirementIncome #FinancialWellness 

🎙️ 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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Curious about how to grow your FinTech business in other countries? Learn global expansion strategies and essential steps for successful international market entry for FinTechs in this episode with Alex Romanovich, CEO and global CMO at GlobalEdgeMarkets. Drawing from his background with IBM, American Express, and as managing advisor partner at WeFound Health, Alex offers insights into the most overlooked factors determining international expansion success. Discover how FinTech's digital transformation with AI is changing expansion, alongside the critical need to navigate FinTech's regulatory compliance and understand diverse markets. Find out actionable FinTech marketing for global audiences and trust-building techniques to scale internationally. 

• Regulatory complexity is often underestimated by expanding companies
• Understanding local customer behavior crucial for both B2C and B2B fintech
• Cultural adaptation and local talent acquisition essential for market entry
• Infrastructure scalability achieved through strategic local partnerships
• Case of N26 German neobank demonstrates importance of regulatory preparation
• Trust-building through regulatory compliance and partnerships with established players
• Content personalization and localized customer experiences drive expansion success
• AI applications in fraud detection, emotion analysis, and personalized financial advice
• Personalization strategies transferable between healthcare and fintech industries
• Community-driven growth more effective than traditional brand building
• Marketing requires constant experimentation and audience segmentation

To learn more about global expansion strategies and digital transformation in the fintech space, follow the Curiosity Code Podcast.

🎙️ 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