Welcome back to the Fintech Takes podcast. I’m Alex Johnson, joined by Matthew Goldman — Totavi founder, serial fintech builder (Wallaby, Vertical), ex-Bankrate, and still rocking 30 credit cards.

We cover a lot of ground in this episode, but if there’s a through-line, it’s this: premium cards are evolving into subscription bundles, fintechs are embedding loyalty into everyday local spend, and crypto is making a broader push into full-service financial platforms.

We kick things off with the Chase Sapphire Reserve $795 price hike (and why Chase wants you to downgrade). Then we get into Bilt — aptly described by Matthew as the fintech playing chess while the rest of us are still playing checkers. And finally, we dive into Coinbase’s new Amex card and the rise of membership-powered ecosystems.

Highlights include:

-Why Chase Sapphire Reserve rewards are the Disneyland of personal finance

-The hidden genius of Bilt’s wedge strategy (spoiler: it’s not just the rent rewards)

-What crypto reward cards reveal about financial fandom and the economics of loyalty

Whether you’re a points junkie, an operator, or just curious why your airport lounge is so crowded … this one’s for you.

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