OnlyFintechs

Klarna is bringing its Premium and Max membership tiers to the United States – but cana paid rewards program really compete in the most aggressive credit card market in the world?In this episode of the Only Fintechs Podcast, we unpack EMARKETER’s analysis ofKlarna’s premium membership launch and what it means for US consumers, banks, and BNPL players.

On paper, Klarna’s offer looks compelling: cash back, travel protections, lifestyle perks, and no need torun up credit card debt. But in practice, the numbers may not add up when compared withfee-free US cashback cards and rich rewards programs from major issuers.

• What Klarna’s new Premium and Max plans actually include – perks, pricing, and benefits
• How its cashback rates and annual costs stack up against leading US credit cards
• Why US consumer behavior around rewards and travel cards is a tough hurdle for Klarna
• Whether Klarna’s success in Europe can realistically translate to the US market
• How this move fits into the broader BNPL vs. credit card battle
• What this experiment signals about the future of membership-based financial services

If you’re watching the arms race between BNPL, neobanks, and traditional card issuers, this breakdown ofKlarna’s US premium push is essential listening.

Hit play to find out whether Klarna’s premium membership is a smart alternative – or an expensive bet in theUS credit card rewards war.

Airwallex just raised $330 million in Series G funding, boosting its valuation to$8 billion and putting even more pressure on traditional global banks and payment networks.In this episode of the Only Fintechs Podcast, we break down how Airwallex plans to use thiswar chest to scale globally, double down on AI, and build what CEO Jack Zhang calls a“borderless, real-time, and intelligent” financial platform.

From cross-border payments to treasury and banking-as-a-service, Airwallex is positioning itself as theoperating system for global money movement – and its new push into the U.S. is a big part of that story.

• What the latest Series G round and $8B valuation signal about investor confidence
• Details on the company’s San Francisco dual global headquarters and U.S. expansion strategy
• How Airwallex plans a $1B+ investment in U.S. operations between 2026–2029
• Why its platform vision goes beyond payments to include banking, treasury, and FX
• The role of AI agents in building a fully “autonomous finance department” for businesses
• What this means for banks, PSPs, and founders building in global finance and cross-border commerce

If you care about the future of global payments, AI in finance, and cross-border fintech infrastructure,this deep dive into Airwallex’s strategy is a must-listen.

Tune in to learn how one of the world’s most valuable private fintechs is trying to redefine global finance in the AI era.

In 2025, US consumers aren’t just “using” fintech anymore – they’re demanding it. In this episode of theOnly Fintechs Podcast, we break down Plaid’s latest research onThe Fintech Effect and how it’s reshaping expectations for banks, neobanks, and money apps.

From open banking to AI money co-pilots, consumers now expect their financial apps to be secure, always-on,and deeply connected – and they’re willing to switch providers if those expectations aren’t met.

• Why comfort with fintech and data sharing is at an all-time high – but only when trust, encryption, and clear policies are in place
• How users now see apps as a financial co-pilot, not just a transaction ledger
• The rise of in-app financial education and personalized guidance as must-have features
• Why open banking and seamless connectivity are table stakes in 2025
• How pay-by-bank and alternative payments are moving into the mainstream
• Where AI-powered financial experiences are headed – and what guardrails consumers expect

If you’re building a bank, fintech app, or embedded finance product, this conversation is a cheat sheet for whatUS consumers actually want in 2025 – and what will make them walk away.

Hit play to learn how to turn your product into the trusted money co-pilot your customers are now expecting.

Square (Block) just changed the game for online commerce. In this episode of the Only Fintechs Podcast,we break down how Square’s new Bitcoin payments platform lets millions of U.S. merchants accept BTCover the Lightning Network with zero processing fees until 2027.

This is more than just another “we now take crypto” headline. It could be the start of a serious challenge totraditional card processors and cross-border payment rails.

• How Square’s Lightning-powered checkout actually works at the point of sale and online
• Why near-instant settlement and no fees until 2027 matter for merchant margins
• The choice to keep revenue in Bitcoin or auto-convert to fiat for treasury management
• What this means for Visa, Mastercard, Stripe, PayPal, and legacy processors
• The hidden risks: BTC price volatility, tax treatment, and evolving crypto compliance rules
• How Bitcoin + Lightning could reshape cross-border payments and global e-commerce

If you’re a founder, operator, or merchant trying to understand whether Bitcoin payments via Lightningare finally ready for prime time, this episode is your playbook.

Hit play and decide for yourself: is this the moment Bitcoin becomes a real payment rail for everyday commerce?

Klarna stunned the entire fintech world by announcing KlarnaUSD, its first-ever stablecoin—built on Tempo, the new payments blockchain co-founded by Stripe and Paradigm.

This episode breaks down why this move is massive:

• The stablecoin market now processes $27 trillion a year

• Cross-border payments rack up $120B+ in fees Klarna wants to eliminate

• Over 114M customers suddenly have a crypto-ready pathway

• Stripe’s Bridge and Tempo may become the new payment rails

• KlarnaUSD is on testnet now with a public mainnet launch expected in 2026

If you care about payments, stablecoins, cross-border remittances, or the next great fintech shake-up… this episode is required listening.

Listen now and see why Klarna’s move could pressure Visa, Mastercard, Western Union, and the entire cross-border ecosystem.

The future of money is here—and it doesn’t involve your bank. In this episode, we uncover how the rise of crypto wallets is transforming what it means to “have an account.” Traditional banks hold your money as a liability and control your access through slow rails like ACH, while digital wallets give you direct power over your assets with instant, on-chain transactions.

• Why banks fear crypto wallets and what this shift means for your savings
• Custody vs. control: who really owns your funds?
• Security myths: passwords can reset—private keys can’t
• Programmable money: how instant settlement changes global finance

Listen now to learn why the next generation of banking won’t be about accounts—it’ll be about infrastructure, keys, and total financial freedom.

Discover how Zelle’s leap into stablecoins could redefine global payments. In this episode, we break down how major U.S. banks plan to take Zelle international, the role of blockchain in speeding up cross-border transfers, and what it means for fintech rivals like Revolut and Wise. Tap in to explore the future of money movement, and why traditional banking may never look the same again.

The Fed’s AI Warning: What It Means for Your Bank, Your Data, and Your Money

Think your bank is using AI to serve you better? It is. But according to the Fed, that could come with real risks.In this episode, we break down Vice Chair Michael Barr’s April 2025 speech about how banks are starting to rely on generative AI—and why the Fed is concerned about

your privacy, your trust, and your dollars

• How your bank might be using GenAI to make decisions about you
• The hidden risks in AI-generated financial advice, fraud detection, and customer service
• Why the Fed is calling for stricter guardrails to protect your data

🎧 If you use a bank (and who doesn’t), you’ll want to understand how the AI behind the scenes could impact your financial future.

Fixing Cross-Border Payouts: How Worldpay and BVNK Use Stablecoins to Slash Costs and Settlement Times

Global businesses face a broken system when sending money internationally: high fees, long settlement windows, and opaque intermediaries. In this episode we dive into how Worldpay and BVNK are solving this with a powerful new integration.

• Learn how stablecoins are transforming payouts in over 180 markets
• Understand how Worldpay’s clients can now access near-instant settlement without touching crypto
• Hear why platforms like gig marketplaces and digital creators stand to benefit the most

This is the infrastructure shift that could redefine global B2B and platform payouts. Tune in and get ahead of what’s coming.

Kraken's xStocks: Tokenizing Apple, Tesla & Nvidia for Global 24/7 Trading

In this episode we delve into Kraken's groundbreaking initiative to offer tokenized versions of major U.S. stocks, including Apple, Tesla, and Nvidia, to international investors. These digital tokens, known as "xStocks," will operate on the Solana blockchain, providing 24/7 trading access outside the U.S.

• Explore how xStocks aim to democratize access to U.S. equities for global investors.
• Understand the role of blockchain in facilitating seamless and cost-effective trading.
• Discuss the regulatory landscape and Kraken's approach to compliance in various jurisdictions.

Join us as we unpack the implications of this move for the future of global stock trading and the integration of traditional finance with blockchain technology.