In this episode, host Steven Bunker speaks with Ted, founder and CEO of Valere, a fintech advisory firm, about the evolution of financial technology, the rise of agentic commerce, and how businesses can navigate an increasingly complex payments ecosystem. The conversation centers on how fintech innovation, regulatory dynamics, and AI-driven transactions are reshaping money movement and decision-making.

What You’ll Learn

• How fintech evolved from traditional banking infrastructure into a user-experience-driven layer powered by APIs and mobile technology
• Why most successful fintech companies specialize in narrow parts of the financial value chain rather than trying to do everything
• The growing importance of direct relationships with banks, regulators, and payment networks for scaling fintech companies
• How real-time payments, stablecoins, and new rails are transforming cross-border money movement
• Why advisory firms that execute alongside clients create more value than traditional consultants
• How agentic AI is beginning to influence commerce, including autonomous purchasing and predictive transactions
• The shift from credit scores to behavioral data like cash flow and “propensity to pay” in financial decision-making
• Why regulatory constraints can act as productive guardrails that help businesses move faster and avoid costly mistakes

This conversation highlights a major inflection point in fintech, where rapid technological advancement is colliding with regulatory uncertainty and new AI-driven behaviors. Ted emphasizes that while the landscape is complex and constantly shifting, those who embrace structured experimentation, leverage expertise, and build within clear guardrails will be best positioned to capitalize on emerging opportunities in payments and commerce.

To learn more about Ted and their work, visit Valereadvisory.com.