In this episode of Risk and Reason, Eli Wachs sits down with Ethan Singleton, Partner at FS Vector, to talk about what it really takes to launch and scale fintech products in today's regulatory environment. Drawing on years advising both banks and fintechs — from HSBC to FS Vector's build-focused advisory practice — Ethan shares how AI is reshaping compliance operations, where stablecoins actually have legs, and why the best fintechs plan far beyond their first product.

Chapters

(0:00) Fintech Risk Without the Headache

(1:05) From HSBC to FS Vector: Ethan's Path to Fintech Consulting

(4:07) The FS Vector Origin Story

(7:45) Why Culture Matters in Compliance

(10:51) AI in Compliance: Buy vs. Build

(17:16) Hot Takes: Column, Cross River, and Bank-Fintech Tech Stacks

(23:28) Stablecoins: What's Real and What's Smoke

(29:48) Advice for Fintechs and Banks: Plan Beyond Your First Product

Follow Ethan Singleton

 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ethan-singleton-esq/

Follow Eli Wachs
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eliwachs/

Check out Footprint
https://www.onefootprint.com

Footprint is an AI-native platform powering identity verification, fraud prevention, and AI fincrimes agents for banks and fintechs.