FinTech @ IU

We talk about how AI is being used across the industry from roboadvisors to algorithms improving loans faster and more accurately than human underwriters. We discuss the collaboration premium, whether or not you would trust AI with your own money, problems AI might create, and the trust dilemma: At what point in a financial decision would you personally stop trusting AI output and demand a human?...

Institutional tokenization in private markets has exploded in scale, but the biggest promise driving institutional adoption remains largely theoretical. While billions of dollars of assets have been brought on-chain, most tokenized RWA tokens show thin secondary markets and low trading volumes. Moreover, the illiquidity that tokenization promises to eliminate may actually be a feature private mark...

In this episode, we talk about how Iran has moved billions through the global financial system despite decades of US sanctions. We dig into why sanctions keep failing, the role cryptocurrency plays, how evasions work through shell entities and front companies as well as the role other countries play in the mechanics of how the money moves. If you have ever wondered how a country cut off from the g...

Michael Burry, known for predicting the 2008 housing crash, has taken massive put positions against major AI stocks like Nvidia and Palantir, signaling his belief that the AI sector is in a valuation bubble. He argues that AI-driven companies are overstating earnings by using unrealistically long depreciation schedules for rapidly aging AI hardware, creating an accounting distortion that inflates...

In this episode, we talk with Sam Lewis, CEO of Fruitful, about why traditional banks and wealth managers fail people in their 20s–40s — and how Fruitful is rebuilding financial planning with a human + AI “money system.” Sam explains why budgets fail, why money is still a taboo topic, and how behavioral coaching combined with automation helps members break emotional spending habits and finally mak...

In this kickoff to the 2025–26 season, Eric and Elijah unpack the boom—and backlash—around Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL). From viral memes about financing hot dogs to real concerns about “invisible debt,” they trace how BNPL morphed from an inclusion play for thin-file borrowers into a system that can nudge impulsive spending. The conversation hits consumer psychology hard: why splitting payments feel...

Julian Kwan is a Singapore-based entrepreneur specializing in blockchain, fintech, and security tokenization. He is the co-founder & CEO of InvestaX and IX Swap, two platforms revolutionizing real-world asset (RWA) tokenization.

In this episode, we sit down with Doug Ricket, founder and CEO of Page Joy, a fintech company providing smartphone financing and credit solutions to underbanked consumers in emerging markets. Doug shares his journey from Silicon Valley to the Peace Corps in Africa, how his experiences shaped his passion for financial inclusion, and the challenges of scaling across different regions. We also dive i...

We sit down with Mariela Hunter, a seasoned professional with nearly 15 years in financial services focusing on strategy, innovation, and fintech partnerships. Mariela shares her insights on the transformative role of AI agents in the industry, emphasizing not just the efficiency they bring but also their potential to empower rather than replace human teams. She delves into the challenges and oppo...

Gary Hoberman, CEO and founder of Unqork, introduces himself as someone who spent 25 years climbing the corporate ladder on Wall Street before founding Unqork. He explains his transition from a corporate career to founding Unqork in 2017. Holderman discusses the challenges he faced in the corporate world, particularly regarding legacy software and technical debt, which led him to create Unqork. He...

Tarang Gupta, current associate at BCG and former Wharton FinTech podcast co-host discusses fintech development comparisons in countries like the US and India, emphasizing regulatory disparities and consumer profiles. The conversation also touches on the evolution of the fintech industry, particularly in response to Federal Reserve interest rate changes, and the potential role of AI in improving e...

Yan Wu, co-founder of Embedded.dev and Bond Financial Technologies as well as former VP Head of Data at SoFi shares his journey from engineering to fintech. We talk all things BNPL, how these innovations are transforming Black Friday shopping as well as what went into building Bond, which he sold in June 2023. Yan delves into Bond's mission to streamline financial services for developers through m...

Matt West, founder of Zenios discusses the challenges and opportunities in the fintech industry. They delve into the complexities of regulatory compliance, particularly in the context of partnerships between fintech firms and banks, amidst a crackdown on fintech-bank relationships. The conversation touches on market trends, potential recession impacts, and the evolving landscape of buy now, pay la...

Greg Palmer is the host of the Finovate Podcast and head strategist for the Finovate conference series. With years of experience in the fintech space, Greg has worked with thousands of people on how to best market their companies to a wide variety of audiences, including Venture Capitalists, Bankers, and Analysts. In this episode, Greg shares his insights on BNPL, the future of Fintech, bank failu...

In this Episode, Pranav Barthwal shares insights into his experiences at American Express, the evolution of the card industry in India, and the challenges and opportunities in the financial services sector. The discussion also delves into the intricacies of Earned Wage Access, workforce management, and the impact of economic factors on India's market, providing a comprehensive overview of the dyna...

Ohad Samet is the co-founder of TrueML Products, a company that specializes in building intelligent communications platforms. Ohad obtained his undergraduate degree in biology and philosophy from Tel Aviv University. In this episode, Ohad discusses the evolution of artificial intelligence, its impact on decision-making, and the nuances of data cleansing, providing valuable insights for both fintec...

Ras Asan is a founder and fintech pioneer, who, despite being featured in top-tier media like CNN, New York Times, and Inc. magazine, faced burnout at the pinnacle of their career. They're the founder of "Heal Thy Hustle," a holistic wellness brand dedicated to empowering professionals to achieve equilibrium through self-help resources, life coaching, and wellness workshops, with a current focus o...

Gary Hoberman, CEO and founder of Unqork, recounts his transition from a 25-year career on Wall Street to entrepreneurship with Unqork in 2017. Reflecting on his experience in capital markets and trading systems, Holderman highlights the inefficiencies of traditional software development, where a significant budget is consumed by maintaining legacy systems. He emphasizes the need for software that...

In this episode of the Fintech at IU podcast, Phin Upham, founding partner at Haymaker Ventures, discusses his venture capital experience and insights into investing in young founders. He explores the fintech space, focusing on the impact of market fluctuations and the evolution of BNPL services. Phin highlights the significance of AI in financial decision-making and the necessity of offering cons...

In this episode of the Fintech at IU podcast, Jan Smith, a strategic advisor at H2O Capital Innovation, shares his extensive experience in fintech, strategy consulting, and M&A advisory. He discusses the importance of mentorship, early entrepreneurship, and the unique challenges and opportunities within the Latin American fintech landscape, highlighting differences in regulatory environments a...

Aaron Smith, co-founder of Savi, discusses innovative solutions in student loan management and strategies for financial empowerment in academia. Discover Savvy's role in transforming financial decisions for students and graduates in this insightful discussion on FinTech's impact on education.  00:00 - 00:03: Introduction to the podcast and discussion on university cost decisions and student loan a...

In this episode, Joshuah Lebacq, Principal of VC at the National Bank of Canada, discusses venture capital in fintech, emphasizing the key characteristics of successful startups and the importance of strong leadership and company culture. We discuss corporate governance, with a focus on the challenges of board responsibilities and decision-making, particularly in cases of CEO removal, using OpenAI...

In this episode, Erin Papworth, CEO and co-founder of Nav.it, delves into the intricate relationship between financial health and behavioral science. She shares her unique journey from working on significant projects in Africa to spearheading innovations in fintech, focusing on the impact of financial education and services on behavioral change. The discussion also highlights the future of fintech...

Jesse Greif, COO at OneChronos, Ex Goldman Sachs, discusses topics ranging from startup culture challenges to the intricacies of optimizing trading execution for institutional clients. We discuss the expansion of OneChronos, emphasizing the significance of hiring decisions, managing financial resources, and encouraging calculated risks in the dynamic startup environment. The discussion further ext...

Jamie Finn, Co-Founder and President of Securitize, discusses a range of fintech topics from the evolution of blockchain technology and the complexities of cryptocurrency scams, to the importance of investor diligence in the current crypto climate. The episode explores Securitize's growth, highlighting the challenges and successes in the blockchain space, and the crucial role of strategic decision...