The Fintech Blueprint

Lex chats with Richard Ma, CEO of Quantstamp -a leading blockchain security company. Richard kicks off by discussing the origins of the company and the importance of security in the blockchain space. He explains that the idea for Quantstamp came after he invested in Ethereum and witnessed the hack of the DAO, which prompted him to focus on the security side of Ethereum. Richard describes how Quantstamp conducts audits of blockchain projects, identifying vulnerabilities and providing recommendations for improvement. He emphasizes the importance of reading audit reports and understanding the risks associated with projects. Richard also discusses different types of adversaries in the blockchain space, including nation-state actors, developers seeking recognition, and financially motivated hackers. He believes that while established projects will become more secure over time, new experimental projects will always carry some level of risk. Richard suggests that AI-based debuggers could help improve security auditing in the future. He highlights EigenLayer, ZK-rollups, and the development on Solana as exciting sectors to watch in the coming years.

MENTIONED IN THE CONVERSATION

Quantstamps's Website: https://bit.ly/3Iv6zX4

Richard's LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3IvaxyO

Topics: blockchain, security, audit, hacking, hacks, crypto, cryptocurrency, digital assets, Web3, DeFi

Companies: Quantstamp, Ethereum, MakerDAO, Compound, EigenLayer

ABOUT THE FINTECH BLUEPRINT

🔥Subscribe to the Fintech Blueprint newsletter to stay at the forefront of Fintech and DeFi: https://bit.ly/3hyhlC2

🤝 Partner with Fintech Blueprint through sponsorships: https://bit.ly/3UZllsV

👉 Twitter: https://twitter.com/LexSokolin

TIMESTAMPS

1’30: From High-Frequency Trading to Fintech Innovator: The Journey to Creating Quantstamp

9’26: Demystifying the Audit Process: Inside Quantstamp's Approach to Securing Blockchain Projects

15’04: The Art and Challenge of Blockchain Audits: Navigating the Complex World of Code Review

19’37: The Nomad Hack: A Case Study in Preventability and the Importance of Diligence in Code Auditing

24’39: Web3's Adversarial Landscape: Unpacking the Motivations Behind Crypto Hacks and Security Breaches

29’13: The Ethical Dilemma of Crypto Hacking: Navigating the Fine Line Between Exploitation and Market Manipulation

34’59: Exploring the Frontier: Key Innovations Shaping the Future of Blockchain in 2024 and Beyond

36’34: The channels used to connect with Richard & learn more about Quantstamp

Disclaimer here — this newsletter does not provide investment advice and represents solely the views and opinions of FINTECH BLUEPRINT LTD.

Contributors: Lex, Laurence, Matt, Farhad, Mike, Daniella

Want to discuss? Stop by our Discord and reach out here with questions.

Lex chats with Christian Catalini, co-founder and chief strategy officer of Lightspark - a company aiming to break down global payment barriers, throwing its weight behind a new standard intended to make payments as easy as sending an email. Christian kicks off by discussing his career in blockchain and academia, as well as the challenges and opportunities in the fintech industry. He explains how he became interested in crypto through his research on crowdfunding and how he later focused on Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies. Catalini also discusses the importance of decentralized governance and the potential of Bitcoin as a global payment network. He introduces Lightspark's products, including Lightspark Predict and Universal Money Addresses (UMA), which aim to make Lightning Network more efficient and user-friendly for cross-border money movement. He emphasizes the need for compliance and regulatory clarity in the crypto industry and highlights the role of various partners in facilitating on and off-ramps between digital assets and traditional payment systems.

MENTIONED IN THE CONVERSATION

Lightspark's Website: https://bit.ly/3uQ0Nw1

Christian's LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3UVwBu3

Topics: blockchain, crypto, cryptocurrency, Bitcoin, Digital Assets, AI, cross border, payments, lightning network

Companies: Lightspark, Diem, Libra, Meta Fintech, MIT, MIT Cryptoeconomics Lab

ABOUT THE FINTECH BLUEPRINT

🔥Subscribe to the Fintech Blueprint newsletter to stay at the forefront of Fintech and DeFi: https://bit.ly/3hyhlC2

🤝 Partner with Fintech Blueprint through sponsorships: https://bit.ly/3UZllsV

👉 Twitter: https://twitter.com/LexSokolin

TIMESTAMPS

1’22: Bridging Worlds: From Academic Inquiry to Entrepreneurial Action in the Crypto and Crowdfunding Era

7’12: Innovating at the Intersection: From the Creative Destruction Lab to the Cryptoeconomics Lab at MIT

13’00: Designing Stability: The Economic Architecture and Vision Behind the Diem Experiment

18’37: Governance and Trust in Crypto: Navigating the Complex Landscape from Diem to Bitcoin

25’42: Money as a Public Good: The Evolutionary Path of Bitcoin and Digital Assets in the Global Economy

31’57: Unleashing Potential: Crypto and AI's Complementary Forces in Shaping the Future of Open Source Technology

37’02: Universal Money Addresses: Revolutionizing Global Transactions with Seamless, Compliant, and Real-Time Payments

41’31: UMA and Bitcoin: Simplifying Cross-Border Payments with a Global, Liquidity-Driven Settlement Layer

46’49: Integrating Innovations: How UMA Partners Enable Smooth Cross-Border Payments Through Bitcoin Liquidity and Local Infrastructure

50’14: The channels used to connect with Chris & learn more about Lightspark

Disclaimer here — this newsletter does not provide investment advice and represents solely the views and opinions of FINTECH BLUEPRINT LTD.

Contributors: Lex, Laurence, Matt, Farhad, Mike, Daniella

Want to discuss? Stop by our Discord and reach out here with questions.

Lex chats with Shelby Austin, co-founder and CEO of Arteria AI - Arteria AI is an AI-focused company that develops a contract lifecycle management platform for end-to-end digital contracting. Shelby kicks off by discussing her career journey and the development of her company, which focuses on solving documentation challenges in the financial services industry using artificial intelligence (AI). Shelby explains that Arteria AI uses a combination of people and technology to streamline document management processes, such as onboarding, contract generation, and data organization. The company leverages a variety of AI models, both open-source and proprietary, to analyze and generate documents. Shelby emphasizes the importance of user-centric design and practical application of AI in solving real problems for financial institutions. She also discusses the challenges and opportunities of working with large financial firms, including data security and integration with existing infrastructure.

MENTIONED IN THE CONVERSATION

Arteria AI's Website: https://bit.ly/3SLtWAr

Shelby's LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3I11568

Topics: AI, Artificial Intelligence, ChatGPT,  documentation, finance, analytics, contract processing

Companies: Arteria AI, Arteria, Deloitte, OpenAI

ABOUT THE FINTECH BLUEPRINT

🔥Subscribe to the Fintech Blueprint newsletter to stay at the forefront of Fintech and DeFi: https://bit.ly/3hyhlC2

🤝 Partner with Fintech Blueprint through sponsorships: https://bit.ly/3UZllsV

👉 Twitter: https://twitter.com/LexSokolin

TIMESTAMPS

1’23: From Law to Innovation: Shelby Austin's Journey Through Legal Grind to Tech Entrepreneurship

6’41: Digitizing Diligence: Pioneering Data Management in Legal Workflows

9’10: From Legal Documents to AI Frontiers: Navigating the Transition into Technological Leadership at Deloitte

17’27: Reimagining Documentation: The Genesis of Arteria and the Evolution of Financial Services Solutions

22’32: Simplifying Complexity: Arteria's Solutions for Streamlining Documentation and Compliance Processes

26’44: Transforming Documentation: Arteria's Multimodal Approach to Financial Services Paperwork

32’03: Crafting AI Solutions in Finance: Navigating the Landscape of Models Beyond the Hype

36’16: Building Bridges in Finance: Exploring the Complex Landscape of AI Integration with Major Financial Firms

39’25: The channels used to connect with Shelby & learn more about Arteria AI

Disclaimer here — this newsletter does not provide investment advice and represents solely the views and opinions of FINTECH BLUEPRINT LTD.

Contributors: Lex, Laurence, Matt, Farhad, Mike, Daniella

Want to discuss? Stop by our Discord and reach out here with questions.

Lex chats with Rachel Lin, the Co-Founder & CEO of SynFutures, a decentralized derivatives trading platform. Lin discusses her background in traditional finance and her transition into the fintech and cryptocurrency industry. She explains her experience working in structured derivative sales and trading at Deutsche Bank, where she interacted with clients such as hedge funds and corporates who used derivatives for speculative purposes, hedging, and arbitrage. Lin then moved to fintech company Alipay, where she learned about blockchain technology and became interested in the potential of decentralized finance. She later joined Matrixport, a centralized platform, before starting her own decentralized derivatives platform, SynFutures. Lin explains that decentralized platforms offer transparency and the ability for anyone to become a market maker or service provider, while centralized platforms require more configuration and rely on market makers. She also discusses the growth potential of decentralized derivatives and the current dominance of speculation in the crypto derivatives market. Lin believes that as digital economies grow, the usage of blockchain and derivatives for economic purposes will also increase.

MENTIONED IN THE CONVERSATION

SynFuture's Website: https://bit.ly/3OCDRaa

Topics: crypto, digital assets,  investment, blockchain, AMM, DeFi, CeFi, Liquidity, hedging, arbitrage, derivatives, perps, synthetic

Companies: Synfutures, Alipay, Matrixport, DYDX, GMX, Synthetix, Deutsche Bank, Uniswap

ABOUT THE FINTECH BLUEPRINT

🔥Subscribe to the Fintech Blueprint newsletter to stay at the forefront of Fintech and DeFi: https://bit.ly/3hyhlC2

🤝 Partner with Fintech Blueprint through sponsorships: https://bit.ly/3UZllsV

👉 Twitter: https://twitter.com/LexSokolin

TIMESTAMPS

1’23: Trading Illusions for Insights: Navigating the Complex World of Financial Derivatives

6’35: Hedging Needs vs. Market Speculation: Deciphering the Derivatives Landscape

10’54: Institutional to Retail: Transitioning Through Chinese Fintech and Cryptocurrency Markets

16’16: SynFutures: Unlocking Decentralized Derivatives Trading for All

20’54: Synthetic Derivatives and Leverage: Amplifying Trades on Decentralized Platforms

26’56: DeFi Derivatives: AMM Liquidity, Competition, and the Future of Synthetic Trading

32’13: The promise of Crypto Derivative Markets: Beyond Speculation - Hedging, Arbitrage, and the Promise of Digital Economies

35’00: The channels used to connect with Rachel & learn more about SynFutures

Disclaimer here — this newsletter does not provide investment advice and represents solely the views and opinions of FINTECH BLUEPRINT LTD.

Contributors: Lex, Laurence, Matt, Farhad, Mike, Daniella

Want to discuss? Stop by our Discord and reach out here with questions.

Lex chats with Stan Miroshnik, founder and managing partner of 10Squared Capital, discusses his early experiences in financial services and his journey into the world of digital assets and crypto. He talks about the challenges of navigating the ICO market and the importance of price discipline in investing. Miroshnik also shares his insights on the current state of the market and the opportunities he sees in sectors such as infrastructure, consumer applications, data analytics, and financial services. He also discusses the potential of security tokens and real-world asset tokenization.

MENTIONED IN THE CONVERSATION

10Squared Capital's Website: https://bit.ly/3ShddVm

Stan's LinkedIn profile: https://bit.ly/3w8kO0S

Topics: crypto, digital assets, venture capital, investment, blockchain, ICO, tokenization

Companies: TenSquared Capital, 10THoldings, 10T, 10SQ, Animoca, Coatue, Tiger, Civic

ABOUT THE FINTECH BLUEPRINT

🔥Subscribe to the Fintech Blueprint newsletter to stay at the forefront of Fintech and DeFi: https://bit.ly/3hyhlC2

🤝 Partner with Fintech Blueprint through sponsorships: https://bit.ly/3UZllsV

👉 Twitter: https://twitter.com/LexSokolin

TIMESTAMPS

1’28: Navigating the Financial Landscape: From Soviet Childhood to Blockchain Innovation

4’03: Transitioning from Soviet Roots to Global Finance: A Journey Through Capital Markets and the Emergence of Digital Assets

11’07: Emergence of Russian Capital Markets: Navigating the Complexities of Financial Evolution and Integration

15’15: Bitcoin and the Birth of a New Capital Market: Pioneering Digital Asset Investment Banking

19’13: Compliance Complexity in 2024: Navigating the Evolving Landscape of Digital Asset Regulation

23’25: Reflecting on the ICO Market: Balancing Innovation, Speculation, and the Evolution of Digital Assets

27’53: From ICOs to Institutional Investment: Charting the Evolution of Digital Asset Markets with 10T Holdings and TenSquared Capital

32’18: Assessing Growth Stage Investments in the Digital Asset Space: Navigating the Challenges of Valuation and Opportunity in 2021-2022

35’24: Identifying Emerging Leaders in Digital Assets: A Look at Key Sectors and Companies Shaping the 2024 Market Landscape

36’25: Exploring the Future of Digital Assets:  Exploring Infrastructure, Consumer Applications, and Financial Services in the Blockchain Ecosystem

43’04: The channels used to connect with Stan & learn more about TenSquared Capital

Disclaimer here — this newsletter does not provide investment advice and represents solely the views and opinions of FINTECH BLUEPRINT LTD.

Contributors: Lex, Laurence, Matt, Farhad, Mike, Daniella

Want to discuss? Stop by our Discord and reach out here with questions.

Lex chats with Jerome Le Luel, founder and CEO of TRIVER -  a London-based startup that uses open banking data and AI to provide short-term working capital to SMEs. To kick off, Jerome discusses the application of AI in fintech lending for small businesses. He explains that traditional banks have struggled to automate lending decisions for SMEs due to regulatory constraints and manual underwriting processes. However, with the emergence of open banking and the ability to access transaction-level data, fintech companies like TRIVER can use data science to automate underwriting decisions and provide instant capital to small businesses. TRIVER's platform allows SMEs to apply for short-term financing in a few clicks, using bank data and credit bureau information to make lending decisions. The capital comes from a combination of equity and debt raised by TRIVER, and the company is also exploring partnerships with non-financial institutions to embed its technology and offer instant capital to their SME clients.

MENTIONED IN THE CONVERSATION

TRIVER's Website: https://bit.ly/3OiT1RN

Jerome's LinkedIn profile: https://bit.ly/3ubNWUz

Topics: Fintech, lending, SME, SME finance, Open Banking, Underwriting, API

Companies: TRIVER, Funding Circle, Barclays, Barclaycard, Capital One

ABOUT THE FINTECH BLUEPRINT

🔥Subscribe to the Fintech Blueprint newsletter to stay at the forefront of Fintech and DeFi: https://bit.ly/3hyhlC2

🤝 Partner with Fintech Blueprint through sponsorships: https://bit.ly/3UZllsV

👉 Twitter: https://twitter.com/LexSokolin

TIMESTAMPS

1’29: From analytics to innovation: Pioneering credit card strategies in the UK with Capital One

4’13: Segmentation and innovation: How Capital One's early customer insights revolutionized consumer finance

9’19: Scaling financial services: Lessons in clarity, efficiency, and rigorous execution from Capital One's rapid growth

14’53: From challenger to major player: Navigating the shift to large-scale operations in financial services at Barclaycard

18’59: Risk management in lending: Balancing uncertainty, reward, and scaling in financial services

26’44: Innovating in Fintech: Leveraging flexibility and focus to outpace traditional banking at Funding Circle and TRIVER

31’37: Entrepreneurship and innovation: The impact of organizational culture and talent on Fintech advancements

33’53: Solving short-term SME finance challenges: TRIVER's innovative approach leveraging data science and open banking

40’23: Real-time SME underwriting: Leveraging transaction data and open banking for effective financial decisions at TRIVER

41’53: Empowering SMEs with instant capital: TRIVER's seamless integration of tech, data, and finance for efficient working capital solutions

46’02: The channels used to connect with Jerome & learn more about TRIVER

Disclaimer here — this newsletter does not provide investment advice and represents solely the views and opinions of FINTECH BLUEPRINT LTD.

Contributors: Lex, Laurence, Matt, Farhad, Mike, Daniella

Want to discuss? Stop by our Discord and reach out here with questions.

Lex chats with David Minarsch, co-founder and CEO of Valory - a team focused on providing research, products, and services at the intersection of multi-agent systems (MAS) and distributed ledger technology (DLT), one of them being Autonolas - a platform that offers an open-source software stack and an on-chain protocol, facilitating secure operations and incentivizing autonomous application development. In this episode, David discusses the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and crypto networks. He explains that Valory is focused on building autonomous systems that connect to blockchain networks. David highlights the importance of AI agents in the future, as they can specialize in different roles and provide valuable services. He also discusses the launch of the Autonolas protocol on Gnosis chain, which allows for the creation of prediction markets and the coordination of autonomous services. David believes that autonomous agents will become the primary daily active users of crypto, providing a new user experience and abstraction for humans.

MENTIONED IN THE CONVERSATION

Valory's Website: https://bit.ly/4b3xuWP

David's LinkedIn profile: https://bit.ly/3S5EF8n

Topics: DLT, Distributed ledger technology, ai, blockchain, smart contract, game theory, autonomation, DAO, generative AI, crypto, economics

Companies: Valory, Autonolas, Fetch.ai, OLAS, Gnosis, Cosmos

ABOUT THE FINTECH BLUEPRINT

🔥Subscribe to the Fintech Blueprint newsletter to stay at the forefront of Fintech and DeFi: https://bit.ly/3hyhlC2

🤝 Partner with Fintech Blueprint through sponsorships: https://bit.ly/3UZllsV

👉 Twitter: https://twitter.com/LexSokolin

TIMESTAMPS

1’34: Mathematics to Game Theory: A Journey Through Academia and the Intricacies of Human Behavior

4’03: Network Games and Equilibria: Exploring Graph Theory and Game Theory in Economics at Cambridge

7’31: Quantitative Abstractions and Intuition: Navigating the Complexity of Equilibria in Economic Systems

12’08: From Academic Theory to Real-World Application: The Impact of Crypto Networks on Economic Modeling and Experimentation

16’17: Mathematics in Governance: Transforming Data for Constituency Insights and Political Decision-Making

19’04: From Human Insights to Blockchain Innovation: The Evolution of Fetch.ai and the Role of Autonomous Agents

23’36: Defining Autonomous Agents: The Evolution and Impact of AI-Driven Software Agents in Complex Systems

30’48: Agent Ownership and Automation: Exploring the Spectrum and Implications of Autonomous AI Systems

35’16: Autonolas Protocol and Valory Launch: Revolutionizing Autonomous Services and DAO Governance on the Gnosis Chain

39’44: Governance Through AI: Understanding the Role of Autonomous Agents in DAO Decision-Making and Proposal Analysis

43’34: OLAS Protocol on Gnosis Chain: Pioneering Autonomous Agents in Prediction Markets and DAO Governance

50’15: Envisioning the Future: The Rise of Autonomous Agents and AI in Crypto and Economic Systems

55’01: The channels used to connect with David & learn more about Valory

Disclaimer here — this newsletter does not provide investment advice and represents solely the views and opinions of FINTECH BLUEPRINT LTD.

Contributors: Lex, Laurence, Matt, Farhad, Mike, Daniella

Want to discuss? Stop by our Discord and reach out here with questions.

Lex chats with Steve McLaughlin, CEO and founder of FT Partners - the premier financial technology investment bank, and Jon Lear, president and co-founder of Fintech Meetup -  the leading fintech conference in the world today. They discuss the early days of fintech, the growth and evolution of the industry, and the current market trends. They also touch on the definition of fintech and its boundaries, as well as the sectors that are seeing the most activity and opportunity in the coming year. They highlight the importance of networks, infrastructure, and emerging markets in driving innovation and growth in fintech.

MENTIONED IN THE CONVERSATION

FT Partners' Website: https://bit.ly/3vEVbEG

Fintech Meetup's Website: https://bit.ly/48Nuzji

Steve's LinkedIn profile: https://bit.ly/48P6AAm

Jon's LinkedIn profile: https://bit.ly/3Sgz7cs

Topics: fintech, finance, financial technology, Investment Banking, Blockchain, crypto, paytech, insurtech, infrastructure

Companies: FT Partners, Fintech Meetup, NASDAQ, ETrade, EarthPort, Visa, Mastercard, JP Morgan, Goldman Sachs, Stripe, Worldcoin, Intuit

ABOUT THE FINTECH BLUEPRINT

🔥Subscribe to the Fintech Blueprint newsletter to stay at the forefront of Fintech and DeFi: https://bit.ly/3hyhlC2

🤝 Partner with Fintech Blueprint through sponsorships: https://bit.ly/3UZllsV

👉 Twitter: https://twitter.com/LexSokolin

TIMESTAMPS

2’21: From Goldman Sachs to FT Partners: Steve McLaughlin's Journey Through the Evolution of Fintech

6’39: Digital Finance Evolution: Steve expands on the Enduring Impact of Early Fintech Companies

9’35: Traversing the Fintech Landscape: Jon Lear’s journey from Procter & Gamble to Fintech Entrepreneurship and Beyond

15’58: Repeating Patterns in Fintech: Exploring Persistent Challenges and Innovations in Financial Technology

20’59: Defining Fintech: Navigating the Blurred Lines of Financial Technology in Today's Evolving Market

28’57: Emerging Ecosystems: How New Technologies Reshape Traditional Financial Services and Create Unique Economic Spheres

32’56: Fintech in Focus: Insights from Fintech Meetup on Market Dynamics, Innovation, and the Shift Towards Infrastructure

36’22: Risk Assessment in Fintech: Evaluating Current Market Dynamics and Venture Capital Trends in the Financial Sector

40’36: Navigating Challenges in Fintech: The Complex Dynamics of M&A and Growth Strategies Amid Market Volatility

43’39: Emerging Trends in Fintech: Identifying Growth Opportunities and Innovations in Blockchain and Payments

45’38: Future Fintech Frontiers: Uncovering Growth Sectors and Geographical Opportunities in the Financial Industry

50’57: The channels used to connect with Jon & learn more about Fintech Meetup

51’10: The channels used to connect with Steve & learn more about FT Partners

Disclaimer here — this newsletter does not provide investment advice and represents solely the views and opinions of FINTECH BLUEPRINT LTD.

Contributors: Lex, Laurence, Matt, Farhad, Mike, Daniella

Want to discuss? Stop by our Discord and reach out here with questions.

Lex chats with Jeff Boortz, the Chief Product Officer of Blockstream. Blockstream is a company at the forefront of Bitcoin ecosystem development, and they discuss the new developments and innovations in the Bitcoin space. Boortz talks about his career background, including his time at Google, and how he transitioned to Blockstream. They also discuss the skills and differences between tech companies like Google and financial institutions when it comes to product management. Boortz explains the concept of decentralization in building software products and how it applies to Google's organizational structure. They then dive into Blockstream's core business, which includes advancing the Bitcoin protocol, building layer 2 technology like the Lightning Network, providing mining and co-location services, and developing self-custody products like wallets. They discuss the scale and usage of the Liquid Network, a sidechain implementation by Blockstream, and its potential for programmability and representing other assets. They also touch on the future of Bitcoin and the potential paths for development, particularly in the financial markets.  

MENTIONED IN THE CONVERSATION

Blockstream's Website: https://bit.ly/3tzZ2Ck

Jeff's LinkedIn profile: https://bit.ly/3tzZ3pS

Topics: Bitcoin, layer-2, blockchain, ethereum, crypto, cryptocurrency, Protocol, L2

Companies: Blockstream, Bitcoin, Lightning Network, Google, Liquid Network, Blockstream Green, Ethereum, Product

ABOUT THE FINTECH BLUEPRINT

🔥Subscribe to the Fintech Blueprint newsletter to stay at the forefront of Fintech and DeFi: https://bit.ly/3hyhlC2

🤝 Partner with Fintech Blueprint through sponsorships: https://bit.ly/3UZllsV

👉 Twitter: https://twitter.com/LexSokolin

TIMESTAMPS

1’44: From web development to Google: Jeff’s journey through technology and his evolution from software developer to shaping business strategies

6’03: Integrating tech in finance vs. core technology companies: Insights on skill sets and product development

13’17: Blockstream's mission and portfolio: Rethinking trust in financial transactions with Bitcoin and layer 2 technologies

16’52: Blockstream's core business: Building protocols and tools for Bitcoin-connected networks and services

20’27: Liquid Network's scale and programmability: Exploring blinded transactions and asset representation on Blockstream's sidechain

24’09: Bitcoin's evolution since 2009: Balancing decentralization with development and the institutional investment narrative

29’20: Lightning Network's progress: Enhancing Bitcoin's scalability and adoption through Layer 2 solutions

33’37: Lightning Network adoption: Balancing user convenience and enterprise applications in Bitcoin's Layer 2

37’24: Bitcoin's evolving ecosystem: Exploring Ordinals, inscriptions, and the surging interest in programmable assets

41’18: Reimagining financial markets: Blockstream's vision for trust-minimized finance and the path to equitable systems

43’45: The channels used to connect with Jeff & learn more about Blockstream

Disclaimer here — this newsletter does not provide investment advice and represents solely the views and opinions of FINTECH BLUEPRINT LTD.

Contributors: Lex, Laurence, Matt, Farhad, Mike, Daniella

Want to discuss? Stop by our Discord and reach out here with questions.

Lex chats with Yat Siu, co-founder and chairman of Animoca Brands -  a global leader in blockchain and gaming that is working to provide property rights for virtual assets via NFTs and related technologies. Yat discusses his journey into technology and gaming, as well as the intersection of gaming and decentralized finance. He shares his early experiences with technology, including writing MIDI software in the 1980s and discovering the power of online communities. Additionally, Yat discusses the shift from Web2 to Web3 and the importance of ownership and interoperability in gaming. He highlights the potential for virtual goods and NFTs to become platforms for building experiences and creating network effects. Yat emphasizes the need for trust and transparency in the gaming industry and the potential for Web3 to democratize ownership and create new opportunities for gamers.

MENTIONED IN THE CONVERSATION

Animoca Brands' Website: https://bit.ly/47Vv3UD

Yat's LinkedIn profile: https://bit.ly/3NvEtxT

Topics: Web3, crypto, blockchain, DeFi, NFT, NFTFi, Metaverse, tokens, gaming, GameFi, Web2

Companies: Animoca Brands, Animoca, ConsenSys, Dapper Labs, CryptoKitties, Axiom Zen, Minecraft, Sandbox, Mocaverse

ABOUT THE FINTECH BLUEPRINT

🔥Subscribe to the Fintech Blueprint newsletter to stay at the forefront of Fintech and DeFi: https://bit.ly/3hyhlC2

🤝 Partner with Fintech Blueprint through sponsorships: https://bit.ly/3UZllsV

👉 Twitter: https://twitter.com/LexSokolin

TIMESTAMPS

1’28: Journey into tech: Yat Siu reflects on his early experiences with gaming, MIDI software, and the transformative impact of online communities

6’49: From early internet anonymity to Web3's shared value: The evolution of online identity and the power shift in data dynamics

15’30: Digital identity and data monopolies: Exploring the tension between privacy and community in the evolution from Web2 to Web3

21’04: Building Animoca Brands: Yat Siu on his journey from a mobile gaming pioneer to championing user empowerment in the digital world

27’37: Collaborative creation: The genesis of CryptoKitties and the emergence of Dapper Labs from the early days of NFT gaming

31’02: Gaming as a platform: The evolution of gaming experiences and the rise of interoperability in the digital asset ecosystem

37’48: Digital economy's growth: The transition from virtual goods in gaming to a democratic, capitalist Metaverse

40’48: Exploring digital economies: The intersection of Web3 adoption and gaming, and the evolution of user engagement

49’22: The channels used to connect with Yat & learn more about Animoca

Disclaimer here — this newsletter does not provide investment advice and represents solely the views and opinions of FINTECH BLUEPRINT LTD.

Contributors: Lex, Laurence, Matt, Farhad, Mike, Daniella

Want to discuss? Stop by our Discord and reach out here with questions.

Lex chats with Ed Maslaveckas, the founder and CEO of Bud, a FinTech company focused on data aggregation and artificial intelligence in financial services. They discuss the evolution of Bud's business model, the atmosphere of the FinTech industry in the UK, the challenges of data enrichment and customer insight, and the potential of AI agents and generative AI in transforming financial products. Maslaveckas highlights the value of accurate transaction data in reducing call center costs, improving lending decisions, and enabling personalized marketing. He also emphasizes the importance of automation and co-piloting in enhancing the customer experience and increasing efficiency in financial organizations.

MENTIONED IN THE CONVERSATION

Bud's Website: https://bit.ly/3TjBWue

Ed's LinkedIn profile: https://bit.ly/3TaEsTE

Topics: Fintech, open banking, embedded banking, banking, API, GenAI, AI, generative ai, artificial intelligence, data aggregation

Companies: Bud, Bud Financial, Plaid, Salesforce, Yodlee, mint.com

ABOUT THE FINTECH BLUEPRINT

🔥Subscribe to the Fintech Blueprint newsletter to stay at the forefront of Fintech and DeFi: https://bit.ly/3hyhlC2

🤝 Partner with Fintech Blueprint through sponsorships: https://bit.ly/3UZllsV

👉 Twitter: https://twitter.com/LexSokolin

TIMESTAMPS

1’18: Evolution of Ed’s fintech career: The journey from tech enthusiast to influencing the UK's vibrant financial technology scene

6’32: From consumer app to B2B platform: Bud's evolution amidst the neobank wave and the challenges of data integration in fintech

14’14: Decoding customer insights in fintech: Mastering data enrichment and unlocking personalized financial solutions

20’58: Unlocking transaction data's potential: How advanced AI is transforming financial institutions' approach to customer insights

23’19: Transforming financial services with AI: Bud's role in enhancing banks' transaction analysis and customer engagement strategies

30’57: AI and financial well-being: Navigating the balance between automation and user comfort in personal finance apps

37’01: Redefining workflows in banking: The integration of AI agents for enhanced enterprise efficiency and customer engagement

41’59: Shaping the future of fintech: How generative AI and advanced data capabilities are transforming financial services

45’37: The channels used to connect with Ed & learn more about Bud

Disclaimer here — this newsletter does not provide investment advice and represents solely the views and opinions of FINTECH BLUEPRINT LTD.

Contributors: Lex, Laurence, Matt, Farhad, Mike, Daniella

Want to discuss? Stop by our Discord and reach out here with questions.

Lex chats with Dan Finlay, co-founder of MetaMask, and Dean Tribble, CEO of Agoric, about the future of wallet strategy and the underlying technological changes in the Web3 space. They discuss the growth and usage of MetaMask, the philosophy behind its development, and the core dimensions in which they have tried to grow the wallet. They also talk about the concept of "Snaps," which allows developers to extend the functionality of MetaMask using JavaScript. The conversation touches on the potential of interconnecting different blockchains and the importance of user consent and security in the Web3 ecosystem. They also discuss the role of AI in wallets and the potential for users to have their own trusted AI companions. Overall, the discussion highlights the importance of building a more seamless and secure infrastructure in Web3 and the potential for innovation and integration in the space.

MENTIONED IN THE CONVERSATION

Agoric's Website: https://bit.ly/3GnHcFo

MetaMask's Website: https://bit.ly/3T1vGqY

Dean's LinkedIn profile: https://bit.ly/3Rptf03

Dan's LinkedIn profile: https://bit.ly/3RoPpjb

Topics: Web3, wallet, blockchain, interoperability, AI, smart contracts

Companies: MetaMask, Agoric, Snaps, Cosmos, JavaScript, Secret Network

ABOUT THE FINTECH BLUEPRINT

🔥Subscribe to the Fintech Blueprint newsletter to stay at the forefront of Fintech and DeFi: https://bit.ly/3hyhlC2

🤝 Partner with Fintech Blueprint through sponsorships: https://bit.ly/3UZllsV

👉 Twitter: https://twitter.com/LexSokolin

TIMESTAMPS

1’46: Web3's evolution and challenges: A conversation with Daniel Finlay on MetaMask's progress and future

6’52: Exploring Web3's potential: The role of MetaMask’s developer focus, safety, and the innovative Snaps platform in shaping the future

11’20: Revolutionizing wallets and Web3: Breaking down the role of JavaScript and secure confinement in enhancing user experience and innovation

17’32: Expanding Web3 development: How JavaScript and lightweight sandboxing in MetaMask unlock new possibilities for developers

19’52: Enhancing Web3 security and usability: The role of hardened JavaScript in simplifying and securing the development process

24’00: Expanding developer horizons in Web3: Understanding the impact of Snaps in MetaMask for creating diverse and innovative applications

28’20: Unifying Web3 ecosystems: How MetaMask and Agoric facilitate seamless integration and cross-chain functionality for developers and users

37’12: Crafting the future of Web3 interfaces: How MetaMask, Snaps and Agoric are paving the way for advanced cross-chain connectivity and AI integration

Disclaimer here — this newsletter does not provide investment advice and represents solely the views and opinions of FINTECH BLUEPRINT LTD.

Contributors: Lex, Laurence, Matt, Farhad, Mike, Daniella

Want to discuss? Stop by our Discord and reach out here with questions.

Lex chats with Christopher Pallotta - founder and CEO of Templum, a company focused on alternative investments and private markets. Pallotta discusses his background in technology and investing, as well as the journey of Templum and its transformation into becoming the operating system for private markets and alternative assets. He explains how Templum's technology, broker-dealer and alternative trading system (ATS) capabilities enable the trading of regulated private securities in a compliant manner. Pallotta also discusses the growing demand for alternative assets and the role of liquidity in driving adoption. He highlights the potential for alternative assets to outperform traditional markets and the need for liquidity mechanisms in the alternative asset space. Finally, Pallotta shares his vision for the future, where alternative assets become more accessible and investing in them becomes as ubiquitous as investing in public equities.  

MENTIONED IN THE CONVERSATION

Templum's Website: https://bit.ly/3GfLr63

Christopher's LinkedIn profile: https://bit.ly/47O2sjy

Topics: fintech, hedge fund, REIT, ETF, finance, real world assets, RWA, tokenization, alternative assets

Companies: Templum, Raptor Group, Eniac, 8VC, New York Stock Exchange, NASDAQ

ABOUT THE FINTECH BLUEPRINT

🔥Subscribe to the Fintech Blueprint newsletter to stay at the forefront of Fintech and DeFi: https://bit.ly/3hyhlC2

🤝 Partner with Fintech Blueprint through sponsorships: https://bit.ly/3UZllsV

👉 Twitter: https://twitter.com/LexSokolin

TIMESTAMPS

1’22: From business school to blockchain: A journey into tech and investment

6’12: The liquidity journey: Navigating markets from illiquid to fractionalized assets

8’47: Templum today: Powering alternative asset markets and beyond

12’13: Demystifying infrastructure: Public equities vs. alternative asset markets

14’57: Revolutionizing private asset markets: Templum's Shopify-inspired solution

17’12: Unifying the world of alternative assets: Templum's central operating system

20’03: Unlocking demand: The shift towards alternative assets in investment portfolios

22’18: Democratizing investment: The rise of alternative assets in retail portfolios

26’18: The expanding alt-finTech ecosystem: Templum's position in liquidity and access

28’39: Unlocking liquidity: The market implications of tradable alternative assets

31’16: The evolution of portfolio composition: A future with 60% alternatives and 40% ETFs?

33’10: The future of real-world asset tokenization: Trends, insights, opportunities, and challenges

37’50”: The channels used to connect with Chris & learn more about Templum

Disclaimer here — this newsletter does not provide investment advice and represents solely the views and opinions of FINTECH BLUEPRINT LTD.

Contributors: Lex, Laurence, Matt, Farhad, Mike, Daniella

Want to discuss? Stop by our Discord and reach out here with questions.

Lex chats with Eva Shang, CEO of Legalist - a technology-powered investment firm specialising in alternative assets. Shang discusses her company's strategies in litigation finance, bankruptcy, and government receivables. She explains that Legalist uses technology and data analysis to identify investment opportunities in the legal space. Shang also discusses the challenges and complexities of underwriting litigation cases and the importance of human judgment in the process. She highlights the need for uncorrelated sources of return in the investment landscape and the potential for technology to transform other asset classes. Shang also expresses caution about retail investors entering alternative investment spaces without proper knowledge and understanding of the risks involved.

MENTIONED IN THE CONVERSATION

Legalist's Website: https://bit.ly/46masHp

Eva's LinkedIn profile: https://bit.ly/49GENmD

Topics: fintech, hedge fund, litigation finance, asset management, alternative investments, AI, artificial intelligence, underwriting, investment

Companies: Legalist, Y-Combinator, LexisNexis

ABOUT THE FINTECH BLUEPRINT

🔥Subscribe to the Fintech Blueprint newsletter to stay at the forefront of Fintech and DeFi: https://bit.ly/3hyhlC2

🤝 Partner with Fintech Blueprint through sponsorships: https://bit.ly/3UZllsV

👉 Twitter: https://twitter.com/LexSokolin

TIMESTAMPS

1’23”: Overview of Legalist's Asset Management Strategies

2’31”: Litigation Finance: Core Strategy and Operation

6’20”: Integration of Data Analysis and Technology in Litigation Finance

9’37”: Early Development of Legalist’s Technology at Y-Combinator

14’59”: Transition from Legal Analytics to Litigation Finance

18’22”: Investment Process and Decision Making in Legalist

24’33”: Challenges and Innovations in Data-Driven Litigation Funding

27’24”: Growth and Expansion of Legalist Since 2019

31’51”: The Future of Alternative Investments and Legalist's Role

35’09”: The channels used to connect with Eva & learn more about Legalist

Disclaimer here — this newsletter does not provide investment advice and represents solely the views and opinions of FINTECH BLUEPRINT LTD.

Contributors: Lex, Laurence, Matt, Farhad, Mike, Daniella

Want to discuss? Stop by our Discord and reach out here with questions.

Lex chats with Guy Young - the CEO and Founder of Ethena Labs, the crypto infrastructure company building USDe which is the first-ever scalable stablecoin not reliant on existing banking institutions alongside a permissionless 'internet bond'. They discuss Ethena, a new protocol for the synthetic dollar, and the market dynamics around Ethereum and the concept of the internet bond. Young explains his background in distressed investing and the risks and mistakes commonly seen in financial services. They also delve into the mechanics of the perpetuals market and the funding rates, as well as the scalability and risks associated with Ethena. Young highlights the potential for the synthetic dollar to replace bonds in traditional bank accounts and the value of a crypto-native solution with different risk profiles.

MENTIONED IN THE CONVERSATION

Ethena's Website: https://bit.ly/3MDR1Td

Guy's LinkedIn profile: https://bit.ly/46gDDM4

Topics: crypto, blockchain, defi, ethereum, perpetual swaps, stablecoin, synthetic dollar, steth, usde

Companies: Ethena Labs, Ethena, Cerberus, BitGet, Binance, ByBit

ABOUT THE FINTECH BLUEPRINT

🔥Subscribe to the Fintech Blueprint newsletter to stay at the forefront of Fintech and DeFi: https://bit.ly/3hyhlC2

🤝 Partner with Fintech Blueprint through sponsorships: https://bit.ly/3UZllsV

👉 Twitter: https://twitter.com/LexSokolin

TIMESTAMPS

1’20”: Strategic Investments: Distressed Assets and Value Opportunities in Financial Services

4’19”: Analyzing Collapse: The Underlying Mistakes Leading to Financial Institution Failures

6’22”: Market Missteps and Innovation: The Human Element in Financial Risks and the Allure of Crypto Markets

9’37”: Decoding Value and Innovation: The Dynamics of Ethereum Economics and the Future of DeFi Tokens

16’40”: Balancing Returns and Risks: Understanding Ethereum's Capital Market Structure and the Role of Perpetual Swaps

21’47”: Synthetic Leverage in Crypto Markets: Analyzing the Persistent Tilt in Funding Rates and the $30 Trillion Perpetuals Phenomenon

25’26”: Strategic Hedging with ETH: Understanding the Perpetual Market Mechanics and Identifying the Risks

28’30”: Exchange Relations and Risk Mitigation: Balancing Volume and Counterparty Exposure in Perpetual Markets

31’42”: Impact of Scale on Ether: Assessing the Price Dynamics of Synthetic Assets and Their Influence on the Underlying Market

36’23”: Exploring Synthetic Stability: The Mechanics of Crypto-Native Dollars and the Potential for Traditional Market Integration

40’50”: The channels used to connect with Guy & learn more about Ethena

Disclaimer here — this newsletter does not provide investment advice and represents solely the views and opinions of FINTECH BLUEPRINT LTD.

Contributors: Lex, Laurence, Matt, Farhad, Mike, Daniella

Want to discuss? Stop by our Discord and reach out here with questions.

Lex chats with Sam Bobley, founder and CEO of Ocrolus - a fintech infrastructure company that powers underwriting processes for lenders like SoFi, Lending Club, and Enova. In this episode Sam starts off by sharing how he got started in entrepreneurship at a young age and the influence of his father, who was a serial entrepreneur. Bobley explains how Ocrolus focuses on document automation using OCR technology and the challenges they faced in the early days. He also discusses the evolution of machine vision and the improvements in handling semi-structured and unstructured documents. Bobley highlights the importance of vertical-specific solutions and the integration of AI technologies into financial services. He shares the company's experience during the COVID-19 pandemic and the pivot they made to focus on the Paycheck Protection Program. Bobley emphasizes the need for transparency, focusing on the big picture, and having a support system to navigate the challenges of entrepreneurship. He rounds off the episode discussing the trends he sees in the industry, including the rise of large language models and the adoption of cashflow-based underwriting.

MENTIONED IN THE CONVERSATION

Ocrolus's Website: https://bit.ly/3QHYoeN

Sam's LinkedIn profile: https://bit.ly/3SrC7TU

Topics: artificial intelligence, ai, machine vision, OCR, LLM, machine learning, automation, fintech, embedded banking

Companies: Ocrolus, Plaid, OpenAI, Google, Amazon, AWS, OnDeck

ABOUT THE FINTECH BLUEPRINT

🔥Subscribe to the Fintech Blueprint newsletter to stay at the forefront of Fintech and DeFi: https://bit.ly/3hyhlC2

🤝 Partner with Fintech Blueprint through sponsorships: https://bit.ly/3UZllsV

👉 Twitter: https://twitter.com/LexSokolin

TIMESTAMPS

1’22”: Early entrepreneurial insights: Money's role Sam’s upbringing and fintech's influence

5’15”: The dawn of image recognition: Founding a company on the cusp of AI advancements

12’23”: Building the ideal product: The journey to a four-hour turnaround time

19’48”: The evolution of machine vision: From early days to cutting-edge capabilities

26’34”: Enhancing the developer experience: A deep dive into integration and seamless interactions

34’02”: Navigating the journey of building Ocrolus: Inflection points, growth, and challenges

38’48”: Staying resilient through business challenges: Advice for entrepreneurs from a seasoned founder

40’28”: Maintaining leadership resilience: Strategies for navigating the roller coaster of entrepreneurship

44’42”: Future trends in AI and embedded finance: Insights from a tech entrepreneur

46’21”: The channels used to connect with Sam & learn more about Ocrolus

Disclaimer here — this newsletter does not provide investment advice and represents solely the views and opinions of FINTECH BLUEPRINT LTD.

Contributors: Lex, Laurence, Matt, Farhad, Mike, Daniella

Want to discuss? Stop by our Discord and reach out here with questions.

Lex chats with  Matt Bivons, the founder and CEO of Canopy, a modern digital lending company. Bivons discusses his background in fintech and his journey from being a product designer to starting his own company. He explains the importance of designing products for others and how he identified a gap in the market for a lending infrastructure solution. Bivons also talks about the evolution of the digital lending sector and the role of infrastructure companies in enabling fintech innovation. He shares his vision for the future of Canopy and the opportunities in the commercial lending space.

MENTIONED IN THE CONVERSATION

Canopy's Website: https://bit.ly/3Fwvg3Y

Matt's LinkedIn profile: https://bit.ly/3QyIu6x

Topics: fintech, lending, API, Paas, credit, loan servicing, digital lending

Companies: Canopy, Earnest, GreenSky, Stripe, Kabbage, YC

ABOUT THE FINTECH BLUEPRINT

🔥Subscribe to the Fintech Blueprint newsletter to stay at the forefront of Fintech and DeFi: https://bit.ly/3hyhlC2

🤝 Partner with Fintech Blueprint through sponsorships: https://bit.ly/3UZllsV

👉 Twitter: https://twitter.com/LexSokolin

TIMESTAMPS

1’37”: From self-design to universal solutions: A founder's journey

7’01”: Fostering empathy in product design: Balancing personal and market problems

10’25”: Marketing strategies & cost of acquisition in fintech: Insights from Earnest and GreenSky

17’45”: Expanding horizons: Gaining experience and expertise at GreenSky

22’24”: From insight to action: Building Canopy from scratch

25’58”: Navigating the go-to-market challenge: Insights from Canopy's founding journey

31’25”: Canopy's current landscape: Scale, competencies, and customer base

34’20”: Shaping the future of digital lending: Market evolution and exciting prospects

40’02”: The channels used to connect with Matt & learn more about Canopy

Disclaimer here — this newsletter does not provide investment advice and represents solely the views and opinions of FINTECH BLUEPRINT LTD.

Contributors: Lex, Laurence, Matt, Farhad, Mike, Daniella

Want to discuss? Stop by our Discord and reach out here with questions.

Lex chats with Nassim Eddequiouaq and Riyaz Faizullabhoy - Co-Founders of Bastion - a transaction and Web 3 orchestration company that aims to provide infrastructure for businesses to build user-friendly experiences on top of blockchain technology. The founders, Nas and Riyaz, have a background in security and have worked together for several years at companies like Docker, Anchorage, and Facebook. They believe that custodial wallets offer the best user experience and are focused on building a platform that allows businesses to issue wallets seamlessly to their users. Bastion also offers a smart transaction routing system that optimizes transactions and reduces costs. Both Nas and Riyaz see custodial services as a starting point for users, with the goal of eventually allowing them to graduate to self-custody. They emphasize the importance of security, compliance, and user experience in their platform.

MENTIONED IN THE CONVERSATION

Bastion's Website: https://bit.ly/3M8B6wb

Nassim's LinkedIn profile: https://bit.ly/46UYe9g

Riyaz's LinkedIn profile: https://bit.ly/3M5UGJi

Topics: crypto, payments, custody, Web3, Web2, cybersecurity, decentralization, wallets, user experience, security

Companies: Bastion, Libra, Meta, Andreessen Horowitz, a16z, Docker, Anchorage Digital, Facebook

ABOUT THE FINTECH BLUEPRINT

🔥Subscribe to the Fintech Blueprint newsletter to stay at the forefront of Fintech and DeFi: https://bit.ly/3hyhlC2

🤝 Partner with Fintech Blueprint through sponsorships: https://bit.ly/3UZllsV

👉 Twitter: https://twitter.com/LexSokolin

TIMESTAMPS

1’13”: From digital security to working on Facebook’s Libra project: The journey of Riyaz and Nas

7’09”: The Rationality of Digital Adversaries: A Look at Cybersecurity Challenges

9’45”: The Convergence of Decentralization and Corporate Ambitions: A Deep Dive into the Libra Project

16’52”: From Operator to Investor: Navigating the Crypto Space at Andreessen Horowitz

21’50”: Unlocking Crypto Security: The Mission of Bastion and its Innovative Approach

27’48”: Empowering Developers: How Bastion Fits into the Crypto Infrastructure Ecosystem

32’40”: Simplifying User Interactions: The Role of Bastion in Crypto Transactions and custody

38’51”: Data and the Future: Navigating the Possibilities of Web 3 Custodianship

41’02”: The channels used to connect with Riyaz and Nas & learn more about Bastion

Disclaimer here — this newsletter does not provide investment advice and represents solely the views and opinions of FINTECH BLUEPRINT LTD.

Contributors: Lex, Laurence, Matt, Farhad, Mike, Daniella

Want to discuss? Stop by our Discord and reach out here with questions.

Lex chats with Adam Felesky, CEO and co-founder of Portage - an investment firm focused on fintech and financial services. Felesky discusses his background in finance and tech, his experience as an entrepreneur, and the investment opportunities he sees in the fintech sector. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the nuances of different verticals within fintech and the potential for incumbent transformation in the industry. Felesky also discusses the current market environment for fintech investments and the challenges and opportunities it presents. He suggests that M&A activity and buyouts may play a role in the recovery of the fintech market and advises investors to be prepared for companies to stay private longer.

MENTIONED IN THE CONVERSATION

Portage's Website: https://bit.ly/3ttPRmO

Adam's LinkedIn profile: https://bit.ly/3Fi0ThE

Topics: investment, investment management, fintech, M&A, ETFs, venture capital, vc, private equity, roboadvisor, AI

Companies: Portage, Wealthsimple, Alan, Betterment, Wealthfront

ABOUT THE FINTECH BLUEPRINT

🔥Subscribe to the Fintech Blueprint newsletter to stay at the forefront of Fintech and DeFi: https://bit.ly/3hyhlC2

🤝 Partner with Fintech Blueprint through sponsorships: https://bit.ly/3UZllsV

👉 Twitter: https://twitter.com/LexSokolin

TIMESTAMPS

1’21”: From early passion to industry pioneer: The journey of ETF entrepreneurship in 2005

8’29”: The intersection of asset allocation and individual investments: Navigating two worlds in wealth management

11’41”: Exploring the robot-driven dynamics of fund complexes, trading firms, and quant hedge funds

18’25”: Unpacking the Wealthsimple investment: From founding to differentiation in the digital investing wave

21’04”: Navigating investment stages: Assessing startups from seed to series A

27’33”: Valuation challenges in fintech: The blurred traction and market trends

30’02”: From entrepreneur to investor: Mastering the art of saying no

32’59”: Fintech's future: Portage Ventures' promising themes and market structure insights

37’53”: Assessing risk and the credit cycle: A conversation on market perspectives

41’12”: Unlocking growth potential: Strategies for overcoming valuation challenges in fintech

44’59”: The channels used to connect with Adam & learn more about Portage

Disclaimer here — this newsletter does not provide investment advice and represents solely the views and opinions of FINTECH BLUEPRINT LTD.

Contributors: Lex, Laurence, Matt, Farhad, Mike, Daniella

Want to discuss? Stop by our Discord and reach out here with questions.

Lex chats with Chandini Jain, founder and CEO of artificial intelligence company Auquan. Together, Lex and Chandini discuss the use of AI in financial services. Jain explains that AI can help optimize information flow and improve decision-making by efficiently processing and analyzing large amounts of data. Jain highlights the importance of accuracy in AI models, particularly in the financial industry where incorrect information can have significant consequences. She introduces the concept of retrieval augmented generation (RAG) AI, which combines retrieval systems and generative models to provide accurate and credible answers to user queries. Jain also mentions that Auquan has published a white paper on RAG AI and offers a LinkedIn newsletter with frequently updated data points.

MENTIONED IN THE CONVERSATION

Auquan's Website: https://bit.ly/46j7GU2

Chandini's LinkedIn profile: https://bit.ly/3PHDj2x

Topics: artificial intelligence, AI, generative AI, capital markets, fintech, deep learning, LLM, Natural language models

Companies: Auquan, Optiver, Apple, Meta, ChatGPT, RAG AI, Andreessen Horowitz, A16z

ABOUT THE FINTECH BLUEPRINT

🔥Subscribe to the Fintech Blueprint newsletter to stay at the forefront of Fintech and DeFi: https://bit.ly/3hyhlC2

🤝 Partner with Fintech Blueprint through sponsorships: https://bit.ly/3UZllsV

👉 Twitter: https://twitter.com/LexSokolin

TIMESTAMPS

1’22”: Navigating Flying High: From Career Beginnings to Tackling Complex Problems

6’49”: Exploring Capital Markets: Finding Alpha and Transitioning to Entrepreneurship

15’20”: Building an Investment Solution: From Concept to Market-Ready Product

21’55”: Unlocking Private Equity Deal Insights: How to Leverage Auquan’s AI Services

26’37”: Demystifying AI in Financial Services: Core Trends and Model Insights

35’09”: Unlocking the Semantic Cosmos: AI Breakthroughs and Evolution in Knowledge Representation

41’24”: AI in Financial Services: Navigating the Bayesian Landscape of Probability and Accuracy

45’03”: The channels used to connect with Chandini & learn more about Auquan

Disclaimer here — this newsletter does not provide investment advice and represents solely the views and opinions of FINTECH BLUEPRINT LTD.

Contributors: Lex, Laurence, Matt, Farhad, Mike, Daniella

Want to discuss? Stop by our Discord and reach out here with questions.