PayPod: The Payments and Fintech Podcast

Episode Topic: Graham Krizek, Founder of Voltage, joins PayPod to discuss how the Lightning Network is transforming Bitcoin from a slow and expensive currency into a scalable, real-time payment solution. He explains how Voltage helps businesses adopt Lightning infrastructure easily, and how trends like AI and stablecoins are pushing Bitcoin into mainstream use. Graham also explores the regulatory shifts and real-world applications that are unlocking Bitcoin's potential beyond just a store of value. Lessons You'll Learn: Why Bitcoin alone isn't practical for everyday transactions How the Lightning Network enables instant, low-fee global payments What role stablecoins and AI agents will play in the future of Bitcoin How Voltage removes the complexity of Lightning adoption for companies Why regulation and narrative shifts are accelerating mainstream crypto use About Our Guest: Graham Krizek is the Founder of Voltage, a company building infrastructure to make Bitcoin and the Lightning Network accessible for businesses and developers. With over a decade in the crypto space, Graham's mission is to simplify Bitcoin payments and unlock real-world use cases. Voltage provides plug-and-play APIs that allow companies to integrate Bitcoin payments in days—not months—without hiring crypto engineers. Topics Covered: The pain points of traditional Bitcoin transactions Lightning Network: speed, cost savings, and scalability Stablecoins on Bitcoin using Taproot Assets AI agents and microtransactions as Lightning's killer use cases Regulatory trends impacting Lightning adoption

Episode Topic:Jarek Sygitowicz, co-founder of Authologic, joins PayPod to discuss how digital identity is being reinvented. From legacy systems to identity wallets and AI-enhanced security, Jarek maps out how businesses can stay compliant, secure, and conversion-optimized in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. Lessons You'll Learn: Why traditional identity verification methods are obsolete How AI and cryptography are shaping secure onboarding The role of identity wallets in improving UX and trust How fintechs can future-proof their compliance stack What global businesses need to know about ID regulations About Our Guest:Jarek Sygitowicz is the co-founder of Authologic, a company revolutionizing identity verification for the digital age. With a Stripe-like API model, Authologic aggregates ID verification sources worldwide—from bank auth to biometrics—to help companies stay compliant and user-friendly. Jarek brings a global perspective, drawing on experience across Europe, the U.S., and beyond. Topics Covered: Legacy vs. modern identity infrastructure AI-powered fraud prevention and verification The rise of global identity wallets UX, compliance, and conversion rate optimization Orchestrating identity systems across geographies

Episode Topic: Baxter Lanius, CEO of Alternative Payments, joins PayPod to discuss the slow adoption of modern payment methods in the B2B sector, the role of AI in speeding up invoicing, and how alternative payment solutions can help businesses get paid faster. Baxter also explores the intersection of fintech and industries like construction and logistics, highlighting opportunities to improve payment workflows. Lessons You'll Learn: Why the B2B payments market still relies on checks How AI can help automate invoicing and streamline payment workflows The challenges of bringing blue-collar industries into the digital payments era Why some industries are hesitant to adopt new fintech solutions How Alternative Payments is modernizing B2B transactions and enabling faster payments About Our Guest: Baxter Lanius is the CEO of Alternative Payments, a startup revolutionizing B2B payment workflows. With a focus on AI-driven solutions, Baxter's company is dedicated to modernizing the payment experience for industries that still rely on outdated systems, like checks. Prior to founding Alternative Payments, Baxter had a role on the board of Giordano's Pizza, where he learned the value of strong branding and customer loyalty. Baxter is passionate about using technology to improve business efficiency and financial transparency. Topics Covered: The challenges of legacy B2B payment systems The potential of AI in fintech Embedded finance and vertical SaaS solutions Overcoming barriers to fintech adoption in traditional industries

Episode Topic: Willem Schroé, founder of Botanix Labs, joins PayPod to reveal how Bitcoin is becoming the foundation for a decentralized financial future. Learn how Ethereum-style smart contracts and DeFi applications are now possible on Bitcoin via the Spiderchain—without giving up Bitcoin's security or decentralization. Lessons You'll Learn: How the Spiderchain turns Bitcoin into a programmable financial layer Why Bitcoin yield is now possible—paid in Bitcoin, not tokens The future of interest-free Bitcoin-backed loans and stablecoin trading How Bitcoin can become a global financial operating system by 2100 Why governments can't stop Bitcoin—and why they shouldn't try About Our Guest: Willem Schroé is the founder of Botanix Labs, the company behind the Spiderchain, a decentralized Bitcoin Layer 2 enabling smart contracts and DeFi. A national champion in mathematics and a researcher in cryptography, Willem's passion for Bitcoin was ignited during his time in Saudi Arabia, where he witnessed financial repression and inflation firsthand. Now, he's on a mission to bring open, decentralized financial infrastructure to the world, starting with Bitcoin. Topics Covered: Bitcoin as programmable money Layer-2 innovation via the Spiderchain Interest-free lending and stablecoin DeFi Bitcoin staking and yield generation Financial sovereignty and inclusion through decentralization

Episode Topic: Daniel Schalla from Mattermost joins PayPod to discuss how financial institutions can better prepare for and respond to cybersecurity incidents. With tools designed for secure collaboration and workflow management, Mattermost helps companies meet regulatory demands while ensuring that they remain in control of their data. Lessons You'll Learn: How to respond quickly and effectively to cyber incidents Why automating workflows can improve your incident response The importance of regular tabletop exercises for cybersecurity preparedness How to balance automation and human decision-making in security processes Understanding compliance requirements like the SEC's new 4-day rule About Our Guest: Daniel Schalla is a cybersecurity expert at Mattermost, a collaboration platform designed for high-security, regulated industries. He brings deep expertise in incident response, workflow automation, and the unique challenges faced by financial institutions in maintaining compliance. Mattermost's platform is used by leading organizations in finance, defense, healthcare, and more, helping them streamline communication and response to critical security events. Topics Covered: Key vulnerabilities affecting financial institutions today How Mattermost supports secure collaboration and incident management The role of automation in security incident response

Episode Topic: Joris Delanoue, co-founder and CEO of Fairmint, joins PayPod to explain how blockchain is disrupting private equity and fundraising. With cap tables becoming programmable, Fairmint is helping founders, investors, and communities escape legacy systems and embrace decentralized, on-chain ownership. Lessons You'll Learn: Why today's private equity system is outdated How smart contracts can replace PDFs and spreadsheets What Open Cap Table Format means for fintech innovation Why solving compliance is the ultimate edge in crypto How community ownership can become a norm, not an exception About Our Guest:Joris Delanoue is the CEO and co-founder of Fairmint, a company revolutionizing private equity by turning cap tables into blockchain-based smart contracts. With deep experience in SaaS, compliance, and crypto, Joris is leading Fairmint's mission to decentralize ownership and enable programmable equity for startups. Fairmint is backed by a coalition of legal and fintech leaders reshaping the rails of finance. Topics Covered: Legacy issues with equity and cap tables Tokenizing ownership and on-chain liquidity Compliance and regulatory clarity in the U.S. The Open Cap Table Format (OCF) movement UX innovation and the future of crypto adoption

Episode Topic: Megan Knab, CEO of Franklin Payroll, joins PayPod to talk about the evolution of payroll and payments in a crypto-native world. From overcoming debanking to leveraging programmable payroll, Megan outlines a clear vision for a decentralized financial infrastructure powered by stablecoins and blockchain. Lessons You'll Learn: How debanking affects legitimate crypto businesses Why stablecoins are key to operational efficiency The role of programmable payroll in a global workforce How AI can simplify and automate U.S. tax logic Why fintech's future may not include traditional banks About Our Guest: Megan Knab is the CEO and founder of Franklin Payroll, a self-custodial payroll platform helping companies process payroll in both fiat and crypto. A former Wall Street accountant and CFO at a crypto startup, Megan saw firsthand the inefficiencies in handling multi-currency payroll. This inspired her to build Franklin, a company now processing millions each month and reshaping payroll through blockchain, stablecoins, and smart automation. Topics Covered: Debanking and crypto company challenges Stablecoins as modern financial rails Self-custodial, programmable payroll AI and tax code automation

Episode Topic: Louis Hoch, CEO of Usio, joins PayPod to discuss the future of payments, including embedded payment solutions, real-time payments, and the intersection of biometrics and AI in transforming the payments landscape. He shares how flexibility, customer-centricity, and innovation will drive the next wave of payment systems. Lessons You'll Learn: Why embedded payments are revolutionizing commerce The importance of flexibility in payment channels How real-time payments are reshaping transaction dynamics The role of AI and biometrics in future payment security About Our Guest: Louis Hoch is the CEO of Usio, a company that specializes in embedded payment solutions for a wide variety of industries, including fintech and government entities. Usio provides diverse payment channels from traditional checks to cutting-edge technology like FedNow, offering flexibility and agility in payment systems. Louis is a thought leader in the fintech industry, driving innovation in payment solutions. Topics Covered: Embedded Payments and Workflow Integration B2B Payments Challenges Real-Time Payments: FedNow and Future Trends Biometrics and AI in Payment Systems Flexibility and Customization in Payment Solutions

Episode Topic: Ken Stott, Field CTO at Hasura, joins PayPod to explore how modern fintech leaders can navigate trust, regulation, decentralization, and AI in today's data landscape. He explains how intelligent agents, semantic layers, and universal data access are shaping the next generation of financial data architecture. Lessons You'll Learn: Learn why regulators and AI demand the same data semantics, how decentralization shapes real-world data stacks, and how Hasura's tools help derive value without overhauling systems. About Our Guest: Ken Stott is the Field CTO at Hasura, bringing decades of data strategy experience to the table. He's helping businesses transition to decentralized, AI-powered data ecosystems by implementing Hasura's semantic-driven, API-first stack. Ken's insights bridge regulatory needs, operational demands, and technological possibilities. Topics Covered: Semantics, AI, and regulatory compliance Intelligent data agents and task automation Decentralization and modern data realities API-first ecosystems and orchestration Hasura's universal data access layer and PromptQL

Episode Topic: Andrew Jamison, CEO of Extend, joins PayPod to explore the revolution of B2B payments through virtual cards. From legacy system hurdles to modern API solutions, Andrew discusses how businesses can embed smarter, safer, and more efficient payments without a full tech overhaul. Lessons You'll Learn: Why embedded finance is the future, how virtual cards simplify spend management, the impact of Covid on payment habits, and how AI and APIs are reshaping finance roles and infrastructure. About Our Guest: Andrew Jamison is the CEO and Co-Founder of Extend, a company reimagining the way businesses manage and deploy virtual cards. With a background at American Express and SAP, Andrew combines enterprise strategy with fintech agility. Extend partners with banks to modernize card systems through APIs—without needing to change core infrastructure. Topics Covered: Strategic lessons from American Express How Extend builds over, not against, legacy systems Best use cases for virtual cards across industries Covid's role in accelerating digital payments and SaaS adoption Regulation and fragmentation in the U.S. payment landscape The future of embedded payments, AI, and automation

Episode Topic: Srikrishnan Ganesan of Rocketlane joins PayPod to explore how modern fintech companies can stop the bleeding from inefficient operations. From delayed onboarding to inadequate project visibility, Sri unpacks why traditional workflows are no longer enough—and how tools like Rocketlane plus AI-driven automation can give your team a real edge. Lessons You'll Learn: Why customer onboarding directly impacts revenue and retention How to prevent team burnout with better process management The role of time tracking in financial planning and hiring How AI automates documentation, staffing, and communication Why metrics like utilization and time-to-value matter now more than ever About Our Guest: Srikrishnan Ganesan is the Co-Founder and CEO of Rocketlane, a SaaS platform redefining customer onboarding and service delivery. A second-time founder and early employee in multiple startups, Sri has led Rocketlane to become a standout in the world of post-sale operations, focusing on improving internal efficiency, customer experience, and team productivity. Topics Covered: Revenue leakage from poor onboarding Employee burnout from unmanaged project backlogs Time tracking without the hassle AI for project delivery automation Operational metrics that actually move the needle Forecasting future staffing and budgets with data

Episode Topic: Ruston Miles of Bluefin joins PayPod to unravel the real story behind payment data security. From debunking myths around chip card protection to highlighting the need for encryption at the point of interaction, Ruston shares critical insights into why businesses must adopt P2P encryption and tokenization to stay ahead of evolving threats. Lessons You'll Learn: How to distinguish fraud prevention from data security, the necessity of protecting data at the entry point, why chips don't equal encryption, and how upcoming technologies like quantum computing and AI are reshaping the threat landscape. About Our Guest: Ruston Miles is the Founder and Chief Strategy Officer at Bluefin, a payment security company that pioneered PCI-validated point-to-point encryption. With decades of experience in cybersecurity, Ruston has been instrumental in setting encryption standards adopted by Visa, Mastercard, and global universities. He's also a strong advocate for tokenization, quantum-resistant encryption, and secure digital wallets. Topics Covered: The difference between fraud and data breaches How P2P encryption protects data before it can be stolen Why EMV chips give a false sense of security Storing tokens instead of real card numbers Security challenges in higher education and enterprise Quantum computing's potential threat to public key encryption

Episode Topic: Matthew Stafford, Managing Partner at Build Grow Scale, joins PayPod to break down what's really holding e-commerce stores back from growth—and how conversion rate optimization, rooted in behavioral psychology and powered by AI, is changing the game. Lessons You'll Learn: Why most CRO fails without psychology, how customer friction kills conversions, and why real-time feedback and simple design build lasting trust. About Our Guest: Matthew Stafford is Managing Partner at Build Grow Scale, an optimization agency focused on maximizing revenue from existing traffic. With a deep background in e-commerce, Matt has worked with over 1,000 stores to optimize user experience, increase revenue per visitor, and leverage data intelligently. His approach blends UX simplicity, customer psychology, and modern AI tools like Google Gemini to help brands grow without unnecessary ad spend. Topics Covered: Why traffic isn't the problem—conversion is Treating browsers and shoppers differently How friction kills trust Key trust-building elements for e-commerce Using AI to synthesize analytics and sales goals Psychological strategies for better UX and form design

Episode Topic: Fatemeh Nikayin, Co-founder and CEO of Rivero AG, joins PayPod to reveal how AI-powered solutions are transforming how banks manage payment disputes. She shares how building trust, minimizing customer distress, and enabling lightweight innovation are critical for modern fintech success. Lessons You'll Learn: How protecting customer data unlocks bank adoption, why customer dispute experiences can determine brand loyalty, and why AI needs to be applied differently in regulated industries like finance. About Our Guest: Fatemeh Nikayin is the Co-founder and CEO of Rivero AG, a fintech company helping banks modernize the payment dispute process using AI and rule-based automation. Fatemeh has deep experience working within financial services and studied Internet of Things platforms at the PhD level, giving her a unique perspective on platform adoption, customer experience, and privacy-centric innovation. Topics Covered: Why SaaS for banks must prioritize data sovereignty The growing strategic importance of payment operations How customer disputes can become trust-building opportunities Applying AI carefully: rule-based vs. LLMs in fintech Challenges of modernizing banks with legacy systems How payment dispute handling differs across regions

Episode Topic: Kanyi Maqubela, Managing Partner at Kindred Ventures, joins PayPod to discuss how values-led venture capital supports high-impact startups across fintech, climate, and more. Discover how Kindred identifies founders who move fast, think big, and adapt as they scale game-changing ideas into real-world solutions. Lessons You'll Learn: Why startup success hinges on speed and altitude-shifting, how to think about funding vs. profitability, and the importance of empathetic market insight when serving underrepresented or global communities. About Our Guest: Kanyi Maqubela is the Managing Partner at Kindred Ventures, a firm backing mission-aligned startups that want to reshape industries. With investments across fintech, health, and frontier tech, Kanyi draws from years of founder-first investing and has a sharp lens on team-building, product-market fit, and scalable impact. Topics Covered: The role of velocity and quick iteration in startup success How VC can be a vehicle for real-world problem solving Startup risk frameworks and phases of survival The critical skill of "altitude shifting" in founders Diversity in startups: Empathy > Demographics Where fintech is heading—just-in-time lending, modular ledgers, and more Balancing profit and purpose in early-stage companies

Episode Topic: Sohail Sadeghi, founder of Atlantis Tax Group, joins PayPod to explore how business owners, investors, and high-income earners can shift their mindset from tax compliance to tax strategy. Sohail shares his insights on the most common tax mistakes he's seen, provides guidance on leveraging real estate for tax benefits, and explains how proactive tax planning can save thousands of dollars in the long run. Lessons You'll Learn: Discover the importance of proactive tax planning throughout the year. Learn the tax deductions and credits specific to your business or industry. Understand how to reduce your taxable income using retirement accounts and real estate investments.Find out why you should consult with a tax professional beyond tax season. About Our Guest: Sohail Sadeghi is the founder of Atlantis Tax Group, a firm dedicated to helping clients with tax planning and strategy. With years of experience in navigating the tax system, Sohail helps individuals and businesses lower their tax liabilities while building long-term financial success. His client-focused approach sets him apart from traditional tax firms by providing personalized strategies and regular planning sessions throughout the year. Topics Covered: Tax planning for business owners and investors Maximizing deductions and credits based on your industry The importance of tax planning beyond tax season Tax strategies for real estate investors and short-term rental deductions

Episode Topic John Gordon, CEO of ValidiFI, joins PayPod to discuss how alternative data is revolutionizing credit risk assessment. Discover how using ACH history, bank account behavior, and fraud signals is giving lenders a clearer, fairer view of consumer creditworthiness in today's fast-changing financial landscape. Lessons You'll Learn Explore why credit scores are no longer enough, and how alternative data fills the gaps. Learn how fraud prevention is evolving, how underserved populations benefit from better data, and why ACH validation is becoming a fintech essential. About Our Guest John Gordon is the CEO of ValidiFI, a SaaS platform that helps financial institutions assess credit risk and fraud through alternative data. With over a billion consumer inquiries analyzed, ValidiFI helps lenders, processors, and service providers unlock the power of bank behavior, account validation, and predictive analytics to make smarter decisions. Topics Covered: Credit scores vs. alternative data ACH validation and fraud detection Bank account behavior as a risk indicator Financial inclusion and non-prime consumers Buy Now, Pay Later and missing data in bureaus Emerging trends in data consortiums and fintech regulation

Episode Topic Today's episode gets into the weeds into how stablecoins are transforming cross-border payments and financial access. Kevin Lehtiniitty, CEO of Borderless.xyz, reveals how his team is building the connective tissue for global stablecoin movement by partnering with licensed financial institutions. This episode uncovers the opportunities and challenges in building a compliant, scalable crypto payment network that thrives in both developed and emerging markets. Lessons You'll Learn You'll learn why stablecoins are reshaping how people save, spend, and move money globally, especially in inflation-stricken economies. Kevin breaks down the difference between fiat-backed and algorithmic stablecoins, explains how Borderless.xyz operates without holding custody of funds, and explores how compliance and innovation can coexist in crypto infrastructure. About Our Guest Kevin Lehtiniitty is the CEO of Borderless.xyz, a fintech startup building the world's largest stablecoin orchestration network. Kevin's journey began with a rejected Bitcoin transaction that led him to question the role of banks and the need for permissionless money. Before founding Borderless.xyz, he worked in regulated crypto custody and healthcare fintech. He's a strong advocate for financial freedom, regulatory clarity, and building tech that levels the global playing field. Topics Covered: What stablecoins should be—and why algorithmic ones don't qualify How Borderless.xyz connects local payment rails via a global network Dollarization and stablecoins as proxies for USD in emerging markets Regulatory challenges and why being non-custodial matters The rise of stablecoin-driven neobanks across Latin America and Africa CBDCs and the looming impact of forced conversions in authoritarian regimes Lessons from banking restrictions and the push for financial innovation

Episode Topic Today's conversation explores how decentralized finance (DeFi) has transformed the crypto landscape, especially for businesses in emerging markets. Maxim Galash, CEO of Coinchange, shares insights on building automated yield products, the role of stablecoins in global commerce, and how regulation is shaping the future of financial infrastructure in crypto. Lessons You'll Learn You'll learn how platforms like Coinchange offer passive income opportunities through a combination of staking, hedge funds, and DeFi protocols. Max explains why they pivoted to B2B after the collapse of Celsius and BlockFi, how stablecoins enable cross-border transactions, and what the future holds for regulation, innovation, and adoption in DeFi. About Our Guest Maxim Galash is the CEO of Coinchange, a fintech company offering automated crypto yield products tailored for fintechs and B2B platforms in emerging markets. Under his leadership, Coinchange has shifted from a retail-focused platform to a sophisticated infrastructure provider, enabling clients to earn yield via staking, hedge funds, and decentralized liquidity pools. Max is also closely involved with navigating international compliance, helping businesses provide regulated yield products globally. Topics Covered DeFi vs CeFi: What's changed since the 2022 crypto crashes Why Coinchange moved from retail to B2B How stablecoins are used in cross-border payments Managing risk through diversified, automated strategies Regulatory challenges across the US, EU, and emerging markets The role of Telegram blockchain and the future of mini apps Tokenized T-bills and institutional DeFi adoption

Episode Topic In this episode of PayPod, host Kevin Rosenquist sits down with Adam Katz, founder and CEO of Kaletra, to discuss the challenges and inefficiencies in foreign exchange (FX) trading. Despite FX being a $7.2 trillion daily market, many financial institutions still rely on outdated legacy systems, leading to high fees, slow transactions, and inefficiencies. Adam explores why banks hesitate to modernize their FX infrastructure and how AI, automation, and fintech innovation can drive the future of cross-border transactions. They also touch on the role of blockchain, cryptocurrency, and geopolitical shifts in shaping the FX landscape. Lessons You'll Learn In this insightful discussion, Adam shares why banks struggle with outdated technology, how legacy banking systems create hidden costs, and the impact of government debt on currency volatility. You'll learn about the true cost of FX inefficiencies, how fintech disruptors are offering better alternatives, and why AI-driven automation is the key to lowering transaction costs. Adam also breaks down the hype vs. reality of blockchain in FX, revealing why traditional finance is still reluctant to embrace digital currencies. About Our Guest Adam Katz is the founder and CEO of Kaletra, a company dedicated to modernizing FX trading through cutting-edge financial technology. With years of experience in foreign exchange markets and fintech innovation, Adam has deep insights into the challenges banks face with legacy systems. From his early days in computer programming to his work in financial services, Adam has been passionate about building modern, efficient infrastructure for FX trading. Topics Covered The inefficiencies of legacy FX trading systems. Why banks resist technology upgrades despite high costs. The hidden fees in cross-border transactions. How AI and automation are reshaping FX trading. The role of blockchain and digital currencies in finance. Geopolitical shifts and their impact on global currency markets