FinTech Strategy is back with more key insights from the industry experts and thought leaders shaping the future of financial…

FinTech Strategy is back with more key insights from the industry experts and thought leaders shaping the future of financial services.

Read the latest issue here

Vibrant Capital: Scaling AI on Main Street

Our cover star Shadman Zafar, Founder & CEO of Vibrant Capital, is building a CIO-led model for enterprise transformation. Vibrant Capital is an operator-led investment and company-building platform focused on scaling AI in the real economy. “We don’t spray investments across hundreds of AI startups. We curate a portfolio with purpose – selecting companies that solve the real mission-critical problems CIOs face in scaling AI adoption.”

FNB: Redefining Data Science in Commercial Banking

We also hear from Yudhvir Seetharam, Chief Analytics Officer at South Africa’s First National Bank (FNB) on a data science journey characterised by curiosity, culture and the drive for a competitive edge. “Ours is a holistic approach focusing on the customer,” he explains. “Understanding the context of each customer journey and then using that context so that when we interact with you, we’re able to drive the right conversation with the right customer, at the right time, through the right channel and for the right reason. These ‘five rights’ make our interactions with clients more impactful.”

Virginia Farm Bureau: An Enterprise CIO’s Journey

Shifting focus to the world of insurance at the Virginia Farm Bureau, we spoke withan Enterprise CIO at a complex mission-driven organisation. As he approaches retirement, Patrick (Pat) Caine reflects on his career as a CIO and the centennial of an organisation renowned for resiliency, collaboration, commitment to a greater cause, diversity and service to its members. “In my role as CIO, I’ve always been that person who connects the dots between business needs and technology execution. Virginia Farm Bureau is digitally relevant, collaborative, and well‑positioned for the future.”

Mastercard: Protecting Trust in the Digital Economy

Michele Centemero, EVP Services at Mastercard Europe explains why promoting awareness, stronger collaboration and data-sharing, and continued innovation of payments ecosystems, will be critical in reducing the impact of scams and protecting trust in the digital economy. “The combination of AI, robust identity controls and open banking can help protect consumers from scams, whether across card and account‑to‑account payments or in fraudulent account openings.”

Thales on AI Security: How FinServ’s Budget Priorities Signal a Boardroom Shift

Todd Moore, Global VP – Data Security Products at Thales, reveals why making AI security a boardroom priority today, will help firms position themselves to capture competitive advantage, safeguard customer confidence, and define the future of secure innovation. “Balancing AI’s opportunity and risk means embedding security at every stage, from design to deployment and ongoing monitoring.”

Paymentology: The First Live AI-Agent Payment Is a Test for Credit Infrastructure

Thomas Benjaminsen Normann, Product Director at Paymentology, dissects the future for agentic payments and the progress still to be made. “Agentic payments demand something more granular: a clearer account of who or what acted, under what limits, and with what right to create a liability on the customer’s behalf.”

Also in this issue, we hear from Publicis Sapient, on why asset managers must redesign their enterprise for AI-driven decision intelligence; learn from Bitpace why the most resilient payments infrastructure will be the one with the most adaptability; rank the AI maturity of 12 of the largest payments networks in the latest Evident AI Index; and round up the key FinTech events and conferences across the globe.

Enjoy the issue!

Read the latest issue here

  • Artificial Intelligence in FinTech
  • Blockchain & Crypto
  • Cybersecurity in FinTech
  • Data & AI
  • Digital Payments
  • Embedded Finance
  • Fintech & Insurtech
  • InsurTech
  • Neobanking

Can Taner, Chief Product Officer at Bitpace, analyses the most important shifts in the crypto and payments landscape

The crypto industry has entered a phase of unbundling. Instead of one-size-fits-all platforms that try to do everything, businesses are looking to specialised providers that solve real-world problems with focus and precision. This shift defines how leading firms now build products: client-first, agile, and compliance-ready by design.

Solving Real Problems with Real Products

The key to building effective crypto payment solutions is understanding what businesses actually need. Payments should help companies operate faster, more efficiently, and at lower cost. Rather than chasing every trend, the focus should be on creating tools that remove friction and add measurable value.

That’s why many providers now offer modular solutions designed to work seamlessly across industries:

  • Payment gateway – enabling merchants to accept crypto securely, with instant conversion to fiat if needed, reducing volatility risk.
  • Global settlements – allowing businesses to move funds cross-border quickly and cost-effectively, bypassing traditional bottlenecks.
  • API integration –giving partners the tools to embed crypto payment functions directly into their platforms, delivering a frictionless experience for end-users.
  • OTC services –providing access to large-scale crypto trades, executed with discretion, high liquidity, and competitive pricing.

Each product is tailored to solve a specific pain point. Instead of bundling everything into a rigid system, we focus on flexible modules that businesses can adopt individually or together.

Agility and Expertise in Product Development

For providers, being specialised also means being agile. Every client problem requires a different approach, and in-house expertise allows them to respond quickly without compromising quality. From compliance to sales to product development, teams must collaborate to find creative solutions that meet the highest regulatory and technical standards.

This agility is only possible if they invest in deep domain knowledge. Product and engineering teams that understand the nuances of payments, crypto, and regulation can adapt quickly to market changes while keeping compliance at the core of every decision.

How to Launch New Products Effectively

Launching a new product in crypto, or any fast-evolving sector, demands structure and discipline. The most successful teams follow a process that balances creativity with rigour.

  • Start with ideation. Listen closely to client feedback, analyse emerging trends, and identify where the market still falls short. Great products don’t begin with technology, but with a clear problem to solve.
  • Do the research. Test assumptions early, model potential use cases, and validate compliance requirements before writing a single line of code. A strong evidence base prevents costly pivots later.
  • Plan collaboratively. Bring product, legal, compliance, sales, and technology teams together from the outset. Aligning goals across functions ensures that innovation doesn’t come at the expense of security or scalability.
  • Build with resilience in mind. Security, interoperability, and performance should be built into the product from day one, not retrofitted at the end.
  • Test thoroughly. Create safe environments to simulate real-world conditions and identify weaknesses before launch. Testing isn’t just a single step, but an ongoing cycle.
  • Launch deliberately. Roll out in phases, gather user feedback, and support early adopters closely. A careful launch builds trust and sets the stage for sustainable growth.

Each of these stages is designed to reduce risk, accelerate learning, and maximise long-term value, principles that define successful product development in today’s crypto landscape.

How Specialisation Wins

Launching products in crypto is about precision and collaboration. The great unbundling of crypto is rewarding those who specialise, focusing on solutions that solve real business challenges. Specialised providers win because they put the client first. That focus on expertise and flexibility is what defines success in the new era of crypto payments.

Learn more at bitpace.com

  • Blockchain & Crypto
  • Digital Payments
  • Fintech & Insurtech