For various reasons which I share in today’s episode, many FinTech companies are now establishing their global headquarters in the UAE. Tune in today to hear how the UAE has become the new Switzerland when it comes to the FinTech space!  If you found value in this episode, I would really appreciate it if you could leave a review! My mission is to help and support as many FinTech startups as possible, and when you leave a positive review, more people can find this podcast and help their companies! If you are on Apple, just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and tell me what your favorite part of the podcast is.    Today's episode: [00:38] An overview of the current trend towards the UAE in the FinTech space. [01:55] Updates that I have made to the FinTech Compliance Self-Starter Package.  [02:44] How Switzerland’s approach to FinTech has changed over the last few decades. [03:21] Examples that highlight Switzerland’s increasing transparency.  [05:40] Factors that make the UAE appealing to FinTech companies.   [07:51] The UAE’s approach to categorizing risk in comparison to the approach adopted by the EU.   [08:55] Potential problems with operating out of the UAE.  [10:25] Advice for anyone considering opening a company in the UAE.  [11:05] A call to share your own stories about conducting business in the UAE.    Show links: Interested in FinTech compliance? – Consider investing in the FinTech Compliance Self-Starter Package! Want more insights about FinTech and Compliance delivered directly to your inbox? Let’s stay in touch! Click here.

“Hire slow, fire fast” has become a common adage in the working world. In today’s episode, I am going to explain why this approach does not work well in the world of FinTech compliance and what FinTech leaders should be doing to find the right fit for their companies instead!  If you found value in this episode, I would really appreciate it if you could leave a review! My mission is to help and support as many FinTech startups as possible, and when you leave a positive review, more people can find this podcast and help their companies! If you are on Apple, just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and tell me what your favorite part of the podcast is.    Today's episode: [00:42] An overview of today’s topic.  [01:42] Problems with using a “hire slow” approach in the FinTech compliance sector.    [03:32] Common mistakes that FinTech leaders make when hiring compliance professionals.  [04:29] Skills to look for in a potential compliance hire. [05:30] The immature approach to firing a compliance leader.  [06:51] Why FinTech managers often delay letting their compliance leaders go. [07:31] The difference between how good and bad managers deal with the firing of a compliance leader.  [09:32] A summary of the reasons I disagree with the “hire slow, fire fast” adage.    Show links: Interested in FinTech compliance? – Consider investing in the FinTech Compliance Self-Starter Package! Want more insights about FinTech and Compliance delivered directly to your inbox? Let’s stay in touch! Click here.

The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) is an international body founded with the aim of enhancing global financial security and improving industry standards. However, in this episode, I share why I believe many of the actions that the FATF has taken are negatively impacting the FinTech space.  If you found value in this episode, I would really appreciate if you could leave a review! My mission is to help and support as many FinTech startups as possible, and when you leave a positive review, more people can find this podcast and help their companies! If you are on Apple, just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and tell me what your favorite part of the podcast is.    Today's episode: [00:37] An overview of today’s episode. [01:04] The mission of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). [01:43] How the FATF works.  [02:01] Problems with the FATF.  [02:51] How the FATF has impacted de-risking within the banking system.  [04:55] Why I disagree with the way the FATF guidelines segment industries.  [06:29] An explanation of how the FATF travel rule works.  [08:22] Consequences of the FATF’s warnings about decentralized finance.  [09:55] Examples of the biases held by the FATF.  [14:28] Inconsistencies in the way the FATF assigns risk to different countries.   [15:50] Other elements of the FATF that I believe are problematic.    Show links: Interested in FinTech compliance? - consider investing in the FinTech Compliance Self-Starter Package! I would love to invite you to sign up for my newsletter. If you are interested, please click here.

A common expectation of first-time MLROs and heads of compliance is that their CEO will be their boss. In this episode, I debunk this myth so you, as a new MLRO or head of compliance, can enter your new role with your eyes wide open to what your relationship with your CEO is really going to look like!  If you found value in this episode, I would really appreciate if you could leave a review! My mission is to help and support as many FinTech startups as possible, and when you leave a positive review, more people can find this podcast and help their companies! If you are on Apple, just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and tell me what your favorite part of the podcast is.    Today's episode: [00:38] Who I created this episode for.  [01:06] One of the biggest mistakes made by first-time heads of compliance.  [03:02] A hard truth about the majority of FinTech CEOs.  [04:16] Why CEOs don’t want to deal with compliance issues.  [06:50] The kind of relationship that most FinTech CEOs want to cultivate with their heads of compliance.  [08:28] The strategy I recommend adopting when discussing compliance-related topics with your CEO.   [10:52] Pros and cons of working as the head of compliance in a startup environment.  [11:33] How to treat your CEO from your position as head of compliance.  [12:06] Updates from the FinTech Pro Compliance Certification Program.    Show links: Interested in FinTech compliance? - consider investing in the FinTech Compliance Self-Starter Package! I would love to invite you to sign up for my newsletter. If you are interested, please click here.

In this episode, I explore some common conspiracy theories that I have come across in the world of business and finance. I personally find this topic a fascinating one, and I hope you enjoy listening to this episode as much as I enjoyed recording it.  If you found value in this episode, I would really appreciate if you could leave a review! My mission is to help and support as many FinTech startups as possible, and when you leave a positive review, more people can find this podcast and help their companies! If you are on Apple, just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and tell me what your favorite part of the podcast is.    Today's episode: [00:39] Why conspiracy theories are the focus of today’s episode.  [02:38] An overview of Peter Thiel and Elon Musk’s ideological beliefs.   [04:00] A conspiracy theory relating to CBDCs.  [07:05] How CBDCs compare to Russian sanctions.   [07:43] Exploring the Great Reset conspiracy theory.  [09:52] Conspiracy theories relating to ESG.  [11:39] Questions I have regarding conspiracy theories.  [12:19] The value that I find in conspiracy theories.   [13:11] A compliance dilemma that is linked to conspiracy theories.     Show links: Interested in FinTech compliance? - consider investing in the FinTech Compliance Self-Starter Package! I would love to invite you to sign up for my newsletter. If you are interested, please click here.

Inspired by Andrew Ross Sorkin’s insights on the topic, in this episode, I explore the differences between the financial crises of 2008 and 2023 and share my thoughts on which one was the most egregious.  If you found value in this episode, I would really appreciate if you could leave a review! My mission is to help and support as many FinTech startups as possible, and when you leave a positive review, more people can find this podcast and help their companies! If you are on Apple, just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and tell me what your favorite part of the podcast is.    Today's episode: [00:38] An overview of today’s topic: comparing the 2008 and 2023 crises.  [00:56] The person who inspired this episode.  [01:38] Causes of the subprime mortgage crisis of 2008.  [02:58] How the more recent financial crisis differs from the previous one, according to Andrew Ross Sorkin.  [04:20] The Credit Suisse case study.   [06:17] How banks often explain away their inefficiencies and failures.  [07:06] What a conflict of interest is and an example of this concept in action.  [10:12] Reasons why I believe the 2023 crisis is worse than the 2008 crisis.   [11:58] Why compliance and risk functions are often excluded from important decisions.    Show links: Interested in FinTech compliance? - consider investing in the FinTech Compliance Self-Starter Package! I would love to invite you to sign up for my newsletter. If you are interested, please click here.  

“Not treating compliance as a function responsible for revenues is not just a poor cost decision; it’s simply ignoring the reality of the underlying processes.”  In this episode, I explore the defining characteristics of cost and revenue centers and share my thoughts on the problems with looking at compliance as a cost and why it should be viewed as a revenue generation function instead.  If you found value in this episode, I would really appreciate it if you could leave a review! My mission is to help and support as many FinTech startups as possible, and when you leave a positive review, more people can find this podcast and help their companies! If you are on Apple, just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and tell me what your favorite part of the podcast is.    Today's episode: [00:40] An overview of today’s topic.  [01:32] Some of the most common workplace challenges experienced by compliance officers.  [03:08] The defining characteristics of a cost center. [04:04] How compliance costs are usually categorized.  [04:30] The primary goals of revenue centers and the activities that they focus on.  [05:00] How the success of a revenue center is measured.   [05:49] The problem with treating compliance as a cost center.  [06:37] Some of the biggest costs of customer acquisition and activation.  [08:13] How compliance impacts the cost and speed of customer acquisitions.  [08:50] Examples of issues that are likely to arise when compliance is viewed as a cost center. [11:23] Benefits of treating compliance as a revenue center.  [12:29] How to sign up for the FinTech Compliance Pro Certification!    Show links: Register here for the FinTech Compliance Pro Certification. Interested in FinTech compliance? - consider investing in the FinTech Compliance Self-Starter Package! I would love to invite you to sign up for my newsletter. If you are interested, please click here.

In this episode, I explore the key elements of the MICA regulation that was approved in the spring of 2023, its problematic elements, and the implications it will have in the FinTech space.  If you found value in this episode, I would really appreciate if you could leave a review! My mission is to help and support as many FinTech startups as possible, and when you leave a positive review, more people can find this podcast and help their companies! If you are on Apple, just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and tell me what your favorite part of the podcast is.    Today's episode: [00:53] An overview of the key topic of today’s episode.  [01:41] The difference between a regulation (like MICA) and a directive.  [03:08] Why MICA is such a significant regulation.  [04:35] The two broad token categories.  [06:43] Elements of the MICA regulation that I believe are problematic.  [12:30] What triggered the creation of the MICA regulation.  [13:10] Some of the positive aspects of MICA.  [14:32] My thoughts on the future of DAOs.  [16:01] An overview of the “good” versus the “bad” sides of MICA.     Show links: Interested in FinTech compliance? - consider investing in the FinTech Compliance Self-Starter Package! I would love to invite you to sign up for my newsletter. If you are interested, please click here.

Bill Gurley’s inspirational speech at the All-In Summit motivated me to record an episode focusing on the worldwide issue of regulatory capture. Tune in today to learn more about what regulatory capture is, the numerous industries that have been accused of facilitating it, and what it could mean for the future of financial services and Big Tech.  If you found value in this episode, I would really appreciate if you could leave a review! My mission is to help and support as many FinTech startups as possible, and when you leave a positive review, more people can find this podcast and help their companies! If you are on Apple, just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and tell me what your favorite part of the podcast is.    Today's episode: [00:38] The inspiration behind today’s episode.  [01:55] Who Bill Gurley is.  [02:50] Understanding regulatory capture.  [03:35] Examples of how regulatory capture can occur.  [05:50] Why the pharmaceutical industry has been accused of regulatory capture.  [06:36] Other industries that have been accused of regulatory capture.  [07:29] Signs of regulatory capture in the financial industry.  [08:29] Bill’s prediction about future relations between Big Tech and the government.  [09:53] Why I disagree with Bill’s assessment of Coinbase.  [10:50] The importance of having open discussions about regulatory capture.    Show links: Watch Bill Gurley’s speech here. Interested in FinTech compliance? - consider investing in the FinTech Compliance Self-Starter Package! I would love to invite you to sign up for my newsletter. If you are interested, please click here.

In this episode, I share some of the invaluable lessons that I learned from listening to a speech by Tobias Lütke, the founder and CEO of Shopify, at the inspirational All-In Summit. From eliminating unnecessary meetings to his thoughts on why founders make the best CEOs for their companies, tune in today to hear it all! If you found value in this episode, I would really appreciate if you could leave a review! My mission is to help and support as many FinTech startups as possible, and when you leave a positive review, more people can find this podcast and help their companies! If you are on Apple, just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and tell me what your favorite part of the podcast is.    Today's episode: [00:39] A brief overview of the All-In Summit. [01:17] The person who inspired this episode.  [01:50] Why Tobias (Tobi) Lütke believes that founders should run their companies rather than hiring professional CEOs.  [03:15] Tobi’s approach to enhancing productivity at Shopify.  [05:25] Why Tobi doesn’t refer to his team as a family.  [07:42] The reason Shopify has such a high number of payment service providers. [09:26] What I admire about Tobi.  [10:07] Where you can watch Tobi’s full speech.    Show links: Watch Tobi Lutke’s speech here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2c4VnzTepK0 Interested in FinTech compliance? - consider investing in the FinTech Compliance Self-Starter Package! I would love to invite you to sign up for my newsletter. If you are interested, please click here.