What was your first job?
I started my career as a software engineer at a firm specializing in digital wallets, immersing myself in the payments and FinTech domain from the ground up. FinTech was still evolving at the time, and I had the privilege of working in this industry from its early days. In 2016, the true FinTech boom came right after demonetization and the introduction of UPI, which transformed the entire FinTech landscape.
What excites you about financial technology today?
What excites me about financial technology is how rapidly we are transforming the way we handle money, investments, and the very concept of value. A few things that stand out for me include decentralized finance. I’m surprised to see how decentralized finance changed the industry without dealing with the intermediary banks. Embedded finance – more companies that were not originally in financial technology are now entering the space and offering financial products. Financial inclusion – Underserved populations now have access to financial products like microloans and lending, which were previously out of reach. Crypto and NFTs are creating a lot of buzz with the way they are introducing new financial products and redefining digital ownership.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
The advice I would give my younger self is: Don’t be afraid. Just trust your intuition and be patient in your journey. Like, you have to be patient. You have to wait for the right time. Take care of your mental health because mental health is necessary for you to perform in the longer run. Build strong relationships—both professionally and personally. Stay curious, because the more you explore beyond your comfort zone, the more you learn and grow.
What’s a skill you think will be essential for the future of this industry?
The future of FinTech will be shaped by several key skills, but the most important is AI and data analytics, which enable personalized finance. It offers you risk management, and it offers you algo trading. Other crucial areas include blockchain and smart contracts, cybersecurity and compliance—both of which play a major role in the evolving FinTech space. Additionally, API and cloud computing are becoming increasingly important as the world moves toward open banking. API and cloud computing are also crucial for FinTech products. Lastly, behavioral finance and UX design are essential—understanding user behavior and tailoring products to their needs can be a game-changer.
