Top Fintech Voices You Should Follow in 2025
November 4, 2025, 18 min read
It’s wild to think how far fintech has come, isn’t it? What started as a quiet rebellion against slow banks and paper-heavy finance has turned into a full-blown ecosystem that runs half our daily lives.
We’re splitting dinner bills with a tap on Revolut or Venmo, investing spare change on Robinhood, paying for coffee through Apple Pay, getting instant loans on Klarna, and managing our entire business from an app that didn’t exist a decade ago. That’s not just progress, that’s transformation.
Fintech isn’t a side story anymore. It is the story of how technology, regulation, and human behavior collided to redefine what money means in the 21st century. And behind all that noise, there’s a group of people who do more than just follow these changes. The thinkers, founders, analysts, and storytellers whose voices move the industry forward. This is a blog where they are exactly where they deserve to be, the stage.
In this piece, we’ll dive into:
- Why these voices matter right now
- The top fintech thought leaders you need to follow in 2025
- The major themes shaping fintech today
- How you can engage with these voices
So yeah, if you’ve ever wanted to know who’s really worth listening to in the fintech world right now, you are in the right place. Let’s get started with why this blog is written now.
Why These Voices Matter Now
The fintech space constantly accelerates. New regulations drop every quarter, emerging tech keeps rewriting playbooks, and the lines between banking, payments, and everyday life blur a little more each year. In the middle of that blur, it’s easy to lose perspective. That’s why voices like these matter.
These aren’t just people with big followings, they’re the ones who make sense of the noise. They translate the technical into the tangible, helping the rest of us understand not only where the industry’s headed but also what it means. When a new regulation changes how digital lending works, or when AI starts reshaping compliance and fraud detection, they’re the ones we hear through the hype to talk about what’s actually changing beneath the surface.
But their value goes beyond analysis. These voices hold the mirror up to fintech’s bigger questions, the ones that don’t get solved with a new API. Questions about inclusion, transparency, sustainability, and trust. They challenge the industry to innovate responsibly, to remember that behind every data point is a real person whose access to credit, safety, or opportunity is affected by what we build.
They’re also the reason fintech stays human. For all our obsession with automation and efficiency, this industry still runs on ideas, curiosity, and shared accountability. These are the voices keeping that conversation alive and connecting regulators with innovators, startups with institutions, and technology with empathy.
Top Fintech Voices to Follow in 2025
Let’s get to our actual stars, shall we?
If fintech were a movie, Brett King would be in the credits as both “writer” and “executive producer.” Long before the term “neobank” even entered mainstream vocabulary, Brett was already imagining what banking would look like in a world ruled by smartphones and algorithms. The author of Bank 4.0 and host of the global podcast Breaking Banks, King has become something of a futurist historian, surely mapping where the industry’s been and where it’s undeniably going.
His thinking pushes beyond app updates and interface design; he forces leaders to confront what it really means when banking becomes embedded into every aspect of life. Brett doesn’t just analyze change but he provokes it, challenging the comfort zones of legacy institutions while inspiring a new generation of builders who see finance not as a product, but as infrastructure for human progress.
Few voices in fintech have combined activism, intellect, and real influence like Ghela Boskovich. She’s not the type to talk about inclusion for applause. She’s the type to make it happen and make the industry slightly uncomfortable while doing it. As the founder of FemTechGlobal and a long-time advocate for ethical, inclusive innovation, Ghela has built her reputation on reminding fintech that diversity isn’t a trend, it’s a competitive advantage. She’s constantly speaking on how technology and policy intersect, calling out blind spots in the system that others politely ignore. Her writing and talks blend economic realism with moral clarity, reminding us that “moving fast and breaking things” has real human consequences.
Ghela’s voice cuts through the performative noise to ask the questions that truly matter: who benefits, who’s excluded, and how can fintech do better?
Simon Taylor is the guy you wish sat next to you in every industry panel. One that is sharp, funny, and able to make the most complicated fintech concept sound perfectly simple. As a co-founder of 11:FS and one of the most respected analysts in digital finance, Simon’s perspective has helped decode everything from embedded finance to decentralized systems with clarity and wit. What makes him stand out is his ability to connect big-picture trends with practical realities, he knows both the tech stack and the market psychology.
When Simon speaks, the industry listens not because he’s loud, but because he’s consistently right. Whether through his podcast appearances or his incisive posts on LinkedIn, Simon delivers insight that’s refreshingly devoid of jargon, smart commentary built for people who actually build.
Nicole Casperson represents a new era of fintech storytelling, one where media isn’t just about breaking news but about building communities. She’s created a space where underrepresented voices, especially women and diverse leaders, are not just highlighted but centered. Nicole’s voice is both journalistic and personal and she doesn’t just observe the industry, she participates in it. Her approach dismantles the gatekeeping culture that has long dominated finance, turning conversations into movements.
What makes Nicole’s presence so necessary is her refusal to separate culture from capital; she understands that the future of fintech depends on who gets heard. Authentic, informed, and bold, Nicole has redefined what fintech media looks like and made it infinitely more human.
There are fintech veterans, and then there’s Chris Skinner, a name that practically defines the word “thought leader.” Through The Finanser, his decades of writing, and his bestselling books, Skinner has chronicled fintech’s evolution from niche innovation to global infrastructure. He’s seen hype cycles rise and fall, and his commentary carries that rare mix of skepticism and optimism that only comes from true experience. Chris’s thought pieces often blur the line between analysis and philosophy. It is exploring how digital finance shapes not just economies, but societies. When he talks about technology, he’s really talking about humanity: how we spend, save, and trust in an increasingly digital world. His insights remind fintech leaders that while innovation drives change, purpose sustains it.
Theodora Lau doesn’t just talk about fintech’s potential, she constantly reminds us of its responsibility. As co-author of Beyond Good and founder of Unconventional Ventures, she focuses on using innovation to tackle systemic issues like aging, inequality, and sustainability. Theodora’s voice stands out because it’s rooted in empathy; she’s proof that being visionary doesn’t mean being detached. Her commentary bridges tech and humanity, asking how fintech can genuinely improve lives rather than just digitize them. In an industry obsessed with speed and scale, Theodora’s message is grounding: the future of finance should be designed around people, not profit. Her influence extends far beyond her platforms, she’s a moral compass for where fintech should be heading.
Lex Sokolin is fintech’s philosopher-engineer, a rare hybrid who can talk DeFi tokenomics, AI ethics, and macroeconomic trends without missing a beat. His analyses read like dispatches from the near future, offering a deeply technical yet profoundly human view of where finance and technology collide. With a background spanning ConsenSys, Autonomous Research, and multiple startups, Lex blends academic rigor with market instinct. What makes him indispensable is his refusal to simplify the complex just for clicks. Instead, he builds bridges between disciplines, helping fintech professionals truly understand the implications of innovation. Following Lex feels like having early access to the next five years of fintech thinking, today.
Ron Shevlin has that rare gift of making data actually fun to read. As Chief Research Officer at Cornerstone Advisors and a longtime Forbes columnist, he’s the industry’s most trusted (and sometimes feared) myth-buster. Ron doesn’t just drop stats, he weaponizes them against the hype. His commentary balances humor, evidence, and brutal honesty in a way few others can. He’s the guy who’ll write a 2,000-word takedown on why your “disruptive” startup idea probably isn’t, and somehow, you’ll thank him for it. What makes Ron’s work so valuable is his objectivity; he’s not trying to sell you a trend, he’s trying to tell you the truth and in fintech, that’s priceless.
If fintech had a conscience, it would sound like Leda Glyptis. A true original in an industry that too often rewards conformity, Leda’s writing and talks carry a raw honesty that’s both refreshing and necessary. Through her book Bankers Like Us and her regular essays, she’s built a voice that bridges intellect and rebellion. Leda doesn’t shy away from calling out hypocrisy in innovation culture; the empty slogans, the shallow digital “transformations,” the lip service to inclusion. Yet her criticism always comes from love; love for what fintech could be if we dared to make it better. Her words challenge, inspire, and sometimes sting, but they always stick.
When Devie Mohan speaks about fintech trends, you listen. Not because of buzz, but because of data. As the co-founder and CEO of Burnmark, she brings a research-driven clarity to an industry that often drowns in opinion. Her analyses cut through the noise to show what’s really happening across ecosystems, startups, and institutions. What sets Devie apart is her ability to merge hard numbers with strategic vision, she doesn’t just report on fintech, she maps it. From startup landscapes to regulatory shifts, Devie’s insights shape how decision-makers plan their next moves. If fintech were a chessboard, she’d be the one explaining the strategy behind every piece.
Few people bridge East and West fintech perspectives as seamlessly as Richard Turrin. Based in Shanghai and author of Cashless and Innovation Lab Excellence, Richard has become the go-to voice for understanding China’s digital currency revolution. His insights provide context that Western media often misses; not just how tech is evolving, but why. He speaks about innovation with the lived experience of someone who’s seen it transform societies from the ground up. Richard’s writing blends research, cultural fluency, and optimism for a truly global fintech future. In a field often divided by geography, his voice is a rare connector, building understanding where there’s usually competition.
Alessandro Hatami’s career reads like a map of modern banking’s transformation. With executive experience at Lloyds, PayPal, and GE Capital, and co-author of Reinventing Banking and Finance, Alessandro’s insights carry both credibility and curiosity. He’s equally comfortable talking about AI strategy as he is about corporate leadership and that range gives his analysis weight. Alessandro’s voice stands out because he approaches innovation with both pragmatism and optimism. He’s not chasing the next shiny thing; he’s looking for what genuinely moves the industry forward. His posts, talks, and mentoring sessions remind fintech that change doesn’t have to mean chaos, it can mean progress with purpose.
There’s a reason Spiros Margaris’s name constantly appears on top fintech influencer lists and it’s not luck, it’s longevity. As a VC, board advisor, and thought leader, he’s seen the ecosystem evolve from early digital payments to today’s AI-driven systems. What makes Spiros different is his grounded optimism; he’s enthusiastic about innovation but never blind to its limits. His commentary brings together startups and institutions, technologists and policymakers, the whole ecosystem. He has a way of distilling complex trends into sharp, actionable insights without losing nuance. When Spiros talks fintech, it’s with the quiet authority of someone who’s been right more often than wrong.
Olivia Minnock’s work with FinTech Alliance has made her one of the industry’s most collaborative and community-driven figures. She’s the rare kind of leader who believes innovation thrives when everyone’s at the table. Olivia’s writing and event work highlight how shared knowledge drives progress in fintech. Her voice is both accessible and aspirational, constantly focusing on inclusion, mentorship, and transparency. While many chase disruption, Olivia nurtures connection and that’s what gives her presence such lasting power in a field defined by rapid change.
James Plunkett brings something fintech desperately needs: perspective. With a background in policy, economics, and digital transformation, his insights explore how fintech fits into the broader fabric of society. He’s less about “growth hacks” and more about asking, what’s the point of innovation if it doesn’t serve people? His talks and essays often focus on regulation, data ethics, and economic fairness, issues that tend to be sidelined in tech hype. James reminds us that fintech isn’t just about markets; it’s about meaning. His voice serves as the thoughtful pause the industry often forgets to take.
Time to get a little star-struck guys. You can’t talk about modern fintech without talking about Patrick Collison, the quiet powerhouse behind Stripe. As co-founder and CEO, he’s turned what started as a developer tool into one of the most consequential financial infrastructure companies of our time. Patrick’s influence goes far beyond product innovation; he’s redefined what accessibility in payments really means. By simplifying global commerce and enabling millions of startups to accept payments instantly, Stripe has become the invisible backbone of the internet economy. But what makes Patrick’s voice so magnetic isn’t just his success, though it would be understandable if it was, it’s his curiosity. He frequently engages in thoughtful discussions about tech ethics, macroeconomics, and the social impact of innovation. Patrick embodies that rare blend of pragmatism and idealism, the belief that building better financial systems can also build a better world.
Monica Jasuja is one of those fintech leaders who’s mastered both the boardroom and the community space. With years of experience across major fintech hubs in Asia, she brings a global, inclusive lens to everything she touches. Monica’s strength lies in translating large-scale financial innovation into human impact, particularly in emerging markets where access, trust, and user education are key. Her commentary and thought leadership often explore how fintech can empower people, not just process payments. Whether she’s talking about open banking, women in tech, or digital identity, Monica’s voice carries clarity and conviction. She’s one of the few people who can discuss regulatory frameworks and cultural nuances in the same breath and make both sound equally important.
Panagiotis Kriaris is one of fintech’s most intellectually curious minds; a strategist who connects dots most people don’t even see. His posts and talks blend deep market analysis with a philosophical edge, tackling themes like open finance, digital transformation, and the economic models shaping the future of money. What makes Panagiotis stand out is his rare ability to view fintech not just as a technological shift, but as a sociocultural one. He brings nuance to conversations that often get stuck in buzzwords, reminding his audience that innovation without understanding is just noise. His writing reads like a conversation with someone who’s been inside every corner of fintech and still manages to find new questions worth asking.
Arthur Bedel has emerged as one of the most globally connected fintech commentators of this generation. Known for his sharp analyses on LinkedIn and his work bridging European and global fintech ecosystems, Arthur’s insights strike that perfect balance between enthusiasm and authority. He has a rare talent for distilling the industry’s chaos into patterns and identifying which trends are genuine transformations and which are passing hype. Arthur’s commitment to community-building is also worth noting; he consistently uplifts other voices, creating space for collaboration over competition. His commentary reflects a fintech built on relationships and shared intelligence, not just quarterly results.
Jack Zhang’s work at Airwallex speaks volumes, literally reshaping how global payments and cross-border businesses operate. As CEO and co-founder, he’s part of a new wave of fintech entrepreneurs who combine engineering depth with strategic foresight. Jack’s leadership has helped make global transactions faster, cheaper, and more inclusive for small businesses while effectively giving startups the financial tools once reserved for multinationals. What makes his voice valuable is his ability to speak from the front lines of fintech’s infrastructure revolution. He’s not just imagining a borderless financial system, he’s also building it. And his story serves as proof that innovation and scalability don’t have to come at the expense of purpose.
Paul van Alfen’s name might not be splashed across headlines every day but inside the payments world, he’s a legend. With decades of experience in global payment solutions and digital strategy, Paul has been instrumental in shaping how businesses adopt fintech at scale. His insights, shared through speaking engagements and consultancy work, often explore how legacy systems can evolve without losing stability. He’s the pragmatic strategist in a sea of dreamers, the one who reminds the industry that true innovation is measured by usability, not novelty. Paul’s calm, data-driven voice acts as an anchor for those navigating fintech’s constant disruption.
Dwayne Gefferie represents the next-gen fintech expert: highly analytical, community-minded, and deeply attuned to data’s storytelling power. His expertise spans AI, analytics, and digital finance and he uses that mix to demystify how fintech works behind the curtain. Dwayne’s posts and insights often explore how automation, data modeling, and behavioral insights can improve both user experience and business strategy. What sets him apart is his generosity with knowledge; he doesn’t just observe trends, he breaks them down for others to understand. In a world where everyone claims to “simplify finance,” Dwayne actually does it with substance.
Sandra Mianda brings a bold, visionary energy to fintech’s ongoing evolution. Her voice consistently pushes the conversation toward inclusivity, empowerment, and cultural fluency in financial systems. Sandra stands out for her global perspective, especially her advocacy for fintech development in underrepresented regions and her work highlighting African innovation ecosystems. She speaks passionately about how fintech can close economic gaps and build generational wealth in ways that traditional finance never managed to. Sandra’s mix of entrepreneurial instinct and social consciousness makes her a standout figure in an industry still learning how to balance innovation with empathy.
Maya Middlemiss has one of the most distinctive narrative styles in fintech. She is part journalist, part philosopher, all insight. Through her writing, podcasting, and consulting work, she explores how technology, money, and human behavior intersect. Maya’s commentary is sharp but approachable; she connects fintech trends to real-world implications in a way that keeps her audience grounded. She’s especially known for dissecting hype cycles with wit and precision, while keeping an eye on ethics, privacy, and trust. In an age where financial tech can feel impersonal, Maya’s work reintroduces empathy and humor into the equation. She doesn’t just report on fintech; she interprets it.
Nik Milanović is the connector, the person who seems to have a hand in every meaningful fintech conversation happening right now. As the founder of This Week in Fintech and a former Stripe and Google alum, he’s built one of the most engaged global communities around fintech thought leadership. What makes Nik so impactful is his commitment to open dialogue; his weekly newsletter doesn’t just share updates, it curates the heartbeat of the industry. Nik’s writing combines intellectual rigor with genuine excitement for what’s next and his ability to spotlight other voices gives his platform a collaborative spirit that’s rare in this space. In many ways, Nik’s become fintech’s unofficial chronicler, documenting its evolution one thoughtful issue at a time.
What a list, what talents gracing it. What are they talking about then?
Where the Fintech Conversation Is Headed
Spend enough time in fintech circles, panels, podcasts, posts, and you’ll notice the same few threads weaving through it all. These are the conversations shaping the industry’s next era. They’re not passing trends; they’re shifts in mindset that everyone on our list seems to be driving in one way or another.
- AI that actually earns its place.
We’ve moved past the surface. The talk now is about how AI can make financial systems more intelligent and more ethical, automating processes without automating bias. These voices are the first to ask the hard questions: Who’s training the data? Who’s accountable when it fails? And how do we use it to empower rather than exploit?
- Finance that shows up where people already are.
Embedded finance is no longer the future; it’s the invisible infrastructure of everything. You don’t “go” to your bank anymore, it’s built into your ride app, your shopping cart, your phone. The smartest fintech voices aren’t just hyping that shift; they’re unpacking what it means for customer trust, brand loyalty, and long-term value.
- Inclusion that’s more than a tagline.
The loudest, most necessary conversation. Fintech promised to democratize access but the work’s far from done. Whether it’s credit scoring fairness, gender representation, or global reach, these leaders keep that dialogue alive. They remind us that innovation without inclusion isn’t progress; it’s just privilege with better UX.
- Regulation finally playing catch-up.
For once, regulators aren’t entirely behind the curve but the gap’s still real. As governments and fintechs learn how to coexist, the people on this list are decoding policy shifts and translating them into plain language. They’re helping both sides move faster without breaking trust.
- A return to financial wellbeing.
Growth used to mean more products; now it means better outcomes. The new fintech conversation is about helping users understand, manage, and feel confident about their money. It’s a cultural pivot, and these voices are shaping it with empathy at the core.
- Storytelling as infrastructure.
The final common thread? The best fintech minds today are incredible communicators. They don’t hide behind jargon; they turn complex change into human stories. In a space built on APIs and compliance, that kind of clarity is what keeps people listening.
These are what the brightest and bravest minds are talking about. How can you possibly respond?
How to Engage With These Voices
The conversation isn’t as secluded as it used to be. It’s happening in comment sections, livestreams, newsletters, and half the podcasts on your commute. These voices don’t sit behind glass but rather they build communities around what they know. Getting into their orbit isn’t about access; it’s about attention.
Start where they actually talk, not where they just exist. Don’t just “follow” them on LinkedIn or X, engage. Comment thoughtfully. Ask questions. Most of these people thrive on dialogue, not follower counts. Their posts often kick off industry-wide debates, and showing up early in those threads puts you right where the insight happens first.
Read their longer work, that’s where the real thinking lives. Many of them publish newsletters, reports, or longform essays. That’s where the surface-level hot takes give way to real depth. Substack, Medium, company blogs; it’s where fintech stops being reactive and starts being reflective.
Listen to what they listen to. Podcasts and panels reveal the ecosystem behind the names. You’ll find these voices quoting each other, disagreeing, refining ideas together. It’s the closest you’ll get to sitting at the table without an event badge.
Join the same rooms; virtual or not. Fintech events, Twitter Spaces, or community Slack groups are open doors now. Many of these voices host sessions or mentor initiatives. If you show up consistently, you’ll stop being an observer and start being part of the dialogue.
And finally, build your own perspective. Following these voices isn’t about echoing them. It’s about understanding the playbook and writing your own page in it. Every strong fintech voice started by responding, not repeating. It sounds easy for us to say but you can do it.
Because here’s the truth: fintech’s best thinkers aren’t trying to sound smart but rather they’re trying to make the rest of us smarter. Engage with them like that, and you’ll find yourself learning faster than any course or certification ever could.
Final Thoughts
Here we are at the end. What we’ve gathered here isn’t just a list, it’s a snapshot of where fintech thinking lives right now. These are the people turning the noise into meaning, steering conversations that shape how the industry grows and how it stays accountable while doing it.
If there’s one thing fintech has taught us over the years, it’s that progress doesn’t happen in isolation. It happens in dialogue, in shared insight, challenge, and collaboration. The voices in this piece don’t just reflect that truth; they embody it.
So whether you’re building, investing, writing, or just endlessly curious about where finance and technology meet next: follow them, engage with them, question them. Because this industry doesn’t need more spectators; it needs more people in the room, thinking out loud.
