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Brendan Malone, CEO of Raiz Invest, joins Dexter Cousins to mark 10 years since Raiz launched to Australian retail investors. From a joint venture with US micro-investing app Acorns in 2015, Raiz has grown to $2.1 billion in funds under management, over 330,000 active monthly users and over $5.5 billion invested for Australians.  What We Discuss How Raiz started as a joint venture with US app Acorns in March 2015 before listing on the ASX as Raiz in April 2018The roundup innovation that put $2.2 billion to work for 340,000 Australians through small amounts consistently over time.Why Raiz expanded into Southeast Asia, the 280 million person opportunity in Indonesia and what made it harder than expectedThe ASX listing as a capital strategy when VC appetite for fintech was thin in 2018Brendan's frustration with CDR after a decade of roundtables, policy submissions and no meaningful consumer outcomeHow a 42-person team manages $2.2 billion using AI and machine learning, and why Brendan would not start again from scratch even in the AI eraRaiz's product roadmap including the Raiz Kids ecosystem and why Brendan expects consolidation among micro-investing platforms within the next few yearsThe endurance principles shared by Australian fintechs that have survived a decade: stay close to customers, resist the bright shiny things, and stick to the strategyKey Timestamps 01:00 Celebrating a Decade in Business 02:11 The Genesis of Raze and Early Challenges 05:13 Breaking Down Barriers to Investing 08:08 Innovative Wealth Management Solutions 10:49 Growth Plans and Market Strategies 13:18 Exploring Southeast Asia's Market Potential 15:50 The Scale Game: Financial Inclusion in Indonesia 18:28 Lessons from Early Adopters: The CDR Experience 19:51 Navigating Regulatory Challenges in FinTech 23:04 Customer-Centric Innovation: Listening to the Market 24:19 The Impact of AI on Business Transformation 28:21 Building an Ecosystem for Sustainable Growth Links and Resources Raiz Invest: raizinvest.com.auBrendan Malone on LinkedInTier One People: tieronepeople.comThis show is brought to you by Tier One People, where we work with founders like Brendan to find the 1% who redefine what's possible. If you're scaling your leadership team, start at tieronepeople.com. Send us Fan Mail Connect on with Dexter Cousins on Linkedin Hire Exceptional Fintech Talent Subscribe on LinkedIn

David Hyman co-founded Lendi Group in 2013 and built it into Australia's largest non-bank mortgage platform with a $107 billion loan book, 5 million customers, and $350 million in annual revenue. He stepped down as CEO in January 2026 and within weeks was building his next company. In his fourth appearance on Fintech Chatter, David joins Dexter to talk about Mono AI, a platform business that helps established companies become AI native before a leaner AI native competitor makes them irrelevant. They cover the difference between human motion and agentic motion, why the CTO is often the biggest blocker to AI strategy, what ElevenLabs's $2 million revenue per employee tells you about the next three years, and the two traits (curiosity and high agency) that separate people who will thrive in this transition from those who won't. David also explains the Mono AI wedge model, why he's building a global AI business from Sydney, and what roles the company is actively hiring for now. This episode was recorded just before the major job losses at Block and Atlassian. It is one of the most practically important conversations on this show to date. Find David on LinkedIn or visit monoai.co Tier One People: tieronepeople.com Send us Fan Mail Connect on with Dexter Cousins on Linkedin Hire Exceptional Fintech Talent Subscribe on LinkedIn

Block Just Cut 4,000 Jobs. WiseTech Cut 2,000. Here's What To Do Next. Last week was a wake-up call for anyone working in fintech and tech in Australia. Block — the company behind Square, Cash App, and Afterpay — cut more than 4,000 employees. That's nearly half the company, down from over 10,000 to just under 6,000. The stock surged 24% on the same day. Afterpay is still headquartered in Sydney, and Australian staff have been directly affected. The same week, WiseTech Global announced 2,000 job cuts over two years — 29% of their workforce. CBA quietly cut 300 roles, mostly in technology. All three cited AI as the driver. In this video, Dexter Cousins breaks down what actually happened and gives you three practical steps to take today if you've been affected or think you might be next. Chapters 00:00 Navigating Job Loss in FinTech01:39 How Your Experience Is In Greater Demand Than Ever03:02 Avoid Three BIG Mistakes03:49 Career Balance Sheet05:03 Identifying Opportunities05:45 GTM Strategy — Quick Wins07:09 Building Momentum and NetworkingCareer Balance Sheet - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hLJJQl2B_h1u00G46sNxlhGNRXXZlCv6/view Part 1 - https://tieronepeople.com/2025/11/14/find-fintech-jobs/ Part 2 -https://tieronepeople.com/2026/01/12/professional-networks-job-hunting/ Part 3 - https://tieronepeople.com/2026/02/16/professional-brand-first-principles/ Send us Fan Mail Contact: [email protected] Connect on with Dexter Cousins on Linkedin Hire Exceptional Fintech Talent Subscribe on LinkedIn

🔥 We find the 1% who redefine what's possible - Executive search for fintech → https://tieronepeople.com Checkbox AI just raised $23M at $100M valuation serving enterprise customers SAP, PepsiCo, Telstra, and Woolworths. CEO Evan Wong shares the 9-year journey from bootstrapped startup to enterprise legal AI platform, competing against $5B+ valuation businesses like Harvey. 📊 KEY METRICS: • US$23M Series A at $100M valuation (total of US$29m raised) • 100+ enterprise customers including Fortune 500 • Capital Raise will be used to expand into the US market • Named in Gartner's 2025 Hype Cycle for Legal Tech • 9-year journey from founding to Series A  ⏱️ CHAPTERS: 00:00 Introduction to Checkbox AI and Its Journey 02:26 Understanding Checkbox AI's Role in Legal Tech 06:27 The Evolution of No-Code and AI in Legal Solutions 10:50 Navigating the Competitive Landscape of Legal AI 12:58 The Importance of Customer-Centric Product Development 18:49 Building for Enterprise: Lessons Learned 25:58 Scaling Efficiently in the Age of AI 28:38 Embracing an AI-First Mindset 31:19 Navigating Fear and Shame in Entrepreneurship 35:09 Advice for Young Entrepreneurs 39:51 Finding Energy and Passion in Work 40:52 Building a Resilient Organization 44:23 Future Plans and Growth Strategies 🔗 EVAN WONG: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theevanwong Checkbox AI: https://www.checkbox.ai 📰 EPISODE SOURCES: Checkbox Series A Announcement: https://www.checkbox.ai/news/checkbox-raises-23-million-series-a-to-become-the-front-door-for-in-house-legal-teams 📺 ABOUT FINTECH CHATTER: Australia's leading fintech podcast with 350+ episodes reaching 30,000+ fintech professionals in 40 countries monthly. 🔔 SUBSCRIBE for weekly conversations with fintech leaders ⭐️ Give a 5 star review 💬 COMMENT with your thoughts on this episode Send us Fan Mail Connect on with Dexter Cousins on Linkedin Hire Exceptional Fintech Talent Subscribe on LinkedIn

Tier One People placed Matt Baxby as Revolut Australia's founding CEO. Six years later: 1M customers, profitable. The right leader changes everything. Looking for your next hire? Contact Dexter Cousins for a confidential discussion. Welcome back to Fintech Chatter Podcast - In our first episode of 2026 Matt Baxby reveals how Revolut reached 1M customers and saved Australians $250M in FX fees while achieving profitability. Discover the hiring secrets, growth strategy, and vision to become Australia's #1 finance app. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Milestone Achievements 06:45 New Products 12:08 Banking License Update 14:06 Why Revolut has outlasted other Neobanks 16:37 6 Years at Revolut, One Million Customers. 20:09 What makes someone successful at Revolut? 24:46 Why Revolut's "work from anywhere" policy works. 28:04 What's next for Revolut? 31:33 Careers at Revolut Links Revolut Careers: revolut.com/careers Revolut Australia: revolut.com/en-AU Discuss Hiring: tieronepeople.com/contact Send us Fan Mail Connect on with Dexter Cousins on Linkedin Hire Exceptional Fintech Talent Subscribe on LinkedIn

Most people treat networking like fitness - they lie on the sofa for three years, then panic when they're out of shape. In this episode, Dexter Cousins breaks down the 95-5 principle: 95% of your job hunting success comes from 5% of your network. Learn how to identify the critical 5% of your network, activate them strategically, and turn two-minute conversations into warm introductions. This is networking done right. KEY TAKEAWAYS The 95-5 Principle: Focus on your critical 5%, not broadcasting to thousands T1/T2/T3 Framework: How to filter your network strategically The Two-Minute Ask: Why small requests get bigger results Compounding: How one conversation generates 1-2 warm introductions  The Trust Shortcut: Borrow credibility through warm introductionsFREE DOWNLOAD Network Activation Worksheet - Get your T1/T2/T3 filter template, email scripts, and conversation guide. https://tieronepeople.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Network_Activation_Worksheet-1.pdf ABOUT THE HOST Dexter Cousins is Managing Director of Tier One People, the executive search firm for Fintech. With 25+ years in recruitment, Dexter has an unmatched record helping fintech companies build exceptional leadership teams. NEXT EPISODE Episode 4: The Interview - How to interview like you're diagnosing their business, not begging for a job. Send us Fan Mail Contact: [email protected] Connect on with Dexter Cousins on Linkedin Hire Exceptional Fintech Talent Subscribe on LinkedIn

🚀 Hire outstanding Fintech talent - https://tieronepeople.com ✅ Follow Dexter on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dextercousins/ ⬇️ Download the worksheet - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rkcgAsabfYtPrZw1owzg1BpsnUxvLCDR/view?usp=sharing In this episode of FinTech Chatter, Dexter Cousins shares insights on how to find your next role in the fintech industry using the Lean Startup methodology. He emphasizes the importance of creating a career balance sheet, identifying problem customers, and positioning oneself as an expert before applying for jobs. Dexter provides practical steps to research and validate hypotheses about companies' needs, turning job hunting into a targeted and strategic process. 00:00 Creating Your Professional Brand 06:24 Leveraging Top Brands 07:42 Finding Target Companies 08:31 Organizing Your Research 10:42 Iterating Your Approach 12:02 The Importance of Precision in Job Applications Send us Fan Mail Contact: [email protected] Connect on with Dexter Cousins on Linkedin Hire Exceptional Fintech Talent Subscribe on LinkedIn

Thinking about your next career move in 2026? Maybe you're actively hunting for your next role in Fintech? This is Episode 1 of a 5-part series that completely flips the script on job hunting in fintech. Whether you're looking for a permanent role or exploring fractional opportunities, this approach will transform your entire career conversation. Most job seekers approach their career transition completely backwards. They ask the wrong questions, compete on the wrong battlefield, and leave millions in untapped value on the table. This episode introduces the framework that transforms you from "Please hire me" to "Here's the problem I solve. Here's why you'd be crazy not to talk to me." We break down: - Why conventional job hunting is fundamentally broken - The questions you should be asking instead - How to identify the concrete problems you solve - The Career Balance Sheet framework - Real-world examples of value creation ($1.5M, $20M+, +40% revenue growth) - Why this framework makes you remarkably hireable Send us Fan Mail Contact: [email protected] Connect on with Dexter Cousins on Linkedin Hire Exceptional Fintech Talent Subscribe on LinkedIn

In this episode, Dexter discusses the silent crisis affecting job seekers, highlighting the alarming rates of burnout and mental health issues before employment.  He explores the current job market landscape, the challenges candidates face, and the impact of financial stress on mental health.  Takeaways Two-thirds of job seekers are experiencing burnout.The average job hunt takes almost six months.Job seekers send an average of 294 applications before landing a job.Financial stress and mental health are intertwined issues.Over 70% of employers research candidates on social media.82% of employees are at risk of burnout in 2025.Gen Z and millennials report peak burnout at just 25 years old.Financial pressure is the top concern for young Australians.Candidates may exhibit odd behavior due to stress.Understanding candidates' contexts is crucial in recruitment. Send us Fan Mail Contact: [email protected] Connect on with Dexter Cousins on Linkedin Hire Exceptional Fintech Talent Subscribe on LinkedIn

Dexter Cousins brings a new weekly insight on Fintech careers and hiring. In this episode he explores the growing trend of C-suite professionals contemplating a shift from their current roles to alternatives that better support their well-being.  While at the same time executives who have made the shift by becoming self-employed or starting Fractional service offerings, are seeking permanent work again. Let s know what you think. What has been your experience in either offering Fractional Exec services or using them? Send us Fan Mail Contact: [email protected] Connect on with Dexter Cousins on Linkedin Hire Exceptional Fintech Talent Subscribe on LinkedIn

In this episode of Fintech Chatter, host Dexter Cousins speaks with Dan Jowett, CEO of OpenMarkets Group, about the rapid convergence of Tradfi and DeFi About OpenMarkets Group Power your Fintech, Advisory, or Trading business with an end-to-end Wealth Management and Trading solutions.  Openmarkets empowers financial institutions and advisers to deliver a seamless investment experience to their clients. They provide a comprehensive suite of trading, clearing and settlement, custody, and technology solutions that enable businesses to efficiently manage portfolios, scale their business, and support investors in achieving their financial objectives. About This Episode Tune in as Dan and Dexter discuss how OpenMarkets has transformed from a traditional stockbroker to a technology-focused fintech, the regulatory hurdles facing the crypto industry, and the future of equities trading in a rapidly changing environment. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to OpenMarkets and Fintech Landscape 02:26 Evolution of OpenMarkets: From Stockbroker to Tech Innovator 06:08 Navigating the Future: DeFi and Traditional Finance 11:45 Regulatory Challenges and Opportunities in Digital Assets 15:37 Building a Strong Culture at OpenMarkets 18:47 Navigating Market Changes in Fintech 21:07 Lessons from Leadership During Challenging Times 23:22 The Importance of Networking and Global Perspectives 24:26 The Future of DeFi and Regulatory Challenges 27:24 Cultivating a Positive Workplace Culture 30:59 Finding the Right Fit in a Dynamic Environment Find Out More - https://openmarkets.com.au/ Send us Fan Mail Contact: [email protected] Connect on with Dexter Cousins on Linkedin Hire Exceptional Fintech Talent Subscribe on LinkedIn

In this episode of Fintech Chatter, host Dexter Cousins speaks with Joni Pirovich, a crypto compliance expert and founder of Crystal AOS. They discuss Joni's journey from being a crypto lawyer to a tech founder, the challenges of hiring in the compliance space, and the role of AI in enhancing productivity and filling the compliance knowledge gap in the digital assets space.  Joni and Dexter chat about the current state of play in the crypto industry in Australia, regulatory challenges, and the need for holistic policy to foster innovation in the tech sector. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Fintech Chatter and Guest Background 04:50 The Evolution of Compliance in Crypto 09:24 AI's Role in Enhancing Compliance and Legal Practices 14:11 Challenges in the Australian Crypto Landscape 18:43 The Need for Holistic Regulatory Approaches 23:18 Building a Supportive Ecosystem for Startups 27:56 Conclusion and Future Outlook Contact Joni: [email protected]  Send us Fan Mail Contact: [email protected] Connect on with Dexter Cousins on Linkedin Hire Exceptional Fintech Talent Subscribe on LinkedIn

Is Ethereum the layer to exchange value via the internet?  In this episode of Fintech Chatter, host Dexter Cousins speaks with Jake Denny, Chief Commercial Officer of Pier Two, about Ethereum staking and its commercial potential. Tune in for a discussion on the differences between Ethereum, Bitcoin, and Solana, the future of money through smart contracts, and the real world use cases that are being delivered through stablecoin adoption. Find out more - https://piertwo.com/ Chapters 00:00 Introduction  01:28 Understanding Ethereum Staking and Its Commercial Potential 07:00 The Use Cases of Ethereum vs. Bitcoin and Solana 13:05 The Future of Money and the Role of Smart Contracts 18:55 The Impact of Technology on Traditional Finance 24:51 The Importance of Speed in Financial Transactions 31:07 The Role of Curiosity and Hustle in Fintech Careers 39:19 Pier Two's Mission and Vision in the Crypto Space 56:24 Connecting DeFi and TradFi: Opportunities for Collaboration Send us Fan Mail Contact: [email protected] Connect on with Dexter Cousins on Linkedin Hire Exceptional Fintech Talent Subscribe on LinkedIn

In this episode of Fintech Chatter, Dexter Cousins speaks with Morty Tollo, co-founder of Elbaite and Faststables.com, about the intersection of traditional finance (TradFi) and decentralised finance (DeFi).  They discuss the evolution of Elbaite, the importance of stablecoins in solving everyday business problems, and the challenges posed by regulation and banking in the crypto space.  Morty shares insights on the future of crypto, and his observations from Token 2049 in Singapore. The need for optionality in payment solutions paints a bright future for stablecoins in the evolving landscape of financial services. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Elbaite and Morty Tollo 02:20 Bridging TradFi and DeFi 10:22 Challenges and Successes of FastStables 17:04 The Future of Stablecoins and Banking 27:37 Connecting with Elbaite and Closing Thoughts Find out more: https://www.faststables.com/ https://elbaite.com/au Connect with Morty on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mortytollo/ Send us Fan Mail Contact: [email protected] Connect on with Dexter Cousins on Linkedin Hire Exceptional Fintech Talent Subscribe on LinkedIn

In this final episode on Housing Affordability, Fintech Chatter host, Dexter Cousins speaks with Dean Fraser, founder of BrickFloor. BrickFloor aims to help "Forever Renters" through innovative property technology and fintech solutions, including a market price guarantee product that locks in a price for sellers before they go to market. Find out more - https://brickfloor.com.au/ Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Housing Affordability Solutions 02:39 Understanding BrickFloor's Business Model 05:32 Navigating the Challenges of the Housing Market 08:21 Regulatory Hurdles and Product Innovation 11:08 Success Stories and Customer Experiences 17:02 Future Plans for BrickFloor Send us Fan Mail Contact: [email protected] Connect on with Dexter Cousins on Linkedin Hire Exceptional Fintech Talent Subscribe on LinkedIn