Welcome to Fintech Takes, the podcast breaking down the latest in fintech news and trends. I'm Alex Johnson, your self-proclaimed Fintech nerd and creator of the Fintech Takes newsletter. We’re shaking up our regular schedule with a special solo episode of my 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗰𝗵 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀. What’s that, you ask? It’s my monthly hangout with fellow fintech nerds where we unpack the latest industry news, field audience questions, and have a candid chat. If you haven’t joined one yet, mark your calendar for December! Now, let’s dive in. First up: The Election. While I’m staying out of politics, I’m exploring what Trump’s reelection could mean for fintech. Deregulation is on the horizon, and early shifts in financial services are already happening. But will this “Amish rumspringer” in finance trigger another speculative frenzy? Is deregulation the right answer, or could it lead to long-term consumer challenges? Next: Marqeta. The card issuer processor’s stock plummeted 30% after Q3 earnings. Big clients are bringing program management in-house, signaling a major shift. As regulatory scrutiny rises, the old model where Visa and Mastercard acted as quasi-regulators may crumble. For intermediaries like Marqeta, it’s adapt or lose key revenue. Then, FDIC’s new report on financial inclusion: progress is being made, but many Americans are still left out of traditional banking. Can fintech close the gap, or is the system too rigid to change? Finally, crypto remains a paradox. New FDIC data shows it’s mostly for wealthy, young, banked investors—not the empowerment tool many promised, contrary to what Coinbase et al would have us believe. Is crypto reshaping financial services, or actually deepening divides?  Tune in to find out. 00:02:32 - The “Amish Rumspringa” of finance begins 00:29:13 - Marqeta and the canary in the coal mine 00:36:20 - The unbanked and underbanked  00:48:17 - Crypto’s paradox Sign up for Alex’s Fintech Takes newsletter for the latest insightful analysis on fintech trends, along with a heaping pile of pop culture references and copious footnotes. Every Monday and Thursday: https://workweek.com/brand/fintech-takes/  And for more exclusive insider content, don’t forget to check out my YouTube page.   Follow Alex:  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJgfH47QEwbQmkQlz1V9rQA/videos LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexhjohnson Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/AlexH_Johnson