Block should focus on being an AI-Enabled Fintech, Not an Applied AI Company

Block just beat earnings and raised its full-year guidance, and the stock slid anyway. That’s the backdrop for the post its head of investor relations…

Aug 14 • Samir Desai

July 2026

Runbook: Investing in Waldo's SAFE 2026

Disclosure: I’m an angel investor in Waldo, and the offer below for Interchange subscribers is a promotion I put together with the company, through a…

Jul 27 • Samir Desai

Taste is the last moat

When the cost of building is zero and competition is everywhere, taste is everything

Jul 17 • Samir Desai

1

The Over-Engineered Guide to Building Your Child's Finance Stack

It’s been a while since I’ve published something.

Jul 7 • Samir Desai

4

September 2025

Episode I: Attack of the Code Editor Clones

AI Code Editors have the same bold promises as the neobank fintechs of yesteryear, but without factoring in unit economics, we’re due for the same harsh…

Sep 4, 2025 • Samir Desai

August 2025

The Over-engineered Hierarchy of PFM Needs

Sometimes less is actually more

Aug 19, 2025 • Samir Desai

1

July 2025

Pay them what you owe them

Last week, WNBA players wore shirts emblazoned with "Pay us what you owe us" during warmups, sparking predictable social media outrage.

Jul 28, 2025 • Samir Desai

Interview with HR Tech Trailblazers

We talk about my journey in fintech, EWA and the power of fintech ecosystems

Jul 26, 2025 • Samir Desai

In fintech, sometimes you need a Goliath to fight other Goliaths

The Capital One + Discover merger is happening, and that's actually a good thing

Jul 21, 2025 • Samir Desai

Updating the Interspace VC Index

New additions to the fintech VC landscape for Q2 2025

Jul 17, 2025 • Samir Desai

Wells Forgo-ing The Bilt Deal Was Not On My Bingo Card

But it's not the economics that doomed this partnership like they want you to think

Jul 13, 2025 • Samir Desai

1

Bilt to Last

Bilt is back in the news, but not for a misunderstood bank partnership that everyone wrote off as unsustainable. It’s for rumors they’re attempting to…

Jul 10, 2025 • Samir Desai