Meet Jens Podewski, CEO & Co-Founder at European Payments and Banking Service Provider: FinXP

Tell us about FinXP

 

FinXP is a licensed financial institution based in Malta, with operations in Cyprus and Lithuania. I co-founded the company in 2014 with Stefan Haenel because we saw how difficult it was for businesses in high growth industries such as iGaming and crypto to access reliable banking services.

Over the years, FinXP has become a trusted partner, offering tailored financial solutions such as IBAN accounts, cross-border payments, card issuing, and embedded finance. We work with Mastercard to enable smooth international transactions and take pride in our independence, regulatory strength, and ability to solve complex financial challenges for our clients.

 

 

How did you come up with the idea for the company?

 

FinXP was born out of a real need. I’ve always been passionate about making financial services more accessible, and Stefan, who had a background in iGaming, experienced first-hand how traditional banks were pulling away from certain industries. We saw an opportunity to build a financial institution that could offer businesses faster, more flexible, and more reliable payment solutions without relying on third-party banks.

What sets FinXP apart is our independence. We issue our own IBANs, which means we have more control over the services we provide. Unlike traditional banks that often have rigid policies, we create customised solutions tailored to the needs of niche, regulated industries like crypto and iGaming while maintaining the highest standards of security and compliance.

 

 

What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs?

 

My biggest piece of advice is to find a problem you genuinely care about solving. FinXP works because we understand the struggles our clients face and are passionate about helping them.
It’s also important to stay adaptable. We operate in a sector where regulations and technology are constantly changing, so being able to pivot and adjust is key. Building trust is another critical factor.

Our focus on compliance, security, and reliability helps us develop long-term relationships with clients and partners. Lastly, embracing technology has made a huge difference. We automated key processes like certain aspects of KYC checks and client onboarding, which continues to help us scale and provide a better service.

 

What excites you most about FinXP?

 

For me, what excites me most about fintech is the pace of innovation. I’m fascinated by how new technologies – like real-time payments, API-driven platforms, and embedded finance – are transforming the way businesses and consumers interact with money. The constant evolution means there’s always something new to learn and build.

What draws me to FinXP specifically is how you’re blending that innovation with real-world impact. From providing scalable IBAN solutions to enabling seamless cross-border transactions, FinXP is pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in payments – while staying grounded in regulatory excellence. It’s the kind of environment where I feel I can grow technically while contributing to something meaningful.

 

How has the company evolved over the last few years?

 

FinXP has grown and changed significantly in recent years. We expanded into Cyprus and Lithuania, strengthening our presence in Europe. We deepened our expertise in high-risk industries like crypto and CBD, ensuring we had the right regulatory frameworks in place to keep our services secure and compliant.

One of our biggest steps forward was enhancing our cross-border payment capabilities through our partnership with Mastercard, making transactions smoother and more efficient. We also made major improvements to client onboarding, significantly reducing application times. As embedded finance became a bigger trend, we are exploring opportunities in that space, always looking for more ways to innovate and stay ahead.

 

What can people expect to see from FinXP in the future?

 

Our focus has always been on growth and innovation. We plan to expand into new industries where there is a strong demand for smarter financial solutions. We are also looking to strengthen our position and expand into the UK.

Technology is always at the heart of everything we do, and we are constantly working on ways to improve both internal processes and client services. A major milestone will be the launch of our mobile app later in 2025, designed to make our services even more accessible. We are also exploring white-label solutions for partners, giving businesses more flexibility in how they use our services. Our goal is simple: to continue empowering businesses to operate seamlessly across borders and shape the future of global commerce.