How AI Is Quietly Rebuilding the Foundations of Finance

AI isn’t just disrupting finance — it’s quietly rebuilding it from the inside out. In this episode of Code & Capital, host Ian Kar sits down with Charles Birnbaum, Partner at Bessemer Venture Partners and early investor in fintech leaders like Alloy, Lithic, and Melio. They explore how startups are replacing outdated banking infrastructure — from compliance and fraud to cross-border payments and stablecoins. Charles shares how Bessemer’s thesis-driven investing uncovers trillion-dollar problems hiding in plain sight, why the next big winners are solving unsexy but essential workflows, and how AI is transforming financial services behind the scenes. If you're building, investing, or just curious about where fintech is really headed — this conversation is your edge. Thank you for Joining Us! Chapters 00:00 Who Is Charles Birnbaum? From Wall Street to VC 03:13 How VCs Actually Pick Fintech Startups 05:48 Why Early-Stage Success Is All About the Team 08:54 What AI Is Really Changing in Financial Services 11:47 How AI Is Transforming Compliance and KYC 14:48 The Truth About Selling AI to Banks 17:59 Why Stablecoins Might Be Fintech’s Biggest Unlock 21:04 The Untapped Markets Founders Should Be Building For 24:02 The $84 Trillion Wealth Transfer Everyone’s Ignoring 26:45 Knicks Playoff Picks & Founder Energy IRL Check out www.benzinga.com for complete coverage along with all the latest financial news and data! Follow us on socials: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benzinga Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/benzinga TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@benzinga X: https://www.x.com/benzinga Disclaimer: Trading in financial markets involves significant risk, and there is no guarantee of profit. The information provided by any financial product or service is for educational purposes and should not be considered as financial advice. Before making any investment decisions, it's important to conduct thorough research and consult with a qualified financial advisor. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Always invest what you can afford to lose and be aware of the potential for loss in any investment strategy. #ai #podcast #bank #startup #finance #fintech #money #infrastructure #rebuild #fintechinnovation #aiinfinance #financialinstitutions #compliance #startups #venturecapital #stablecoins #crossborderpayments #aicompliance #bankinginnovation #Codeandcapital