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Hi, fintech fam! 💜

I hope you had a fabulous long weekend! I took some much-needed rest because things are about to get crazy busy as we gear up for this year’s events!

Speaking of which, here’s the lowdown for April 23:

The Fintech Is Femme Leadership Summit is the biggest event during New York Fintech Week, hosted at the beautiful Times Center in NYC. This year, we’re taking it up a notch with two stages:

• The Leadership Summit on the main stage

• The Fintech Security Summit on the second stage, co-hosted by me and Frances Zelazny of Anonybit

Two stages. Same venue. More impact.

Pro Tip: Academy of Fintech members get discounted tickets. Apply today to join.

Want to sponsor? Get involved here!

Now, let’s dive into today’s story. ✨

INCLUSION

Reclaiming My Time: Congresswoman Maxine Waters Speaks Truth to Power

“Have a strong sense of what is fair and what is not, and be compelled to act when you experience unfairness and injustice.” — Congresswoman Maxine Waters via 2017 Glamour Woman of the Year.

Consistency is the secret sauce of success.

Whether you’re a founder launching a fintech startup or someone trying to shift a massive system, one thing is clear: steady persistence is key.

But if you need proof that a single individual’s fierce commitment can reshape the game, look no further than Congresswoman Maxine Waters.

When Waters’ name comes up, it’s impossible not to think of the iconic phrase:

“Reclaiming my time.”

Simple yet powerful, it encapsulates everything we admire about her—sharp, unapologetic, and unforgettable.

But let’s be clear: that viral mic-drop moment is just the tip of the iceberg in a career defined by relentless advocacy for financial equity and justice.

Waters is a seasoned policymaker whose career has been guided by a singular vision: to craft a regulatory framework that keeps pace with fintech innovation while protecting the most vulnerable.

From the start, she’s championed financial inclusion and fintech as the foundation of a more equitable economy that ensures underserved communities, particularly women of color, have access to the financial tools needed to disrupt generational poverty.

Born into a working-class family of 13 children in St. Louis, Waters’ foundation is built on resilience.

Raised by a single mother who instilled the values of hard work, faith, and community, Waters became a woman who would never bow down. “I’m a strong Black woman, and I cannot be intimidated,” she says—a mantra that still guides her every decision.

By her early twenties, Waters moved to Los Angeles, where she worked in garment factories and at a telephone company to help support her family.

Her rise from a young girl juggling jobs to help support her family in Los Angeles to becoming one of the most senior women of color in Congress wasn’t accidental.

It was shaped by witnessing grassroots movements in L.A., where women led the fight against poverty.

Waters drew inspiration from their quiet yet fierce activism, which reinforced her belief that women, especially women of color, hold the power to change the world.

“There were women in Los Angeles—names you’ll never hear of, like the Mary Henrys and Cathy Greens of the world—who emerged as leaders during the war on poverty. They inspired me,” Waters recalled in an interview.

These women, along with national figures like Shirley Chisholm and Barbara Jordan, sparked Waters’ passion for justice and equality, showing her the power of speaking out, even when the odds are stacked against you.

Before heading to Washington, Waters honed her skills over 14 years in the California State Assembly and California State Senate, gaining invaluable insights into financial and housing regulations. It was the perfect storm of experience, ambition, and community focus.

When the Congressman representing California’s 43rd District retired in 1990, Waters ran for the seat—and won. She has represented California’s 43rd Congressional District since 1991.

The district is home to many working-class families, people of color, and marginalized communities—groups Waters has fiercely advocated for. 

She didn’t just learn to fight for herself; she learned that fighting for others was her calling.

Now the most senior woman of color in the House of Representatives, Waters has used her position on the House Financial Services Committee to push for regulations prioritizing consumers, protecting vulnerable populations, and challenging the status quo. 

Waters’ fierce stance on financial inclusion, consumer protection, and social justice made her an instant heavyweight in the committee.

Her advocacy for financial inclusion, particularly for underrepresented groups, is the cornerstone of her career.

Whether addressing predatory lending, affordable housing, or discriminatory practices in financial services, Waters has been a voice for those who are too often unheard.

Her work on financial services regulations is legendary.

After the 2008 financial crisis exposed vast inequities in housing and lending, Waters didn’t just react—she engineered a response.

She was instrumental in passing the Dodd-Frank Act, a landmark legislation designed to prevent another crisis and safeguard consumers.

But for Waters, financial protection goes beyond regulation—it’s about opportunity. She fosters an ecosystem of innovation that provides access and empowerment, not exploitation.

As fintech evolves, so too must its regulation.

Whether blockchain technology, digital assets, or peer-to-peer lending, Waters insists that consumer protection must never be sacrificed in the race for innovation.

Her advocacy has been pivotal in pushing for financial education, inclusive lending, and data privacy protections—vital components of a future where everyone, not just the privileged few, can access the economic tools to thrive.

Her call for federal oversight of stablecoins and digital assets is a clarion call for balanced regulation.

Waters sees innovation’s promise but is equally aware of its risks. Her message?

Innovation cannot come at the cost of consumer protection. Regulation doesn’t stifle innovation; it ensures it can be sustainable, ethical, and beneficial.

She knows the stakes. Without proper oversight, the risks could outweigh the rewards.

In my view, regulation doesn’t hinder innovation; the lack of funding for women and diverse entrepreneurs stifles progress.

Take her 2023 call-out of PayPal’s stablecoin launch, for example. She didn’t mince words—calling for a stronger regulatory framework to protect consumers navigating this fast-evolving digital space.

Stablecoins have gained massive popularity, reaching $6.87 trillion in 2022—surpassing traditional payment giants like Mastercard. But they’ve also raised new concerns around consumer protection, data security, and market stability.

Most recently, on Feb. 10, Waters dropped a long-anticipated draft bill to regulate stablecoins.

After three years of bipartisan collaboration, the legislation reflects not just technical feedback from the Treasury Department and the Federal Reserve but a clear push for regulatory certainty in a crypto market long resembling the Wild West of financial innovation.

“This draft bill fosters innovation while properly addressing and prioritizing concerns I’ve long had about safeguarding our nation’s consumers from the scams that have plagued the crypto industry,” Waters said in a statement. 

Consumer protection is at the heart of this proposed legislation.

Beyond the policy, what truly sets Waters apart is her ability to speak truth to power. 

In a memorable 2017 hearing, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin tried to run out of her allotted time instead of answering her questions about Trump’s financial ties to Russia.

Waters shut him down: 

“Reclaiming my time,” she snapped repeatedly. The phrase became a hashtag—a call to action for women to stand up for themselves.

Whether she’s taking on a sitting Treasury Secretary or calling out fintech giants for their lack of transparency, Waters wields her words with surgical precision.

Her ability to channel national frustrations into witty, powerful lines of action is pure magic.

It’s no wonder “Reclaiming my Time” became a rallying cry for women everywhere—a succinct, powerful reminder that our voices matter and we deserve to be heard.

And if you’re a company in the financial space, you can bet Waters will hold you accountable.

While the internet may love a good hashtag, Waters’ legacy isn’t just a meme—it’s a blueprint for leadership, especially in fintech.

She’s steadfastly fought for the most vulnerable populations, ensuring no one is left behind in the digital revolution.

Waters’ advocacy is grounded in her belief that everyone deserves the same opportunities to thrive, especially the marginalized.

She’s shown that financial regulations can foster innovation—if done with consumer protection in mind.

As the cryptocurrency and fintech landscape continues to evolve, Waters remains unwavering in her conviction that innovation should never come at the expense of accountability.

Despite her immense influence on financial policy, she stays grounded in her mission to fight for everyday Americans.

Her life story is filled with inspiration, offering lessons that resonate far beyond politics.

She draws strength from her roots and the women who shaped her perspective:

“I would go to meetings just to hear [these women] talk. I would go to meetings just to see them deal with elected officials and put them in their place,” Waters said, reflecting on how her early role models taught her the power of speaking truth to power.

This is a lesson we can all carry forward. It’s why I profiled women like Waters, along with 40 other trailblazers, in my book Fintech Feminists. It’s also why I created the Fintech Is Femme Leadership Summit—so we can hear from powerful women whose expertise shapes how we innovate the future of fintech.

In the fight for financial inclusion, Waters isn’t just setting the agenda—she’s shaping the future. 

She’s doing it with a lifetime of lived experience, determination, and, yes, fierce, unapologetic Auntie Maxine energy.

And she’s not just advocating for change—she’s making it happen.

If you’re on the other side of her fight? Well, good luck.

_{WTF ELSE?}

• How green fintech is making money sustainable 

• Forbes List of 50 hottest fintech startups in 2025

• The rise of AI in Indonesia is expanding financial inclusion 

• Employer.com offers to buy failed fintech Level, a week after it makes offer for Bench 

• Argentine lawyers accuse President Milei of fraud over cryptocurrency promotion

• Global fintech investment falls to seven-year low of $95.6 billion in 2024, but there’s optimism

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_{I WANT IT, I GOT IT}

• 📰 Today’s Read: I just grabbed a copy of Virginia Woolf’s To the Lighthouse during a stroll through a bookstore in Mexico City. Has anyone else read it? I can't wait to start reading.

• 🍿 Today’s Food: I grabbed drinks and bites at Pepple Bar on Friday night—what I like to call a little “scouting” for future events—and it was surprisingly delightful for a Midtown spot. (I’m definitely a sucker for premium bar snacks.) The $25 martini? A true “Welcome to New York” nostalgia moment.

• 🌍 Today’s Watch: The Broadway musical Hell’s Kitchen, a captivating biopic by and about Alicia Keys, is a vibrant and emotionally stirring coming-of-age musical that is a must-see in the city—highly recommended!

_FINTUNES

🎵 Sabrina Carpenter - Please Please Please ft. Dolly Parton

Let's take a moment to celebrate two legendary queens who are seamlessly connecting generations through their work, mutual respect, and collaboration. It's truly inspiring to witness.

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That’s all for now! See you Thursday!

Love,

Nicole 💜