Following the Money: A Journey Through Shadow Banking and Power Games: Compliance Cowboys: The High-

About the Author

With over a decade of experience in compliance, KYC, AML, and digital identity-backed by multiple awards in fintech and as the author of The First Fintech Bank's Arrival-I have been an early investor in five digital banks, each with a unique focus across various segments and geographies. As the founder and former CEO of two fintech startups in the U.S. and Singapore, I've led the development of compliance systems designed for high-risk clients, with a strong emphasis on enhanced AML and EDD processes. Notably, I established a regulated, crypto-friendly bank in the U.S., creating its compliance framework and gaining approval from multiple regulatory bodies. This experience has given me deep insights into the compliance challenges digital banks face across jurisdictions, from stringent KYB and KYCC requirements to anti-money laundering protocols.

In addition to my entrepreneurial work, I am an LP at Balaji Fund and AAL.VC, where I support ventures in network states, digital identity, and Web3. My close collaboration with visionary leaders in digital governance has furthered my understanding of regulatory and technological transformations in the industry.

As the host of the Follow The Money [Anti] Money Laundering Show podcast, I explore cutting-edge discussions in compliance, AML, digital identity, and broader fintech and GovTech innovations.

About this Book
The central theme of this book revolves around high-risk and shadow banking, compliance challenges, financial scandals, and the geopolitical implications of these issues. My personal experiences and insights as a compliance specialist add a unique and authoritative perspective:

• High-Risk vs. Shadow Banking: A foundational comparison of high-risk and shadow banking highlights the complexities of modern finance, especially in compliance.
• Financial Scandals (Wirecard, Deltec, Tether, FTX): Case studies illustrating the pitfalls of inadequate compliance and oversight, showing real-world consequences in the financial industry.
• Geopolitical Context (Putin and Trump, Ukraine and Sanctions): An exploration of how geopolitical tensions influence financial practices, including the use of shadow banking to circumvent sanctions, adding depth to global affairs.
• Legal and Ethical Challenges: Addressing the misuse of legal systems to suppress truth ties into broader themes of ethics and accountability in finance and governance.

This book brings together my journey and innovations in compliance, digital banking, and digital identity to provide practical insights and solutions to these pressing issues.