Notes from a FinTech Generalist

Hi, I’m Siva. I previously worked at the Bank for International Settlements Innovation Hub (BISIH). In that world, “innovation” meant real constraints, real stakeholders, and delivering products that actually work.

Innovation is often trendy. I care more about whether a change actually improves outcomes. To judge that, I try to go one layer deeper than the headline and ask what problem is being solved, what trade-offs are being made, and what would break if we shipped it into the real world.

At a glance

Systems & trade-offs Stakeholders & constraints Specs, stories, tests Ship what works

Innovation often feels like running into walls. You have to be a little crazy to keep doing it. I’m just the right amount of crazy to push through. Real innovation is more human than technical. It requires fighting against existing processes, advocating for structure, and a willingness to constantly learn and unlearn.

That is why I am a generalist. To push a product through those walls, you end up wearing many hats across the same problem, sometimes all in the same week: product owner, product manager, project manager, business analyst, design thinking facilitator, UAT tester, backlog manager, and the person writing user stories and test cases when the details really matter.

I am not the best at every hat. I think of myself as Jack of all trades, master of some. If you ask me what I am, I am a problem solver who keeps going until I find a way through.

Learn with Siva

This is where I document the mechanics of money. I explore modern finance and infrastructure, and I also trace the historical path that got us here.

When something looks “obvious” today, I try to find the earlier constraints and decisions that made it feel obvious. No hype. Just systems, trade-offs, and history.

Read the Series

I’m currently open to opportunities, interesting conversations, and collaborations. If something I write resonates, feel free to reach out.

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