In this episode of Voices in Compliance, host Jason Thomas from Alexander Barnes is joined by John Stathacopoulos, Global Head of Compliance at Velocity.

John sits at the intersection of traditional finance and digital assets, bringing deep expertise from both regulated financial services and the fast-evolving world of crypto. At Velocity, he’s helping build next-generation financial infrastructure that connects fiat and blockchain rails, while ensuring compliance keeps pace with innovation.

The conversation explores the rapid rise of stablecoins, breaking down what they are, why they’ve become such a dominant force in financial services, and how their use cases have evolved alongside increasing institutional adoption. John also challenges common misconceptions around crypto, including its perceived links to illicit activity, and explains why transparency in blockchain can actually be a strength.

Jason and John dive into the growing role of regulation, particularly MiCA and how it’s shaping the future of digital assets across Europe and beyond. They discuss whether regulation slows innovation or strengthens the space, and what “good” compliance really looks like in high-growth fintech environments.

The episode also offers a behind-the-scenes look at the role of a modern Head of Compliance, including how to navigate tensions between commercial ambition and regulatory responsibility and why collaboration, not conflict, is key to success.

00:00 – Intro & crypto vs cash misconceptions
00:36 – Guest introduction: John Stathacopoulos (Velocity)
01:44 – Episode overview & welcome
02:18 – John’s background & role at Velocity
03:21 – Building compliance in a fast-scaling startup
04:01 – Where Velocity operates globally
04:21 – What are stablecoins? (simple explanation)
05:18 – The purpose of stablecoins & how use cases evolved
06:43 – Why stablecoins are booming right now
07:57 – Institutional adoption & “Stablecoin Summer”
08:39 – Why regulators are focusing on crypto now
09:37 – Stablecoins vs e-money vs other crypto
10:08 – Risks & challenges in the crypto market
11:06 – What is MiCA? (explained simply)
11:48 – How hard is it to get licensed?
13:11 – What regulators are really looking for
15:15 – Does regulation slow innovation?
16:43 – How MiCA is shaping the global market
17:53 – Staying up to date in compliance
19:03 – Difficult conversations as Head of Compliance
20:43 – Compliance vs commercial teams: finding balance
21:31 – The future: who wins in 5–10 years?

In this episode of Voices in Compliance, host Jason Thomas sits down with Ross Osbourne, UK CEO of Rippling, to explore the complexities of scaling compliance functions within high-growth fintech environments. Ross shares his perspective on why compliance should be a business enabler rather than a "policing" unit and discusses the critical importance of building a "compliance culture" from the ground up.

The conversation covers the tactical realities of international expansion, the "red flags" to watch for during rapid hiring, and how to maintain a strong relationship with the regulator while moving at pace. Whether you are navigating a new license application or managing a global compliance footprint, Ross provides a roadmap for balancing commercial ambition with regulatory integrity.

Episode Timestamps:

• [00:00:15] Introduction: Jason welcomes Ross Osbourne, CEO of Rippling, to discuss his extensive background in the fintech and payments space.
• [00:01:30] The Growth Friction: Ross explains how to manage the natural tension between commercial targets and compliance guardrails.
• [00:03:45] Compliance by Design: Why tech and product teams must be aligned with compliance goals from the very beginning of the development lifecycle.
• [00:06:20] Navigating Global Footprints: Tactical advice on managing different regulatory requirements across multiple jurisdictions.
• [00:09:50] Building the Right Team: The qualities Ross looks for when hiring compliance professionals who can thrive in a fast-paced environment.
• [00:13:10] The Role of Technology: How automation and AI are being utilized to streamline the "first line" of defense.
• [00:16:45] Engaging the Regulator: Why transparency and proactive communication are the foundations of a successful relationship with the FCA.
• [00:20:15] The Strategic MLRO: Shifting the perception of the MLRO role from a cost center to a value-add for the business.
• [00:24:40] Quick Fire Section: Ross reveals his favorite morning habits, his "Queen for a day" regulatory change, and his guilty pleasures.

In Episode 3 of Voices in Compliance, host Jason Thomas (Co-Founder of Alexander Barnes) is joined by Heather O'Gorman, Associate Director and Head of Digital Assets at FSCOM. Heather brings over a decade of experience to a deep-dive conversation on the rapidly evolving world of payments, e-money, and crypto assets.

We explore the reality of AI in compliance - moving away from the idea of AI as an "expert" to focus on how technology can realistically strip the administrative burden out of daily life. Heather also pulls back the curtain on FCA authorization, explaining why some firms fail and how a "live" Business Wide Risk Assessment (BWRA) is the secret to regulatory success.

Whether you’re a Fintech founder navigating your first EMI application or a compliance professional looking to step up into an MLRO role, this episode is packed with actionable insights on leadership, innovation, and the upcoming regulatory roadmap.

Key Topics Covered:

The AI Misconception: Why technology should replace admin, not human intelligence.

FCA Focus Areas: Mastering the methodology of Business Wide Risk Assessments.

EMI Application Strategies: Success tips for navigating the iterative authorization process.

The Future of Money: The role of stablecoins in cross-border payments.

Career Evolution: The personality traits needed to move from banking into compliance consulting.

Episode Timestamps

00:00 – Intro: Meet Heather O'Gorman, Head of Digital Assets at FSCOM

01:25 – Restructuring compliance teams for the UK market

02:27 – AI in Compliance: Replacing admin vs. replacing experts

03:55 – The "Live" Document: Mastering Business Wide Risk Assessments (BWRA)

05:48 – FCA Guidance: Best practices for methodology and control

06:30 – EMI Applications: Why success rates are picking up

07:48 – Finding the right expertise for the MLRO role

08:43 – "Act like a regulated firm before you are one"

09:30 – Why interim MLROs are difficult to approve

10:15 – Building a transparent relationship with the FCA

10:55 – Top 3 tips for a successful EMI application

12:55 – The MLRO as a business enabler, not a "police officer"

13:42 – Innovation and managing up: Advice for future MLROs

14:59 – Banking vs. Consulting: Does your personality fit the pace?

17:43 – 2026 Horizon: Safeguarding and the new Crypto Asset Regime

18:32 – Stablecoins and the future of cross-border payments

20:20 – The UK's regulatory roadmap for crypto firms

21:30 – Quickfire Round: Morning routines, Adam Lambert, and career "what ifs"