Lex Sokolin on Robo-Advisors, MetaMask, and Stablecoins - Fintech Garden Episode 124

In Episode 124 of the Fintech Garden podcast, Igor Tomych welcomes Lex Sokolin—fintech entrepreneur, investor, and thought leader—to unpack the evolution of digital finance over the last 15 years.

Lex’s Journey Through Fintech

Lex shares how he moved from Wall Street at Lehman Brothers to launching one of the first U.S. robo-advisors in 2009, years before the wealthtech boom. He later co-founded AdvisorEngine, acquired by Franklin Templeton, and went on to lead research and product at ConsenSys, helping scale MetaMask to more than 100 million users.

Stablecoins as a Substitute for Open Banking

One of Lex’s most compelling insights: stablecoins are a cheaper, more reliable, and more trustworthy replacement for embedded finance and open banking. Drawing lessons from the collapse of Synapse and the fragility of API-led banking, Lex explains why blockchain-based money removes counterparty risk and offers a strictly better product for consumers and fintech builders alike.

Looking Ahead

Today, through his fund Generative Ventures, Lex is investing in the convergence of fintech, crypto, and emerging technologies. He also shares a thought-provoking book recommendation—Accelerando by Charles Stross—as a guide to understanding the decades ahead.

This episode is a must-listen for fintech founders, product leaders, and investors navigating the future of digital banking, stablecoins, and decentralized finance.