In the FinTech’s DEI Discussions podcast, Nadia welcomes Meryem Habibi, Chief Revenue Officer (CRO) at Bitpace, to discuss her inspiring journey through the financial technology industry and how her experiences have shaped her vision for inclusive change. Meryem delves into her career evolution, insights on crypto payments, and the importance of diversity in FinTech.
Navigating a Career in FinTech
Meryem begins by sharing her career trajectory, starting in marketing and transitioning into business development and partnerships. Encouraged by a supportive manager to broaden her horizons, Meryem shifted into business development, initially feeling hesitant but quickly discovering a passion for building relationships. Over time, her role expanded to include sales across regions like the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. This combination of skills—marketing, partnerships, and sales—naturally led her to the role of CRO at Bitpace, where she oversees the company’s revenue strategies.
Her story highlights the importance of adaptability and continuous growth in financial technology careers. Many professionals, like Meryem, may start in one area and find new opportunities in other fields within FinTech. This openness to change, coupled with mentorship from managers, plays a vital role in career progression within the industry. At Harrington Starr, a leading FinTech recruitment business, we frequently see how such shifts enable professionals to thrive in the dynamic world of FinTech.
Bitpace and the Role of Crypto Payments
Meryem provides insight into Bitpace, a crypto payment gateway that facilitates crypto acceptance for companies across various industries. She explains the gateway’s role in helping businesses accept cryptocurrency as payment, without needing to manage the volatility or hold crypto themselves. Bitpace’s technology allows companies to accept payments in crypto while receiving fiat currency in return, all while avoiding the risks associated with crypto’s price fluctuations. This service is particularly relevant for businesses operating globally, as Bitpace offers on- and off-ramp solutions in over 20 currencies, making cross-border payments more efficient and cost-effective.
Crypto payments differ significantly from crypto trading, as Meryem explains. While crypto trading involves managing the volatility of digital currencies, crypto payments allow businesses to use crypto for transactions without engaging directly in the complexities of trading. The payment gateway takes on the task of converting the crypto, handling the volatility, and managing customer support. This distinction is crucial for businesses that want to tap into the crypto market without taking on unnecessary risks.
Meryem highlights how this solution is essential for companies in regions where traditional banking systems are less accessible, such as parts of Africa, Latin America, and Asia. These companies often face long delays and high costs in cross-border payments, which crypto payments can help alleviate. By using stablecoins, Bitpace reduces the risks of currency devaluation and transaction delays, making international commerce more efficient.
The Growing Importance of FinTech Recruitment
As the FinTech sector continues to grow, the demand for specialised talent is higher than ever. In cities like London, New York, and Belfast, where financial technology hubs are thriving, recruitment for skilled professionals in areas such as crypto payments, blockchain, compliance, and cybersecurity is increasingly competitive.
Meryem’s journey underscores how varied the opportunities are in FinTech. She emphasises that the industry isn’t just for engineers and developers but for people with diverse backgrounds, including marketing, sales, finance, and HR. As the industry grows, so does the need for professionals who can adapt to the unique challenges that FinTech and crypto companies face.
At Harrington Starr, we are experts in FinTech recruitment, helping companies in London, New York, and Belfast find top talent to drive innovation and growth. Our recruitment process is tailored to ensure that we match companies with candidates who have the skills and mindset to succeed in the fast-paced world of financial technology.
Building a Diverse Talent Pipeline in FinTech
Meryem is passionate about diversity and inclusion, not just in terms of gender and ethnicity but also in terms of experiences and backgrounds. She stresses that real diversity in the workplace is about bringing together people with different perspectives and life experiences, which helps companies innovate and succeed.
In the world of FinTech recruitment, Harrington Starr is committed to helping businesses build diverse teams. We understand that diversity goes beyond meeting quotas—it’s about hiring people who can bring fresh ideas and different ways of thinking to a company. Whether it’s through a varied educational background or unique career experiences, professionals who add diversity to a team help drive better decision-making and problem-solving.
As Meryem notes, the ability to adapt and learn is critical in fast-paced environments like FinTech and crypto. These industries move quickly, with technology and market dynamics changing rapidly. Professionals need to not only have the technical skills to keep up but also the mindset to embrace change. At Harrington Starr, we see firsthand how recruiting for agility and adaptability in candidates helps companies stay competitive and innovative.
Driving Inclusion in FinTech Workplaces
When it comes to building inclusive workplaces, Meryem stresses that diversity isn’t just about hiring individuals from different gender or ethnic backgrounds. It’s about creating an environment where varied life experiences and viewpoints can flourish. She explains that while some companies focus on balancing gender ratios or ethnic representation, true diversity happens when different ideas and life experiences come together.
In her hiring process, Meryem seeks candidates who bring unique perspectives, such as those who have taken unconventional career paths, have travelled extensively, or have overcome personal challenges. These individuals often bring creative, out-of-the-box thinking that benefits the business. This approach mirrors the recruitment philosophy at Harrington Starr, where we believe in the power of diverse teams to drive innovation in FinTech. We encourage companies to look beyond the conventional markers of diversity and consider the broad range of experiences candidates can bring to the table.
The Future of FinTech and Crypto Payments
As the conversation draws to a close, Meryem shares her thoughts on the future of crypto payments and the broader FinTech industry. She is optimistic about the continued integration of crypto into mainstream financial systems and sees a future where businesses will increasingly rely on crypto payment gateways like Bitpace to facilitate international trade and cross-border payments.
However, Meryem also emphasises that the industry will remain dynamic and fast-paced, with constant changes and new challenges. For businesses, this means they need to stay agile and innovative. For professionals, it means continuous learning and adapting to new trends. This is where FinTech recruitment plays a vital role—ensuring that companies have access to professionals who can navigate these shifts and drive growth.
This episode of FinTech’s DEI Discussions with Meryem Habibi offers valuable insights into the world of crypto payments, the importance of diversity in the workplace, and the future of FinTech. Her experiences demonstrate the power of adaptability, continuous learning, and inclusivity in driving success in the financial technology industry.