Guest Post: Why Every FinTech Needs a Compliance MVP?

When AiPrise approached me to write this article, I knew exactly what the topic should be: The Vital Role Compliance Professionals Play in Helping Companies Build Successful FinTechs.
Let me explain.
For those who don’t know me, I’m Anzar Dewani, and my LinkedIn profile proudly says, “Compliance Officer turned Entrepreneur.” My journey in compliance started in high school—yes that's right I have been in the banking/compliance field since my young days.
I began my career at a small credit union, starting as a teller and eventually advancing to a role in the compliance unit. Over the course of nine years, I gained hands-on experience by first understanding the products from the front-line perspective, then delving into back-end operations, including processes related to BSA/AML, OFAC, and even enhancing the credit union's fraud program. This wasn’t just theoretical learning—I was deeply involved in the day-to-day operations, engaging with customers, clearing alerts, and managing processes, long before the sophisticated tools we have available today.
From there, I transitioned to working at Fortune 500 companies, where I tackled large-scale compliance challenges and collaborated with brilliant minds in all different departments. Each organization—whether small or large—presented its own unique challenges, and together, these experiences have shaped the foundation of my career.
Then came the FinTech world, and everything changed. While I learned a lot in traditional institutions, the startup FinTech space put it all into perspective. It showed me how all those years of knowledge could be applied in new, innovative ways. The energy, creativity, and problem-solving in startups reignited my passion for this field—and there’s nowhere else I’d rather be.
The FinTech Wake-Up Call
Working with FinTech companies opened my eyes to something bigger: there’s a wave of incredible innovation happening in this space, but many founders still need help understanding how staying compliant can actually be a product advantage.
Here’s what struck me—folks were still grappling with the same questions that had been debated years ago at a brick-and-mortar bank branch. Questions like, “How do we review transaction alerts effectively?” or “How do we reduce these false positive alerts?” These weren’t new problems, but the solutions were now focused on leveraging new technology rather than simply adding more people.
The same issues banks have wrestled with for decades—and in some cases, still do—are now being tackled by tech. But I’ve always wondered: why are so many founders trying to solve these problems without talking to compliance professionals first?
Why Compliance Professionals Are the Missing Link
If you’re building tech to solve compliance problems, you need to involve the people who’ve lived and breathed these challenges. Good compliance professionals bring more than just regulatory knowledge—they bring context, intuition, and experience that no amount of code can replicate.
Let’s break this down into 4 four key points:
1. The Human Factor in Compliance Tech
Tech is amazing—no doubt about it. But when it comes to compliance, tech alone isn’t enough. Not yet, at least. Compliance isn’t just about following rules; it’s about interpreting them, understanding nuances, and making judgment calls.
That’s where compliance professionals come in. They’ve spent their careers navigating these challenges and know what works, what doesn’t, and where the risks are. If you’re building tech to replace or enhance aspects of compliance, consulting these experts isn’t optional—it’s essential. Guessing isn’t a compliance strategy you want to build your tool on.
2. Compliance is More Than a CheckBox
For many FinTech founders, compliance feels like just another box to tick. But it’s so much more than that. Running OFAC checks, reviewing transaction alerts, and monitoring suspicious activities are long-standing practices that can’t be treated like an MVP.
The mistake? Treating compliance like a one-off feature rather than an integrated system. Building effective compliance tech means leveraging proven processes and automating them intelligently—not reinventing the wheel.
3. Connecting The Dots: The Big Picture
Compliance isn’t about solving one isolated issue; it’s about understanding how everything ties together. OFAC, KYC, transaction monitoring, risk assessments, governance—they’re all pieces of the same puzzle. A good compliance officer sees the entire picture and understands how these elements interact.
If your tech only focuses on one piece without considering the others, you risk creating more work for your customers, not less. Compliance professionals can help you design holistic solutions that truly add value—for both your clients and your bottom line.
4. A Competitive Advantage
Here’s a truth I’ve been saying for years: having a seasoned compliance professional on your team isn’t just a good idea—it’s a competitive advantage.
In a world where regulators are getting stricter and customers are more informed than ever, a trusted compliance program sets you apart. It’s not just about avoiding fines (though that’s important!); it’s about building trust, scaling responsibly, and showing customers and partners that you take compliance seriously.
If you’re a FinTech founder or RegTech provider, hiring a compliance expert isn’t an expense—it’s an investment in your product’s future.
To FinTech founders, I say this: spend a week filling the shoes of the people you’re building for. I guarantee it will be 1000x more valuable than months spent at a startup accelerator focusing only on growth metrics.
Final Thoughts
The secret to building a successful FinTech isn’t just great code—it’s understanding the problems you’re solving at a deeper level. Compliance professionals are the bridge between regulation and innovation, helping you connect the dots, avoid costly mistakes, and design products that scale with trust and integrity.
To FinTech founders, I leave you with this: spend a week filling the shoes of the people you’re building for. I guarantee it will be 1000x more valuable than months spent at a startup accelerator focusing only on growth metrics.
So, if you’re building in the FinTech ecosystem, do yourself—and your customers—a favor: hire a compliance expert. Your product, your reputation, and your users will thank you.