TALA’s Shivani Siroya on stablecoin regulation, financial literacy and Robinhood

TALA’s Shivani Siroya on stablecoin regulation, financial literacy and Robinhood

If Shivani Siroya knows one thing to be true, it's this: the underserved deserve credit. Siroya started fintech company TALA after a career in investment banking sprinkled with stints at the United Nations and other organizations focused on global health. On a mission to accelerate financial health for underserved populations, the company's mobile platform provides access to loans of $10 to $500 to people in Mexico, Kenya, India and the Philippines. Its customers typically have , so it relies on its own data science to analyze other factors to assess risk. TALA is a two-time company that on this year's list, and has raised more than $200 million in venture funding from investors including Ventures, GV, and Revolution Growth. It's part of the groundswell of dollars flowing into fintech disruptors that are taking on the banking incumbents with promises of a better customer experience. CNBC recently spoke with Siroya, who says it's important to ensure disruptive innovation does not come at the expense of consumer protection, and that cryptocurrencies have the potential to advance financial inclusion globally. The following Q&A has been edited for length and clarity. Siroya: My previous experiences are actually what started me on this journey. I