- What was your early life like?
I was born in a typical North Indian family in Nalanda, a city known for its rich history and intellectual heritage and my early education was in Patna. Since the beginning, I remember having this curiosity and determination to break barriers and push the limits of what was deemed possible. Since a young age, I remember dreaming of doing something bigger, creating a solid impact and disrupting the status quo. The same drove me out of my hometown to explore opportunities outside.
The journey from Nalanda to the global stage has been one of resilience and ambition. While pursuing engineering in computer science from Amity University, I explored different ventures and also reached the semi-finals of “Beauty & Geeks”, a show that aired on Channel V.
Upon completing the degree, I began my career with Wipro, working on Ferrari’s navigation systems. But it wasn’t long before I realized that my true calling was to create something transformative, not just work on exciting projects. This desire led me to Italy, where I pursued Masters at Politecnico di Milano, thanks to a scholarship from the Italian government. It was during my time in Italy that I co-founded Darwinsurance, my first venture in the FinTech space.
In 2017, I was honoured to receive extraordinary (O-1) status from the United States government, a recognition that solidified my place in the global blockchain ecosystem. This status, reserved for individuals with exceptional abilities, was not just a personal achievement but a validation of the vision I had set for myself – to bridge the gap between traditional finance and blockchain.
Each step, from Nalanda to Milan, and then to the U.S., has been driven by an unwavering belief in the power of innovation and the desire to push boundaries. Today, as the Founder and CEO of Cashaa, I look back at my journey with pride, knowing that every challenge along the way has brought me closer to realizing my vision of transforming the global financial landscape.
- What inspired you to transition from engineering to FinTech and blockchain?
In hindsight, I believe it was a sense of curiosity and desire to create a lasting impact in the world, that inspired me to transition from engineering to FinTech and blockchain. While working on navigation systems for Ferrari was intellectually stimulating and challenging, I could foresee the transformative potential of blockchain and FinTech in addressing the larger, more universal issues. With blockchain, we had the opportunity to truly democratise access to financial services, especially serving the scores of unbanked population. The same vision motivated me to enter this space in 2014 and well, there has been no looking back for me, ever since.
- Could you share your journey from working on Ferrari’s navigation systems to founding Cashaa?
My journey from Ferrari to Cashaa was one of continuous evolution. After working as an engineer, I was awarded a scholarship to study at Politecnico di Milano, where I co-founded Darwinsurance, Italy’s first peer-to-peer insurance platform. That experience deepened my understanding of blockchain’s potential. In 2013, I discovered the Bitcoin Whitepaper, which sparked my fascination with cryptocurrencies. By 2017, I founded Cashaa with the vision of bridging traditional banking with the rapidly growing world of crypto, addressing the gap between these two ecosystems. When I realised that I have raised Cashaa to the target, I stepped down from the position of CEO of the venture.
- What were the main challenges you faced while establishing Cashaa as a leading crypto-friendly banking platform?
At the time when we started, one of the biggest challenges, of course, came from regulatory uncertainty and gaining the trust of traditional financial institutions. Many banks were hesitant to work with crypto businesses, so it required us to build strong relationships and demonstrate the reliability and safety of blockchain-based banking. Educating users and banks about the legitimacy and benefits of cryptocurrencies has been a continuous process, but over time, our growing network of over 500 crypto businesses has validated our approach.
- How did your background in engineering influence your approach to solving problems in the FinTech space?
As an engineer, my mindset is solution-oriented, with a focus on precision and scalability. Engineering taught me how to systematically break down complex problems and build systems and solutions that are not only innovative but also robust and user-friendly. At Cashaa, we applied this same methodology when developing our banking infrastructure, ensuring that it could handle the unique challenges of crypto while being intuitive for businesses to adopt.
- What future trends in blockchain technology do you believe will shape the industry in the next few years?
I believe that decentralized finance (DeFi) will continue to mature and gain wider adoption, providing financial services without intermediaries. Additionally, the integration of blockchain with artificial intelligence and IoT will unlock new possibilities for automation and secure data exchange. Layer 2 solutions, which aim to improve the scalability and efficiency of blockchains, will also play a critical role in shaping the future of the crypto industry.
- How do you stay innovative while managing a rapidly growing community of crypto businesses?
Staying innovative requires maintaining a deep connection with the community and continuously identifying customers’ pain points that need to be addressed. Now I am looking forward to exploring more in the blockchain industry. Investing in research is the key to innovation in the sector with technology growing and evolving rapidly. I also make it a point to stay informed about technological advancements and industry trends by attending forums and engaging with other thought leaders.
- What role do you envision Cashaa playing in the future of the global digital economy?
Cashaa has been the backbone for crypto businesses worldwide by providing them with essential banking services that traditional banks have hesitated to offer. As blockchain and cryptocurrencies disrupted global financial systems, Cashaa helped bridge the gap between decentralized financial models and existing regulatory frameworks, driving more seamless adoption and innovation in the digital economy. Now Cashaa is pushing the boundaries to bring the same expertise, innovation and ease-of-use to every day users to help them on their journey towards financial independence through crypto. We have launched all-in-one wallet for personal users in 200 countries using which they can earn, spend, pay and get loans in crypto.
- How do you balance your professional responsibilities with your personal life and continued learning?
Balancing professional and personal life is a challenge, but it comes down to prioritization and time management. I believe in the importance of continuous learning, so I dedicate time to reading and engaging in discussions around both blockchain and broader technological innovations. I also stay grounded by focusing on my philanthropic work, which keeps me connected to the societal issues that inspired me to venture into this space.
- How do you plan to further bridge the gap between traditional banking and cryptocurrency in the coming years?
Our focus remains on making crypto banking as seamless as possible for both users and businesses. We plan to expand our services globally, while also building stronger collaborations with traditional financial institutions. By continuing to demonstrate that cryptocurrencies are a viable, safe, and efficient alternative to conventional banking methods, we aim to foster greater acceptance of crypto within mainstream finance.
- What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs looking to make an impact in the blockchain or FinTech space?
My advice would be to stay persistent and focus on the long-term vision, especially in a field as disruptive as blockchain. Embrace change, be open to learning from failures, and surround yourself with a team that shares your passion for innovation. The FinTech and blockchain industries are still evolving, which means there’s ample opportunity for those who are willing to push boundaries and take calculated risks.
