Interview with James Murrell: Building Inclusive Innovation in Global Fintech and Crypto

An experienced fintech and crypto decision-maker, James Murrell has played key roles at innovative financial startups and established companies alike. From cutting his teeth in Funding Circle's Strategy team (the UK's largest small-business lender) to driving the same at fintech PrimaryBid prior to a $200M capital raise, he now supports the US and Product Operations for Kraken, one of the world's biggest cryptocurrency exchanges. We spoke with James about his journey through fintech and crypto, the lessons he's learned, and the opportunities he sees ahead. Here are the insights we learned.

Interviewer: What first drew you to work in fintech and crypto?

James: It was clear to me from an early age that the world we live in is inherently unfair; financial services are no different, often exacerbating these inequalities with barriers to access, skewed fee structures, and little opportunity for those not lucky enough to have connections. FinTech, Crypto, and technology in general, with inclusion, independence, and empowerment built into their cores, showed true promise to help serve those overlooked by legacy systems and institutions. This mix of technology, economics, and social impact excited me. From there, I sought out roles at startups where I could make a larger impact.

Interviewer: How did your career evolve to where you are now?

James: I actually began my career at BitPesa (now AZA Finance), a crypto-based payments startup focused on Africa, where I got my first taste of fintech innovation. Here I was lucky enough to have a wonderful mentor, Charlene, who gave me the conviction and confidence to stay in the industry and focus on operations and strategy. Following this, I spent several years in the Strategy teams across multiple FinTechs covering lending, capital markets, and cryptocurrencies. Across all these experiences, I was lucky to lead and drive impactful changes from large, complex integrations to redesigning user strategy and helping run operations.

Interviewer: What was one of the most rewarding things you've done so far?

James: The pandemic was an extraordinary challenge for small businesses, and at Funding Circle, we have been given a mandate to step in and provide where the legacy system couldn't. Working in the strategy team here gave me huge ownership to help support our economy. We ruthlessly expedited the processes for tens of thousands of small businesses, helping to facilitate around $500m in loans in such a short period. I'm incredibly proud of the part I played here.

Interviewer: What does your current role in crypto involve, and what excites you about working at a leading exchange?

James: Working in crypto today comes with a lot of complexity, especially when serving so many users with fast product cycles and updates in such a competitive industry. Interestingly, my role is multi-faceted, directly supporting the US General Manager on all things operations and strategy, and at the same time being deeply involved in our product teams, helping to launch exciting and impactful features.

With the industry being so dynamic and complex at an operational level, there is an exciting need to bring large teams together on a regular basis; each and every project or update requires clear coordination and management. It's been thrilling to see this work translate into building the evolution of finance.

Interviewer: What are some of the biggest challenges you've faced, and how did you overcome them?

James: Like most, I've encountered several challenges along the way. Early on, breaking into a competitive industry and role was tough with so many strong candidates for each strategy or product role. To stand out, I focused on delivering results in every position and building a network of mentors and contacts. Over time, consistently demonstrating that I could learn quickly and add value helped me progress.

Often working on multiple simultaneous high-stakes projects with tight deadlines was another challenge. This has been a constant in all my roles to date. I learned to prioritize tasks ruthlessly, dive into any work outside my expertise when needed, and communicate clearly about risks and progress. Leaning on mentors and aligning closely with senior leadership helped our team navigate the pressure.

Adapting to the rapid pace of change in the crypto market has also been a constant challenge. This industry moves faster than any I've seen. Prices, regulations, trends, and technologies can shift dramatically in days or even hours. To handle that, you have to stay informed and remain flexible in our plans. If something didn't work out, I'd quickly learn from it and pivot. Being able to adapt and not get too attached to one plan has been essential.

Working with industry veterans was also a learning curve. I earned their trust by being well-prepared, thoroughly understanding my area, and communicating concisely and effectively. Over time, those efforts paid off as I became a respected contributor in strategy discussions.

Despite these challenges, I've found that being resourceful, curious, and persistent goes a long way. Overcoming obstacles has taught me so much about problem-solving and teamwork, and each challenge ultimately made me a better strategist and leader.

Interviewer: What keeps you motivated in this industry?

James: I think there are two sides to this. Firstly, the mission and impact of the companies I've worked at have been a huge factor; working alongside driven, experienced, and single-minded colleagues has always been a strong motivator. This industry takes no prisoners and is always evolving. There's a natural pressure to build and get things done, which is fulfilling and a challenge that keeps me going.

Secondly, there is the outsized impact available from a personal perspective here. I've had opportunities to lead large teams and projects, make decisions, and have access to executives that I would have never been able to in a more traditional industry. It's pushed me and has constantly given me a sense of fulfillment. Between these two themes, that's what it's all about.