In this episode of the Fintech Power 50 podcast, moderator Ruth Wandhöfer and guests Stephen Simmons and Simon Kingston discuss how regtech is evolving as financial institutions face greater pressure around control, resilience and accountability.
Regtech has spent years promising faster checks, smoother onboarding and more efficient compliance. The next test is tougher: can firms prove those systems are controlled, explainable and accountable when regulators come calling?
In this episode of the Fintech Power 50 podcast, Ruth Wandhofer is joined by Stephen Simmons, co-founder and chief data officer at Sikoia, and Simon Kingston, head of partner sales, EMEA at Jumio Corporation, to discuss how regtech is standing up to greater scrutiny.
The conversation looks at what happens when regulated firms rely on automated systems to verify customers, process documents, assess risk and support compliance decisions. Speed and scale matter, but so does evidence: how data moves through systems, which checks were applied, what risk signals were used and who remains accountable when something goes wrong.
Kingston explains how identity verification is developing across the customer lifecycle, with biometrics, device intelligence, document checks and other data points helping firms build a more active view of risk. Simmons brings the data perspective, looking at how unstructured information such as bank statements, payslips and tax documents can be turned into structured, auditable evidence for regulated decisions.
The episode also explores the role of AI and automation. Both can improve consistency and reduce manual work, but firms still need clear governance, testing, review points and experienced people who understand where accountability sits.
The result is a practical discussion about the next phase of regtech: one shaped by scrutiny, cyber risk, operational resilience and the need to prove control at scale.
Key takeaways
- Regtech is becoming part of how firms evidence control across automated processes.
- Identity verification is moving from one-off onboarding to ongoing risk monitoring.
- Data quality is essential for auditable decision-making.
- AI can support faster risk assessment, but firms still need governance and accountability.
- Vendors can provide tools and evidence, while regulated firms remain responsible for final decisions.
- Better collaboration between banks, fintechs, telcos, Big Tech and government could strengthen fraud prevention.
