“Embedded investing isn’t a feature — it’s a platform”: DriveWealth’s Harry Temkin on the future of investing
- DriveWealth’s Harry Temkin explains how embedded investment is powering global digital wallets.
- In this podcast with DriveWealth's Chief Digital Officer, we explore the potential in cross border investing, brokerage APIs, real time trading, and more.
The financial services industry is undergoing deep technological change. API-first architectures are creating new possibilities for integration. Digital platforms are democratizing access to investing. Artificial intelligence is personalizing wealth management. Digital-first brokerages are redefining what’s possible. Global investing barriers are falling. Traditional firms are navigating complex digital transformations. And infrastructure companies are scaling to meet growing demands.
To help us understand these critical trends, we’re joined by Harry Temkin, Chief Digital Officer at DriveWealth. DriveWealth is at the forefront of embedded investing technology, powering fractional trading and digital investment experiences for partners across the globe. As CDO, Harry leads the company’s technology strategy and digital innovation initiatives, bringing decades of experience in financial technology.
Temkin shares, “Our mission is to democratize investing through embedded finance. We’re powering digital wallets around the world. We’re making it seamless for users to invest in U.S. equities, even if they’re in countries where that wasn’t possible before.”
What makes DriveWealth stand out is its technology stack. It enables global retail investing at scale, powering apps from Brazil to the Philippines. “We’re not just a brokerage. We’re a technology firm that embeds investment capability into ecosystems.” Temkin notes.
He also discusses how real-time trading and fractional investing are changing expectations. “People want to make decisions quickly, and our systems make that possible in real time, not hours later.”
As digital platforms evolve, DriveWealth is preparing to integrate emerging technologies. Such as merging generative AI to further enhance user engagement. “We’re looking at how AI can personalize investment journeys, not just provide chat responses,” Temkin says.
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Enabling cross-border investing with embedded technology
At the heart of DriveWealth’s strategy is cross-border investing, allowing users in Latin America, Asia, and beyond to access U.S. equities. “We’re operating in over 150 countries today,” Temkin shares. “And it’s all powered through APIs that integrate with digital wallets and fintech apps.”
The conversation dives into how DriveWealth partners with digital wallets, neobanks, and super apps to bring investment functionality directly to end-users. “What we’re doing is embedding the brokerage experience directly into those platforms,” Temkin explains.
He also highlights the regulatory complexities of operating globally. “Every market has its own KYC/AML requirements. Our job is to streamline that, to abstract complexity away from our partners.”
The power of real-rime rrading
Real-time trading isn’t just a feature — it’s foundational to user trust and experience, says Temkin. “When someone executes a trade, they want confirmation and clarity immediately. That’s what we deliver.”
DriveWealth’s platform enables fractional, real-time execution of trades. This makes investment accessible even for users without large capital. “We don’t just support buying a share of Apple; we let you buy $5 worth of Apple, instantly,” Temkin adds.
This has opened new opportunities for fintechs offering stock back rewards, giving users fractional shares as loyalty incentives. “It’s one of the fastest-growing embedded investment use cases,” he notes.
From APIs to personalization: What’s next in Embedded Finance
Temkin shares that DriveWealth’s roadmap includes more than just APIs and execution. “We’re thinking about next-gen engagement: how do we use generative AI to guide users based on their behavior, preferences, and goals?”
He adds that personalization will be critical in making digital investment experiences feel natural, not forced. “We’re evolving from passive tools to active partners in a user’s financial life.”
Generative AI might soon play a role in surfacing insights and next steps for users. It may even create an intelligent interface for investing. “This could be a game-changer for less experienced investors,” Temkin suggests.
The Big Ideas
- Embedded investment is an infrastructure play, not just a feature. “We’re not adding investing to apps. We’re powering platforms that center investment in everyday experiences.”
- DriveWealth is making global retail investment seamless. “From Brazil to Indonesia, users are accessing U.S. markets without needing to know what happens behind the curtain.”
- Stock back rewards are building financial engagement. “You spend money and get a piece of the companies you support. People love that. It’s simple, but powerful.”
- Real-time trading is no longer optional. “It builds trust. People need to see confirmation and execution instantly. That’s become the norm.”
- Generative AI could become a personalized investment guide. “AI won’t replace the interface, but it could enhance understanding and help users take smarter actions.”
Read the transcript (for TS Pro subscribers)
