Breaking the mould and the status quo can be enough to consider an innovative company as too big a risk for a financial institution. But being a forward thinker shouldn’t be something that gets you punished. Ensuring this isn’t the case, Capitalixe was created to serve those who otherwise might not have access to financial services.
Specialising in high-risk industries such as crypto, offshore banking, gambling and more, Capitalixe is delivering financial solutions like banking solutions, crypto-friendly bank accounts, cross-border payments and mass-payouts, to name a few, to corporate and institutional clients across the globe.
With over a decade of experience in the financial industry and six years leading Capitalixe, we spoke to Lissele Pratt, the firm’s co-founder, to learn more about the opportunities and challenges she and Capitalixe have faced in the industry.
Tell us more about your company and its purpose
At Capitalixe, we exist for the companies that everyone else overlooks. We’re here to serve the disruptors that the traditional financial world has consistently pushed to the margins.
Whether it’s crypto, gaming, investment platforms, or other ‘underserved’ industries, these companies are often innovating faster than the systems around them can keep up. And as a result, they’re denied the very tools they need to operate, like basic banking and payment infrastructure.
We’re an award-winning fintech advisory with a truly global footprint, operating across more than 140 countries. But more than that, we’re problem-solvers. We specialise in making the complex simple – cutting through the noise, regulatory challenges, and institutional fear that often surrounds high-risk sectors.
What drives us is a deep belief in financial inclusion for innovators. Just because a business is high risk in one jurisdiction doesn’t mean it should be locked out of global financial systems. We help them to find tailored solutions for their payment and banking needs.
What are some of your recent achievements you’d like to highlight?
Over the past few years, we’ve achieved some truly exciting milestones at Capitalixe that I’m incredibly proud of. Being named Fintech Employer of the Year 2024 by Business Awards UK and ranking #69 in the TechRound 100 were huge testaments to the impact our team is making in the industry.
Personally, being recognised on Forbes 30 Under 30, top 100 Women in Fintech by Fintech Magazine, and as a Rising Star at the UK FinTech Awards has been incredibly humbling.
Beyond awards, thought leadership has become a core part of my journey. I regularly contribute to publications like Forbes, Entrepreneur, Startups Magazine and The Fintech Times, and speak at global events such as iFX Expo and Finance Magnates. I was also honoured to become the first-ever brand ambassador for iFX Expo.
Two years ago, I launched the Success Secrets podcast to spotlight inspiring leaders who’ve broken barriers. It’s been a powerful way to share insights and empower others.
Lastly, helping lead Capitalixe’s expansion into Dubai has been a major milestone for me. It’s a strategic step toward our goal of becoming the go-to advisory for high-risk financial services worldwide.
How did you get into the fintech industry?
I started my career as a Junior FX broker in London, right in the heart of the financial hustle. It was intense, high-pressure, and incredibly fast-paced, and in a year, I became the top salesperson on my team.
But what really changed the game for me wasn’t the trading floors or the deals, it was the people I couldn’t help. I kept coming across innovative, forward-thinking businesses in medium or high-risk sectors and time and time again, they were being shut out of the financial system. Not because they were doing anything wrong, but because of outdated perceptions, rigid compliance frameworks, or just a lack of understanding from traditional banks.
That disconnect frustrated me deeply. These were legitimate businesses trying to grow and no one would serve them.
That’s when the idea for Capitalixe was born. I knew there had to be a better way to bridge the gap between high-risk industries and the financial infrastructure they need to thrive. I didn’t want to just work in fintech anymore, I wanted to change it.
Co-founding Capitalixe was my way of saying: these businesses deserve more than rejection letters. They deserve solutions, expertise, and a partner who understands them.
What’s the best thing about working in the fintech industry?
Fintech is exciting because it’s always changing. Every day feels different. New technology, new challenges, and new ways to solve problems. The fast pace keeps things interesting, and I love how closely the industry is tied to what’s happening in the world. A political shift or economic change can impact the market overnight, and you have to be ready to adapt.
What I enjoy most is being part of something that’s constantly moving forward. There’s so much innovation, and so many opportunities to make things better.
You get to think creatively, move quickly, and work with people who are just as driven as you are. It’s challenging, yes, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. If you like fast-paced environments and solving real problems, fintech is the place to be.
What frustrates you most about the fintech industry?
One of the biggest frustrations in fintech, especially when working with high-risk clients, is how slow and drawn-out onboarding can be. You’d think in such a fast-moving industry, processes would be seamless. But in reality, due diligence, KYC, and compliance checks can take weeks, sometimes even months, depending on the jurisdiction and risk profile.
It’s especially frustrating when you know a business is legitimate, but legacy systems, bureaucracy, or overly cautious risk teams cause unnecessary delays. These slowdowns can seriously hinder growth for companies trying to move quickly.
That said, I’m incredibly optimistic about the role AI and automation will play in transforming onboarding. We’re already seeing tools that streamline compliance and enhance risk analysis without compromising security. As the industry matures, I believe we’ll see onboarding evolve into something far more efficient, without losing the rigor that regulation demands. The potential is massive and long overdue.
How have your previous roles influenced your career?
Every role I’ve had has shaped the entrepreneur I am today, especially my background in business development. It taught me how to sell, how to communicate value, and most importantly, how to listen. I genuinely believe that if you can sell, you can build a business because selling is about solving problems and building trust. That mindset became the foundation for Capitalixe.
Before Capitalixe, I also launched a couple of small businesses, and while they weren’t massive, they were my crash course in branding, marketing, social media, and the art of putting yourself out there. Those early ventures gave me thick skin, resilience, and the ability to wear multiple hats – all skills I lean on every single day as a founder.
Nothing teaches you entrepreneurship like trying, failing, learning, and going again. Every step prepared me for the bigger leap.
What’s the best mistake you’ve ever made?
Well, I suppose it was quitting my newly promoted job in the city to go backpacking around Southeast Asia. That’s hands down the ‘mistake’ that changed everything.
On paper, it looked reckless. I’d just earned a promotion, was on a solid career path, and walking away from all of that stability raised a few eyebrows. But deep down, I knew I needed space to breathe, to think, to figure out what I actually wanted from life, not just what I was supposed to want.
That trip gave me something invaluable… Clarity. I realised how much I valued freedom, autonomy, and the ability to create something of my own. Six months after I returned to London, I launched Capitalixe and never looked back.
Sometimes, the best decisions come disguised as bad ones. Taking that leap was the catalyst for everything I’ve built since. Definitely my best ‘mistake’.
What has the future got in store for your company?
We’ve recently expanded into Dubai, and I truly believe it’s becoming the next major financial powerhouse, even starting to outpace more traditional hubs like London.
We’re actively working on building a strong presence in this region, and a big part of that commitment is me relocating there. Being on the ground means I can meet clients and partners face-to-face and build deeper relationships. This next chapter is about showing up, being present, and growing in a way that’s smart and sustainable.
We’re also doubling down on growth. We’re already handling over £1billion in annual payment volume, with over 85 institutional clients and a trusted network of more than 50 fintech partners. My personal mission has been to really strengthen the partnership side of our business. That means bringing in high-quality, trustworthy providers and putting more focus on growing our introducer programme.
Partnerships play a key role in how we grow and how we serve our clients. The better our network, the smoother our lead flow becomes, and the easier it is to match clients with the right solutions, quickly and effectively.
What are the next key talking points or challenges for your industry as a whole?
AI is without a doubt the biggest disruptor (and opportunity) in fintech right now. It’s transforming everything from onboarding to compliance, automating processes that used to take weeks, and dramatically improving efficiency and risk analysis. That’s the exciting part.
But with great innovation comes real risk. We’re also seeing AI being exploited by bad actors. It’s being used to bypass KYC checks, forge documents, facilitate fraud. Deepfakes, identity theft, and AI-generated manipulation are very real threats.
The challenge now is how we safeguard it so that we’re still using it to our advantage but in a safe way. There’s currently little to no regulation around AI in fintech, and that’s a dangerous gap. We need smart, proactive frameworks that allow innovation to thrive while protecting the system from abuse.
