In this episode of the Pantrium Podcast, host Christie Kristensen sat down with Pavel Matveev, Co-Founder of Wirex, to explore what it really takes to build and scale a business in the unpredictable world of crypto and fintech.

From Morgan Stanley to co-founding Wirex in the wild west of crypto, Pavel shares the raw reality behind startup life—market crashes, overhiring mistakes, unexpected breakthroughs (including a game-changing moment in Japan), and the emotional rollercoaster that comes with being a founder.

He emphasized that the entrepreneurial journey is rarely a straight path but rather a series of ups and downs. Key to success, Pavel explained, is not how you ride the highs but how you manage the lows.

Pavel’s tale of Wirex's expansion provides critical lessons in strategic growth. From its modest beginnings in 2014, Wirex quickly evolved alongside the burgeoning cryptocurrency market. Pavel shared how the company’s quick entry into the market allowed them to ride a wave of rising interest, leading to profitable opportunities.

However, with expansion came challenges. Overenthusiastic global hiring and rapid market entries stretched resources thin, resulting in difficult decisions to contract operations. These experiences taught Pavel the importance of prudent hiring practices and focusing on quality over quantity.

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