Regulation, Compliance, and Cross-border payments.

We believe that in the future of payments, those three things are intrinsically intertwined. We sat down with our new Global Chief Compliance officer, Josh Ramsey , to learn more about his decision to join Rail .

Here's what he said...

1. Josh, you have quite the range of experience when it comes to regulation and compliance. What feels most relevant to the work you do at Rail?

In my life, I’ve seen payments evolve from traditional, entrenched banking systems to modern fintech solutions, and I’ve worked with organizations of all sizes — startups, niche players, and global giants like Visa and JPMC. What stands out most is how much opportunity there is for innovation, even in the heavily regulated payments space.

I chose Rail because I believe in bridging the gap between legacy systems and the next generation of money movement. It’s not just about ensuring compliance with today’s regulations but about preparing for what’s coming next. My experience building compliance programs that cater to both established entities like Visa and smaller, agile fintechs gives me a unique perspective to help Rail create systems that are secure, efficient, and equitable for all of our clients.

2. What are you most excited about when it comes to payment infrastructure?

What excites me most is how payments can empower innovation. I’ve seen small teams—two people in a garage—bring incredible ideas to life because they had access to the right tools and resources. Payments are a critical part of that. The world doesn’t have to revolve around one currency or one system. By creating infrastructure that supports equitable access, we’re helping unlock opportunities for businesses and individuals everywhere.

Rail’s hybrid approach—bringing together fiat, digital assets, and emerging technologies—really resonates with me. We’re creating a platform that’s as forward-thinking as the innovators we support. It’s a chance to move beyond slow, cumbersome systems like SWIFT and redefine how money moves globally.

3. Any predictions for our industry in the year ahead?

I think we’ll see a lot more attention on consumer protection, transparency, and privacy, and for good reason. The current systems are misaligned and don’t always help the stated beneficiaries of the respective regulations, but there’s an opportunity to fix that with stronger compliance and customer-focused solutions.

We’ll also continue to see smaller, niche players stepping up to fill gaps that traditional banks and larger fintechs haven’t been able to address. These medium and small players often drive the most exciting innovations in our industry which in turn spur more innovation as they grow and enable better and more competitive solutions.

Finally, I think the U.S. payments landscape is due for a significant shift. We’re years behind many other parts of the world, but we’re catching up quickly.  And though the world is still very USD-centric, increased globalisation is driving more investment and innovation. The next wave won’t just be about fiat or mobile—it will be a combination of systems that work seamlessly together. That’s where Rail is poised to make a huge impact.