“Trust, but verify.” Once a Cold War watchword from Ronald Reagan, it might be the only sane purchase-order rule for fintech today. In 2024 U.S. consumers reported $12.5 billion in fraud losses, while global fintech investment still hovered around $95 billion. That means money is flowing, but trust is being tested. The key question for any financial innovator is: who’s actually building systems that survive not just launch, but scrutiny?