How does a curious child who takes apart electronics go on to shape the future of global finance? In this interview, Oleg Kubrak shares his journey, a story of relentless curiosity and precision. Let’s dive into his story and the groundbreaking work that’s redefining the world of fintech. How did your early fascination with technology lead you to a career in software engineering? How did your early fascination with technology lead you to a career in software engineering? How did your early fascination with technology lead you to a career in software engineering? I’ve always been fascinated by technology. Growing up in Ukraine, I was intrigued by how things worked, especially computers. My tech journey started in sixth grade when I took apart our first computer. My curiosity drove me to explore how machines worked, not just to use them but to understand them. This passion for technology, combined with my interest in finance, led me to software engineering, where I could merge the two fields by building platforms that power financial systems. What drew you specifically to the financial technology sector? What drew you specifically to the financial technology sector? What drew you specifically to the financial technology sector? For me, fintech was a natural intersection of two passions: software and finance. Long before I entered the sector professionally, I spent years reading about economics and financial systems. When I started developing systems for trading and investment platforms, I realized how exciting and complex the field was. The financial technology space offers high-stakes systems that must perform flawlessly, handle large amounts of data, and comply with strict regulations, all of which I find exhilarating Can you walk us through your career from Ukraine to working with a major Swiss investment bank and one of the largest pension providers in the UK? Can you walk us through your career from Ukraine to working with a major Swiss investment bank and one of the largest pension providers in the UK? Can you walk us through your career from Ukraine to working with a major Swiss investment bank and one of the largest pension providers in the UK? I began my career in Ukraine, where I studied computer science and started working as a backend developer. My first significant project was developing a real-time forex trading platform for a Swiss forex broker. Later, I joined a major Swiss investment bank, where I worked on post-trade compliance systems related to the London Stock Exchange, ensuring that transactions met regulatory standards before settlement. Most recently, I worked on pension management solutions for one of the largest pension providers in the UK, where I contributed to the modernization of retirement savings management. This experience highlighted the importance of developing secure and scalable platforms for financial products. What are some milestone achievements in your career? What are some milestone achievements in your career? What are some milestone achievements in your career? Three significant achievements stand out for me: Developing the Forex Platform: Building a real-time forex trading platform was a pivotal moment in my career. It taught me how to handle high-performance, low-latency systems where reliability is crucial. Post-Trade Compliance at a major Swiss investment bank: Working on systems for post-trade compliance at a major Swiss investment bank was an eye-opening experience. I had to design systems that could operate with zero failures, where even a small error could result in regulatory consequences. Pension Solutions at one of the largest pension providers in the UK: Developing pension management solutions for one of the largest pension providers in the UK taught me the value of building secure, scalable systems that directly impact people's future financial security. Developing the Forex Platform: Building a real-time forex trading platform was a pivotal moment in my career. It taught me how to handle high-performance, low-latency systems where reliability is crucial. Developing the Forex Platform Post-Trade Compliance at a major Swiss investment bank: Working on systems for post-trade compliance at a major Swiss investment bank was an eye-opening experience. I had to design systems that could operate with zero failures, where even a small error could result in regulatory consequences. Post-Trade Compliance at a major Swiss investment bank Pension Solutions at one of the largest pension providers in the UK: Developing pension management solutions for one of the largest pension providers in the UK taught me the value of building secure, scalable systems that directly impact people's future financial security. Pension Solutions at one of the largest pension providers in the UK How have your technical skills shaped your work in the financial systems you’ve developed? How have your technical skills shaped your work in the financial systems you’ve developed? How have your technical skills shaped your work in the financial systems you’ve developed? My expertise in Java has been essential, especially in high-load, real-time environments. Scala has enabled me to develop more efficient code for data-intensive applications, while my understanding of distributed systems has been crucial for ensuring scalability and fault tolerance. These skills have enabled me to build financial systems that are not only reliable but also capable of handling millions of users and billions of transactions. You’re working on academic articles about AI and blockchain in finance. What’s the significance of these research areas in fintech? You’re working on academic articles about AI and blockchain in finance. What’s the significance of these research areas in fintech? You’re working on academic articles about AI and blockchain in finance. What’s the significance of these research areas in fintech? I’m currently focused on three academic research areas. Two of my articles have already been published: One on how blockchain can improve cybersecurity in corporate systems (Ukrainian academic journal). Another on blockchain and software security, published in a Scopus-indexed journal. One on how blockchain can improve cybersecurity in corporate systems (Ukrainian academic journal). Another on blockchain and software security, published in a Scopus-indexed journal. A third piece—on how AI can automate production processes—is coming out soon in a Web of Science–indexed journal (scheduled for August 2025). These topics are more than academic — they’re practical. Blockchain is reshaping how we think about trust and security in digital infrastructure, while AI is powering smarter, faster decision-making in finance and beyond. As tech continues to drive the financial sector forward, understanding these tools is essential for building secure and scalable systems. I currently serve as a peer reviewer for scientific journals published by the professional organization IEEE (including IEEE Internet of Things and IEEE Software) as well as by Wiley, contributing to the academic community while deepening my industry expertise. How have your AWS and Microsoft certifications contributed to your work? How have your AWS and Microsoft certifications contributed to your work? How have your AWS and Microsoft certifications contributed to your work? My certifications, AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Professional, AWS Certified DevOps Engineer - Professional, Microsoft Certified Azure Solutions Architect Expert, and Microsoft Certified DevOps Engineer Expert, have given me a structured approach to cloud architecture. These certifications have helped me design fault-tolerant and cost-efficient systems in the cloud, which is essential in the fintech industry where scalability and security are paramount. How would you describe your engineering style? How would you describe your engineering style? How would you describe your engineering style? I focus on building systems that are simple, reliable, and scalable. My approach is to think about the architecture as a whole, ensuring that each component works seamlessly with others. I emphasize modular design and distributed systems, which are critical in creating financial platforms that can grow with user demands. By continuously working with the code and understanding how it behaves in production, I ensure that systems are not just designed well but also work efficiently in real-world conditions. Where do you see yourself professionally in the next 5–10 years? Where do you see yourself professionally in the next 5–10 years? Where do you see yourself professionally in the next 5–10 years? I see myself in a leadership role within fintech, contributing to innovations that redefine the way financial services operate. I’m particularly interested in the intersection of AI, cloud infrastructure, and blockchain in building intelligent, secure, and scalable platforms. I also want to continue mentoring the next generation of engineers and sharing my knowledge through publications and speaking engagements. What advice would you give to young software engineers looking to enter fintech? What advice would you give to young software engineers looking to enter fintech? What advice would you give to young software engineers looking to enter fintech? My advice is to go deep in a few core areas, whether it's Java, distributed systems, or cloud infrastructure. It’s also essential to stay curious and keep learning, as fintech is a rapidly evolving field. Understand how systems behave under pressure and how data moves in financial contexts. One of the best pieces of advice I ever received — and still live by — is: “Every line of code you write must be fully understood.” This mindset has helped me write cleaner, safer, and more maintainable systems — and I strongly recommend it to anyone serious about engineering. Also, focus on building relationships and communication skills because those are just as critical in global teams as technical expertise. Final Thoughts Final Thoughts Oleg Kubrak’s journey from a curious child in Ukraine to a leader in global fintech showcases the power of passion and practical skills. His technical expertise, academic research, and dedication to learning position him as a key player in shaping the future of financial technology. As he continues to drive innovation and publish groundbreaking work, his influence on fintech will endure for years to come. This story is published under HackerNoon’s Business Blogging Program. This story is published under HackerNoon’s Business Blogging Program. This story is published under HackerNoon’s Business Blogging Program. This story is published under HackerNoon’s Business Blogging Program.
