Congratulations to Anastasia Karpinska on her promotion to Head of Engineering! 🎉 We asked her to share her thoughts on this new chapter. Enjoy the interview.
Can you tell us a bit about your background before joining Finery Markets?
Since 2008, I have been honing my skills as a software engineer, having the privilege to create and develop several products from their inception. This experience has endowed me with knowledge and skills in product development. I have had the good fortune to collaborate with many talented individuals who now form the backbone of our formidable team.
What do you do at Finery Markets on a typical day?
As the lead architect for our trading solutions, my day is divided into two crucial segments. The morning is dedicated to immersing myself in the world of code, participating in the fundamental work that all our developers undertake. In the afternoon, I collaborate with our product team to strategize our workflow, contemplate architectural blueprints, and brainstorm product attributes. We firmly believe in the power of focused work, so we limit our mandatory meetings to a few per week to ensure we make the most of our available time.
What do you think are the biggest challenges in crypto trading system development?
Any trading system must be bulletproof, operating seamlessly around the clock, devoid of any critical bugs that could disrupt trade. It must be resilient under heavy loads and fortified against any potential security threats. These aren't just requirements, they're the lifeblood of our operation.
We didn't begin this journey as a titan of industry. We started small. From the outset, it was clear that creating a system that met these high standards would require more than just resources - a team of highly skilled individuals was necessary. Finding those individuals wasn't easy. We spent months finding the right person, but the importance of a strong team was a priority.
Due to the skills of the team, the company has grown from a simple MVP to a turnover of 20 billion in five years. During this time, the product has experienced significant architectural changes. The market is always active, and so is the company, continuously adapting, improving and expanding the product to keep up with the dynamic demands of the industry.
What do you like to do in your free time?
From my early years, I've been immersed in the world of triathlon, a pursuit that demands a significant amount of commitment. Currently, with the responsibilities of managing a team of developers at Finery Markets, it's difficult to find the time. When I manage to escape for a vacation, I head for the mountains and indulge in paragliding. For me, it's essential to strike a balance between the demands of the office and the physical exertion of sports to maintain my well-being. It's not just about feeling good, it's about maintaining the innovative edge.
How have recent events in the crypto world impacted your role and mindset?
The crypto world is evolving at an unprecedented speed. To stay competitive, we must continually innovate and introduce new features to our product, as competition in this sector is fierce. The surge in interest from institutional clients following the introduction of crypto ETFs is driving us to meet the demands of experienced and professional financial players by consistently improving the quality of our products.
We always maintain a firm grip on our "product-market fit," adjusting our development efforts as needed. A prime example of this is our FM Marketplace, which we launched several years ago with a basic "maker-taker" model. However, as the market structure matured, we added FM Liquidity Match to focus on the broker model. This addition allows crypto brokers and prime-brokers to use our trading system as the backbone of their operations.
Within our team, we regularly hold discussions to prioritize our key tasks, striving to strike a balance between long-term goals and immediate priorities. Much like a well-coordinated sports team, we meticulously plan our work and strategies to maintain a steady and unimpeded momentum. Our goal is to get it right the first time. As a lean startup, we understand that we don't have the luxury of second chances or extra resources.
If you weren't working in your current field, what would you want to do instead?
If I hadn't been so interested in technology, I might have ended up in the fast-paced world of sports. I could have potentially created a specialized location, like a café-club, designed specifically for dedicated cyclists and triathletes.
What makes Finery Markets stand out to you? What's your favorite thing about working here?
When I first joined Finery Marktes, it was almost like venturing into uncharted territory. I had to pioneer the development of this product almost single-handedly. Four years later, we've evolved from a solo endeavor to a compact, effective team.
Working here involves solving complex problems - - it's challenging and it's exciting. We've had to traverse unexplored paths, establish a team, streamline processes, address security issues, and manage workflows. I've been lucky to work with a team of proactive individuals who are not afraid to take the reins and run with it. .
We're always learning, always growing - from each other, with each other. The environment is high-pressure, but it also brings significant rewards. The thrill lies in not knowing what's next, but having the courage to face it head-on. It's about facing the unknown, and I'm interested to see where this journey leads us.
What are you planning to do after you receive the promotion?
After receiving the promotion, my primary focus will be on team development. As I've always said, a robust, united team is the heart and soul of any successful project. So, my first order of business will be to put our people first. I'll be promoting a culture of ongoing learning, and creating an atmosphere that encourages teamwork and out-of-the-box thinking.
When it comes to fresh projects, I'm eager to lead the charge in fine-tuning our trading architecture to boost our systems' efficiency and dependability. We'll also be taking cybersecurity seriously, making sure our data is safe and sound, and our clients are shielded from any potential risks. We'll carry on with the development of additional product features and strengthening our SaaS offering, including new trading regimes. These enhancements will not only improve our existing product portfolio but also widen our customer reach and possibly introduce us to new markets.
In a nutshell, my mission is to steer our engineering department towards new milestones, ensuring we consistently deliver high-quality, groundbreaking solutions for our clients and the company.
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