Maksim Kirilov has spent years helping businesses solve problems that traditional banks either can’t or won’t. As Business Development Manager at Transferra – a UK-based FCA-regulated digital payments platform serving clients across Europe, the UK, and internationally – he works with founders, operators, and finance teams to structure accounts and payment flows that actually match how their businesses work. From straightforward SME setups to complex multi-party arrangements, his approach is the same: understand the business first, build the solution second. We caught up with him ahead of his appearances at Istanbul Blockchain Week and the WAIB Summit.
–How do you approach a new client? Where do you actually start?
-Most people expect me to lead with products – account types, features, pricing. I do the opposite. I start by understanding the business itself: who the partners are, where the money is coming from and where it’s going, and what the payment flows look like in practice. Only once I have a detailed picture of the full ecosystem do I start thinking about the right account structure. It’s the only way to avoid surprises down the line.
–What kinds of deals does your team handle?
-Everything from straightforward SME setups to genuinely complex multi-party structures – including three-way agreements where payments require careful sequencing before they can be executed. Knowing when to slow down and scrutinise a deal structure is just as important as knowing how to move fast. The cases I find most rewarding are the ones where a business has outgrown generic banking and needs a partner who can think carefully alongside them.
–What does “service” mean at Transferra – beyond the product itself?
-We give clients more than just an IBAN and a mobile app. We bring real consulting expertise to every relationship. When a new need emerges – a new corridor, an unfamiliar payment type, a compliance question – we’re already in the room. The goal is to be a long-term partner, not a vendor. What we ultimately offer is private-banking-level attention built on fintech infrastructure: personalised, responsive, and scalable.
–Blockchain and crypto businesses are a significant presence at events like Istanbul Blockchain Week. How does Transferra approach that sector?
-It’s a sector where the due diligence requirements are genuinely higher, and where having a structured, compliant onboarding process makes all the difference. As an FCA-regulated institution, we take compliance seriously – which actually works in our clients’ favour. Businesses that operate transparently and can clearly articulate their payment flows find that we’re able to move quickly and build solutions that fit. The depth of our onboarding process isn’t a barrier; it’s what allows us to say yes confidently where others hesitate.
–What should a founder do before approaching a banking partner?
-Map your money. Know who your counterparties are, what payment volumes you’re expecting, and what currencies you’ll be operating in. The more precisely you can describe your flows, the faster and more confidently we can build the right solution. Founders who come in with clarity get better outcomes – not because we favour them, but because clarity makes good structuring possible.
Maksim Kirilov is a Business Development Manager at Transferra, an FCA-regulated digital payments platform offering corporate IBAN accounts, multi-currency support across 35+ currencies, and cross-border transfers for businesses across Europe and beyond.
Elina Grigorjeva