Small Fortunes & Larger Risks

Right, let’s be honest. A grand isn’t going to buy you a yacht. Or even a particularly decent weekend. But it can, if you’re lucky and slightly reckless, become something more. Most people chase the shiny objects, the guaranteed winners. Me? I prefer the ones everyone else has already decided are a bit…broken. It’s where the real opportunities hide, darling. Or, you know, where you lose a grand. Either way, it’s a story.

The market’s obsessed with beating the S&P 500. So predictable. I’m more interested in the companies that have already had a good cry, dusted themselves off, and are quietly trying to rebuild. Two fintech companies, specifically, are currently offering a rather intriguing blend of potential and panic. They’ve both taken a bit of a beating recently, which, naturally, is when I start paying attention.

Robinhood: Gambling with a Better PR Team

Robinhood. Honestly, the name alone. It’s almost offensively optimistic. They managed to triple in value last year, which is…well, it’s impressive, I suppose. Mostly, it’s a testament to how easily people are parted from their money. Transaction revenue doubled, fueled by the crypto frenzy. Red-hot demand, they call it. I call it a bubble waiting to burst. But hey, while it lasts…

They’ve got 26.8 million funded customers. Millions. That’s a lot of people playing fast and loose with their finances. And now they’re dipping their toes into ‘prediction markets’. It’s basically legalized betting, dressed up in a slightly more respectable outfit. They sidestep all the pesky gambling regulations by calling it ‘event-based derivatives’. Clever. Shamelessly clever. And potentially very lucrative.

Apparently, revenue from these prediction markets doubled sequentially. October was bigger than all of Q3. That’s the kind of growth that makes you raise an eyebrow. Or, in my case, quietly add a few shares. It’s still a gamble, obviously. But at least they’re being upfront about it. And let’s be real, a little bit of calculated risk is what makes life interesting. Isn’t it?

Sezzle: Buy Now, Worry Later (and Hope for the Best)

Sezzle. Now, this is a fascinating little beast. Buy now, pay later. It’s essentially enabling impulse purchases for people who can’t quite afford them. Genius, really. They make their money from transaction fees, which means they profit every time someone buys something they probably shouldn’t. The morality of it all? Let’s not go there. I’m an investor, not a saint.

Revenue is up 67% year over year, net income up 72.7%. Numbers like that make you sit up and take notice. The stock is up 46% over the past year, despite being down over 60% from its all-time high. Which, naturally, is precisely why I’m interested. Everyone else is panicking about ‘credit risk’, about serving customers without credit cards. As if a lack of credit history automatically equates to financial ruin. Please.

Apparently, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau says BNPL default rates are lower than credit cards. Who knew? It’s all about automatic repayments, reducing the risk of…well, everything. Sezzle has 2.97 million customers, up 11.4% year over year. People are desperate for ways to ease their financial strain, and Sezzle is happy to oblige. It’s a slightly cynical arrangement, perhaps, but undeniably effective. And, let’s face it, a little bit of financial desperation is good for business.

So, there you have it. Two companies that are a little bit broken, a little bit risky, and potentially a lot of fun. Will they outperform the S&P 500? Honestly, I have no idea. But I’m willing to bet a grand to find out. What could possibly go wrong?

2026-02-14 17:42

Robinhood: Gambling with a Better PR Team

Sezzle: Buy Now, Worry Later (and Hope for the Best)

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