Professional Overview
Anton Zelenin is a prominent leader in the fintech and gaming industry, currently serving as the Chief Product Officer: Fintech at Xsolla. His career trajectory has seen significant advancements, including his recent role as Chief Revenue Officer (CRO) at Xsolla, a position he has held since 2023. Based in Los Angeles, United States, Zelenin brings a wealth of experience and strategic insight into game commerce and payment solutions within the video game sector.
Career Path
Zelenin's professional journey began in sales and transitioned into a leadership role in fintech-related products and services. His initial roles as a Sales Manager at companies like AO "ER-Telecom Holding" and DNS set the foundation for his expertise in business operations and customer relations. In 2014, he joined Xsolla as a Payment Systems Manager and steadily advanced through various strategic positions such as Business Head: Payments and Business Head: Commerce.
Educational Background
Zelenin's comprehensive education adds to his robust professional profile. He earned a Bachelor's degree in English Language Teaching from Perm State Pedagogical University (PSPU) in 2011. Further enhancing his leadership capabilities, he completed an Executive Program in Advanced Leadership and Management at UCLA Anderson School of Management in 2019 and undertook a Finance for Senior Executives program at Harvard Business School Executive Education in 2020. In 2022, he completed the General Management Program 32 at Harvard Business School Executive Education, bolstering his strategic decision-making skills.
Areas of Expertise
Zelenin's current focus is on the integration of diverse payment systems—over 700 options including global methods like Visa and PayPal and regional schemes like Oxxo and Yandex—through platforms such as Pay Station. His role involves overseeing payment product lines and ensuring seamless payment experiences for game developers and publishers. Zelenin leverages his gamer instincts to drive innovation in gaming payments, addressing the complexities of monetization, distribution, and market expansion.
Strategic Vision and Industry Impact
As a leader at the intersection of two dynamic growth industries—gaming and fintech—Zelenin is committed to reducing market-entry barriers for game developers. With initiatives like ‘Push Payments’ and ‘GShare’, he propels strategies that optimize revenue and enhance user engagement. His vision extends to the future proliferation of eWallets and Super Apps, anticipating new channels for in-game commerce and improving user interaction.
Company Insights: Xsolla
Xsolla is a pivotal player in the video game industry, providing an all-encompassing business engine designed to facilitate game development, marketing, and sales. Headquartered in Los Angeles and employing between 201-500 individuals, Xsolla offers solutions targeted at improving the efficiency and profitability of game publishing. The company's business model distinctly seeks to transcend the limitations imposed by major platforms by offering lower commission rates and comprehensive support services, thus empowering developers globally.
Zelenin's approach and contributions are instrumental in aligning Xsolla's strategic objectives with market needs, driving innovation, and ensuring that the company remains a leader in gaming commerce solutions.
