But what’s wrong with active development on a legacy code base? Sure those FIXMEs and TODOs should be cleaned up as that’s obvious tech debt, but besides that?
I don't think FIXMEs & TODOs are a problem either if you have a system on how to deal with them over time..
CTOs are not architects, so much is clear and this project shows issues running deep in your companies culture.
How could you tell? because yes, everything turns into a dick measuring contest (in PRs)
There is a rush for some countries to have their own exchangers to convert local residents for tax & fraud reasons. But if I am to build such a large complex system on my own, I would just have it all.