Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, tensions in the Middle East, Trump’s incoming administration, and BRICS’ exploration of de-dollarization, have compounded into what might be a pivotal year for alternative payments systems and geopolitics.
In this episode, host, Eitan Danon (Content Marketing Manager, Chainalysis) sits down with Tom Keatinge, Director of the Center for Finance and Security (CFS) at RUSI to discuss the intersection of digital assets and geopolitics
Tom shares his journey into crypto, highlighting a 2011 Bitcoin meetup in crypto OGs and explains RUSI's history and its focus on financial crime and state-based threats, emphasizing the role of alternative payment systems in geopolitical competition, particularly in the context of sanctions evasion.
He highlights the increasing state-based activity in financial crime and the strategic importance of the global payment system, including the weaponization of SWIFT, the development of CBDCs and the potential impact of the incoming Trump administration on international financial relations.
Minute-by-minute episode breakdown
2 | Tom’s early journey into crypto in 2012 as an academic
4 | The origins of the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) and the creation of the Centre for Finance and Security (CFS)
6 | The strategic role of alternative payment systems in global security
10 | Sanctions and the impact it has on Russia and international alternative payment systems
14 | BRICs and the realities of de-dollarization in global markets
18 | Global financial alliances and increase of western strategic challenges
23 | The future of digital currencies and global economic shifts
27 | Global financial threats and strategic economic security challenges
31 | RUSI’s focus for 2025 on sanctions, terrorist financing and Europe’s economic challenges
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Speakers on today’s episode
- Eitan Danon * Host * (Content Marketing Manager, Chainalysis)
- Tom Keatinge (Director, Centre for Finance & Security (CFS) at RUSI)
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