Live from Money20/20 Middle East: Moving money, shaping futures

Oct 31, 2025

Lori Schwartz, Global Head of Treasury Services at J.P. Morgan Payments, shares her insights on the burgeoning fintech landscape in the Middle East. She discusses how open banking is breaking down barriers to global money movement and the crucial role of technology in facilitating faster cross-border payments. Lori emphasizes the importance of balancing innovation and security, advocating for responsible prototyping. With a focus on tokenization and blockchain, she highlights how these advancements enhance cash mobility while ensuring trust and risk management.

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INSIGHT

Regionwide Ecosystem Spurs Financial Innovation

Middle Eastern markets are rapidly embracing diverse financial service models including banks, fintechs, PSPs, and MSPs.
This ecosystem fuels innovation, client experience improvements, and progressive cash management across the region.

INSIGHT

Tokenization Enables Faster, Trusted Settlement

Tokenization and blockchain enable simultaneous exchange of payment and information, enabling faster, trusted settlement.
Tokenized deposits can expand cross-border cash movement while preserving safety and security.

ADVICE

Embed Risk Controls In Innovation

Innovate responsibly by embedding risk controls, safety, and soundness into product development.
Prototype and test but maintain scale-ready controls and strong data protection before wide rollout.

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In this episode, Veronique Steiner, head of EMEA Innovation Economy, and Lori Schwartz, global head of Treasury Services, sit down at Money20/20 Middle East in Riyadh to discuss the trends shaping the region's financial system. Together, they explore the rapid growth of financial services in the Middle East, the impact of technology on cross-border payments and the importance of striking a balance between security and innovation in a fast-changing landscape. Hear insights on the future of fintech, the role of open banking and how J.P. Morgan Payments is helping clients navigate new opportunities in Saudi Arabia and beyond.

This episode was recorded on September 15, 2025.

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