Couchonomics with Arjun

What if the future of money isn’t about new currencies, but about rebuilding how value moves?Arjun sits down with Keith Grose, Senior Country Director at Coinbase UK, to explore how crypto is moving from hype to real infrastructure.They talk about the UK’s second-mover advantage in regulation, the role of stablecoins in global trade, and how Coinbase is building the bridge between traditional finance and the on-chain world.🎙️ In this episode:→ Why Coinbase’s mission is to increase economic freedom for a billion people→ How crypto complements, not replaces, real-time payment systems→ Why stablecoins are becoming the settlement layer for global trade→ What the UK’s second-mover advantage means for innovation→ How regulation can balance control with growth→ Why private stablecoins may move faster than CBDCs→ What it takes to make crypto secure, compliant, and trusted→ How on-chain transparency is reshaping user protection👉 Watch now to understand how crypto, regulation, and finance are converging into the next chapter of global money movement.Couchonomics with Arjun Season 04 is brought to you by our partners:Adyen → https://www.adyen.com/Thunes → https://thunes.com/Mastercard → https://mastercard.com/E& → https://www.eand.com/Digit9 → https://www.digitnine.com/SC Ventures → https://scventures.io/Hala → https://hala.com/Chapters00:00 Episode Teaser01:02 Introducing Keith Gross and Coinbase02:07 Coinbase's Mission and Crypto's Promise03:55 The Role of Regulation in Crypto04:14 Global Payment Systems and Crypto's Potential11:11 The Promise and Growth of Stablecoins13:48 Institutional Adoption and Tokenized Deposits18:50 The Future of Crypto Regulation in the UK25:18 Understanding Wholesale CBDC and Stable Coins25:39 The Role of Stablecoins in Government Bonds26:27 Yield and Regulatory Challenges of Stablecoins27:58 Coinbase's Offerings for Retail and Institutional Customers29:49 Defi Lending and Borrowing Innovations34:10 Security and Custody in Crypto Trading41:06 Regulatory Collaboration and Industry Standards46:53 Balancing Growth and Risk in Crypto48:57 Future Metrics and Tokenization Trends50:13 Conclusion and Future DiscussionsOur website 👉 https://bit.ly/3jk7UH0Find us on our social media platforms: Arjun's LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjunvirsingh/ CCN LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/couchonomics-with-arjun-singh/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/couchonomics/ Twitter https://twitter.com/Arjun_Vir_Singh?s=20 TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@couchonomics Subscribe to Arjun's LinkedIn newsletter, Couchonomics Crunch: https://bit.ly/3WI4A6E

What if the future of money isn’t about creating new currencies, but redefining what money really is?In this episode, Arjun sits down with Tony McLaughlin, CEO and Founder of Ubyx Inc, to talk about why he believes the bank account is dead and how the next version of money could live on public blockchains.They break down what stablecoins, tokenized deposits, and CBDCs really mean, and how they could quietly replace the systems we’ve used for decades.🎙️ In this episode: → Why blockchain is simply a “who owns what” machine → How stablecoins could become the new form of fiat → Why tokenization could replace ACH, SWIFT, and cards → How Ubyx is building a clearing system for the age of digital money → How stablecoins could transform global trade and cross-border payments → The balance between privacy, regulation, and innovation👉 Watch now to understand how the next phase of finance will be built on tokens, trust, and interoperability.Couchonomics with Arjun Season 04 is brought to you by our partners:Adyen → https://www.adyen.com/Thunes → https://thunes.com/Mastercard → https://mastercard.com/E& → https://www.eand.com/Digit9 → https://www.digitnine.com/SC Ventures → https://scventures.io/Hala → https://hala.com/Chapters 00:00 Episode Teaser 02:45 What Fintech Really Built: Layers on Legacy Rails 05:30 Blockchain as the “Who Owns What” Machine 09:15 Regulation, Policy, and the Shift to Public Blockchains 11:20 Stablecoins and the Irony of Perfecting Fiat Currency 15:00 The Death of the Bank Account and Rise of Tokens 17:10 CBDCs, Tokenized Deposits, and the Ancient IOU 23:00 How Ubyx Fits into the Global Clearing Puzzle 26:20 Why Banks Will Love Stablecoins for FX Revenue 32:00 The $300B E-commerce Stablecoin Opportunity 37:00 CBDCs vs. Stablecoins: Parallel Systems, Not Rivals 39:10 How Europe Should Respond to USD Stablecoins 41:00 Turning Regulation Fear into Opportunity 45:00 Privacy, Surveillance, and Life on the Ledger 47:40 Ubyx’s Journey from White Paper to Product 50:00 Building the Mastercard of Stablecoins 53:00 Lessons from an Older Founder and What Comes NextOur website 👉 https://bit.ly/3jk7UH0Find us on our social media platforms: Arjun's LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjunvirsingh/ CCN LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/couchonomics-with-arjun-singh/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/couchonomics/ Twitter https://twitter.com/Arjun_Vir_Singh?s=20 TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@couchonomics Subscribe to Arjun's LinkedIn newsletter, Couchonomics Crunch: https://bit.ly/3WI4A6E

What if the next decade of finance isn’t about disruption, but inclusion?In this episode, Arjun sits down with Sopnendu Mohanty, Group CEO of GFTN and Advisor to the Monetary Authority of Singapore, to explore how technology, policy, and people are shaping the future of global finance.🎙️ In this episode:→ The three pillars that defined the first wave of fintech: APIs, DPIs, and cloud→ Why inclusion remains the biggest unfinished story in finance→ How AI and tokenization could rebuild finance from the inside out→ Why collaboration, not disruption, will shape the next decade→ How the Middle East is emerging as a major hub for innovation and investment→ The growing role of regulators and public infrastructure in driving progress→ How the Global South can leapfrog through digital infrastructure👉 Watch now and see how the next chapter of finance is being built.Couchonomics with Arjun Season 04 is brought to you by our partners:Adyen → https://www.adyen.com/Thunes → https://thunes.com/Mastercard → https://mastercard.com/E& → https://www.eand.com/Digit9 → https://www.digitnine.com/SC Ventures → https://scventures.io/Hala → https://hala.com/Chapters00:00 Episode Highlights02:45 The Last Decade of Fintech: APIs, DPIs, and Cloud05:30 How Banks and Regulators Learned to Collaborate09:15 Why Inclusion Remains the Biggest Unsolved Problem13:40 The Next Wave: AI, Tokenization, and Quantum Security17:20 Stablecoins, Networks, and the Future of Money Movement22:05 Consumer Awareness and the Fight Against Scams26:10 Building the Global South’s Digital Infrastructure30:25 The Middle East and the New Role of the GCC35:10 GFTN’s Vision and the Future of Responsible FinanceOur website 👉 https://bit.ly/3jk7UH0Find us on our social media platforms: Arjun's LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjunvirsingh/ CCN LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/couchonomics-with-arjun-singh/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/couchonomics/ Twitter https://twitter.com/Arjun_Vir_Singh?s=20 TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@couchonomics Subscribe to Arjun's LinkedIn newsletter, Couchonomics Crunch: https://bit.ly/3WI4A6E

When money moves faster than ever, who really controls it? In this episode, Arjun sits down with Arik Shtilman, Founder and CEO of Rapyd, to explore how AI and stablecoins are rewriting the rules of global payments. From powering transactions across 100+ countries to building an AI-first infrastructure, Rapyd is proving that the next financial revolution is already underway.🎙️ In this episode:- Why payments companies that aren’t AI-first may not survive the next three years- How stablecoins are reshaping liquidity, cross-border trade, and working capital- Why banks and SWIFT are in a race to stay relevant- How Rapyd embedded stablecoins into every layer of its platform- The real battle between AI-powered fraud and AI-driven fraud prevention- What the rise of CBDCs means for the future of money movementThis isn’t a discussion about what’s coming.It’s a look at how the foundations of finance are being rebuilt in real time.👉 Watch now and discover how Rapyd is shaping the future of payments.#CouchonomicsWithArjun #Fintech #AI #Stablecoins #CrossBorderPayments #DigitalFinance #FutureOfMoney #financialinnovation Couchonomics with Arjun Season 04 is brought to you by our partners:Adyen https://www.adyen.com/Thunes https://thunes.com/Mastercard https://mastercard.com/E& https://www.eand.com/Digit9 https://www.digitnine.com/SC Ventures https://scventures.io/Hala https://hala.com/ Chapters:00:00 Episode Highlights03:00 AI and Stablecoins: The Twin Shifts05:00 How Regulation and Politics Changed Crypto08:00 Cross-Border Trade in Stablecoins12:00 Swift’s Future and Bank Partnerships16:00 Rapyd’s Stablecoin Strategy and Revenue Impact18:00 Compliance, Regulation, and Market Readiness25:00 CBDCs and the New Monetary Order30:00 Inside Rapyd’s AI Engine39:00 The Rapyd Story and Its EvolutionOur website 👉 https://bit.ly/3jk7UH0Find us on our social media platforms: Arjun's LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjunvirsingh/ CCN LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/couchonomics-with-arjun-singh/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/couchonomics/ Twitter https://twitter.com/Arjun_Vir_Singh?s=20 TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@couchonomics Subscribe to Arjun's LinkedIn newsletter, Couchonomics Crunch: https://bit.ly/3WI4A6E

What if AI ran your bank? 🤯In this episode, Arjun sits down with Quang Nguyen, CEO of Cake Digital Bank, Vietnam’s AI-first bank that’s redefining what digital finance looks like.With only 300 employees serving 6 million customers, Cake has become one of Southeast Asia’s most efficient and innovative financial institutions — proving that the future of banking is lean, intelligent, and fully automated.🎙️ In this episode:- How Cake uses AI to power 70% of its operations- Building trust through technology in a young, digital-first market- Why Vietnam is leading the next fintech wave- How Cake achieved profitability in just 3 years- What AI-first banking really means beyond the buzz This isn’t a story about the future of banking - it’s a look at what’s already here.👉 Watch now and see how AI is transforming finance from the inside out.#CouchonomicsWithArjun #Fintech #DigitalBanking #AI #Vietnam #FinancialInnovation #FutureOfFinanceCouchonomics with Arjun Season 04 is brought to you by our partners:Adyen https://www.adyen.com/Thunes https://thunes.com/Mastercard https://mastercard.com/E& https://www.eand.com/Digit9 https://www.digitnine.com/SC Ventures https://scventures.io/Hala https://hala.com/ Chapters:00:00 Episode Highlights02:22 Vietnam's Digital Transformation06:19 Building Trust in Digital Banking09:06 The Playful Brand: Cake11:46 Regulatory Landscape in Vietnam19:20 AI Integration in Banking23:26 Staffing and AI Integration24:21 Embracing AI in Operations25:22 Approach to Small Loans28:21 Deposit Strategies and Competitive Pricing29:42 Building Ecosystems and Partnerships33:16 Challenges and Opportunities in Embedded Banking36:34 Regulatory Compliance and AI39:03 The Story Behind the Name 'Cake'41:10 Future Plans and Regional Expansion43:18 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsOur website 👉 https://bit.ly/3jk7UH0Find us on our social media platforms: Arjun's LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjunvirsingh/ CCN LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/couchonomics-with-arjun-singh/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/couchonomics/ Twitter https://twitter.com/Arjun_Vir_Singh?s=20 TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@couchonomics Subscribe to Arjun's LinkedIn newsletter, Couchonomics Crunch: https://bit.ly/3WI4A6E

Over $80 trillion in global wealth is moving to a younger, more digital generation. But who will manage it—and how will AI, trust, and technology reshape investing?In this episode of Couchonomics with Arjun, Caesar Sengupta, Co-Founder and CEO of Arta Finance (backed by Eric Schmidt, Peak XV, and Ribbit Capital), shares how his company is democratizing wealth management—bringing institutional-grade investing to millions worldwide.Discover how AI is redefining advice, why trust matters more than ever, and how digital platforms like Arta x Wio are changing the game for banks, advisors, and investors alike.🎧 Listen now on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.Couchonomics with Arjun Season 04 is brought to you by our partners:Adyen https://www.adyen.com/Thunes https://thunes.com/Mastercard https://mastercard.com/E& https://www.eand.com/Digit9 https://www.digitnine.com/SC Ventures https://scventures.io/Hala https://hala.com/Chapters:00:00 Episode Highlights 01:10 Introducing Caesar Sengupta02:00 The Great Wealth Transfer03:07 Secular Forces in Wealth Creation05:38 The Myth of Democratization10:13 Retail Trading: Speculation or Wealth Building?13:33 Building Trust in Wealth Management17:25 The Role of Technology in Wealth Management24:42 Family Offices and Digital Capabilities27:57 Regulatory Challenges and Partner Expertise28:13 Designing and Offering Structured Products30:13 AI's Role in Fintech and Wealth Management33:41 AI's Impact on Wealth Strategies35:46 AI in Customer Experience and Wealth Planning42:26 Concerns and Future of AI in Wealth Management45:39 Business Strategy and Future Directions49:29 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsOur website 👉 https://bit.ly/3jk7UH0Find us on our social media platforms: Arjun's LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjunvirsingh/ CCN LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/couchonomics-with-arjun-singh/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/couchonomics/ Twitter https://twitter.com/Arjun_Vir_Singh?s=20 TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@couchonomics Subscribe to Arjun's LinkedIn newsletter, Couchonomics Crunch: https://bit.ly/3WI4A6E

Eduardo Chedid, the CEO of PicPay, leads Brazil's largest super app with over 60 million users. He explores the evolution of Brazil's fintech landscape, highlighting how regulations fostered competition. Eduardo shares PicPay's journey from a digital wallet to a full-service bank, driven by AI and an open finance model. He discusses the role of data in financial services, the future of tokenized money, and how PicPay aims to reclaim profit pools amidst fierce competition. Eduardo offers insights on expanding in Latin America through partnerships.

Turning Savings into Wealth — Inside Chip’s Fintech Playbook UK fintech is entering a new chapter. While funding slows, savers poured £103bn into ISAs — proving that trust, not downloads, is the real currency.In this episode, Arjun speaks with Alex Latham, Co-Founder & CMO of Chip, one of Europe’s fastest-growing fintechs, on:- The future of UK fintech beyond banking apps- How Chip grew from a crowdfunded startup to a wealth platform managing billions- Why trust, community, and AI will shape wealth management📺 Watch now and see how Chip is redefining the future of savings and investing.Couchonomics with Arjun Season 04 is brought to you by our partners:Adyen https://www.adyen.com/Thunes https://thunes.com/Mastercard https://mastercard.com/E& https://www.eand.com/Digit9 https://www.digitnine.com/SC Ventures https://scventures.io/Hala https://hala.com/Find us on our social media platforms:Arjun's LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjunvirsingh/Couchonomics LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/couchonomics-with-arjun-singh/Instagram https://www.instagram.com/couchonomics/Twitter https://twitter.com/Arjun_Vir_Singh?s=20TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@couchonomicsSubscribe to Arjun's LinkedIn newsletter, Couchonomics Crunch: https://bit.ly/3WI4A6EChapters:00:00 Episode Highlights00:56 Introduction02:09 State of UK FinTech02:34 The Rise of British FinTech04:05 Challenges and Opportunities in FinTech09:00 Chip: A Digital Wealth Manager18:12 Building Trust and Authenticity26:35 Consumer Behavior Trends29:38 Stabilizing Interest Rates and Long-Term Financial Planning30:19 Exploring Alternative Investments: Crypto and ETFs31:55 The British Saving Culture and Investment Challenges34:01 The Role of Education in Financial Literacy38:05 Marketing Strategies in FinTech43:20 Building and Engaging a Community47:43 Future Plans and Financial Advice Innovations56:17 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsOur website 👉 https://bit.ly/3jk7UH0Find us on our social media platforms: Arjun's LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjunvirsingh/ CCN LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/couchonomics-with-arjun-singh/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/couchonomics/ Twitter https://twitter.com/Arjun_Vir_Singh?s=20 TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@couchonomics Subscribe to Arjun's LinkedIn newsletter, Couchonomics Crunch: https://bit.ly/3WI4A6E

Omair Ansari, Co-Founder & CEO of Abhi, shares insights from Pakistan’s dynamic fintech landscape. He dives into the evolution of Abhi, emphasizing cash flow over hype and the importance of profitability during fintech's challenges. Omair discusses scaling from earned wage access to a full-stack working capital platform and the significant role of compliance in fintech success. He explores the untapped potential of Pakistan's market and highlights strategies for growth in the GCC region, creating a roadmap for sustainable fintech in emerging markets.

Dhruv Arora, Founder & CEO of Syfe, shares insights from his digital wealth management platform overseeing over $10B. He highlights the shift from traditional wealth management to more inclusive, transparent digital solutions. Trust emerges as the key competition in this space. Dhruv elaborates on the differences between robo-advisors and true digital platforms, and stresses the importance of localization and adaptation in new markets. He also discusses how integrating saving and investing can shape the future of finance.