Couchonomics with Arjun

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

Episode 150 of Couchonomics with Arjun is here — and it’s a milestone.For the very first time, we go to Latin America. My guest: Eduardo Chedid, CEO of PicPay — Brazil’s biggest super app and one of the fastest-scaling fintechs in the world.With 60M+ customers, $1B+ in revenues, profits up 7× YoY, and 4,500 employees, PicPay is rewriting the rules of digital banking in one of the most competitive markets on earth.We cover:- Brazil’s fintech revolution and the role of regulation- How PicPay scaled from wallet → super app → full-service bank- Why AI and open finance are core to growth- The future of tokenized money and cross-border paymentsThis isn’t just a Brazil story — it’s a blueprint for the future of finance.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 Highlights01:11 Welcoming Eduardo Chedd03:29 Brazilian FinTech Landscape11:22 PicPay's Growth and Strategy23:52 AI Integration and Innovations28:25 Organizational Structure and Product Velocity29:23 Ownership and Cross-Functional Integration31:13 Driving Governance and Agile Practices32:36 The Role of Data in Financial Services36:55 The Evolution and Importance of Digital Wallets38:46 Tokenized Money and Future Trends41:59 Competition and Market Focus45:21 Global Insights and Future Plans50:44 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

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.

💡 Africa’s fintech story is no longer a local experiment — it’s a global test case for the future of inclusion, innovation, and capital flows.In this episode of Couchonomics with Arjun, we’re joined by Yustus Aribariho, Co-Founder of Furaha Financial (part of SC Ventures by Standard Chartered). Yustus is now on a mission to unlock education financing and opportunity across Sub-Saharan Africa.We unpack:💸 Why capital inflows into African fintech lag behind the opportunity📱 How mobile money became the blueprint for financial inclusion worldwide🛠 The frictions of regulation, repatriation, and cross-border flows👥 Why human capital and local talent could be Africa’s ultimate advantageFuraha isn’t just another fintech — it’s building infrastructure that bridges capital and impact in one of the world’s fastest-growing regions.🎧 Watch the full episode now on YouTube, Spotify & 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 Highlights02:40 State of FinTech in Sub-Saharan Africa08:11 Challenges and Opportunities in African FinTech10:48 The Role of Mobile Money and Digital Banks15:00 Investment Dynamics and Regulatory Challenges17:57 Affordability and Financial Inclusion21:46 Alternative Financial Services in Africa27:46 High Cost of Borrowing and Risk-Based Pricing28:36 Purpose-Driven Financing33:37 Addressing the Education Financing Gap35:43 Building an Ecosystem for Education Loans37:42 Why Uganda?45:29 Future Expansion and Challenges48:04 Business Model and Partnerships52:25 Vision for the Future55:26 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

Dante Disparte, Chief Strategy Officer & Head of Global Policy at Circle, explores the pivotal role stablecoins are playing in global finance. He discusses how smart regulation enhances trust and adoption, and the distinct futures of stablecoins and CBDCs. Dante highlights MENA's rise as a digital asset hub, fueled by innovation in payment systems. The episode emphasizes the urgent need for effective legislation to navigate the complexities of digital currencies and their potential to revolutionize cross-border payments.

Fraud just had its AI upgrade.It’s faster than your payments and industrialised at a global scale. Welcome to the Scamdemic — a global wave of scams and financial crime growing faster than almost any asset class.We’re joined by Simon Taylor, Head of Strategy at Sardine and Co-Founder of 11:FS. Together, we unpack how fraud has evolved, why it’s so hard to stop, and what financial institutions, fintechs, and regulators must do now.Inside the episode:- Why faster payments = faster fraud- Deepfakes, fraud-as-a-service, and industrialised scam call centres- Why liability shifts and reimbursements can fuel crime instead of stopping it- The missed open banking opportunity: building a global “fraud utility”- Stablecoins, AI agents, and the next wave of attack surfaces- How to protect customers without killing innovationWhether you work in banking, fintech, payments, or policy, this episode will change how you think about fraud prevention in the age of AI and real-time payments.🎧 Listen now and stay ahead of the Scamdemic.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 Highlights02:04 The Scam Epidemic: An Overview06:33 The Impact of Fraud on Financial Institutions14:14 Introducing Sardine: AI-Powered Financial Crime Platform19:17 Global Fraud Typologies and Real-Time Payments22:47 Global Reactions to the Pandemic23:46 The Impact on Wealthy Individuals and Businesses24:43 The Need for Transparency and Best Practices25:23 Regulatory Responses and Fraud Prevention26:34 The Role of Social Media in Fraud27:38 Challenges in Fraud Prevention and Coordination29:42 Opportunities in Open Banking and Data Sharing34:31 Digital Assets and Stablecoins39:08 The Role of AI in Fraud Prevention42:10 Future of Financial Crime and ConclusionOur 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

Is today’s financial system fit for a digital-first world?Not quite — and Siddharth Shetty is here to tell us why.In this episode of Couchonomics, Arjun speaks with Finternet Labs CEO Siddharth Shetty, one of the architects behind India’s UPI and  Account Aggregator framework, to unpack the vision for Finternet — a universal financial infrastructure layer designed to empower users, build trust, and unlock global interoperability.We explore how fragmented rails, legacy systems, and a lack of verifiability are holding back progress, and how Finternet could be the solution that brings it all together.👉 What you’ll learn:- Why identity, credentials & asset control need to shift back to users- How Finternet coexists with CBDCs, stablecoins & real-time payment systems- The role of governments vs private sector in future infrastructure- Middle East leapfrogging, tokenization & AI-driven transactions🔗 Watch, learn, and join the conversation about the future of digital finance.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/Discover how the Finternet is reimagining finance for a connected world. Tap the link in the show notes to learn more. 👇https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qIw8wSbw26mw8uLXIK8SohmGvvJobcPX/view?usp=sharing Explore Finternet Labs: https://finternetlab.io/Chapters:00:00 Episode Highlights01:58 Exploring Finternet Labs03:01 Understanding Financial Infrastructure05:33 The Vision of Finternet Labs13:19 Governance and Dispute Resolution25:02 Future of Financial Systems27:07 Web3 and Coexistence with Traditional Financial Systems29:15 Interoperability Challenges and Solutions31:42 Cross-Border Transactions and Emerging Technologies36:12 The Role of Digital Identity in Financial Ecosystems40:45 Centralization vs. Decentralization in Digital Identity44:13 Introduction to Finnet and Its Objectives46:34 The Finternet Labs: Structure and Goals50:21 Opportunities for the Middle East in Digital Finance53:01 Conclusion and Future EventsOur 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