Couchonomics with Arjun

Giovanni Everduin, Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer at Commercial Bank International, dives into the intricacies of banking innovation. He explains how regulation can spur rather than hinder progress and why legacy systems pose significant challenges. The conversation shifts to the hybrid future of finance, balancing on-chain and off-chain solutions. Giovanni clarifies misconceptions around tokenization and stablecoins while emphasizing the importance of prioritizing real-world applications over technology hype. Learn how banks can innovate responsibly and partner with fintechs to drive meaningful change.

Dr. Bernd van Linder, CEO of Commercial Bank of Dubai, shares insights on the digital transformation in UAE banking. He discusses how customer experience is now the key competitive advantage and why banks must adopt mobile-first strategies. Bernd emphasizes that fintechs are partners in this evolution, driving efficiency and collaboration. He also highlights AI's potential to enhance productivity while addressing the importance of governance and trust in a digital-first world. The future promises robust growth powered by innovative customer experiences.

In this insightful discussion, Vishal Dalal, Global CEO of Pismo, delves into the evolution of core banking. He shares how Pismo transitioned from a pilot program in Brazil to serving banks globally. Vishal highlights the critical importance of resilience in banking infrastructure and the challenges of migrating from legacy systems. He also explores the impact of digital assets and AI on modern financial systems, emphasizing the need for banks to adapt to new payment complexities while ensuring safety and efficiency.

Sandeep Patil, a partner at QED Investors with rich experience in fintech, discusses the transformative phase of the industry. He explains how the fintech reset isn't over yet and highlights stablecoins as the backbone of global trade. AI's influence in underwriting and distribution is substantial, streamlining processes and reducing costs. Sandeep emphasizes the necessity for founders to be regulatory-savvy, viewing regulation not as a hurdle but as a tool for growth. Emerging opportunities in the UAE and MENA region are also spotlighted.

In this engaging discussion, Keith Grose, CEO of Coinbase UK, shares insights on the evolving landscape of crypto finance. He highlights how stablecoins are set to revolutionize global trade by serving as a vital settlement layer. Keith also addresses the UK's strategic position for regulation and innovation in crypto and explains how Coinbase aims to enhance economic freedom. The conversation dives into the balance between regulatory control and growth, emphasizing the role of on-chain transparency in fostering user trust in the financial system.

Tony McLaughlin, the founder and CEO of Ubyx, discusses the revolutionary shift from traditional banking to blockchain technology. He argues that the bank account is obsolete, suggesting that stablecoins could act as the new fiat currency. The conversation dives into blockchain as a 'who owns what' machine and how tokenization might replace conventional payment systems. Tony also highlights the implications of digital currencies for global trade, the balance between regulation and innovation, and the future of clearing systems in this new financial landscape.

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