Couchonomics with Arjun

In this episode of Couchonomics with Arjun, we welcome Peter De Caluwe, the CEO of Thunes, a global payments network that enables cross-border payments from 130 countries. Peter shares with us how Thunes is revolutionizing the way international payments are made, making them faster, easier, and more affordable. Thunes is focused on remittance companies, payroll providers, and the travel industry, but Peter emphasizes that anyone who does international payments is a potential Thunes customer.Peter discusses how Thunes is working to solve the challenges of cross-border payments, such as regulatory frameworks in different countries. He highlights the importance of following regulations for each country they operate in and the creative solutions they have to come up with to deliver their promise of making cross-border transactions cheaper and faster.With its innovative technology and strategic partnerships with financial institutions across the globe, Thunes is making a significant impact in the emerging markets. Peter believes that Thunes can fix a big problem by bringing efficiencies into the sector, especially since billions of dollars are being sent out of the UAE every year.Peter also speaks about his other company, DT One, a global B2B digital micropayments platform powering cross-border transfers of mobile top-ups, gift cards, and gaming pins. He explains how DT One offers a rewards program that helps increase customer loyalty and retention.Overall, this episode offers an insightful conversation into the world of cross-border payments and the challenges that come with it. Peter's expertise and experience in the industry provide valuable insights into the future of international payments and the role that Thunes is playing in making it more accessible and affordable. Additional Topics Discussed:The importance of customer experience in the payments industryThe impact of the pandemic on the payments industry and the rise of digital paymentsHow Thunes is working to reduce fraud in the payments industry.Our 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

In this episode of Couchonomics with Arjun, we welcome Noor Sweid, managing partner at Global Ventures, to share her insights on venture capital funds and the investment potential of the MENA region. During our discussion, Noor emphasizes the importance of conducting due diligence when choosing an industry to invest in and understanding the stage of startup development it needs help with. She also shares her thoughts on the UAE being the most interesting region for investments in the near future.Furthermore, Noor delves into the world of Web 3.0 and crypto spaces, highlighting the emergence of a new generation of creators who will be Web 3.0 natives. She explains how this will create a new ecosystem that doesn't rely on old Web 2.0 platforms, which will become obsolete. Other topics covered in this episode include:·       The impact of the pandemic on the venture capital industry and the startups in the MENA region·       How to find the right balance between risk and reward when making investment decisions·       The importance of building strong networks and partnerships in the venture capital industryOur 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

 In this episode of Couchonomics with Arjun, we discuss how open banking and open finance are transforming the financial industry, not only in the MENA region but also globally. We'll be joined by Hisham Al-Falih, Co-Founder & CEO of Lean Technologies, as we explore the challenges, opportunities, and latest developments in the field. Tune in to find out how the MENA region is catching up with Europe and the United States in adopting open banking, and what this means for businesses and individuals looking to stay ahead of the game. Moreover, the episode explores how open banking and open finance can help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) access financial services more easily. With open banking, SMEs can access alternative financing options and connect with potential investors more efficiently. This can help SMEs overcome traditional barriers to financing and accelerate their growth, which is particularly important in the MENA region where SMEs are a major driver of economic activity. Arjun and Hisham delve into the different types of open banking models and their benefits such as: Expanding the scope of open banking by including more financial services beyond traditional banking Creating a seamless user experience and providing them with a more comprehensive view of their finances.Levelling the playfield for all participants in the “open data economy” Our 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

Jayesh Patel is the CEO of Wio Bank. Recently launched less than a year ago, Wio bank is remarkable because it targets a segment of the population that may be the most under-served in the world: micro businesses, which account for over 99% of all business activity in the world.Jayesh is highly passionate as he discusses the evolution of banking in practical terms. He talks us through how the relationship between banks and the public has historically transformed with the advent of technology. However, customers often need to be made aware of the labor required to make these transformations possible.Transitioning to online banking took over a decade, and implementing mobile banking also took many years of work to build the infrastructure reliably. Jayesh also discusses:The role of neobanks in the global economyNavigating the imminent slowdown in the funding cycleThe longterm impact fintechs have had on bankingOur 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

In this episode, we take a step back from the world of finance to get a bigger picture of the way technology is influencing all of our lives. Our guide to this evolution is Dr Noah Raford, the renowned futurist and the mind behind the incredible Museum of the Future.The first task Dr Raford is burdened with is explaining what exactly a futurist does. He describes a profession built around making sense of the variety of technological advancements constantly being made to help decision-makers make the most informed choices.We also discuss several of the hottest topics in the tech space right now, includingHow artificial intelligence may disrupt entire political and financial systemsA brief examination of how Twitter has changed since Elon Musk took overHow humanity may adapt to the technologies around us sustainablyOur 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

In the second part of our unprecedented 2-Part episode, we're diving into the technical aspects that make crypto possible to understand some of its most practical use cases. One of the most glamorous uses for crypto is obviously the possibility to make and receive payments.Dominic Longman and Nadeem Ladki explore how the relationship between crypto and fiat currencies is pushing crypto towards evolving more as an ecosystem and less as an industry in the traditional sense. We also explore a slew of other topics such as:How CBDCs may affect the crypto marketThe growing role of regulations in the crypto marketCrypto as a payments solutionOur 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

Cryptocurrency has emerged as one of the most exciting investment opportunities in history. While the field is still in its nascency, multiple users have thrown their support behind this invention and have begun to find use cases that take crypto out of the abstract and into the real world. No company exemplifies this as much as Binance.With over 150 million users around the world, Binance is the preeminent crypto exchange in the world. To explore more about what this position means in an evolving crypto landscape and perhaps even take a peek at the crystal ball, we're joined by Dominic Longman and Nadeem Ladki.As Senior Executive Officer at Binance Abu Dhabi and the Executive Director, Head of BD & Partnerships - Europe & MENA respectively, Dominic and Nadeem explore the impact of running an exchange that has secured over 70% of the market. While many may grow complacent, Dominic assures us that the competition keeps them on their toes, innovating and inventing new ways to provide value to their customers.In this first part of our exclusive two-part episode with Binance, Dominic and Nadeem discuss a great many things, shedding light on topics such as:How crypto security has evolved since the FTX revelationHow regulation in MENA has fostered a crypto-friendly, forward-thinking cultureAn examination of how Binance's investment style differs from a private equity firmOur 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

In this episode, we depart from our usual fintech discourse and talk about something a little more high-speed than payments. Amna Al Qubaisi is a professional race car driver who has the prestigious honour of being the first Emirati woman to race in Formula 3, as well as being one of the first women to drive in Formula E.Joining me on this episode, Amna shares her unique experiences with being behind the wheel of a racing machine. After a little bit of nostalgic reminiscing on the days of the legends such as Schumacher, Senna, and Prost, we open up our discussion into the evolution of the modern racing world.We discuss her background and how she ended up behind the wheel of a race car. We also examine why there aren't more women in racing like she is around the world, revealing insightful, unexpected answers. Listen now to also find out:Some of the challenges unique to being a woman in F1What corporations can do to see more women in F1How technology has influenced F1 over the years vs driver skillOur 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

Leila Hurstel might have the coolest job title ever as the Chief Metaverse Officer at Verse Estate, but today she wears the title of guest on Couchonomics. Settling comfortably into the famous couch, Leila shares a brief overview of her time spent studying fintech at Harvard before pioneering the AllStarsWomen DAO.Leila shares how the decentralized autonomous organization arose out of a deep desire to transform society, and how blockchain technology enables her to do that with a committed, dedicated community. Leila describes how community is key to many of the futuristic projects in the works, including the metaverse.Regulation for the metaverse is still massively behind the curve, and in many ways, this represents the underdeveloped metaverse environment. However, Leila is quick to point out that this represents a massive potential for growth more than anything, and many companies have begun to recognize it.Major corporations such as Gucci and Nike have taken to the metaverse for a more immersive experience, Leila explains. and the numbers indicate a massive underlying demand for the product, as up to 21 million people have actively interacted with the metaverse. Although the metaverse is, in many ways, still restricted to floating heads and half-bodies, Leila believes that this simply signals how early the market is in its ambitious development cycle. Leila points to interoperability as one of the main building blocks that will form the foundation of the metaverse.Decentralization, distinctions from web 3.0 and much more: Leila gives a complete tour of everything you need to know about the fledgling metaverse.Listen to the full episode now to discover how:Companies are making the jump into the Metaverse and how this will fuel the growth of the metaverse (05:00-15:00)The metaverse differs from web 3.0, and how the user-centric approach of web 3.0 will redefine modern instant communication (15:00-25:00)The metaverse is truly a multiverse. We also explore real-world applications of the metaverse, including digital twins and much more. (25:00-35:00)Our 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

Couchonomics is back! For our inaugural episode of Season 02 we're examining the Buy Now, Pay Later model with Mr. Buy Now, Pay Later himself, Hosam Arab: Co-Founder and CEO of Tabby.Buy Now, Pay Later has been an exciting sector to watch. Just a few years ago many viewed it as the golden child of the embedded finance space and now just as many people view it as an objective failure. Hosam believes the truth is more nuanced.According to Hosam, BNPL brings tremendous value to the right markets, but the model is not a panacea that can be blindly applied to any scenario. By dutifully serving their customer base in MENA, Hosam describes how Tabby has managed to avoid many common BNPL pitfalls to ascend to a leader in the region with over 3 million customers and 5,000 businesses using their services.In this episode, Hosam also reveals:The demand for BNPL in regions such as the UAE, Egypt, and Saudi ArabiaA possible source for a lot of the negativity thrown towards BNPL servicesHow does a BNPLs' risk appetite compare to traditional lenders such as banksCouchonomics with Arjun Season 02 is brought to you by our partners:AdyenToYouVisaGeideaM2PFind us on our social media platforms:Arjun's LinkedInCCN LinkedInInstagramTwitterTikTokSubscribe to Arjun's LinkedIn newsletter, Couchonomics Crunch.Follow 'Couchonomics with Arjun Singh' on any app you listen to podcasts and subscribe to Couchonomics YouTube channelOur 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