Couchonomics with Arjun

In this episode of #CouchonomicswithArjun, we're joined by Deepak Mehra, Chief Economist at Commercial Bank of Dubai. 🎙️We explore the megatrends that are shaping our world—from the impact of AI and environmental changes to the challenges posed by aging populations across various countries. 🌍Our conversation covers the complexities of wealth management, trading strategies, and the best approaches to investing in today’s unpredictable markets. 💹We also take a closer look at the economies of the UAE and Saudi Arabia, discussing their reliance on fossil fuels and their ongoing efforts to diversify. 🇦🇪 🇸🇦Lastly, we touch on the inspiration behind Deepak's latest book, 'Think Like a Golfer, Win Like a Golfer.' ⛳📖Tune in to gain insights that could shape your financial future.#Investing #WealthManagement #AI #Sustainability #Economics #UAE #SaudiArabia #FinancialFuture #Banking #trading #fossilfuel 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

FULL EPISODE - AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY IN AUDIO ONLYIn this episode, Arjun engages in a fascinating conversation with Mikhail Lomtadze, CEO and co-founder of Kaspi, the groundbreaking super app that is transforming daily life in Kazakhstan and beyond. Mikhail shares Kaspi's journey from traditional banking and financial services to becoming a super app that offers everything from shopping and payments to government services and even marriage registrations—all within one platform.They explore the mission behind Kaspi's innovative mobile services, the challenges faced in its early stages, and how Kaspi is adding value to consumers' lives by making everyday activities more accessible, affordable, and convenient. With over 14 million users, Kaspi is one of the most engaging applications globally, setting a new standard for digital transformation in the financial and service industries.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, Arjun sits down with Roger Rouhana, CEO of Alpheya, to explore the future of wealth management in the MENA region.Their conversation delves into global wealth and asset management trends, highlighting the growing demand for innovative digital solutions and the crucial role of robo-advisors in making wealth management more accessible.They also discuss Alpheya's mission and foundation, the evolving landscape of wealth management in the GCC region, and the impact of trading apps on the wealth tech industry. Don’t miss our insightful discussion on how technology is reshaping the world of wealth management. Tune in now!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

Digital Leadership: Embracing the New Tech AgeThis week, we sit down with Pedro Sousa Cardoso, Chief Digital Officer at Emirates NBD, to explore the state of banking in the UAE. We have an in-depth conversation on the evolving role of CDOs, increasing collaboration between banks and fintechs, and venture building within banks, using Liv Bank as an example.Tune in to discover how Emirates NBD is leading the charge in banking innovation.#CouchonomicsWithArjun #DigitalTransformation #FinTech #BankingInnovation #EmiratesNBD #Banking #BaaS #BeyondBanking #CDO #InnovationOur 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

Chit-fund with a digital twist!Ahmed Wadi, Founder and CEO of Money Fellows is our latest guest on the show. Money Fellows is a pioneering startup from Egypt that has digitized the ancient financial concept of ROSCAs, where a group of individuals act as an informal financial institution. In our chat, Ahmed shares insights on Money Fellows' operational strategy, the challenges and opportunities of building a startup in Egypt, and the overall fintech landscape in the country.Discover how Money Fellows is revolutionizing this millennia-old concept! 💡#Fintech #Startup #Innovation #MoneyFellows #Egypt #ROSCAs #ChitFunds 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

The art of replacing disjointed systems with digitized processes.Join us on Couchonomics with Arjun as we sit down with Vikram Suri, Managing Director for the Middle East and Turkey region at FIS. In this episode, Vikram and Arjun explore FIS’s significant impact in the GCC region and their constant drive for innovation and reinvention. We discuss the ever-evolving world of fintech and payments, covering topics such as Payment Trends and Financial Inclusion, Banks and Payment Infrastructure, Biometrics and Contactless Payments, and FIS’s Approach to Security. Don't miss this insightful conversation on the future of fintech and payments. #Couchonomics #Fintech #FIS #Innovation #Payments #CBDCs #Crypto #DigitalAssetsOur 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’re joined by Christoph Koster, CEO of Ruya Bank, a digital-first Islamic community bank in the UAE. Ruya Bank is dedicated to bringing ethical Islamic banking practices to all communities in the UAE, supporting SMEs, startups, and low-income groups. Christoph and Arjun explore Islamic finance and banking, the potential for growth and collaboration in Islamic fintech, Ruya’s adoption of new technologies, and more.Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of community banks, Islamic banking, and Ruya’s efforts to reshape banking in the UAE with its ethical approach.#DigitalBanking #IslamicBanking #Sustainability #CommunityBanking #couchonomics #islamicFinance #OpenBanking #Innovation #Banking #digitalbanksOur 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

Can you rely on AI to invest in real estate globally?Joining us this week on the #couch is Ranime El Skaff, the co-founder of PropAI—a platform that uses AI to simplify Dubai’s real estate investments. In this episode, we uncover the evolution of PropTech in the region, real estate trends, and how her company is revolutionizing real estate investment with cutting-edge technology.Ranime and Arjun also discover the challeges in real estate invetsment, the dynamics of Dubai and Saudi Arabican RE market, future plans for Prop-AI and more.Don't miss out on this episode—learn how Prop-AI is transforming the real estate landscape and what it means for the future of property investments. Available now on YouTube and all podcasting platforms! #Couchonomics #PropTech #RealEstate #AI #DubaiRealEstate #Investment #TechInnovation #FutureOfRealEstate #FintechOur 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 is the state of CVC, and why is now the inflection point for CVCs to grow in the MENA region?Joining us on the #couch to explore these questions is Kushal Shah, Managing Director of e& capital, the CVC arm of the e& group.In this episode, Kushal shares his expert insights on e& capital's investment areas, focus, post-investment involvement, and future plans. We delve into the growing CVC scene in the region, discussing the differences between Corporate Venture Capital (CVC) and Venture Capital (VC), e& capital's investment strategy and governance, and the challenges and recommendations for CVCs.Don't miss this insightful episode, available now on YouTube and all podcasting platforms. Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of the dynamic CVC landscape in the MENA region.#Couchonomics #CVC #MENA #eandCapital #Investment #Innovation #NewEpisodeOur 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

This week, we shift our focus to telecommunications. What once was a booming and developing sector is now seen as more traditional, showing how fast things are changing. 🌐Joining us on the #couch is Dina Tsybulskaya, the CEO of ESIM Plus. Dina shared her insights on the future of telecommunications, the impact of 24/7 connectivity, and how blockchain is revolutionizing decentralized physical infrastructure networks (DePIN).Don't miss this conversation about what lies ahead for the telecom industry and what it means for consumers! 📱This episode is now live on YouTube and all major podcasting platforms. Tune in now! 🎙️ #Telecom #Blockchain #DePIN #FutureOfConnectivity #Couchonomics #NewEpisodeChapters:00:00 - Episode Highlights  00:44 - Introduction  03:35 - eSIM Plus  09:36 - The Advantage of eSIM Plus  14:04 - Market Trends and Growth  17:44 - Challenges and Opportunities  20:23 - Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks (DePIN)  29:27 - eSIM Plus Business Model and Customer Engagement  34:30 - Future Opportunities and Challenges  37:15 - Crypto Payments and eSIM Plus  45:19 - Super App Strategy  50:42 - Why Crypto?  52:34 - Future Opportunities and Challenges  57:59 - Future of Telecommunications (B2C Perspective)  01:03:23 - Closing WordsOur 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