Couchonomics with Arjun
Arjun Singh
Decoding the New World Order of Finance - Unfiltered, global, weeklyAs tectonic shifts reshape the financial world, Couchonomics continues to explore the trends transforming commerce, capital, and culture. This season, we expand our lens - building on our deep focus in the MENA region while bringing in voices, stories, and innovations from around the globe.Why? Because the future of finance is no longer regional - it’s interconnected. Whether it’s AI in Asia, tokenization in Europe, or fintech policy experiments in Africa, today’s financial shifts cross borders, industries, and disciplines.Whether you’re in the industry or just fintech-curious, tune in weekly as we decode the big moves, bold ideas, and brilliant minds shaping tomorrow’s economy.Episodes drop weekly. Arabic subtitles available on YouTube: youtube.com/@couchonomicswitharjunsingh438Learn more: www.couchonomics.comSeason 4 supported by:Adyen | Mastercard | SC Ventures | Thunes | Hala | e& | Digit 9About the host: Arjun's expertise covers a broad range of areas including Fintech, Payments, Digital Assets, Embedded Finance, Application of Emerging Technologies, and the Emergence of New Business Models within the Financial Services Sector in the MEA region and globally. Arjun is deeply engaged in the Tech Start-Up ecosystem. He serves as a passive investor, advisory board member, and a notable commentator on the rapidly evolving scene.In recognition of his impactful contributions, Arjun was honored as a Top Voice of the region by LinkedIn in 2020. Learn more at www.couchonomics.com.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Oct 10, 2024 • 49min
Ep 97. Paving the future all the way from Georgia with Salim Dhanani
Joining us on the latest episode of Couchonomics with Arjun, all the way from Tbilisi, Georgia, is Salim Dhanani, founder and CEO of PaveBank—the world’s first programmable bank. In our conversation, Salim explains how PaveBank is shaping the future of financial services by leveraging blockchain and smart contracts to revolutionize trust and eliminate counterparty risks. We also dive into why they adopted the full reserve banking model, the impact of tokenization, and how evolving regulations are influencing the fintech space.Tune in to discover what it means to be the world’s first programmable bank and hear about Pave Bank's exciting plans for the future!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
Oct 7, 2024 • 43min
Ep 96. How NPCI became a dominant and credible network with Ritesh Shukla
India's Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has broken records yet again, processing over 15 billion transactions in September alone—setting the global standard for faster payments.In this episode of Couchonomics with Arjun, we dive into the incredible success of UPI with Ritesh Shukla, CEO of NPCI International. Ritesh shares insights on how he's taking India's groundbreaking digital payments system to the world stage.Beyond UPI, we explore:🛋️ Key trends reshaping the payments industry 🛋️ The evolution of faster payments 🛋️ The GCC’s rapid adoption of digital payments 🛋️ The rise of CBDCs 🛋️ NPCI’s game-changing collaborations with fintechs This is a must-listen for anyone interested in payments, the rise of national payment infrastructure, how NPCI is pushing boundaries in payments both in India and worldwide, and much more.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
Sep 24, 2024 • 52min
Ep 95. Transforming Access And Trading Bonds To A New Era With Rahul Banerjee
In this episode of Couchonomics with Arjun, we're joined by Rahul Banerjee, Founder & CEO of Bondblox, to explore the future of bond trading. Rahul shares how Bondblox is transforming access to bonds, opening up opportunities for retail investors in a market traditionally controlled by institutions.Arjun and Rahul discuss the rapid growth of the bond market, particularly in Asia, and how technology is playing a key role in bridging the gap between institutional and individual investors. If you're curious about the bond market's impact on your wealth or interested in the latest financial innovations, this conversation is one you won’t want to miss!Tune in to gain a fresh perspective on bonds and finance in the modern era.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
Sep 5, 2024 • 42min
Special Recap Episode
Over the past 8 months, we have had the privilege of engaging in insightful conversations with some of the top minds from our industry, and I'm excited to share these valuable nuggets with you. So here is a roundup of the most effective insights shared by leading experts in the banking and fintech sectors.#Banking #Fintech #IndustryInsights #Strategy #ExpertAdvice #FinancialServicesOur 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
Aug 26, 2024 • 52min
Ep 94. Wealth and Investments with Deepak Mehra
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
Aug 19, 2024 • 48min
Ep. 93 How Kaspi is Revolutionizing Everyday Life: A Conversation with Mikhail Lomtadze
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
Aug 12, 2024 • 1h 5min
Ep. 92 Why is the UAE the perfect place for Roger Rouhana's vision?
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
Aug 5, 2024 • 47min
Ep 91. The Transformation of Emirates NBD with Pedro Sousa Cardoso
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
Jul 29, 2024 • 55min
Ep 90. How is Ahmed Wadi Founder and CEO of Money Fellows digitizing Egypt's Money Circles
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
Jul 22, 2024 • 52min
Ep 89. Solving the most critical challenges for businesses in 2024 with Vikram Suri
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
