Couchonomics with Arjun

Season 3 of Couchonomics with Arjun, a podcast dedicated to dissecting the seismic shifts which are rearchitecting the global financial system. Our journey transcends the MENA region's boundaries, focusing this season on Saudi Arabia, exploring the innovation that is shaping commerce and society as we know them todayIf you are in this industry or eager to get educated, tune in weekly for exciting new episodes.Couchonomics with Arjun is brought to you by our partners from Adyen, Mastercard, Thunes, ToYou, Geidea and M2P Fintech.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 Transformation of the banking value chain is a key challenge for every Banking CEO - doesn’t matter where in the world they are operating. In our latest episode, joining Arjun on the #couch is Jouk Pleiter, CEO of Backbase—a platform that specializes in helping banks modernize their customer interactions by transforming their technology stack from front to back. Jouk shares his candid insights on how changing consumer expectations and the influence of challengers entering the banking sector from multiple sectors are raising the bar for innovation and encouraging banks to modernize at a faster rate and take substantive decisions that require wholesale changes in the way banks operate. Join us as we explore how the banking industry is evolving. Tune in now!#Fintech #innovation #Couchonomics #Backbase #FutureOfBanking #Payments #ai #blockchain #FinancialServices #digitaltransformation #futureoffinance Couchonomics with Arjun Season 3 is brought to you by our partners:Adyen https://www.adyen.com/ToYou https://toyou.io/arMastercard https://mastercard.com/Geidea https://geidea.net/M2P https://m2pfintech.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/3WI4A6EOur 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

Welcome back to Couchonomics with Arjun! This week, we're diving into Pakistan's financial services with Kabeer Naqvi, Chairman of the Pakistan Microfinance Network. We explore the dynamic interplay between traditional banks, microfinance institutions, and fintechs, and discuss the digital transformation of Pakistan's financial ecosystem. Plus, we cover key topics like microfinance, regulatory advocacy, digital vs. traditional banking, and the challenges of serving MSMEs. Don't miss this insightful conversation! Available now on YouTube and all podcast platforms. Tune in! #Podcast #Fintech #Microfinance #Banking #DigitalTransformation #PakistanFinance #NewEpisodeCouchonomics with Arjun Season 3 is brought to you by our partners:Adyen https://www.adyen.com/ToYou https://toyou.io/arMastercard https://mastercard.com/Geidea https://geidea.net/M2P https://m2pfintech.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/3WI4A6E00:00- Episode Highlights01:07- Introduction02:18- Financial Services Landscape in Pakistan04:00- Microfinance in Pakistan12:08- Strategic Initiatives and Organizational Structure23:05- Digital vs. Traditional Banking33:28- Fintech Landscape in Pakistan42:50- Banking Partnerships with Fintechs45:51- Challenges in Serving MSMEs50:38- Regulatory Issues53:42- Talent Retention and Brain Drain56:36- 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

Welcome to a new episode of Couchonomics with Arjun! This week, we're diving into Banking as a Service (BaaS) with Kelvin Tan, CEO of Audax.Kelvin shares insights on Audax’s “bank in a box” solution, helping banks scale and modernize rapidly. We discuss the potential and challenges of BaaS, open banking, and the future of embedded finance. Don't miss this insightful conversation on digital banking!Couchonomics with Arjun Season 3 is brought to you by our partners:Adyen https://www.adyen.com/ToYou https://toyou.io/arMastercard https://mastercard.com/Geidea https://geidea.net/M2P https://m2pfintech.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/3WI4A6ETime stamps: 00:00 - Episode highlights  00:53 - Introduction  01:35 - The story of Audax  08:06 - BaaS  12:51 - Challenges with BaaS  22:59 - Adopting BaaS  25:10 - Open Banking and BaaS  27:40 - Embedded finance  33:05 - Regulators  34:52 - Audax and banks' relationship  36:42 - Partnerships and orchestration  40:28 - Market focus  45:07 - Learnings for banks embarking on BaaS  47:29 - 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

Innovation in banking is about more than just adopting new technology—it's about challenging traditional perceptions and rethinking everything from customer service to risk management to create more flexible, responsive, and personalized financial services. In this episode, I sit down with Karan Jain, founder and CEO of Naya One, to discuss how his company is revolutionizing the banking world.We dive into topics such as challenges in financial innovation, the role of Naya One, the evolution of banking innovation, FinTech and bank relationships, and the VC and CVC landscape. Tune in to learn how Naya One is transforming financial innovation and what the future holds for fintech collaborations. Watch now and stay ahead in the world of banking and fintech!#FinTech #DigitalAssets #Innovation #VC #CVC #Regulation #NayaOne #UK #UAE #Banks #FutureofFinanceCouchonomics with Arjun Season 3 is brought to you by our partners:Adyen https://www.adyen.com/ToYou https://toyou.io/arMastercard https://mastercard.com/Geidea https://geidea.net/M2P https://m2pfintech.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/3WI4A6ETime stamps: 00:00 - Episode highlights01:13 - Introduction05:45 - Why banks underdeliver on ROI on innovation08:01 - Digital transformation and continuous innovation11:35 - How does Naya One approach culture problems12:41 - Example of Naya One helping banks implement new technologies18:36 - Helping banks develop criteria for assessing new technology23:27 - Proof of concepts25:44 - Impact on vendors29:01 - Evolution of innovation in banking33:25 - BaaS37:04 - FinTech and banks relationship41:41 - Are banks starting to use innovative platforms?45:00 - Digital assets46:07 - VCs and CVCs48:51 - Differences between UK and US markets52:47 - Regulatory sandboxes55:37 - 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

Welcome to the latest episode of Couchonomics with Arjun! In this episode, we have the privilege of hosting Ashraf Sabry, the visionary Founder and CEO of Fawry. Ashraf has transformed Fawry into a trailblazing fintech and one of the most successful startups in Africa. We covered a range of topics, including innovation in payments,the development of startups in Egypt, Fawry’s diversification strategy, and Ashraf’s personal philosophy and expansion plans for Fawry. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights from one of Africa's preeminent fintech leaders. #Couchonomics #Fintech #FinancialServices #Fawry #Egypt #Innovation #FutureofFinance #Insurance #Payments #FinancialInclusionCouchonomics with Arjun Season 3 is brought to you by our partners:Adyen https://www.adyen.com/ToYou https://toyou.io/arMastercard https://mastercard.com/Geidea https://geidea.net/M2P https://m2pfintech.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/3WI4A6ETimestamps:00:00 - Episode Highlights  01:18 - Introduction  02:47 - Fawry’s Beginnings  06:57 - Managing Complexity in Business  09:53 - Secret to Acquiring New Customers  13:17 - The Importance of Trust  16:28 - Banks and Fintech  22:23 - Fintech Landscape in Egypt  28:24 - Innovation in Egypt  31:35 - What Will Trigger Greater Innovation in Egypt  35:16 - Collaboration of Banks and Fintech  37:31 - Technology in Egypt  44:37 - Regulator's Mindset  54:31 - Competition in the Market  58:50 - How Does Fawry Keep Innovating  01:01:00 - What’s Next for Fawry  01:06:00 - 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

We are talking about Digital Assets, DeFI and Crypto on Couchonomics with Arjun this week. Joining us on the couch is Nick Philpott, Co-Founder and Head of Partnerships at Zodia Markets by Standard Chartered & OSL. We had a very interesting conversation around #bitcoinhalving, #stablecoins, virtual-assets regulations, and tokenization of real-world assets, among other topics. Nick gave us insights into Zodia Markets' role as an OTC crypto brokerage serving institutional clients and their partnership with Standard Chartered.#Couchonomics #Bitcoin #Cryptocurrency #fintech #CryptoInsights #Tokenization #blockchain #ethereum #digitalassets #defi #cbdcs #centralbanks #cryptoexchange #digitalcurrency Couchonomics with Arjun Season 3 is brought to you by our partners:Adyen https://www.adyen.com/ToYou https://toyou.io/arMastercard https://mastercard.com/Geidea https://geidea.net/M2P https://m2pfintech.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 Highlights01:06 - Introduction02:04 - Bitcoin Halving06:23 - Influence of ETFs on market volume and trading patterns08:08 - Introduction to Zodia Markets16:50 - Partnership with Standard Chartered23:27 - Regulatory Interpretation and Responsibility26:51 - Seeking Regulation29:47 - Industry Approaches to Regulation32:36 - Potential Impact of CBDCs on cryptocurrency35:29 - Stablecoins Use Cases43:28 - Widespread Adoption of Stablecoins49:31 - Tokenization of Real-World Assets57:31 - What's Next for Zodia Markets01:00:08 - 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

In this episode of Couchonomics, we tackle the burning question: "Bitcoin in 2024: Boom or Bust?" Join us as we engage in a fascinating conversation with Stefan Kimmel, the CEO of M2, a crypto exchange, and investment platform regulated by the FSRA in Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM).We dive deep into the world of cryptocurrency, exploring the intricate dynamics of Bitcoin, DeFi, and digital assets. Throughout our chat, we touch upon various topics, including market dynamics, product innovation, and future trends in the crypto space.Don't miss out on this insightful discussion! Couchonomics with Arjun Season 3 is brought to you by our partners:Adyen https://www.adyen.com/ToYou https://toyou.io/arMastercard https://mastercard.com/Geidea https://geidea.net/M2P https://m2pfintech.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 Highlights00:46 - Introduction02:08 - Definition of digital assets03:17 - Definition of DeFi04:55 - Definition of Crypto04:58 - Impact of regulation on decentralization 08:04 - Introduction to M209:43 - Genesis of the business in Abu Dhabi11:13 - Current landscape of digital asset companies in the Middle East14:29 - Analog world's adoption of blockchain and DA17:25 - What can accelerate the adoption of blockchain and DA19:42 - Based in Abu Dhabi, having global reach21:15 - How does M2 position itself differently24:15 - Challenges and Opportunities in Crypto25:15 - Crypto market growth and adoption29:37 - Building innovative products 34:32 - Payments and Adoption37:37 - Customer Acquisition40:36 - What does the ecosystem need to do differently?41:17 - Legitimizing digital currency to invest in commodities42:43 - Regulation and Technology Trends47:08 - Global Talent Sourcing47:49 - Regulation Prediction49:40 - Keeping capital patient52:13 - What will be the role of AI?56:04 - B2B Partnerships and Market Expansion58:00 - Advice for Crypto Trading Beginners01:02:01 - 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

Welcome to a new episode of Couchonomics with Arjun!Join Arjun as he explores Africa's dynamic startup scene and fintech landscape with Elias Yazbeck, Managing Director at Helios Investment Partners.Discover key insights into Africa's market dynamics, challenges, and future trends in fintech. Elias also shares Helios Investment Partners' strategies and potential seismic shifts in private equity.Topics covered include real-time payments, digital banking for SMEs, regulatory roles, entrepreneurship challenges, and Helios Investment's unique philosophy.Tune in now for valuable insights! Watch the full episode on YouTube and major podcasting platforms.Couchonomics with Arjun Season 3 is brought to you by our partners:Adyen https://www.adyen.com/ToYou https://toyou.io/arMastercard https://mastercard.com/Geidea https://geidea.net/M2P https://m2pfintech.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/3WI4A6ETimestamps: 00:00 - Episode Highlight 01:12 - Introduction 02:10 - Overview of Helios Investment Partners 06:10 - Africa's Diverse Startup Scene 09:02 - Investing in Major African Markets and Market Dynamics 11:48 - Key Sectors of Interest18:18 - Africa-Specific Trends 21:00 - The Role of Central Banks 24:46 - Prevailing Trends in Private Equity 31:41 - Shifts in the Private Equity Scene 34:58 - The Next Phase of Africa's Entrepreneurial Ecosystem 37:44 - Operational Challenges in Africa 42:08 - Investment Focus and Social Impact 46:51 - The Next Steps for Helios 49:51 - 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

Join Arjun on Couchonomics as we explore open banking and fintech in the GCC with Abdulla Almoayed, Founder & CEO of Tarabut. Discover the evolving landscape of financial services, BaaS, and gain insights into open banking.We also delve into Tarabut's inspiration, GCC financial services, managed competition, challenges, and opportunities with open banking, BaaS integration, and accelerating digital adoption through fintech partnerships.Watch now on YouTube and major podcast platforms! #Couchonomics #Fintech #OpenBanking #GCC #TarabutCouchonomics with Arjun Season 03 is brought to you by our partners:Adyen https://www.adyen.com/ToYou https://toyou.io/arMastercard https://mastercard.com/Geidea https://geidea.net/M2P https://m2pfintech.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/3WI4A6Etime stamps:- 00:00 - Episode highlights- 01:42 - Introduction- 02:43 - About Tarabut- 05:50 - Fintech scene in the GCC region- 11:40 - Free competition vs. managed competition- 16:21 - Challenges with open banking- 22:53 - Banks' reluctance to adopt new technology- 30:25 - Regional nuances in financial markets- 34:00 - Regulatory harmonization- 38:40 - BaaS and open banking integration- 47:16 - Third-party providers in BaaS- 51:11 - Digital transformation challenges and strategies- 57:00 - Future strategy for Tarabut- 01:04:00 - 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