Converge

This week, George Vessey and Alex Lawrence discuss the current state of global markets, focusing on the impact of tariffs, labor market dynamics, and the influence of political events on economic data. They explore how recent tariff announcements have affected trade flows and inflation, the Federal Reserve's response to labor market data, and the Bank of England's recent decisions regarding interest rates. The discussion highlights the complexities and uncertainties facing investors in today's economic landscape.Disclaimer: Converge is Convera’s podcast that discusses a range of financial services topics. We want to remind our listeners that the information shared on this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Please note that the opinions expressed on Converge are solely the opinions of the host and the guests, not Convera’s.

This week, we sat down with Dave Trier, VP of Product at ModelOp to discuss the critical importance of AI governance in financial services. We cover the challenges enterprises face in moving AI initiatives from ideation to production, the complexities of compliance in regulated industries, the impact of fragmented systems on operational efficiency, and the significance and surprising lack of AI assurance at the enterprise level. Our chat also highlighted the need for organizations to adapt to global regulations, balance innovation with governance investments, and establish a minimum viable governance framework to enable effective AI deployment. We close out with actionable opportunities for financial services firms to differentiate themselves through robust governance practices.Disclaimer: Converge is Convera’s podcast that discusses a range of financial services topics. We want to remind our listeners that the information shared on this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Please note that the opinions expressed on Converge are solely the opinions of the host and the guests, not Convera’s.

For this week's Market Update, Alex Lawrence and Steven Dooley discuss the current state of global markets, highlighting the positive mood in equity markets, the divergence in central bank policies, and the implications of recent global PMI data. They delve into the performance of the US dollar and other major currencies, as well as the key risks and uncertainties that lie ahead, particularly regarding trade tariffs and economic indicators.Disclaimer: Converge is Convera’s podcast that discusses a range of financial services topics. We want to remind our listeners that the information shared on this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Please note that the opinions expressed on Converge are solely the opinions of the host and the guests, not Convera’s.

What is "rational privacy," and how would it apply to our financial lives?This week, we sat down with Fahmi Syed, president of the Midnight Foundation, to discuss the importance of privacy in blockchain technology. He shared his journey from the finance world to the blockchain space, emphasizing the need for "rational privacy" that allows individuals to selectively disclose information. We also covered the challenges of transparency in blockchain, the concept of selective disclosure, and how Midnight differentiates itself from other privacy chains. Hear about the unique tokenomics of Midnight and its potential applications across various sectors, including finance and healthcare.

This week, Alex Lawrence and Alanna Frost welcomed Tedd Huff - consultant, media maven and curator of the popular Fintech Confidential channel. In this episode, Tedd shares his extensive background in the industry, discussing the evolution of payment systems and the current landscape of digital assets. The conversation delves into key themes such as the impact of AI on fraud detection, the significance of regulatory changes for stablecoins, and the emerging trends in B2B payments. Tedd emphasizes the importance of having a stablecoin strategy and the potential of credit unions to play a pivotal role in the future of finance. The episode also covers insights on how businesses can adapt to the rapidly changing financial environment.Disclaimer: Converge is Convera’s podcast that discusses a range of financial services topics. We want to remind our listeners that the information shared on this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Please note that the opinions expressed on Converge are solely the opinions of the host and the guests, not Convera’s.

This week, Alex Lawrence and Alanna Nardella Frost sat down with Sammy Chowdhury to explore the complexities of security and compliance in the FinTech and cross-border payments industry. They discuss the challenges and hurdles faced by startups in achieving compliance, the importance of layered security controls, and the evolving landscape of regulatory requirements. They also delve into the role of AI in fraud detection and compliance, emphasizing the need for responsible AI governance as the industry moves forward.Disclaimer: Converge is Convera’s podcast that discusses a range of financial services topics. We want to remind our listeners that the information shared on this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Please note that the opinions expressed on Converge are solely the opinions of the host and the guests, not Convera’s.

We sat down with Sid Gautam, Head of Enterprise at Flutterwave, to discuss the challenges and innovations in cross-border payments, particularly in Africa. He shares insights on the evolution of stablecoins from his time with BVNK, the unique regulatory landscape in Africa, why stablecoins are so promising for emerging and underbanked markets, and how Flutterwave aims to simplify payments across multiple currencies and countries. We also touch on the importance of compliance, customer-centric innovations, and the future opportunities and challenges in cross-border.Disclaimer: Converge is Convera’s podcast that discusses a range of financial services topics. We want to remind our listeners that the information shared on this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Please note that the opinions expressed on Converge are solely the opinions of the host and the guests, not Convera’s.

This week, Head of Market Insights Steven Dooley discusses the current state of the market amidst ongoing uncertainty, particularly focusing on tariffs, equity market performance, the dynamics of the US dollar, and the strength of European currencies. He touches on how recent legal rulings on tariffs have impacted business operations and market sentiment, the rebound in equity markets, and the shifting perceptions of the US dollar as a safe haven. The conversation also highlights the performance of the Euro and British pound, as well as the technical patterns forming in the Japanese yen.Disclaimer: Converge is Convera’s podcast that discusses a range of financial services topics. We want to remind our listeners that the information shared on this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Please note that the opinions expressed on Converge are solely the opinions of the host and the guests, not Convera’s.

In this episode, hosts Alex Lawrence and Alanna Frost discuss the growing role of AI in finance - including how AI agents are now capable of managing end-to-end payment processes. They touch on the increasing interest in stablecoins among traditional banks, the rising demand for speed in payments, and how fintech is shifting towards deeper partnerships and operational efficiency. The conversation also highlights the evolving expectations of CFOs, with agility and risk management taking center stage.Check out the Convera Payments Pulse report for more on the shift.Brex CFO Imperative report for source material and inspiration.Disclaimer: Converge is Convera’s podcast that discusses a range of financial services topics. We want to remind our listeners that the information shared on this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Please note that the opinions expressed on Converge are solely the opinions of the host and the guests, not Convera’s.

In this episode of the Converge Market Update, George Vessey and Steven Dooley discuss the recent developments in financial markets, focusing on the US-China trade deal, US fiscal concerns, the performance of the US dollar, and the implications of Australia's monetary policy shift. They analyze how these factors are shaping market sentiment and investor behavior, highlighting the ongoing uncertainty and the potential for future market movements.Disclaimer: Converge is Convera’s podcast that discusses a range of financial services topics. We want to remind our listeners that the information shared on this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Please note that the opinions expressed on Converge are solely the opinions of the host and the guests, not Convera’s.