Converge

In this episode of Converge, we're joined by Nkiru Uwaje, COO and Co-Founder of MANSA, to talk about the big shifts happening in cross-border payments. She breaks down how decentralized finance (DeFi) and stablecoins are making transactions faster, cheaper, and more accessible - especially in emerging markets where getting US dollar liquidity isn't always easy. We get into why liquidity is such a big deal, how stablecoins cut out the middleman, and what businesses need to know about regulation. Nkiru also shares her thoughts on tokenization and how it could open up new ways to invest and move money. If you're curious about how all this impacts the future of finance, you won't want to miss this one! Chapters00:00 The Future of Finance: Decentralized Payments02:53 Liquidity in Cross-Border Payments05:55 Challenges in Emerging Markets08:51 The Promise of Stablecoins11:52 Leveraging Multi-Chain Ecosystems14:46 Navigating Regulatory Landscapes18:13 Tokenization of Real World Assets21:06 The Role of Stablecoins in Global Trade24:07 Competitive Financing Solutions26:53 Embracing Innovation in Financial ServicesDisclaimer: 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.

Markets are shifting—have we reached a turning point? This week, Steven Dooley joins us to discuss “tariff fatigue” in FX markets, the slowing US economy, and its impact on the dollar, bond yields, and equities. Meanwhile, Europe is showing signs of resilience, driven by stabilizing economic data, hawkish ECB signals, and lower energy costs. We also break down key FX moves, including the weakening dollar and strengthening euro, and what rising inflation means for central bank policy.Chapters00:00 Current State of the US Economy05:05 Market Reactions and Speculative Trends09:49 European Economic Recovery and Currency ImpactsDisclaimer: 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 Jessica Chen Riolfi, co-founder and CEO of Uprise, about her journey in the fintech industry, the challenges small business owners face in financial planning, and the promising role (and pitfalls) of AI.We touched on Uprise's unique approach to financial advisory combining the best of human support, embedded services, and AI. We also discussed the importance of partnerships in building best-in-class embedded finance and payments experiences, and the future of diversity, inclusion, and community impact in the fintech ecosystem.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Jessica Chen Riolfi and Uprise05:47 AI in Financial Advisory: Overcoming Resistance11:53 The Future of Embedded Finance18:03 Diversity in FinTech and Community ImpactFor more episodes, head to: https:www.convera.com/podcast⁠Listen to more episodes⁠Disclaimer: 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, FX and Macro Analyst George Vessey discusses the current macroeconomic landscape, focusing on inflation, tariffs, and their impact on markets.He highlights the persistent inflationary pressures, the evolving trade tensions under Trump's policies, and the implications for the US dollar..We also cover the volatility in markets due to these factors and provides insights into the Fed's stance on interest rates, concluding with key takeaways for investors.Chapters00:00 Inflation and Market Volatility03:12 Trade Tensions and Tariff Impacts05:56 The Strength of the Dollar10:00 Key Takeaways and Market OutlookDisclaimer: 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 Soups Ranjan, the co-founder and CEO of AI risk management platform, Sardine, to chat about the evolution of fraud prevention technologies in the AI era. We touch on the importance of partnerships in the fintech space, and the challenges posed by AI in fraud detection - including how Sardine uses AI to detect deepfakes and improve identity verification.Soups' shares his belief in the need for a culture of transparency and vulnerability among businesses in sharing information about fraud incidents, and how Sardine's information-sharing consortium, Sonar, is closing the gap between banks and fintechs to combat fraud more effectively. We also cover the significance of real-time payments and the role of data in managing risk effectively.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Sardine and Recent Developments02:58 Partnerships and Collaborative Strategies05:57 Adapting to AI Threats in Fraud Prevention08:52 The Limitations of Reimbursement in Fraud Cases11:59 Sardine X: Enhancing Information Sharing14:46 Creating a Culture of Transparency in Fraud Prevention18:04 Addressing the Visibility Gap in Embedded Finance20:49 Real-Time Payments and Fraud Detection24:02 Data as the Core of Risk Management26:47 Looking Ahead: The Future of Fintech in 2025Disclaimer: 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.

Is the U.S. recession still on the horizon, or has resilience pushed it further out? Can Europe’s economy surprise to the upside despite the gloom? How will inflation data shape central bank policies in the coming months?This week, we break down the February Global FXOutlook and the market’s reaction to Trump 2.0. From the initial USD rally post-election to its sharp pullback on tariff uncertainties, we analyze key FX moves across the euro, pound, and Aussie dollar. Tune in for the latest from Convera Head of Market Insights, Steven Dooley.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.

LatAM is a hotbed for fintech innovation, and Colombia - LatAm’s 4th largest economy - occupies a unique position in global commerce. In this episode, we sat down with Christian Guevara Téllez and Luis Felipe Aparicio of Colombian brokerage firm, Acciones y Valores S.A., to discuss the cross-border payment landscape in Colombia. We touch on the unique regulatory challenges faced in Colombia, the importance of serving SMEs (Small-Medium Enterprises) in the economy, and how Acciones y Valores is leveraging technology, including AI, to enhance payment processes, and how Colombian businesses are looking forward and embracing the seismic changes in the cross-border payments industry.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.

The global bond sell-off continues to reverberate through markets, US economic resilience has dampened Fed rate cut bets, equities are falling, the dollar is surging and UK assets, including the pound, are tumbling – welcome to 2025.After a fairly turbulent 12 months, people are wondering what 2025 may hold in store. It’s that time where it’s not uncommon to see calls by analysts for the year ahead becoming obsolete. Join UK FX Analyst George Vessey as he breaks down this week's macroeconomic news with a focus on the GBP.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.

To kick of a new year of Converge conversations, we sat down with Hal Ramakers, Senior Vice President of Global Solutions at Brightwell, to discuss the evolution of Brightwell from its origins in maritime payroll for the cruise line industry to its current role in providing cutting-edge cross-border payment solutions. We cover the challenges faced in global payroll solutions, the importance of leading with a great user experience, the evolution of Brightwell's ReadyRemit and Latitude solutions, the need for cultural adaptability in payment solutions, and the ever-evolving future of cross-border payments, including the role of new rails such as blockchain and crypto assets' potential in supporting global liquidity at scale in always-on economy.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, Convera Head of Market Insights, Steven Dooley, discusses the significant market reactions following the 2024 US election, the impact of tariffs on foreign exchange markets, macroeconomic trends including interest rate cuts, and the outlook for 2025 amidst geopolitical tensions. We explore how the election results influenced investor sentiment, the implications of tariff discussions on various currencies, and the overall economic landscape as we look forward to the new year.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.