Converge

The US dollar is coming off its worst two-week streak this year as slower US growth and inflation lead investors to bet on more aggressive policy easing from the Federal Reserve. However, the losses have been somewhat limited this week as politics remains front and center in the US and China. FX markets have been caught in this tug of war between macro and politics and between the Fed and Trump. Investors are digesting the implications of a potential Trump 2.0 presidency and trade escalations between China and the West. The Fed, ECB and BoE are expected to ease monetary policy over the coming quarters despite some reflationary tendencies boiling in global supply chains. All of this complicates the outlook for the second half of the year.  Join macro analysts Boris Kovacevic and George Vessey as they break down this week's FX, market and macro news.

This week, we discuss the challenges of growing a fintech company internationally with Hong Fang, President of OKX crypto exchange, and Nicola Ebmeyer, Co-founder and CEO of Gain.Pro. We cover the recent developments and challenges in the crypto industry, the state of the private markets, language and cultural considerations in international expansion, regulatory requirements, how to sustain a growth and innovation mindset during market downturns, and the future trends in global fintech. Disclaimer: Converge is Convera’s new 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.

Recorded live at Money2020 EU! Payments in the air are often overlooked and undervalued, but they are a significant part of the travel experience for many. What might the future of airline payments look like as airlines move towards a marketplace model driven by customer-centricity and simplicity? At Money2020 EU, The Paypers Managing Director, Melisande Mual, spoke with two experts in the airline payments arena: Paul Van Alfen, Managing Director of Up in the Air and Andy Davies, Global Head of Payments for Endava to answer these questions. They explore the challenges and costs associated with payments in the airline industry, the dependency on cards as a payment method, the need for secure and comfortable payment options, and the role of technology in enabling global payments. We also delve into the impact that COVID-19 had on refunds and the importance of balancing cost and consumer preferences in adopting new payment methods.

Signs are emerging that the US economy is beginning to feel the pain from the high interest rate regime. Procyclical data has been underperforming for more than two years now. The beacon of hope and the driver of the US exceptionalism thesis, the consumer and labor market, have surprised to the downside as well in recent weeks. The macro and yields based support the Greenback has enjoyed for the most part of this year is therefore starting to wane. However, political turmoil in Europe, the possibility of a second Trump presidency, and FX weakness in Asia have added to the dollar's appeal this month. For the currency to start giving up some of its 2024 gains, we would have to see a continuation of the global disinflation trend and for politics to move out of the spotlight.   Join analysts Boris Kovacevic and George Vessey as they break down this week's market news.

Emerging markets like Africa are strategically important geographies brimming with immense talent. In this week's episode, fintech guru Matteo Rizzi and Money2020's Micky Tesfaye discuss the importance of supporting entrepreneurs in emerging markets, particularly in Africa. Matteo shares his experience with TimePledge, an initiative that provides free coaching and support to African entrepreneurs. We discuss the challenges and opportunities of the African market, including the need for financial inclusion and upskilling of talent. Matteo shares the inspiring success stories of entrepreneurs in Africa and the potential for blockchain and CBDCs in remittances and cross-border payments to drive innovation in that region and beyond.

Recorded live at Money2020 EU on 6/5/2024! We sat down with Rita Martins, author of the new book 'Web 3 in Financial Services', to discuss the innovations happening in the payment space and the potential of Web3-related technologies in the financial services industry. We cover the use of stablecoins for remittances in emerging markets, the tokenization of real-world assets for loans, the challenges financial institutions face in implementing Web3 Technolgies, and the potential for public blockchains to connect closed systems. Additionally, we cover the importance of education and consumer trust in the adoption of central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) and the role of interoperability and governance in the future of Web3, envisioning the roadmap to a future where blockchain technology is seamlessly integrated into financial services and everyday users unaware of its presence in the background of our financial lives. Don't miss it!

The aftershock of President Emmanuel Macron calling for a snap election continues to work its way through markets. FX options are pricing in higher volatility and a stronger bias against the common currency as the French yield premium rose by the most on record last week. In the United States, the narrative of the disinflation story continues to gain credibility among investors again as the consumer, producer and import price indicators for the month of May surprised to the downside.  These two events led to the largest government bond sell-off so far this year and have overshadowed the renewed hawkishness of both the Federal Reserve and European Central Bank. All of this gives us a volatile backdrop going into the Bank of England decision and French and UK general elections in June and July.   Join macro analyst Boris Kovacevic as he breaks down this week's global market news.

Recorded live at Money2020 EU on 6/4/24! Join Ryan Rugg, Head of Digital Assets for Citi's Treasury and Trade Solutions, as we discuss tokenization and its likely impacts on the financial sector. Tokenization is the digital representation of an asset and can be used for various purposes, including tokenizing cash, real-world assets, and central bank digital currencies. There have been several barriers to widespread adoption, such as the lack of standards, governance, and regulation, but 2024 has seen significant progress. We cover the advantages of tokenization for corporate treasurers, including enhanced efficiency, security, and transparency; the importance of regulatory clarity and the role of legal frameworks in the adoption of tokenization technologies; the future potential of tokenization; and the need for financial institutions to prepare and partner with fintechs to take advantage of the latest innovations in this space.

Alisa DiCaprio, Chief Economist for R3, discusses the future of digital money covering CBDCs, stable coins, and AI in programmable money. They explore challenges of CBDC adoption, geopolitical implications, and the evolving role of regulators in digital assets.

Recorded live on 6/4/2024 at Money2020 EU! Join Convera's Market Insights team for special candid discussion on the policy and geopolitical events shaping the global markets, including the European elections, ECB rate decision, US-China tensions, and the impact of political uncertainty on monetary policy. We cover the implications of the impending US and UK elections in 2024, non-farm payrolls report, and potential equity market sell-off. Plus, what risks to look out for in the coming weeks.