

Around The Coin
Stephen Sargeant and Mike Townsend
Around The Coin is a podcast exploring finance, fintech, and the future of money. Hosted by industry experts, it features deep dives into payments, crypto, banking, and disruptive innovations shaping the global economy.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 25, 2024 • 60min
Solving Crypto’s Biggest Challenges - Bam Azizi | #531
Join host Stephen Sargeant in another fascinating episode of the Around The Coin podcast, where he discusses digital asset interoperability with Bam Azizi, CEO and co-founder of Mesh Connect. Dive into Bam's journey from robotics and AI to founding Mesh Connect, a company that ensures seamless crypto transactions including deposits, payments, verification, and on-ramping with crypto exchanges. Learn about the challenges of mass adoption in the crypto space, regulatory compliance issues, and Mesh Connect's role in bridging the gap between Web2 and Web3. Discover how Mesh is set to revolutionize the crypto industry with innovations like Mesh Deposit, Mesh Pay, and Mesh Ramp. Don’t miss Bam’s insights on the future of compliance in crypto, stablecoins, and much more. Make sure to listen till the end for some exciting upcoming releases from Mesh Connect. We are also available via:Around The Coin — Official WebsiteBuzzsproutApple PodcastSpotifyPlayer FMQuoraMediumXFacebookLinkedInTiktokSoundcloud Check out http://deepca.st/around-the-coin on DeepCast to delve into episode transcripts, key insights, discussed topics, and more!

Sep 18, 2024 • 1h 1min
Why DeFi Still Matters Today - Ian Horne | #530
Ian Horne, Head of Content for Europe at Money20/20, shares his unique journey from wealth management to sports journalism, including memorable moments with tennis legends like Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic. He dives into the transformative world of decentralized finance (DeFi) and its impact on global elections, blending technology with finance. Ian discusses the challenges of organizing fintech conferences and how they champion diversity. Plus, he hints at his upcoming book on why DeFi matters in today's economy.

Sep 11, 2024 • 1h 7min
Giving Back with Crypto - Pat Duffy | #529
Join host Stephen Sargeant on the Around The Coin podcast as he welcomes back Pat Duffy, co-founder of The Giving Block, now part of Shift4. This episode delves into the evolving landscape of crypto donations and their impact on the nonprofit sector. Discover how cryptocurrencies can lower taxable income and be integrated into nonprofit operations. Pat shares his personal journey, the evolution of crypto fundraising, and both the challenges and opportunities in the field. Learn about the cyclical nature of cryptocurrency news, the push for sustainable innovation in nonprofits, and the importance of seeking expert guidance to streamline crypto donation processes. If you're involved in payment tech, crypto, or nonprofit work, don’t miss these valuable insights. We are also available via:Around The Coin — Official WebsiteBuzzsproutApple PodcastSpotifyPlayer FMQuoraMediumXFacebookLinkedInTiktokSoundcloud Check out http://deepca.st/around-the-coin on DeepCast to delve into episode transcripts, key insights, discussed topics, and more!

Sep 4, 2024 • 1h 7min
How AI is Redefining Trust and Safety - Brittany Allen | #528
In this episode of 'Around The Coin', host Stephen Sargeant sits down with Brittany Allen, Senior Trust and Safety Architect at Sift. Brittany shares her experiences working in the industry, from fraud prevention at Etsy and Airbnb to her current role at one of the leading fraud vendors in the world. They discuss the evolution of fraud and chargebacks, how fintech and crypto companies are leveraging technology to fight financial crimes, and the latest trends in the industry. Brittany provides valuable insights into the complexities of trust and safety in an ever-changing landscape, sharing her unconventional career path and highlighting key challenges and solutions for businesses today. We are also available via:Around The Coin — Official WebsiteBuzzsproutApple PodcastSpotifyPlayer FMQuoraMediumXFacebookLinkedInTiktokSoundcloud Check out http://deepca.st/around-the-coin on DeepCast to delve into episode transcripts, key insights, discussed topics, and more!

Aug 28, 2024 • 55min
Building Next-Gen Payment Infrastructure - Prashanth Balasubramanian | #527
Join host Stephen Sargeant on the Around The Coin Podcast as he dives deep with Prashanth Balasubramanian, CEO of Striga, to explore groundbreaking topics like banking as a service, payment infrastructure across Europe, and the transformative role of stablecoins and crypto debit cards in global payments. Prashanth recounts his journey from computer science enthusiast to fintech pioneer, detailing the challenges of obtaining a VASP license in Estonia and Striga's unwavering focus on compliance and partnerships. This episode sheds light on the impact of stablecoin regulations in high remittance corridors like Mexico, India, and Africa, and discusses the future of fintech and crypto. Perfect for anyone involved in payments, tech, crypto, or blockchain. We are also available via:Around The Coin — Official WebsiteBuzzsproutApple PodcastSpotifyPlayer FMQuoraMediumXFacebookLinkedInTiktokSoundcloud Check out http://deepca.st/around-the-coin on DeepCast to delve into episode transcripts, key insights, discussed topics, and more!

Aug 21, 2024 • 1h 5min
The Great Future of Finance - Emmanuel Daniel | #526
Emmanuel Daniel, an entrepreneur and founder of TAB Global, dives into the future of finance. He discusses the personalization of banking, highlighting how super apps are transforming the financial landscape, especially in Asia. The conversation covers the convergence of traditional banking with cryptocurrency and the challenges of navigating global crypto regulations. Daniel also explores the impact of AI on finance and the evolving role of banks to better serve a diverse, younger audience in an increasingly digital world.

Aug 14, 2024 • 1h 10min
Blockchain Fuels Space Ventures - Grant Blaisdell | #525
Join Stephen Sargeant on the Around The Coin podcast as he welcomes Grant Blaisdell, CEO & Co-Founder at Copernic Space to explore the groundbreaking convergence of space exploration, blockchain technology, and AI computation. Discover how Copernic Space is pioneering the tokenization of real-world assets and envisioning a future where AI and cryptocurrency mining extend into space. Learn about the innovative solutions to Earth's computing challenges, such as cooling costs and solar energy, and dive into Grant's personal journey from music to entrepreneurship. This episode offers a fascinating glimpse into the integration of digital assets, space tech, and cutting-edge computation. We are also available via:Around The Coin — Official WebsiteBuzzsproutApple PodcastSpotifyPlayer FMQuoraMediumXFacebookLinkedInTiktokSoundcloud Check out http://deepca.st/around-the-coin on DeepCast to delve into episode transcripts, key insights, discussed topics, and more!

Aug 7, 2024 • 53min
Future of Global Payments with Stablecoins - Chris Harmse | #524
In this premiere episode of Around The Coin Podcast, host Stephen Sargeant interviews Chris Harmse, the Chief Business Officer and Co-Founder of BVNK. They delve into how BVNK is revolutionizing the banking industry by leveraging stablecoins and other crypto assets to streamline B2B payment transactions. Chris shares his journey from traditional finance to founding a crypto hedge fund, and later BVNK. The conversation touches on the importance of building company culture, regulatory challenges, and emerging use cases for stablecoins in markets like Nigeria and Argentina. They also discuss BVNK's innovative product offerings, including their Layer 1 crypto infrastructure stack, and their aggressive global expansion strategy. The episode wraps up with insights on the future of stablecoins amid evolving regulations.We are also available via:Around The Coin — Official WebsiteBuzzsproutApple PodcastSpotifyPlayer FMQuoraMediumXFacebookLinkedInTiktokSoundcloud Check out http://deepca.st/around-the-coin on DeepCast to delve into episode transcripts, key insights, discussed topics, and more!

Jul 31, 2024 • 58min
Solving Blockchain’s Biggest Challenges – Arjun Bhuptani | #523
In this episode of the Around The Coin podcast, host Stephen Sargent engages in a deep conversation with Arjun Bhuptani, co-founder of Everclear. Formerly known as Context Labs, Everclear is pioneering the clearing layer for Web3. Arjun discusses the crucial role of decentralization, interoperability, and scalability in Ethereum and how Everclear addresses these issues. The episode dives into the complexities of clearing in both traditional finance and Web3, utilizing insightful analogies such as Uber to make technical concepts accessible. Arjun also touches on his background in physics, the evolution of blockchain infrastructure since 2016, and the future directions for Everclear. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the technical underpinnings and innovative solutions within the blockchain ecosystem. We are also available via:Around The Coin — Official WebsiteBuzzsproutApple PodcastSpotifyPlayer FMQuoraMediumXFacebookLinkedInTiktokSoundcloud Check out http://deepca.st/around-the-coin on DeepCast to delve into episode transcripts, key insights, discussed topics, and more!

Jul 24, 2024 • 1h 2min
Why Banks Need Modern Technology - Brian Muse-McKenney | #522
Join host Stephen Sargeant on the Around The Coin podcast where he interviews Brian Muse-McKenney, the Chief Revenue Officer of Episode Six. Tune in as they discuss the intricacies of payment infrastructures, Banking as a Service (BaaS), Cards as a Service (CaaS), and the evolving landscape of traditional banking. They dive deep into the innovations and challenges within the payment ecosystem, exploring real-time payments, fintech solutions, and the rise of non-bank financial services. Brian shares insights from his extensive career in banking and explains how Episode Six is powering modern financial products through APIs and cloud-based services. If you're interested in the future of fintech and payment solutions, you won't want to miss this episode. We are also available via:Around The Coin — Official WebsiteBuzzsproutApple PodcastSpotifyPlayer FMQuoraMediumXFacebookLinkedInTiktokSoundcloud Check out http://deepca.st/around-the-coin on DeepCast to delve into episode transcripts, key insights, discussed topics, and more!