Fintech Insider Podcast by 11:FS

Monica Millares, Chief Product Officer at BigPay, focuses on digital natives in Southeast Asia, while Tony Brancato, from Charlie, champions banking for retirees. Joe Colchester, leading product at 11:FS Pulse, shares insights on combating modern fraud. They dive into sophisticated scams, including AI-driven tactics and emotionally manipulative strategies. The conversation explores how fintechs are leveraging technology to create robust defenses, emphasizing the importance of proactive education and tailored strategies, especially for vulnerable populations.

In this discussion, fintech experts Sam Maule, Head of Business Development at Moov; Kiaan Pillay, CEO of Stitch Money; and independent consultant Veronica Glab, dive into exciting developments. They unpack Revolut's upcoming points-based credit card aimed at taking on American Express. Kiaan shares insights on Stitch's impressive $55 million funding round to enhance payments in South Africa. The panel also reflects on the rising popularity of Buy Now, Pay Later services at Coachella and the broader implications for the fintech landscape.

Tom Easterby, Head of FinTech at HSBC Innovation Banking, and Ruth Foxe Blader, General Partner at Foxe Capital, discuss the shifting dynamics in the fintech landscape. They explore the 48% drop in global investment and the challenges founders face in securing funding. The conversation highlights the critical role of innovation, cybersecurity, and diverse funding strategies in this evolving market. There's an emphasis on adapting business models to thrive amidst competition and the impact of geopolitical factors on future investment trends.

In this discussion, Sarah Kocianski, CEO of Fintech Wales, Alex Johnson, founder of Fintech Takes, and Sophie Winwood, Co-Founder & CEO at unlock VC, delve into ambitious topics shaking the fintech realm. They tackle the impact of tariff shifts on IPOs, highlighting the volatility faced by companies like Klarna. The panel also shines a light on early-stage investments in the UK, Brazil's innovative PIX installment feature, and Toulouse's crypto travel payments, all while exploring the future of fintech amidst economic challenges.

In this discussion, Keith Grose from Coinbase, a crypto and payments innovator, Adam Bialy of Fiat Republic, a banking veteran for crypto firms, and Amélie Arras from Zumo, focusing on compliance and sustainability, dissect whether 2025 will be a turning point for crypto. They debate the balance between financial freedom and regulatory oversight as crypto moves from speculation to a financial backbone. The trio also highlights the importance of consumer education and the evolving role of tokenization and Central Bank Digital Currencies in the financial landscape.

Andy Smart, CPO of Monzo, shares insights on the bank's new contents insurance aimed at renters, highlighting a major protection gap. Grégoire Hug, CEO of WeeFin, discusses the fintech's mission to promote sustainable finance, especially through innovative ESG data. Award-winning journalist Hannah Duncan sheds light on Robinhood's expansion into wealth management, adding an AI investment tool to its offerings. The conversation also touches on a new app for decentralized peer-to-peer tipping, aiming to enhance transparency in financial practices.

Elisabeth Prager, Co-founder of Isla Money, Jenny Miller of Wise, and Tom Davies from Yonder share their insights on the pressing financial illiteracy crisis. They discuss the pivotal role of fintech in making financial education accessible, particularly for women. The conversation highlights the challenges of navigating financial choices today, the impact of social media on learning, and the need for transparency in financial services. Together, they emphasize innovative approaches to empower individuals and cultivate financial confidence in a complex economic landscape.

Oleg Pravdin is the Head of Product at Lumber, a company using AI to transform construction operations. Joanne Dewar leads Project Nemo, striving for disability inclusion in fintech, while Miguel Armaza is a General Partner at Gilgamesh Ventures, investing in budding fintech startups. They discuss Kraken's acquisition of NinjaTrader and how it's reshaping crypto-trading. Lumber's recent funding aims to enhance workforce management, and Project Nemo's partnership with HSBC seeks to improve accessibility in financial services, highlighting an exciting evolution in the fintech landscape.

Adit Gadgil, Global Head of Sales at JPMorgan Payments, David Messenger, CEO of Ping Pong Payments, and Irina Chuchkina, CMO at Vault.io, explore building a payments ecosystem from the ground up. They dive into the balance between technology and regulation, debating the future of stablecoins and their potential to transform payments. Cybersecurity risks and the need for streamlined regulation are key topics. The guests encourage innovative thinking while sharing examples from around the globe, with a pinch of humor on tech versus regulation.

Valentina Kristensen, Director of Corporate Affairs at OakNorth, brings her expertise to discuss Klarna's exciting move to file for an IPO in NYC, emphasizing their impressive turnaround with over £200 million in profit. Alexandra Rivas-Gale, VP of Product at Clearbank, shares insights on Revolut's evolution into a full-fledged bank and the challenges they face in acquiring a banking license. Nicolas Benady, CEO of Swan, highlights the FCA's push for improved AI adoption in UK banks, revealing the regulatory hurdles that are stifling innovation.