Couchonomics with Arjun
Couchonomics with Arjun is a weekly podcast that decodes the new world order of finance, exploring trends transforming commerce, capital, and culture. The show expands its lens beyond the MENA region to include voices and innovations from around the globe, covering topics like AI in Asia, tokenization in Europe, and fintech policy in Africa. Episodes drop weekly and are available with Arabic subtitles on YouTube.
Episodes
Why Islamic Fintech Is Still Being Underestimated
Islamic finance is growing globally, but the companies pushing it forward are not always the ones talking about it the loudest.In this episode of Couchonomics with Arjun, Abdullo Kurbanov, CEO and Co-founder of Ayan Capital, shares how he helped build Alif from a $200,000 start in Tajikistan into a profitable fintech processing $1.2 billion in transactions every month, and why he is now building a
The $80 Billion SME Lending Opportunity Banks Keep Missing
SMEs are central to the UAE economy, yet access to credit remains one of their biggest challenges.In this episode of Couchonomics with Arjun, Hassan Reda, Co-Founder & CPO of CredibleX, and Anand Nagaraj, Co-Founder & CEO of CredibleX, unpack why SME lending has remained difficult for banks and fintechs, and what needs to change to close the financing gap.They explain how embedded lending
Why Most Digital Banks Will Never Make Money
Digital banks have spent years chasing customer growth. But scale alone does not create profitability.In this episode of Couchonomics with Arjun, Simon Loong, Founder and Group CEO of WeLab, explains what it takes to build a successful digital bank across Asia.He shares why lending remains central to profitability, why standalone fintechs face a harder path, and how banking licences, AI, stablecoi
Could Your Data Become Your Next Asset?
Every day we create data, but almost none of us know who really owns it.In this episode of Couchonomics with Arjun, André Vellozo, Founder and CEO of DrumWave, joins the show to explore one of the biggest questions facing the digital economy: what if people could own their data the same way they own money?André explains why privacy is only the beginning of the conversation, why AI is accelerating
Can AI Build Fintech Unicorns Faster?
Can Europe build the next generation of global fintech leaders?In this episode of Couchonomics with Arjun, Stefan Klestil, General Partner Fintech EMEA, joins the show to discuss venture capital, fintech investing, AI, digital assets, founder psychology, and why the Middle East and Africa have become one of the world's most compelling investment opportunities.Stefan explains why Speedinvest l
Why Open Finance Could Change UAE Banking
Is digital banking really about technology anymore?It is becoming a battle for customer relationships, trust, data, and who owns the financial experience.In this episode of Couchonomics with Arjun, Raheel Ahmed, Group CEO of RAKBANK, returns to discuss open finance, AI, stablecoins, SME banking, regulation, and the future of financial services in the UAE.Raheel explains why open finance is being b
Why Uzbekistan May Be Digital Banking’s Next Big Story
Digital finance is no longer only about banking apps and payments.It is becoming a question of infrastructure, trust, customer behaviour, and how financial systems evolve in emerging markets.In this episode of Couchonomics with Arjun, Nika Kurdiani, CEO of TBC Uzbekistan, joins the show for a sharp conversation on digital banking, AI, open banking, and why Uzbekistan is becoming one of the most in
When Hackers Understand Banks Better Than Banks Understand Hackers
Cybersecurity is no longer just a technical issue, it is now a human, business, and financial system challenge.In this episode of Couchonomics with Arjun, Arjun is joined by Ralph Echemendia, Ethical Hacker and Cyber Security Expert, for a sharp conversation on hacking psychology, cybercrime, AI-driven fraud, and why financial institutions need to rethink security.Ralph explains why some of the mo
What Happens When Trading Infrastructure Starts Changing the System
Before a trading app reaches a user, there is an entire system underneath it doing the real heavy lifting.In this episode of Couchonomics with Arjun, Arjun is joined by Yoshi Yokokawa, Co-Founder and CEO of Alpaca, for a sharp and wide-ranging conversation on brokerage infrastructure, on-chain finance, market access, and what it really takes to build financial products at global scale.It is a grou
What Happens When Stablecoins Start Competing With Banks?
Money is no longer just held. It is moving, earning, and quietly reshaping the system around it.In this episode of Couchonomics with Arjun, Arjun is joined by Anton Golub, Founding Member of RWA Labs, for a sharp, grounded conversation on what is actually happening beneath the surface of crypto, stablecoins, and tokenization.It is a clear breakdown of how liquidity, leverage, and market structure
Can Stablecoins Scale Without Expanding Systemic Risk?
Fraud is not new. But the scale, speed, and sophistication have changed.In this episode of Couchonomics with Arjun, Arjun is joined by Navin Gupta, CEO of Crystal Intelligence, and Nick Smart, Chief Intelligence Officer at Crystal Intelligence, to unpack the evolving world of crypto-related fraud, institutional risk, and the uncomfortable truth about financial crime in a 24/7 digital economy.From
How AI Agents and Stablecoins Are Reshaping Modern Banking
Is banking really changing at the core, or are we just putting better apps on old rails?In this episode of Couchonomics with Arjun, Arjun is joined in studio by Jayesh Patel, CEO of Wio Bank PJSC, to unpack what real transformation inside a bank actually looks like, how AI is reshaping operating models, and why stablecoins may compress time in money movement far more than most people realize.They
How Tokenization and Stablecoins Will Change Money Movement
Technology is changing what people expect from money, and stablecoins are turning that into reality.In this episode of Couchonomics with Arjun, Arjun is joined from New York by Stephen Richardson (CSO and Head of Banking at Fireblocks) to break down why digital assets are back at the center of banking strategy, what stablecoins are really unlocking, and where banks are at risk of getting disinterm
Why Japan’s Payments Are About to Change Fast
Japan is often seen as a “mature” financial market.But the real story is in what’s quietly shifting underneath.In this episode of Couchonomics with Arjun, Arjun is joined from Tokyo by Pieter Franken (Co-Founder & CEO at GFTN Japan) to unpack what’s actually changing in Japan’s fintech and digital assets landscape and what it means for founders, investors, and global players looking at the Jap
How Deep Payments Infrastructure Creates Real Fintech Advantage
Payments in emerging markets are often discussed as infrastructure.But the real differentiation happens in how deeply payments are embedded into business operations.In the final episode of this special Qatar Development Bank series of Couchonomics with Arjun, Arjun sits down in Doha with Saad Ishfaq, CEO of TESS Payments, to unpack how a payments company built for Qatar is scaling by solving real
What It Really Takes to Launch a Fintech in Qatar
Financial innovation in the GCC is often framed around payments, licenses, and launch timelines.But the harder work happens long before a product goes live.In this special Qatar Development Bank series of Couchonomics with Arjun, Arjun sits down in Doha with Mohammed Suleiman, Co-Founder and CEO of Karty, to unpack what it really takes to build a regulated fintech company from the ground up in Qat
What It Takes to Scale a Tech Company Like Snoonu From Qatar
Most startup stories focus on what companies become.This one focuses on how they are built.In this special Qatar Development Bank series of Couchonomics with Arjun, Arjun sits down in Doha with Hamad Al-Hajri, Founder and CEO of Snoonu, to explore how one of Qatar’s most successful tech companies was built and why its journey matters for the region. Hamad explains why Snoonu was never meant to be
Why Ecosystem Design Matters More Than Funding in Startup Growth
Innovation ecosystems in the GCC are often judged by funding numbers and startup announcements.But the real work happens in how institutions, capital, and regulation move together.In this special Qatar Development Bank series of Couchonomics with Arjun, Arjun sits down in Doha with Mohammed Al-Emadi, Executive Director of Incubation and VC Investment at QDB, to unpack how Qatar is intentionally bu
What the Data Actually Says About Venture Capital in MENA
Venture capital is often discussed through funding totals and headline deals.But the real signal sits underneath the numbers.In this episode of Couchonomics with Arjun, Arjun is joined by Philip Bahoshy, Founder and CEO of MAGNiTT, to break down what the latest venture data actually says about emerging markets and where capital is really moving.Drawing from MAGNiTT’s newest annual report, Philip u
What It Really Takes to Build World-Class Startups Outside Silicon Valley
Startup success is often explained through geography, capital, or timing.But the real story is about people, resilience, and long-term commitment.In this episode of Couchonomics with Arjun, Arjun is joined by Allen Taylor, Managing Partner at Endeavor Catalyst, to unpack how world-class companies are being built far beyond Silicon Valley.Allen shares how Endeavor identifies and backs the top 1% of
How Allica Bank Is Rebuilding SME Banking From Scratch
Banking innovation usually gets reduced to apps and features.But the real changes are happening underneath.In this episode of Couchonomics with Arjun, Richard Davies, CEO of Allica Bank, joins the couch to talk about how challenger banks are actually rebuilding SME banking in the UK.Richard breaks down why established SMEs need a very different banking model, why go-to-market is harder than buildi
What It Really Takes for Banks to Innovate Without Breaking Trust
Innovation in banking is often talked about, but rarely understood.In this episode of Couchonomics with Arjun, Giovanni Everduin, Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer and Head of Ventures at Commercial Bank International, joins the couch to unpack what innovation really looks like inside a regulated bank.From legacy systems and institutional mindsets to AI, digital assets, and on-chain finance, t
How CBD Is Reshaping Banking in the UAE
Banking in the UAE is entering a phase where digital expectations, AI, and trust are forcing banks to rethink everything from processes to culture.Arjun sits down with Dr. Bernd van Linder, CEO of Commercial Bank of Dubai, to unpack how customer experience, technology and trust are reshaping the future of banking.🎙️ In this episode:Why customer experience has become the only real competitive advan
How One Platform Went From 5,000 Cards to Powering Global Banks
Core banking is no longer a back-office topic.Cloud, payments, AI and digital assets are forcing banks to rethink the foundations of how money moves.In this episode, Arjun sits down with Vishal Dalal, Global CEO of Pismo, to unpack the evolution of modern core banking, the rise of cloud-native architectures, and why migration, resilience and payments complexity are the real bottlenecks shaping the
How AI and Stablecoins Are Rewiring the Future of Fintech
Fintech is entering a new phase where technology, regulation and global markets are reshaping value at a deeper level.Arjun sits down with Sandeep Patil, Partner and Head of Asia at QED Investors, to break down how fintech is evolving beneath the surface.🎙️ In this episode: -Why the global fintech reset isn’t over- How stablecoins are becoming the quiet rails of global trade- How AI will reshape u
Why Stablecoins Could Redefine Global Trade and Banking
What if the future of money isn’t about new currencies, but about rebuilding how value moves?Arjun sits down with Keith Grose, Senior Country Director at Coinbase UK, to explore how crypto is moving from hype to real infrastructure.They talk about the UK’s second-mover advantage in regulation, the role of stablecoins in global trade, and how Coinbase is building the bridge between traditional fina
The End of Bank Accounts: How Money Is Moving On-Chain
What if the future of money isn’t about creating new currencies, but redefining what money really is?In this episode, Arjun sits down with Tony McLaughlin, CEO and Founder of Ubyx Inc, to talk about why he believes the bank account is dead and how the next version of money could live on public blockchains.They break down what stablecoins, tokenized deposits, and CBDCs really mean, and how they cou
The Next Decade of FinTech: AI, Tokenization & Quantum Finance
What if the next decade of finance isn’t about disruption, but inclusion?In this episode, Arjun sits down with Sopnendu Mohanty, Group CEO of GFTN and Advisor to the Monetary Authority of Singapore, to explore how technology, policy, and people are shaping the future of global finance.🎙️ In this episode:→ The three pillars that defined the first wave of fintech: APIs, DPIs, and cloud→ Why inclusio
How AI and Stablecoins Are Rewriting Payments
When money moves faster than ever, who really controls it? In this episode, Arjun sits down with Arik Shtilman, Founder and CEO of Rapyd, to explore how AI and stablecoins are rewriting the rules of global payments. From powering transactions across 100+ countries to building an AI-first infrastructure, Rapyd is proving that the next financial revolution is already underway.🎙️ In this episode:- Wh
When AI Becomes the Banker: Inside Vietnam’s Cake Digital Bank
What if AI ran your bank? 🤯In this episode, Arjun sits down with Quang Nguyen, CEO of Cake Digital Bank, Vietnam’s AI-first bank that’s redefining what digital finance looks like.With only 300 employees serving 6 million customers, Cake has become one of Southeast Asia’s most efficient and innovative financial institutions — proving that the future of banking is lean, intelligent, and fully automa
The Future of Wealth: AI, Trust & the Great $80 Trillion Shift
Over $80 trillion in global wealth is moving to a younger, more digital generation. But who will manage it—and how will AI, trust, and technology reshape investing?In this episode of Couchonomics with Arjun, Caesar Sengupta, Co-Founder and CEO of Arta Finance (backed by Eric Schmidt, Peak XV, and Ribbit Capital), shares how his company is democratizing wealth management—bringing institutional-grad
Latin America’s Fintech Giant: The Rise of PicPay with 60M Users
Episode 150 of Couchonomics with Arjun is here — and it’s a milestone.For the very first time, we go to Latin America. My guest: Eduardo Chedid, CEO of PicPay — Brazil’s biggest super app and one of the fastest-scaling fintechs in the world.With 60M+ customers, $1B+ in revenues, profits up 7× YoY, and 4,500 employees, PicPay is rewriting the rules of digital banking in one of the most competitive
From Crowdfunded Startup to Europe’s Fastest-Growing Wealth Platform
Turning Savings into Wealth — Inside Chip’s Fintech Playbook UK fintech is entering a new chapter. While funding slows, savers poured £103bn into ISAs — proving that trust, not downloads, is the real currency.In this episode, Arjun speaks with Alex Latham, Co-Founder & CMO of Chip, one of Europe’s fastest-growing fintechs, on:- The future of UK fintech beyond banking apps- How Chip grew from a
Build Cashflow, Not Hype: Abhi’s Liquidity Playbook
Most fintechs chased hype. Abhi chased cash flow.In this episode of Couchonomics with Arjun, we sit down with Omair Ansari, Co-Founder & CEO of Abhi, one of Pakistan’s fastest-growing fintechs.Abhi began with earned wage access, giving workers instant liquidity. Today, it has scaled into payroll financing, SME lending, and invoice factoring — and even acquired a licensed microfinance bank in P
Digital Wealth Platforms vs Robo-Advisors: What Investors Need to Know
Wealth management is no longer just champagne perks and 2% fees. The new generation of investors demands digital, transparent, and affordable solutions.In this episode of Couchonomics with Arjun, we’re joined by Dhruv Arora, Founder & CEO of Syfe, a digital wealth management platform managing over US$10B.We cover:- Why trust is the biggest competition in digital wealth- The difference between
Africa’s Fintech Boom: From Mobile Money to Purpose-Driven Lending
💡 Africa’s fintech story is no longer a local experiment — it’s a global test case for the future of inclusion, innovation, and capital flows.In this episode of Couchonomics with Arjun, we’re joined by Yustus Aribariho, Co-Founder of Furaha Financial (part of SC Ventures by Standard Chartered). Yustus is now on a mission to unlock education financing and opportunity across Sub-Saharan Africa.We un
The New Rails of Money: Stablecoins, CBDCs & Tokenisation
Stablecoins are no longer on the sidelines — they’re stepping into the core of global finance.In this episode of Couchonomics with Arjun, we're joined by Dante Disparte, Chief Strategy Officer & Head of Global Policy at Circle, for his second appearance on the show. Speaking from Washington, DC, Dante brings a timely perspective on how digital finance is evolving — and why it matters now
Fraud-as-a-Service, Stablecoins & the Future of Financial Crime
Fraud just had its AI upgrade.It’s faster than your payments and industrialised at a global scale. Welcome to the Scamdemic — a global wave of scams and financial crime growing faster than almost any asset class.We’re joined by Simon Taylor, Head of Strategy at Sardine and Co-Founder of 11:FS. Together, we unpack how fraud has evolved, why it’s so hard to stop, and what financial institutions, fin
How Finternet Labs Is Building the Internet Layer for Finance
Is today’s financial system fit for a digital-first world?Not quite — and Siddharth Shetty is here to tell us why.In this episode of Couchonomics, Arjun speaks with Finternet Labs CEO Siddharth Shetty, one of the architects behind India’s UPI and Account Aggregator framework, to unpack the vision for Finternet — a universal financial infrastructure layer designed to empower users, build trust, an
Stablecoins, Wallets, and the Rise of Embedded Cross-Border Payments
The future of payments won’t be card-swiped or cash-counted — it’ll be fast, digital, and deeply integrated.In this episode of Couchonomics with Arjun, Floris de Kort, CEO of Thunes, joins to unpack what it really takes to build a global payments network across 130+ markets, from wallets to banks to mobile rails.What’s inside:- Why real-time payments still face real-world friction- How Thunes is t
Stablecoins, Tokenization & Regulation: Crypto’s Next Chapter
Crypto isn’t dead, it’s going institutional. In this episode of Couchonomics with Arjun, Rifad Mahasneh, CEO of OKX MENA, joins the show to unpack what real digital asset adoption looks like beyond the headlines.We explore how OKX is building for scale, trust, and regulation - especially in the UAE, where crypto is becoming infrastructure, not just innovation.🎯 What’s inside: • Post-FTX trust rebu
Scaling SME Lending Without Burning Capital
💸 What’s the real fintech miracle? Lending to SMEs — and staying alive 9 years later.In this episode of Couchonomics with Arjun, we’re joined by Nikhilesh Goel, Co-Founder & CEO of Validus, Southeast Asia’s largest SME financing platform.We unpack how Validus scaled to $5B+ in credit across the region by avoiding the hype and building disciplined, anchor-based lending models that actually work
Neo Ventures, Tokenized Assets & the Future of Wholesale Banking
AI isn’t a campaign. It’s a core banking reset.In this episode of Couchonomics with Arjun, we’re joined by Amith Rajan, CEO of Neo Ventures and Head of Digital Wholesale Banking at Mashreq, for a candid conversation on how AI, tokenization, and infrastructure transformation are reshaping the banking stack from the inside out.We unpack:- Why "rip and replace" is a myth and what real legac
Fixing the Core: Why Legacy Banking Infrastructure Can’t Be Patched
The core of banking is broken, and duct-taping legacy systems won’t fix it.This week on Couchonomics with Arjun, I’m joined by Myles Bertrand, CEO of Tuum, the modular core banking platform built in Estonia and now scaling across Europe and the GCC.Tuum isn’t selling digital lipstick. They’re rebuilding the real plumbing of modern banking — one composable, cloud-native layer at a time.💡 In this ep
What VCs Get Wrong About Building Durable Startups with Tim Levene
In this episode of Couchonomics with Arjun, we sit down with Tim Levene, CEO of Augmentum Fintech, the UK’s only publicly listed fintech venture capital firm.From going public to backing infrastructure instead of hype, Tim shares what permanent capital allows that traditional VC structures don’t and why he believes the next decade of fintech will be won with discipline, not just disruption.What we
Why Most Digital Banks Fail - And How Engine by Starling Is Flipping the Script
The next banking stack won’t just be fast — it has to be human.In this episode of Couchonomics with Arjun, Nick Drewett, Chief Commercial Officer at Engine by Starling, joins the conversation to share what it actually takes to launch and scale a digital bank — not in theory, but in practice.Engine is the tech spinout from Starling Bank - one of the world’s first profitable digital banks - and it’s
Beyond the Buzz: Beehive’s Real Playbook for SME Lending
There’s a $260B SME financing gap in MENA, and most players are still offering copy-paste solutions.In this episode of Couchonomics with Arjun, Craig Moore, Founder and CEO of Beehive, shares how one of the region’s original fintechs is tackling real problems with real results.Since 2014, Beehive has built a lending model that combines technology, regulatory know-how, and operational depth to serv
Conviction Over Hype: What Great VCs Look Like Now
The Venture Model Broke. But Startups Are Still Building.In this episode, Arjun is joined by Devin Kohli, General Partner at Outward VC, for a candid conversation on what’s next for venture capital.They unpack:- Shifting VC trends in Europe, MENA, and the USA- Outward’s bets on Curve, Vauban, Bud & more- AI hype vs. real vertical value- Tokenisation, digital assets & future financial infra
Reinventing Banking: Tyme’s CEO on Scale, Strategy & Survival
Phygital is the new digital.On Episode 2 of Couchonomics with Arjun Season 4, we sit down with Coenraad Jonker — Founder & Group CEO of Tyme — a digital banking pioneer who’s built real scale across emerging markets.Tyme raised $250M in Series C. Reached a $1.5B valuation. Signed up 17M+ customers across South Africa and the Philippines. All while keeping CAC at one of the lowest levels global
From Bank to Builder: How SC Ventures Launches 30+ Startups
Season 4 of Couchonomics with Arjun kicks off with a venture builder shaking up the system — Gautam Jain from SC Ventures by Standard Chartered.From launching digital banks in Asia to building full-stack ventures in the GCC, Gautam’s now part of a team transforming how venture-building happens inside a bank.In this episode: 🧠 Innovation culture & internal equity 🧱 Building in real, underserved
Couchonomics with Arjun is BACK!
We're officially back - bigger, bolder, more diverse, and more global than ever. In Season 4, we’re asking the real questions: - What’s next for AI, digital assets, open banking, and embedded finance? - How are regulations and disruptive technologies reshaping financial services? - Are we really keeping pace with the transformation?Over 100 episodes in — and the journey’s just getting started
Programmable Money, Real-Time Payments & What Comes Next
Re-architecting Finance with Blockchain - Not Just Hype, But Real-World InfrastructureWe’re wrapping up this special Tokyo series of Couchonomics, filmed at the GFTN Forum — and what better way to close than with a bold conversation on the future of financial systems?In this final episode, I’m joined by Naveen Mallela, Co-Head of Kinexys & Managing Director at JP Morgan — and we’re going beyon
How Japanese Capital is Changing the Game in Microfinance
Redefining Microfinance — With Feet on the Ground & Fire in the BellyWhat if the future of financial inclusion wasn’t digital-first… but human-first?In this Tokyo edition of Couchonomics with Arjun, we had the chance to sit down with Taejun Shin, Founder & CEO of Gojo — a rapidly growing microfinance platform working across 13 countries and reaching millions of underserved customers throug
Japan’s VC Market: Navigating a New Era of Investment
Rewiring fintech infrastructure — operator-led, globally scaledCouchonomics with Arjun is once again beaming in from Japan. This time, we're joined by Logan Allin, Founder & Managing Partner at Fin Capital. Logan’s journey from SoFi Ventures to building Fin Capital is rooted in one big idea — fintech doesn’t need more flashy consumer apps, it needs better infrastructure.We unpack: 💼 Why F
Inside SMBC’s Asia Innovation Center: The Future of Corporate Banking
Rethinking Core Banking — From the Inside Out In this special GFTN Japan edition of Couchonomics with Arjun, we welcome Mayoran Rajendra, Managing Director and Head of the Asia Innovation Center at SMBC — one of Japan’s largest financial institutions.We discuss how his team is re-engineering the core of corporate banking using generative AI, automation, and agentic infrastructure — not just adding
The Future of Financial Regulation: RegTech, AI & Innovation
What happens when alternative finance moves faster than regulation?On this episode of Couchonomics with Arjun, Professor Bob Wardrop — Co-Founder of the Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance and RegGenome — breaks down why global regulatory frameworks are struggling to keep up.We explore:Why many regulators are still stuck in a pre-2008 mindsetThe rise of machine-readable, computational regulat
Regulators, Reform & Bitcoin: Japan’s Crypto Future
Japan is regulated, conservative — and still ahead of the curve in digital assets.In this episode of Couchonomics with Arjun, recorded in Tokyo with the support of GFTN Forum Japan, we sit down with Genki Oda, Managing Executive Director at SBI Holdings and Chairman of the Japan Virtual and Crypto Assets Exchange Association (JVCEA).Genki has played a central role in shaping Japan’s digital asset
Why Japan’s Startup Ecosystem Isn’t Scaling — Yet
Why hasn’t Japan produced more global startup giants?In this special Japan series of Couchonomics with Arjun, recorded in Tokyo and in collaboration with GFTN Forum Japan, Arjun sits down with Jordan Fisher, Venture Partner at Antler and Co-founder of Zehitomo.From the hidden inefficiencies in Japan’s service economy to the deeper structural and cultural barriers that limit growth, this conversati
Special Episode: Japan FinTech Week and GFTN Forum
Japan has long been a leader in financial technology, from pioneering 24/7 ATMs to developing QR codes and digital payment systems. But in recent years, the country has struggled to keep up with the global fintech revolution. That might be about to change.In this episode, Pieter Franken, Managing Director of GFTN Japan, joins us to explore Japan’s fintech resurgence and what’s driving innovation i
Ep 110. Fintech Frontier: AI & Blockchain Leading the Future with Marwan Alzarouni
That’s a wrap on Season 3 of #Couchonomics! And we’re ending on a high note.In this season finale, we welcome Dr. Marwan Alzarouni, CEO of AI at the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, to the couch for an insightful discussion on how AI is reshaping industries, the evolution of blockchain, and Dubai’s vision for a tech-driven economy.We also cover: ✅ AI’s role in Dubai’s government and econom
Special Series at SFF 2024: Episode 7
Can Capital Save the Planet? 🌍💰In this special Couchonomics x The Founders Peak episode from Singapore Fintech Festival 2024, we sit down with Oi Yee Choo, CEO of Climate Impact X (CIX), to discuss the future of sustainability finance and carbon markets.🌱 Topics we covered: ✅ The biggest challenges in carbon markets ✅ How CIX is building a trusted global marketplace ✅ The role of AI, blockchain, a
Special Series at SFF 2024: Episode 6
Japan is making big moves in AI, blockchain, and digital asset regulation. In this special episode—filmed live at the Singapore Fintech Festival 2024 with The Founders Peak Unplugged—Arjun sits down with Ryosuke Ushida, Chief Fintech Officer at Japan’s Financial Services Agency, to discuss the country’s fintech future. What's inside: ✅ Japan’s fintech regulations—innovation vs. compliance ✅
Ep 109. Billionaire's Blueprint: Wealth, AI & Investing in the UAE with Fahd Iqbal
Is the Middle East set to be the ultimate billionaire’s playground by 2025?In this episode of Couchonomics with Arjun, we're joined by Fahd Iqbal, CIO of UBS Middle East. We explore the influx of billionaires reshaping the UAE, the rise of family offices, and how AI is transforming investment strategies. Fahd shares his expert predictions for 2025 and the financial shifts happening across the
Ep 108. Transforming Transactions: NETS CEO Lawrence Chan's Payments Vision
Can payments ever be truly invisible? Lawrence Chan, Group CEO of NETS, is beaming in virtually from Singapore to discuss how the world of payments is rapidly changing and what it means for businesses everywhere. Lawrence and Arjun covered a range of topics during our conversation. Here are some key points:🌐 ASEAN payment connectivity and the potential of cross-border QR payments 🔧 How NETS is sup
Ep 107. PropTech in Saudi Arabia: Redefining Real Estate with Razwa Alharthi
PropTech Power in Saudi Arabia!In this episode of Couchonomics with Arjun, we had an engaging conversation with Razwa Alharthi, Co-Founder of Nuzul, at Jeel, Riyadh Bank's innovation hub. Razwa shared how her PropTech startup is driving innovation and efficiency in Saudi Arabia's real estate sector through cutting-edge technology.We also discussed: 👉 The story behind Nuzul and how it emp
Ep 106. Reinventing Wealth Management With Malaa Technologies
A New Era of Wealth Management! 💰Couchonomics with Arjun is coming to you straight from Saudi Arabia! 🇸🇦 In this episode filmed at Jeel, Riyadh Bank's innovation hub, we chat with Ali Alorainy and Faisal Alqarni, the founders of Malaa Technologies, a wealth tech platform reshaping personal finance with a fresh, automated approach.Here’s what you’ll discover in our conversation: 👉 How Malaa is
Special Series at SFF 2024: Episode 5
Future of crypto! 💱We’re honored to have Richard Teng, CEO of Binance, joining us for an exclusive conversation straight from the heart of the Singapore FinTech Festival. As one of the most influential leaders in the crypto space, Richard takes us through his journey at the helm of Binance, a company that’s leading the charge in crypto adoption, education, and innovation.Richard and Arjun also dis
Special Series at SFF 2024: Episode 4
Tokenizing Trade Finance: A Glimpse into the Future of Digital Assets Live from SFF 2024, we had the privilege of sitting down with Wee Kee Toh, Global Head of Business Architecture for Coin Systems at Onyx by JPMorgan, to unpack the groundbreaking innovations shaping the future of digital finance.From interoperability to Global Layer One—a collaborative blockchain network operated by banks—we dov
Special Series at SFF 2024: Episode 3
Is AI a Boon or a Bane for Banks? What happens to those banks that arrive late for the party?Our special series from the Singapore Fintech Festival—created in collaboration with Founders Peak—continues with a must-watch episode!I had the pleasure of sitting down with Tomas Skoumal, Founder & CEO of Dyna.ai, to explore how AI is reshaping the banking landscape.Here’s what you’ll take away from
Ep 105. The new Head of Adyen’s Middle East
Payments Are Eating The World!This week on the #couch, we had the chance to speak with Daumantas Grigaravicius, the new Head of the Middle East Region at Adyen.We had an insightful conversation about the current trends in payments, both regionally and globally, and the transformative power of payment orchestration. Join us as we explore the changing face of payments and consumer experiences in the
Special Series at SFF 2024: Episode 2
How Stable Are Stablecoins? In this episode of Couchonomics with Arjun, recorded live at the Singapore FinTech Festival in partnership with Founders Peak, we chat with Dante Disparte, Chief Strategy Officer and Head of Policy at Circle. Dante shares how Circle is using digital assets like USDC (Stablecoin) and EURC to build a more inclusive financial system.Innovation is changing the way we think
Special Series at SFF 2024: Episode 1
Kicking off a special series of Couchonomics with Arjun, recorded live at the Singapore FinTech Festival 2024 in collaboration with Founders Peak! 🛋️In this first episode, we welcome Nate Clark, CEO of GoTyme Bank, to talk about the future of digital banking in the Philippines and beyond. We dive into the Filipino financial services sector, the rise of fintech, the impact of AI on banking, and so
Ep. 104 How to launch a super app with Kaniyet Rayev
Super apps are the talk of the town and in the latest episode of Couchonomics with Arjun, we’re diving into this hot topic with Kaniyet Rayev, CEO of Boxo. Based in Kazakhstan and Singapore, Kaniyet leads Boxo—a platform that empowers apps to become super apps by seamlessly integrating e-commerce, travel, and financial services.We cover the rise of super apps, Boxo’s innovative mini-app tech, and
Ep 103. Shariah Finance Meets Blockchain: A New Era in Financial Services with Morrad Irsane and Sharene Lee
The latest episode of Couchonomics with Arjun is now live from Riyadh, in collaboration with Jeel, Riyad Bank’s innovation center. Joining us are Morrad Irsane and Sharene Lee, co-founders of Takadao, a company redefining insurance through #blockchain and #Web3 technology. Their vision? To create a decentralized, transparent alternative to traditional insurance that aligns with #IslamicFinance pri
Ep 102. Hala’s ambitious vision to become the future bank of SMEs with Maher Loubieh
Couchonomics with Arjun is beaming its inaugural episode from its new home in KSA, at Jeel, Riyadh Banks Innovation Center in the heart of Riyadh. Our guest for this week’s special episode is Maher Loubieh, Co-Founder & CEO of Hala. During this episode, Maher shares Hala’s incredible journey from its beginnings as a peer-to-peer payment platform to then pivoting their business model to focus o
Ep 101. Optimizing cash returns with Walter De Oude
This week on #Couchonomics, Arjun sits down with Walter De Oude, the visionary Founder & CEO of Chocolate Finance—a high-yield cash management platform designed to bring better returns on idle cash. Joining from Singapore, Walter shares his inspiring journey from launching SingLife to creating Chocolate Finance, along with his vision for empowering “lazy savers” with higher returns.In this ep
100 Episodes In Review
Exciting plans for Season 4 are already in motion, and in this 100th-episode special, Arjun takes a turn on the other side of the #couch! Hosting this special edition is Vuk Zlatarov, Co-founder and CEO of Poddster, who delves into Arjun’s journey behind the scenes. Vuk leads Arjun through a candid discussion about the journey of building the show, from its early days to becoming a space for the r
Ep 100 (part 3) Current changes in payments with Roelant Prins
We continue celebrating the 100th episode of Couchonomics with Arjun!For this milestone episode, we’re happy to welcome back Roelant Prins, Chief Commercial Officer at Adyen. Roelant and Arjun had an interesting conversation at the end of Season 1, where we filmed a special episode in Amsterdam.Today, Roelant joins us remotely to discuss the evolving payments landscape and explore the critical shi
Ep 100 (part 2) Cross border payments solutions and more with Ramana Kumar
We’re celebrating the 100th episode with the return of Ramana Kumar, CEO of Magnati! Ramana first joined us in Season 1, and now he’s back to share how Magnati has evolved into a leading cloud-based payments company.In this special episode, we explore the shift to tech-driven payments, the rise of embedded finance, cross-border payment challenges in the MENA region, the role of CBDCs, and the pote
Ep 100 (part 1) Leadership lessons with Sopnendu Mohanty
Celebrating the 100th episode of Couchonomics With Arjun with a special guest, Mr. FinTech himself, Sopnendu Mohanty, Chairman of the Board at Elevandi and Chief FinTech Officer at the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). In our humble opinion, he's been the chief catalyst in turning Singapore into a FinTech powerhouse.In this part of our 100th-episode special, Sopnendu and Arjun explore si
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