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.

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.

At Money2020 USA, we sat down with Margaret Weichert,

We covered:

What could a centralized authority, or 'fraud czar', do to combat the growing complexities of fraud in the global financial sector?

We sat down with an expert panel at Money2020 to explore this question by looking at the various types of fraud at play, including synthetic identities and the evolving tactics of fraudsters, particularly in the context of new technologies.

The group highlighted the challenges of coordinating responses across different sectors and the importance of understanding the enablers of fraud. They also closely examined international models that could inspire effective fraud prevention strategies in the U.S.

Don't miss our chat with Karen Boyer, SVP and Director Fraud Intelligence with M&T Bank, David Maimon, Head of Fraud Insights with SentiLink and Natalie Loebner, owner of Loebner Consulting

At Money2020 USA, we sat down with two experts to discuss the evolving landscape of risk management and hedging strategies in the modern enterprise, particularly in the context of geopolitical instability and emerging markets like Africa.

David Renta, Global Head of Hedging at Convera and Benjamin Fernandez, CEO and founder of African payments fintech, Nala, share insights on navigating these challenges, emphasizing the importance of developing strategic plans, understanding local dynamics, and maintaining profitability.

We also address the regulatory hurdles that add complexity to building an effective hedging strategy, and the need for tailored solutions in diverse markets, particularly in Africa.

In this week's market update, Boris Kovacevic discusses the implications of the recent US elections, focusing on Donald Trump's victory and its impact on the economy and global markets.

We cover the economic factors that influenced the election results, particularly inflation, and explore the concept of US exceptionalism in the context of global trade dynamics.

We also touch on geopolitical shifts, the future of the euro, and the Federal Reserve's response to inflation trends.

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At Money2020, we sat down with ⁠Zoya Lieberman⁠ of ⁠Endava ⁠and ⁠Ramiro Nandez⁠ of ⁠Mercado Pago⁠ to discuss the evolving landscape of digital payments in the Americas, focusing on the role of AI, the challenges of cash adoption, and the importance of user experience and financial inclusion.

We explore the collaboration between fintechs and traditional banks, the regulatory hurdles faced in different markets, and the need for innovative solutions to bridge the gap between cash and digital transactions.

We also touch on the potential of AI and blockchain technology to transform the payments ecosystem and drive financial inclusion across the region.

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With five days to go until a historically close US election, market participants can't stop talking about the what ifs.

Hear from macro analyst Boris Kovacevic on what outcomes we could see in the markets globally following the November 5th US elections.

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.

To kick things off at Money2020 USA we spoke with Ari Redbord from TRM Labs. With 11 years under his belt at the US Dept. of Justice, Ari shared his views about the evolving landscape of cryptocurrency, the challenges of crypto crime, and the importance of compliance in the financial sector.

We touch on the role of TRM Labs in combating illicit activities in the crypto space, the future of stablecoins, the implications of Stripe's Bridge acquisition, and the regulatory framework surrounding digital assets, particularly the MiCA regulation in Europe and its influence on other regions.

Lastly, we touched on the need for businesses to prioritize compliance as they enter the blockchain space, and how to do it right. If you're a business looking to get into blockchain and crypto-enabled solutions, you won't want to miss this discussion.

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With 2025 on the horizon, economic uncertainty looms. Will the world economy finds its balance, or are we still bracing for the next curve?

If real wage growth falters, consumer spending could take a hit. Businesses need to be prepared for shifts in consumer behavior and tighten their risk management focus.

This week, we're sharing our recent FinTech Talk with host Charles Orton-Jones of Business Insider, where we explore:

Hear from Macro analyst Boris Kovacevic and FX Analyst George Vessey on how to prepare for the year ahead.