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 episode:
- Why full core replacement is a myth — and composability is the real unlock
- How to modernize without breaking everything (or everyone)
- What it takes to scale infra platforms into the GCC
- Where AI fits in — and where it doesn’t
- Why institutional banking might be the biggest opportunity for transformation

If you’re in banking, infra, SaaS, or scaling into MENA, this episode is required listening.

#couchonomicswitharjun  #CoreBanking #BankingInfrastructure #DigitalBanking #ComposableInfra #Fintech #MENA #GCCStartups #AIinBanking #Tuum #FutureOfFinance #BankTech #SaaS #Leadership

Couchonomics with Arjun Season 04 is brought to you by our partners:
Adyen https://www.adyen.com/
Thunes https://thunes.com/
Mastercard https://mastercard.com/
E& https://www.eand.com/
Digit9 https://www.digitnine.com/
SC Ventures https://scventures.io/
Hala https://hala.com/

Find us on our social media platforms:
Arjun's LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjunvirsingh/
Couchonomics LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/couchonomics-with-arjun-singh/
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/couchonomics/
Twitter https://twitter.com/Arjun_Vir_Singh?s=20
TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@couchonomics

Subscribe to Arjun's LinkedIn newsletter, Couchonomics Crunch: https://bit.ly/3WI4A6E

00:00 Episode Highlights
01:59 Myles' Journey to Estonia
02:58 The Story of TOMB
05:40 Challenges and Trends in Banking
10:18 Cloud and Banking Infrastructure
15:17 Complexity in Banking Systems
20:03 Regulatory and Cultural Challenges
25:38 Competitive Landscape in Core Banking
26:41 Banking as a Service Evolution
27:45 Challenges and Opportunities in the Market
29:46 The Role of Technology Providers
31:20 Core Banking and Integration Strategies
40:03 AI in Banking: Potential and Challenges
45:57 Cultural Shifts and Technological Adoption
49:12 Regional Focus and Future Plans
51:25 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Our website 👉 https://bit.ly/3jk7UH0

Find us on our social media platforms:

• Arjun's LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjunvirsingh/
• CCN LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/couchonomics-with-arjun-singh/
• Instagram https://www.instagram.com/couchonomics/
• Twitter https://twitter.com/Arjun_Vir_Singh?s=20
• TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@couchonomics

Subscribe to Arjun's LinkedIn newsletter, Couchonomics Crunch: https://bit.ly/3WI4A6E

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 cover:
🛋️ Why Augmentum chose public markets over LP cycles
🛋️ The real story behind growth-at-all-costs and its fallout
🛋️ Why the GCC is becoming central to Augmentum’s investment strategy
🛋️ What it takes to stay relevant when the hype fades

🎧 Now streaming on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.


Couchonomics with Arjun Season 04 is brought to you by our partners:
Adyen https://www.adyen.com/
Thunes https://thunes.com/
Mastercard https://mastercard.com/
E& https://www.eand.com/
Digit9 https://www.digitnine.com/
SC Ventures https://scventures.io/
Hala https://hala.com/

Find us on our social media platforms:
Arjun's LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjunvirsingh/
Couchonomics LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/couchonomics-with-arjun-singh/
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/couchonomics/
Twitter https://twitter.com/Arjun_Vir_Singh?s=20
TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@couchonomics

Subscribe to Arjun's LinkedIn newsletter, Couchonomics Crunch: https://bit.ly/3WI4A6E

Chapters:
00:00 – Episode Highlights
02:45 – Why Augmentum chose to go public
06:10 – Permanent capital vs traditional VC fundraising
10:25 – What LPs and public shareholders want in today’s market
13:55 – How Augmentum balances patient capital with fintech agility
17:20 – The post-2021 correction: resetting the fintech ecosystem
21:40 – Fintech infrastructure or B2C buzz: where the real value is now
25:00 – Operator-led investing and what it means for founders
29:15 – What makes a good VC-founder relationship
33:40 – Augmentum’s evolving interest in the Middle East
37:00 – Dubai and GCC as emerging fintech investment hubs
41:30 – Tim’s take on profitability vs scale in VC
45:05 – Outlook for fintech in the next 3–5 years
48:50 – Closing reflections and final takeaways

Our website 👉 https://bit.ly/3jk7UH0

Find us on our social media platforms:

• Arjun's LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjunvirsingh/
• CCN LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/couchonomics-with-arjun-singh/
• Instagram https://www.instagram.com/couchonomics/
• Twitter https://twitter.com/Arjun_Vir_Singh?s=20
• TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@couchonomics

Subscribe to Arjun's LinkedIn newsletter, Couchonomics Crunch: https://bit.ly/3WI4A6E

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 now powering next-gen banking infrastructure globally.

We cover:
- How Salt Bank launched in under 12 months
- Why most “modern” stacks still act like legacy
- Where AI adds real value in banking
- Why cost-to-serve is the new frontline
- What it means to localise for the GCC

Engine isn’t theory — it’s the tech behind Starling Bank’s success.

📍🎧 Listen now on Spotify, YouTube & Apple Podcasts.


Couchonomics with Arjun Season 04 is brought to you by our partners:
Adyen https://www.adyen.com/
Thunes https://thunes.com/
Mastercard https://mastercard.com/
E& https://www.eand.com/
Digit9 https://www.digitnine.com/
SC Ventures https://scventures.io/
Hala https://hala.com/

Chapters:
00:00 Episode Highlights
01:07Introduction
01:15 Meet Nick Drewett and Engine
01:53 The Story of Starling Bank
02:23 Starling Bank's Success and Customer Service
05:50 Introduction to Engine
08:12 Engine's Global Expansion
13:40 Case Study: Salt Bank in Romania
20:15 Case Study: AMP Bank in Australia
21:55 The Value of Banking Relationships
22:52 Competition and Mobile App Strategy
24:16 Global Banking Challenges and Localization
26:40 Trust and Managed Services
30:15 Technology and Banking as a Service
38:34 Growth and Expansion Plans
41:36 Final Thoughts and Future of Banking

Our website 👉 https://bit.ly/3jk7UH0

Find us on our social media platforms:

• Arjun's LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjunvirsingh/
• CCN LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/couchonomics-with-arjun-singh/
• Instagram https://www.instagram.com/couchonomics/
• Twitter https://twitter.com/Arjun_Vir_Singh?s=20
• TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@couchonomics

Subscribe to Arjun's LinkedIn newsletter, Couchonomics Crunch: https://bit.ly/3WI4A6E

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 serve the segment banks continue to overlook.

In this conversation, we explore:
 • What SME lending looks like on the ground in the GCC
 • Why Beehive shifted from peer-to-peer to institutional capital
 • How investor appetite is changing, from family offices to global VCs
 • The practical role of AI in credit decisioning
 • Beehive’s plans for expansion into Saudi Arabia, Oman, and more

📌 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube.

#CouchonomicsWithArjun #SMELending #Fintech #DigitalBanking #MiddleEastFintech #AltCredit #VentureCapital #GCCStartups #FinancialInclusion #FounderVoices

Couchonomics with Arjun Season 04 is brought to you by our partners:
Adyen https://www.adyen.com/
Thunes https://thunes.com/
Mastercard https://mastercard.com/
E& https://www.eand.com/
Digit9 https://www.digitnine.com/
SC Ventures https://scventures.io/
Hala https://hala.com/


Find us on our social media platforms:
Arjun's LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjunvirsingh/
Couchonomics LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/couchonomics-with-arjun-singh/
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/couchonomics/
Twitter https://twitter.com/Arjun_Vir_Singh?s=20
TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@couchonomics

Subscribe to Arjun's LinkedIn newsletter, Couchonomics Crunch: https://bit.ly/3WI4A6E

Chapters:
00:00 Episode Highlights
00:50 Intro
01:37 Beehive's Origin and Mission
04:22 Challenges in SME Lending
12:45 Technology's Role in Lending
15:08 Beehive's Evolution and Strategy
21:29 Competitive Landscape and Future Outlook
30:11 The SME Lending Landscape
30:43 Challenges and Competition in SME Lending
31:42 Significant Milestones and Growth
33:16 BNPL and Merchant Lending
35:46 Investment and Corporate Dynamics
40:53 Embracing AI and Technology
44:21 Blockchain and Tokenization
47:09 Regional Expansion and Market Strategies
51:34 Future Vision and Focus
55:40 Final Thoughts

Our website 👉 https://bit.ly/3jk7UH0

Find us on our social media platforms:

• Arjun's LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjunvirsingh/
• CCN LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/couchonomics-with-arjun-singh/
• Instagram https://www.instagram.com/couchonomics/
• Twitter https://twitter.com/Arjun_Vir_Singh?s=20
• TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@couchonomics

Subscribe to Arjun's LinkedIn newsletter, Couchonomics Crunch: https://bit.ly/3WI4A6E

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 infrastructure
- Emerging tech hubs across Japan, MENA, Southeast Asia

Plus, Devin shares what conviction really looks like in a post-hype market — and why MENA founders are ones to watch.

No pitch decks. No jargon. Just a candid chat about cycles, conviction, and building through uncertainty.

🎧 Episode now live on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.

Couchonomics with Arjun Season 04 is brought to you by our partners:
Adyen https://www.adyen.com/
Thunes https://thunes.com/
Mastercard https://mastercard.com/
E& https://www.eand.com/
Digit9 https://www.digitnine.com/
SC Ventures https://scventures.io/
Hala https://hala.com/

chapters:
00:00 Episode Highlights
00:51 Introduction
02:01 State of the Nation: VC Insights for 2023 and Beyond
02:52 Impact of Global Events on VC and Startups
13:43 The Genesis and Philosophy of Outward VC
22:20 Challenges and Success Stories in VC Investments
30:05 Key Qualities and Red Flags in Founders
31:01 Identifying Key Qualities in Founders
33:26 Quantitative Aspects of Evaluating Founders
34:02 Emerging Sectors and Avoiding Herd Mentality
35:15 Focus on Wealth Tech and Asset Management
44:07 Challenges and Opportunities in Europe and the UK
51:37 Middle East as a Growing Hub for FinTech
54:12 Concluding Thoughts and Future Prospects

Our website 👉 https://bit.ly/3jk7UH0

Find us on our social media platforms:

• Arjun's LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjunvirsingh/
• CCN LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/couchonomics-with-arjun-singh/
• Instagram https://www.instagram.com/couchonomics/
• Twitter https://twitter.com/Arjun_Vir_Singh?s=20
• TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@couchonomics

Subscribe to Arjun's LinkedIn newsletter, Couchonomics Crunch: https://bit.ly/3WI4A6E

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 globally.
This isn’t hype. This is hard-earned traction.  We break down regulation, scale, AI-native banks & why incumbents can't keep up.

If you want to understand the next decade of retail banking — this is the conversation.

📺 Watch the full episode now on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.


Couchonomics with Arjun Season 04 is brought to you by our partners:
Adyen https://www.adyen.com/
Thunes https://thunes.com/
Mastercard https://mastercard.com/
E& https://www.eand.com/
Digit9 https://www.digitnine.com/
SC Ventures https://scventures.io/
Hala https://hala.com/

Chapters:
00:00 Episode Highlights
01:00 Introduction to the Guest and Tyme Group
01:46 Overview of Tyme Bank's Operations
02:46 The Growth of Digital Banking
04:33 Challenges and Failures in Digital Banking
08:54 Secrets to Tyme Bank's Success
16:28 Future Plans and Strategies
22:29 The Role of Digital Banks in the Financial Ecosystem
25:14 The Future of Digital Banks
27:10 Investor and Regulatory Perspectives
29:51 Challenges for Traditional Banks
39:38 Emerging Technologies and Their Impact
45:26 The Importance of Ecosystems
49:15 Future Expansion Plans

Our website 👉 https://bit.ly/3jk7UH0

Find us on our social media platforms:

• Arjun's LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjunvirsingh/
• CCN LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/couchonomics-with-arjun-singh/
• Instagram https://www.instagram.com/couchonomics/
• Twitter https://twitter.com/Arjun_Vir_Singh?s=20
• TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@couchonomics

Subscribe to Arjun's LinkedIn newsletter, Couchonomics Crunch: https://bit.ly/3WI4A6E

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 sectors
 💡 Regulator-respecting fintech
 🇸🇦 Why the GCC is ripe for bold ideas

Watch to learn why SCV isn’t your typical corporate venture arm — and how it’s building businesses that matter.

🎧 Watch now on YouTube or listen on all podcasting platforms! 



Couchonomics with Arjun Season 04 is brought to you by our partners:
Adyen https://www.adyen.com/
Thunes https://thunes.com/
Mastercard https://mastercard.com/
E& https://www.eand.com/
Digit9 https://www.digitnine.com/
SC Ventures https://scventures.io/
Hala https://hala.com/




chapters:
00:00 Episode Highlight
00:49 Welcome to Season Four
01:13 Introducing Gautam Jain and SC Ventures
01:59 Understanding SE Ventures
04:29 The Importance of Mindset Shift in Banking
06:17 Challenges and Strategies in Innovation
20:04 The Role of Ecosystem Collaboration
24:26 Balancing Risk, Regulation, and Innovation
27:10 The Importance of People in Business
27:54 The Changing Landscape of Financial Services
28:46 Big Disruptive Trends and Technologies
30:32 Globalization and Digital Assets
31:38 Sustainability and Financial Inclusion
34:43 Adapting to Ambiguity and Change
37:54 Global Expansion and Market Dynamics
42:37 Investment Strategies and Risk Appetite
49:31 Future Vision for SE Ventures
52:40 Final Thoughts

Our website 👉 https://bit.ly/3jk7UH0

Find us on our social media platforms:

• Arjun's LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjunvirsingh/
• CCN LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/couchonomics-with-arjun-singh/
• Instagram https://www.instagram.com/couchonomics/
• Twitter https://twitter.com/Arjun_Vir_Singh?s=20
• TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@couchonomics

Subscribe to Arjun's LinkedIn newsletter, Couchonomics Crunch: https://bit.ly/3WI4A6E

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. 
Tune in and join the conversation as we decode the future of finance together. 

Our website 👉 https://bit.ly/3jk7UH0

Find us on our social media platforms:

• Arjun's LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjunvirsingh/
• CCN LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/couchonomics-with-arjun-singh/
• Instagram https://www.instagram.com/couchonomics/
• Twitter https://twitter.com/Arjun_Vir_Singh?s=20
• TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@couchonomics

Subscribe to Arjun's LinkedIn newsletter, Couchonomics Crunch: https://bit.ly/3WI4A6E

Re-architecting Finance with Blockchain - Not Just Hype, But Real-World Infrastructure

We’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 beyond the buzzwords to talk about what it really takes to rewire the plumbing of global finance.

It’s a fascinating conversation about the real challenges — and opportunities — in transforming the global financial infrastructure.
🎧 Tune in now on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Stable Coins and Liquidity
00:20 Welcome to Couch Genomics
00:52 Introducing Navin Male and Connexus
01:23 The Genesis of Connexus and Onyx
03:48 Exploring Digital Assets and Payments
06:15 Stable Coins vs. Commercial Bank Money
09:23 Connexus' Global Footprint and Innovations
11:52 Regulatory Challenges and Innovations
19:03 Collaborations and Future Plans
21:54 Conclusion and Farewell

Our website 👉 https://bit.ly/3jk7UH0

Find us on our social media platforms:

• Arjun's LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjunvirsingh/
• CCN LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/couchonomics-with-arjun-singh/
• Instagram https://www.instagram.com/couchonomics/
• Twitter https://twitter.com/Arjun_Vir_Singh?s=20
• TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@couchonomics

Subscribe to Arjun's LinkedIn newsletter, Couchonomics Crunch: https://bit.ly/3WI4A6E

Redefining Microfinance — With Feet on the Ground & Fire in the Belly
What 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 throughout the Global South.

 As for Gojo? Many are calling it the “private sector’s answer to the World Bank” — and it’s easy to see why.

Tune in to the special series of Couchonomics with Arjun, which was recorded in Tokyo with the help of the GFTN Forum Japan. Available now on YouTube and all podcasting platforms!

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction and Welcome
01:09 Meet Tahin: A Stateless Entrepreneur
03:01 Journey to Financial Inclusion
05:19 Founding Go J: The Private Sector World Bank
08:12 Challenges and Strategies in Microfinance
10:29 Technology and Customer Acquisition
14:05 Role of Regulators and Major Banks
17:50 Investor Relations and Capital Structure
22:46 Future Plans and Expansion
24:16 Conclusion and Farewell

Our website 👉 https://bit.ly/3jk7UH0

Find us on our social media platforms:

• Arjun's LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjunvirsingh/
• CCN LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/couchonomics-with-arjun-singh/
• Instagram https://www.instagram.com/couchonomics/
• Twitter https://twitter.com/Arjun_Vir_Singh?s=20
• TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@couchonomics

Subscribe to Arjun's LinkedIn newsletter, Couchonomics Crunch: https://bit.ly/3WI4A6E