Couchonomics with Arjun

Welcome to a new episode of Couchonomics with Arjun! This week, we're diving into Banking as a Service (BaaS) with Kelvin Tan, CEO of Audax.

Kelvin shares insights on Audax’s “bank in a box” solution, helping banks scale and modernize rapidly. We discuss the potential and challenges of BaaS, open banking, and the future of embedded finance. Don't miss this insightful conversation on digital banking!

Couchonomics with Arjun Season 3 is brought to you by our partners:

Adyen https://www.adyen.com/

ToYou https://toyou.io/ar

Mastercard https://mastercard.com/

Geidea https://geidea.net/

M2P https://m2pfintech.com/

Find us on our social media platforms:

Arjun's LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjunvirsingh/

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Twitter https://twitter.com/Arjun_Vir_Singh?s=20

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Time stamps: 

00:00 - Episode highlights  

00:53 - Introduction  

01:35 - The story of Audax  

08:06 - BaaS  

12:51 - Challenges with BaaS  

22:59 - Adopting BaaS  

25:10 - Open Banking and BaaS  

27:40 - Embedded finance  

33:05 - Regulators  

34:52 - Audax and banks' relationship  

36:42 - Partnerships and orchestration  

40:28 - Market focus  

45:07 - Learnings for banks embarking on BaaS  

47:29 - Closing words

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Innovation in banking is about more than just adopting new technology—it's about challenging traditional perceptions and rethinking everything from customer service to risk management to create more flexible, responsive, and personalized financial services. In this episode, I sit down with Karan Jain, founder and CEO of Naya One, to discuss how his company is revolutionizing the banking world.

We dive into topics such as challenges in financial innovation, the role of Naya One, the evolution of banking innovation, FinTech and bank relationships, and the VC and CVC landscape. Tune in to learn how Naya One is transforming financial innovation and what the future holds for fintech collaborations. Watch now and stay ahead in the world of banking and fintech!

#FinTech #DigitalAssets #Innovation #VC #CVC #Regulation #NayaOne #UK #UAE #Banks #FutureofFinance

Couchonomics with Arjun Season 3 is brought to you by our partners:
Adyen https://www.adyen.com/
ToYou https://toyou.io/ar
Mastercard https://mastercard.com/
Geidea https://geidea.net/
M2P https://m2pfintech.com/

Find us on our social media platforms:
Arjun's LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjunvirsingh/
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Time stamps: 
00:00 - Episode highlights
01:13 - Introduction
05:45 - Why banks underdeliver on ROI on innovation
08:01 - Digital transformation and continuous innovation
11:35 - How does Naya One approach culture problems
12:41 - Example of Naya One helping banks implement new technologies
18:36 - Helping banks develop criteria for assessing new technology
23:27 - Proof of concepts
25:44 - Impact on vendors
29:01 - Evolution of innovation in banking
33:25 - BaaS
37:04 - FinTech and banks relationship
41:41 - Are banks starting to use innovative platforms?
45:00 - Digital assets
46:07 - VCs and CVCs
48:51 - Differences between UK and US markets
52:47 - Regulatory sandboxes
55:37 - Closing words

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Welcome to the latest episode of Couchonomics with Arjun! In this episode, we have the privilege of hosting Ashraf Sabry, the visionary Founder and CEO of Fawry. Ashraf has transformed Fawry into a trailblazing fintech and one of the most successful startups in Africa. 
We covered a range of topics, including innovation in payments,the development of startups in Egypt, Fawry’s diversification strategy, and Ashraf’s personal philosophy and expansion plans for Fawry. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights from one of Africa's preeminent fintech leaders. 

#Couchonomics #Fintech #FinancialServices #Fawry #Egypt #Innovation #FutureofFinance #Insurance #Payments #FinancialInclusion


Couchonomics with Arjun Season 3 is brought to you by our partners:
Adyen https://www.adyen.com/
ToYou https://toyou.io/ar
Mastercard https://mastercard.com/
Geidea https://geidea.net/
M2P https://m2pfintech.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/
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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



Timestamps:
00:00 - Episode Highlights  
01:18 - Introduction  
02:47 - Fawry’s Beginnings  
06:57 - Managing Complexity in Business  
09:53 - Secret to Acquiring New Customers  
13:17 - The Importance of Trust  
16:28 - Banks and Fintech  
22:23 - Fintech Landscape in Egypt  
28:24 - Innovation in Egypt  
31:35 - What Will Trigger Greater Innovation in Egypt  
35:16 - Collaboration of Banks and Fintech  
37:31 - Technology in Egypt  
44:37 - Regulator's Mindset  
54:31 - Competition in the Market  
58:50 - How Does Fawry Keep Innovating  
01:01:00 - What’s Next for Fawry  
01:06:00 - Closing Words

Our website 👉 https://bit.ly/3jk7UH0

Find us on our social media platforms:

• Arjun's LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjunvirsingh/
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• Twitter https://twitter.com/Arjun_Vir_Singh?s=20
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We are talking about Digital Assets, DeFI and Crypto on Couchonomics with Arjun this week. Joining us on the couch is Nick Philpott, Co-Founder and Head of Partnerships at Zodia Markets by Standard Chartered & OSL. We had a very interesting conversation around #bitcoinhalving, #stablecoins, virtual-assets regulations, and tokenization of real-world assets, among other topics. Nick gave us insights into Zodia Markets' role as an OTC crypto brokerage serving institutional clients and their partnership with Standard Chartered.


#Couchonomics #Bitcoin #Cryptocurrency #fintech #CryptoInsights #Tokenization #blockchain #ethereum #digitalassets #defi #cbdcs #centralbanks #cryptoexchange #digitalcurrency 


Couchonomics with Arjun Season 3 is brought to you by our partners:
Adyen https://www.adyen.com/
ToYou https://toyou.io/ar
Mastercard https://mastercard.com/
Geidea https://geidea.net/
M2P https://m2pfintech.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
01:06 - Introduction
02:04 - Bitcoin Halving
06:23 - Influence of ETFs on market volume and trading patterns
08:08 - Introduction to Zodia Markets
16:50 - Partnership with Standard Chartered
23:27 - Regulatory Interpretation and Responsibility
26:51 - Seeking Regulation
29:47 - Industry Approaches to Regulation
32:36 - Potential Impact of CBDCs on cryptocurrency
35:29 - Stablecoins Use Cases
43:28 - Widespread Adoption of Stablecoins
49:31 - Tokenization of Real-World Assets
57:31 - What's Next for Zodia Markets
01:00:08 - Closing Words

Our website 👉 https://bit.ly/3jk7UH0

Find us on our social media platforms:

• Arjun's LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjunvirsingh/
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• Instagram https://www.instagram.com/couchonomics/
• Twitter https://twitter.com/Arjun_Vir_Singh?s=20
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In this episode of Couchonomics, we tackle the burning question: "Bitcoin in 2024: Boom or Bust?" Join us as we engage in a fascinating conversation with Stefan Kimmel, the CEO of M2, a crypto exchange, and investment platform regulated by the FSRA in Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM).

We dive deep into the world of cryptocurrency, exploring the intricate dynamics of Bitcoin, DeFi, and digital assets. Throughout our chat, we touch upon various topics, including market dynamics, product innovation, and future trends in the crypto space.

Don't miss out on this insightful discussion! 

Couchonomics with Arjun Season 3 is brought to you by our partners:
Adyen https://www.adyen.com/
ToYou https://toyou.io/ar
Mastercard https://mastercard.com/
Geidea https://geidea.net/
M2P https://m2pfintech.com/

Find us on our social media platforms:
Arjun's LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjunvirsingh/
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TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@couchonomics

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

Chapters:
00:00 - Episode Highlights
00:46 - Introduction
02:08 - Definition of digital assets
03:17 - Definition of DeFi
04:55 - Definition of Crypto
04:58 - Impact of regulation on decentralization 
08:04 - Introduction to M2
09:43 - Genesis of the business in Abu Dhabi
11:13 - Current landscape of digital asset companies in the Middle East
14:29 - Analog world's adoption of blockchain and DA
17:25 - What can accelerate the adoption of blockchain and DA
19:42 - Based in Abu Dhabi, having global reach
21:15 - How does M2 position itself differently
24:15 - Challenges and Opportunities in Crypto
25:15 - Crypto market growth and adoption
29:37 - Building innovative products 
34:32 - Payments and Adoption
37:37 - Customer Acquisition
40:36 - What does the ecosystem need to do differently?
41:17 - Legitimizing digital currency to invest in commodities
42:43 - Regulation and Technology Trends
47:08 - Global Talent Sourcing
47:49 - Regulation Prediction
49:40 - Keeping capital patient
52:13 - What will be the role of AI?
56:04 - B2B Partnerships and Market Expansion
58:00 - Advice for Crypto Trading Beginners
01:02:01 - Closing Words

Our website 👉 https://bit.ly/3jk7UH0

Find us on our social media platforms:

• Arjun's LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjunvirsingh/
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Welcome to a new episode of Couchonomics with Arjun!

Join Arjun as he explores Africa's dynamic startup scene and fintech landscape with Elias Yazbeck, Managing Director at Helios Investment Partners.
Discover key insights into Africa's market dynamics, challenges, and future trends in fintech. Elias also shares Helios Investment Partners' strategies and potential seismic shifts in private equity.
Topics covered include real-time payments, digital banking for SMEs, regulatory roles, entrepreneurship challenges, and Helios Investment's unique philosophy.

Tune in now for valuable insights! Watch the full episode on YouTube and major podcasting platforms.

Couchonomics with Arjun Season 3 is brought to you by our partners:
Adyen https://www.adyen.com/
ToYou https://toyou.io/ar
Mastercard https://mastercard.com/
Geidea https://geidea.net/
M2P https://m2pfintech.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

Timestamps:
 00:00 - Episode Highlight
 01:12 - Introduction
 02:10 - Overview of Helios Investment Partners
 06:10 - Africa's Diverse Startup Scene
 09:02 - Investing in Major African Markets and Market Dynamics
 11:48 - Key Sectors of Interest
18:18 - Africa-Specific Trends
 21:00 - The Role of Central Banks
 24:46 - Prevailing Trends in Private Equity
 31:41 - Shifts in the Private Equity Scene
 34:58 - The Next Phase of Africa's Entrepreneurial Ecosystem
 37:44 - Operational Challenges in Africa
 42:08 - Investment Focus and Social Impact
 46:51 - The Next Steps for Helios
 49:51 - Closing Words

Our website 👉 https://bit.ly/3jk7UH0

Find us on our social media platforms:

• Arjun's LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjunvirsingh/
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• Twitter https://twitter.com/Arjun_Vir_Singh?s=20
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Join Arjun on Couchonomics as we explore open banking and fintech in the GCC with Abdulla Almoayed, Founder & CEO of Tarabut. Discover the evolving landscape of financial services, BaaS, and gain insights into open banking.

We also delve into Tarabut's inspiration, GCC financial services, managed competition, challenges, and opportunities with open banking, BaaS integration, and accelerating digital adoption through fintech partnerships.

Watch now on YouTube and major podcast platforms! #Couchonomics #Fintech #OpenBanking #GCC #Tarabut

Couchonomics with Arjun Season 03 is brought to you by our partners:
Adyen https://www.adyen.com/
ToYou https://toyou.io/ar
Mastercard https://mastercard.com/
Geidea https://geidea.net/
M2P https://m2pfintech.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


time stamps:
- 00:00 - Episode highlights
- 01:42 - Introduction
- 02:43 - About Tarabut
- 05:50 - Fintech scene in the GCC region
- 11:40 - Free competition vs. managed competition
- 16:21 - Challenges with open banking
- 22:53 - Banks' reluctance to adopt new technology
- 30:25 - Regional nuances in financial markets
- 34:00 - Regulatory harmonization
- 38:40 - BaaS and open banking integration
- 47:16 - Third-party providers in BaaS
- 51:11 - Digital transformation challenges and strategies
- 57:00 - Future strategy for Tarabut
- 01:04:00 - Closing words

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, we delve into the crucial topic of mental health with Scott Armstrong, Founder & CEO of Mentl, a mental health advocacy platform. From workplace challenges to the impact of AI, we explore various facets of mental well-being in today's world. Tune in for insightful discussions on work-life balance, stress management, and more. Don't miss out on this important conversation!

#Couchonomics #MentalHealth #WorkLifeBalance #StressManagement #WellBeing #Podcast #LeadershipInsights


Timestamps:
00:00 - Episode Highlights
01:15 - Introduction
02:57 - Meet Mentl: Advocating Mental Health
03:53 - Scott’s Background Journey
05:22 - State of Mental Health in the Region
09:43 - Primary Drivers of Stress
14:33 - Traditional Work Culture vs. Modern Expectations
17:49 - Generation Gap in Work-Life Balance and Mental Health Attitudes
20:17 - Mental Health's Impact on Productivity
22:45 - Company Strategies for Employee Well-Being Investment
29:46 - Smart Mitigating Strategies for Well-Being
36:36 - Challenges Faced by Gen Z in the Workplace
41:22 - AI's Influence on Mental Health
56:14 - The Mental Health Crisis
58:16 - Addressing Mental Health Challenges and "Well-Washing"
1:02:00 - Closing 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
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Episode 5 of Season 3 is live now featuring Mounir Nakhla, Founder and CEO of MNT-Halan. Join us as we delve into the journey of MNT-Halan and the Egyptian fintech landscape. From ride-hailing to a financial super app, we cover it all in this insightful episode! Tune in for a glimpse into the world of fintech innovation!

#Fintech #MNTHalan #StartupJourney #couchonomics #tech #innovation #newepisode

Couchonomics with Arjun Season 3 is brought to you by our partners:
Adyen https://www.adyen.com/
ToYou https://toyou.io/ar
Mastercard https://mastercard.com/
Geidea https://geidea.net/
M2P https://m2pfintech.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

Timestamps:
 00:00 - Episode Highlights
 00:43 - Introduction
 02:00 - MNT-Halan's story
 05:23 - Creating a financial super app
 08:12 - What makes MNT-Halan great
 12:00 - Opportunities in the Egyptian market
 15:55 - Microloans and consumer loans
 18:58 - MNT-Halan's Impact on the Banking Sector
 21:35 - Fintech Ecosystem in Egypt
 24:36 - Impact of investors on startup direction
 26:13 - Regulatory landscape in Egypt
28:02 - Egyptian companies going across the borders
 32:02 - Opportunities of the Egyptian market for international fintech
 37:32 - Future plans and strategies for MNT-Halan
40:49 - Talent scarcity and AI
 42:00 - Closing words

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/
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🚀 Explore the world of Venture Capital with Khaled Talhouni, Managing Partner at Nuwa Capital, in Episode 4 of Couchonomics with Arjun! We cover topics like the State of Venture Capital in 2023, market dynamics, lessons learned by VCs, challenges and opportunities for women entrepreneurs, and more. Don’t miss this conversation full of invaluable insights. Tune in now!

Timestamps:

00:00 - Episode Highlights

00:32 - Introduction

01:25 - The State of VC in 2023

12:31 - Lessons Learned by VCs

14:21 - The Emergence of the Saudi Market

23:36 - Challenges and Opportunities in the Egyptian Market

29:00 - Exploring Different Investment Sectors

44:07 - Empowering Women Entrepreneurs Through Investment

55:54 - Inside Nuwa Capital

59:23 - Common Pitfalls for Startups

01:04:30 - Expectations and Predictions for 2024/25

01:08:56 - Closing Words

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/
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