Welcome to another insightful episode of the Dave and Dharm Demystify podcast. In this week, Dave and Dharm take an in depth look into the rapidly evolving world of Artificial Intelligence with expert guest, Dr. Charleyne Biondi from Moody’s, who specialises in blockchain and AI developments.

Dr Biondi shares invaluable insights from Moody’s recent 2025 AI Outlook report, highlighting how AI is no longer just about enhancing productivity—it's now a critical strategic measure shaping the future competitiveness of companies and governments worldwide.

From discussing global regulatory fragmentation and the astonishing pace of AI innovation, to the geopolitical implications of China's advancements, this episode underscores why understanding and harnessing AI technology is essential for staying ahead in the digital age. Whether you're a business leader, policymaker, or simply curious about the transformative impact of AI, this conversation offers an essential perspective on the strategic importance of artificial intelligence today.

Welcome to another deep dive into the world of quantum computing! In this episode, Dave sits down with Yuval Boger, Chief Commercial Officer of QuEra Computing, to explore quantum technology's fundamentals, breakthroughs, and real-world applications.

Yuval demystifies the core principles of quantum computers—how qubits exist in multiple states simultaneously, unlocking computational advantages that classical computers simply can’t match. He explains the different approaches to quantum computing, with a focus on Quera’s cutting-edge use of neutral atoms and laser tweezers to manipulate rubidium atoms for advanced computations.

The conversation delves into how quantum computing is set to revolutionise industries, tackling complex optimisation problems, simulations, and machine learning tasks that were previously impossible to solve. Yuval also shares insights into practical applications in financial services, energy optimisation, and beyond—where quantum’s power is already making an impact.

And it doesn’t stop there. We explore scalability, energy efficiency, and the future potential of quantum systems. Plus, Yuval discusses Quera’s cloud-based access, collaboration projects, and how organisations can integrate quantum computing into their own infrastructure.

Finally, we reflect on the evolution of quantum computing—from a theoretical concept to a game-changing strategic technology.

So, if you’re curious about where quantum is headed and what it means for the future of computing, this is an episode you won’t want to miss!

In this episode we are joined by the brilliant and always insightful Leda Glyptis. Leda is celebrating the launch of her latest book, Beyond Resilience, and we’re diving deep into the ideas behind it.

From the staggering failure rates of digital ventures to the patterns of success that go beyond sheer resilience, Leda shares her journey of researching and interviewing industry leaders to uncover what truly makes businesses thrive.

We explore the importance of intentionality, the hidden costs of success, and why taking time to think—despite the relentless pace of fintech and digital transformation—is more critical than ever. Whether you're an entrepreneur, a corporate leader, or just fascinated by the mechanics of success, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

In this episode, we demystify one of the biggest embedded finance deals in the UK! We sit down with Andy Ellis, CEO of NatWest Boxed, to explore its groundbreaking partnership with the AA, one of the country's most trusted brands.

This strategic collaboration is set to revolutionise how financial services are embedded within everyday journeys, making banking and insurance seamless for millions of AA members. Andy shares insider insights on what makes this partnership unique, the challenges of embedding financial products, and how this signals a significant shift in the industry.

We also discuss:

> How embedded finance is redefining customer experiences

> Why partnerships like this are shaping the future of fintech

> The evolution of financial services beyond traditional banking

If you're interested in the future of finance, embedded, and digital transformation, this episode is a must-listen. Tune in now and discover how embedded finance is driving (ho ho) innovation like never before!

In this episode, Dave and Dharm sit down with Tom Eyre, Co-CEO and Co-Founder of Loqbox, a company on a mission to improve financial wellbeing through credit building and education.

Since launching in 2017, Loqbox has helped over 1,000,000 individuals build credit histories and financial resilience. Tom takes us behind the scenes, sharing the inspiration behind Loqbox—born from personal experiences with credit challenges—and its evolution from Credit Improver to a financial lifeline for thousands.

Tom demystifies the complexities of credit scoring, the impact of modern financial trends like Buy Now Pay Later, and how Loqbox is bridging the gap between perceived and actual financial capability. Plus, Tom shares insights into the role of AI in financial autonomy, the importance of understanding your financial personality, and how Loqbox’s products and the recently launched Nooli app are reshaping financial education.

Tune is and hear about Loqbox’s marketing strategies, their long-term vision, and what’s next for the future of financial wellbeing.

In this episode, we welcome Khaled Talhouni, Managing Partner, Nuwa Capital, who shares insights into his 17-year journey as a venture capitalist focusing on emerging markets, particularly in the Middle East. Khalid discusses the establishment of Nuwa Capital in 2021, its $100 million early-stage fund, and its significant investment in FinTech, which accounts for 30% of their portfolio.

Khaled explains the unbanked nature of the region and the opportunities for parallel financial systems and showcases successful investments like the BNPL company Tabby.

He demystifies Nuwa Capital's themes, including solving big problems like invoice ageing and consumer credit access.

Khalid also touches upon the regulatory challenges of expanding FinTech across the GCC, the potential impact of technologies like AI and crypto, and the evolving socio-economic landscape in the Middle East.

The conversation concludes with a discussion on how regional developments could foster future economic growth.

Welcome to the latest episode of the Dave and Dharm Demystified Podcast, where we dive deep into the world of innovation and emerging technologies.

Today, we’re thrilled to be joined by Steve Suarez, CEO of Horizon X and former Head of Innovation at HSBC, who is helping shape the future of quantum computing in financial services.

Steve brings unparalleled insight into the transformative power of quantum, sharing his work on cutting-edge initiatives like The Quantum Innovation Index, which ranks industries and institutions on their quantum readiness, and his collaboration with MIT on accessible quantum courses for business leaders.

In this episode, we’ll explore:

> Why 2025 is a pivotal year for quantum preparation.

>The urgency of post-quantum cryptography (PQC) and how to safeguard against Q-Day.

> How the newly launched Quantum Innovation Index can help industries benchmark their progress in adopting this game-changing technology.

>The practical steps financial institutions can take today to stay ahead in the quantum race, such as getting educated about the subject!

Steve’s passion for quantum isn’t just about the technology—it’s about building a bridge between quantum’s potential and real-world applications. Whether you’re a fintech innovator or a banking executive, this episode will leave you with actionable insights on preparing for the quantum revolution.

So, sit back and join us as we demystify quantum computing with one of the leading voices in the field. Let’s dive in!

Quantum Innovation Index: https://thequantumindex.com/

MIT XPro: https://learn-xpro.mit.edu/horizonx

In this episode, Hans Tesselaar, Executive Director of Banking Industry Architecture Network (BIAN) and Saket Sinha, Sr. Partner & Global Vice President - Financial Services IBM, explain the role and impact of BIAN in the financial industry.

They introduce the organisation as a not-for-profit standards body to make the financial industry more agile and standardised.

They discuss IBM's collaboration with BIAN to convert legacy banking systems into modern architectures using common standards.

Hans and Saket elaborate on how ΒIΑΝ's framework, which includes a "periodic table" of financial components and common APIs, helps banks and fintechs seamlessly integrate and innovate. Highlights include the analogy of BIAN's components to a periodic table and real-life AI use cases that showcase the practical applications of BIAN standards.

Both guests emphasise the importance of adopting common standards for efficient financial integration and future advancements such as embedded finance and Gen AI.

In this episode, we demystify the Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA) and explore why it matters for financial institutions.

Joining us are cybersecurity and cloud experts Simon Phillips (CTO, SecureAck) and Alex Tasioulis (Cloudified.io), who shed light on the regulation’s core requirements and practical implications.

Key insights from our discussion include:

> What DORA really entails for banks and fintechs ahead of the January 2025 deadline

> Why references to “reasonable” controls can create ambiguity—and the challenges this poses

> How the regulation impacts far more than just banks, extending throughout the entire digital supply chain

> Real-world examples of why digital resilience is crucial, from major outages to cybersecurity breaches

> Practical tips for achieving compliance without imposing overly restrictive processes.

Whether you’re leading a fintech firm, working in financial services, or simply eager to strengthen digital resilience, this episode offers valuable guidance on preparing for DORA compliance.

In this episode, we revisit Monument Bank's journey and uncover a significant transformation.

Joined by Steve Britain, CEO of Monument Technology, we explore the split between Monument Bank and its new tech-focused sibling, Monument Technology.

Steve shares insights into how Monument Bank's cutting-edge, cloud-native platform, a system designed specifically for the cloud, powers the bank and attracts interest from global institutions seeking to modernise their operations.

We discuss:

> The bank's rapid growth and its innovative focus on the mass-affluent market.

> The creation of Monument Technology as a standalone company and its first client, Ecology Building Society.

> Why flexibility, modularity, and cloud-native design are the future of banking platforms.

> How Monument is poised to scale beyond the UK, targeting credit unions, building societies, and community banks worldwide.

This episode is packed with insights on tech evolution in financial services, the challenges of digital transformation, and the promising role of platforms in not just changing, but shaping the future of banking—a must-listen for anyone interested in fintech, innovation, and the intersection of banking and technology.

🎧 Tune in to learn how Monument is setting a new benchmark for modern banking solutions.