What does it take to build a fintech movement in the Middle East?

This week on FUMO, we sit down with Nameer Khan, the driving force behind MENA Fintech Association — the region’s most influential fintech network. 💥

We dive into:

How to build ecosystems from scratch 🌍

The mindset needed to unite founders, regulators, and investors 🤝

Why MENA is exploding with fintech potential 🚀

Lessons from launching multiple ventures and shaping policy at scale 🧠

Whether you're a fintech founder, investor, or just curious about how financial systems are evolving — this one’s for you.

🎧 Tune in now to get behind the scenes with one of the region’s most powerful ecosystem builders.

#Fintech #MENA #Startups #FounderJourney #FUMOPodcast #NameerKhan #MiddleEastTech

Join hosts Ronit Ghose and Gaurav Dhar as they sit down with Ahmed Al Naqbi, CEO of Emirates Development Bank — the man behind the UAE’s boldest $30 billion bet on the future.

In this episode, Ahmed reveals how EDB is rewriting the playbook on government-backed finance: zero-collateral funding, rapid approvals, and a laser focus on AI, biotech, space, and advanced manufacturing. If you’re a founder, this is your roadmap to unlocking capital in the UAE.

We get into how EDB thinks like a VC, not a traditional bank — and why Ahmed is on a mission to fund the builders of tomorrow. He shares what startups get wrong when pitching, the power of sovereign backing, and how EDB is fast becoming the Gulf’s answer to Silicon Valley Bank.

🎧 Tune in to discover how the UAE is financing its next economic leap — and why EDB might just be the most founder-friendly bank in the region.

#startups #UAE #VC #innovation #futureofwork #manufacturing #AI

🎙 Scaling Smart: Fintech Lessons from Europe to Saudi Arabia

What separates productive fear from paralysing doubt when you're building at speed? How do you launch fintech propositions across borders, and make decisions with clarity under pressure?

Join Ronit Ghose and Gaurav Dhar as they sit down with Sophie Guibaud, B2B fintech entrepreneur, advisor, and Co-Chair of the MENA Fintech Association (Saudi chapter), for a high-velocity episode of FUMO: Future of Money. Now based in Riyadh, Sophie shares candid, rapid-fire lessons from over 15 years in fintech, from scaling financial services across Europe to advising founders around the world.

With deep experience in regulated banking, embedded finance, and Web 2.5/crypto rails, she unpacks what it really takes to build smart, fast, and with focus.

🎧 In this episode:

🚀 From Rocket Internet to regulated banking across borders

🌍 Why Saudi Arabia is becoming fintech’s most dynamic frontier

⚙️ Real-world use cases for crypto rails (beyond speculation)

🤖 Gen Z vs Gen X: how different generations approach AI

🧠 Founder mindset: when fear sharpens you — and when it clouds your vision📊 Prioritizing when everything screams “urgent”

#ai #podcast #fintech #web3 #crypto #saudiarabia #business #entrepreneur #web3community #founder #millionaire #billions #bitcoin

Join hosts Ronit Ghose and Gaurav Dhar as they sit down with Serena from PwC—one of the sharpest voices shaping digital assets, blockchain regulation, and crypto compliance across MENA.

From stablecoins to startup strategy, she breaks down how the UAE is becoming the world’s sandbox for Web3, and why traditional finance is finally embracing tokenization, transparency, and digital innovation.

We explore:

🪙 The real impact of stablecoins & local currency-backed tokens

🏛 How regulation is accelerating digital asset adoption

🌐 Why the UAE is emerging as the global hub for Web3

🏗️ What fintech founders need to know to launch & scale

🤝 The new dynamics between banks, regulators & crypto platforms

🎧 Tune in to discover how MENA is shaping the next chapter of global finance.

From the heart of TradFi in Hong Kong to the frontier of digital assets in Abu Dhabi — meet Usman Ahmad, CEO of Zodia Markets, in our latest podcast episode!

We dive into:

💼 His rise through traditional finance powerhouses

🌐 The big pivot to crypto & digital assets

🇦🇪 Why the UAE is the next big thing for institutional crypto

🏗️ What it really takes to build a regulated digital asset platform from the ground up

If you’re into the future of finance, global markets, and bold career moves — this one’s for you.

🎧 Listen now, then drop your thoughts👇

📍Would you make the jump from TradFi to crypto?

📍Is Abu Dhabi one of the new global crypto capital?

#ZodiaMarkets #CryptoCEO #TradFiToDeFi #DigitalAssets #Fintech #UAEFinance #PodcastDrop #AbuDhabiCrypto #FutureOfFinance #Zodia #UsmanAhmad

tokenisedJoin hosts Ronit Ghose and Gaurav Dhar as they sit down with Ken Chapman, ex-U.S. military paratrooper and Head of US at XDC Network.

In this episode, Ken shares his remarkable journey—from serving in the U.S. military to working at J.P. Morgan, Bridgewater Associates, Wells Fargo, and Anchorage Digital, before making the leap into blockchain. Hear how he chose crypto over a sports car, and how his viral showdown with USAA highlighted the chilling effects of U.S. banking restrictions on digital assets.

We dive into Operation Chokepoint 2.0, crypto’s policy comeback in Washington, and the real-world impact of the CB 121 bulletin on banking. Ken also unpacks how XDC Network is quietly powering billions in tokenized assets globally — including deals involving BlackRock, Fidelity, and State Street.

🎧 Tune in to uncover the future of crypto policy, tokenisation, and why a community bank in Oklahoma might just be the most crypto-friendly in America.

JJoin hosts Ronit Ghose and Gaurav Dhar as they sit down with Ken Chapman, ex-U.S. military paratrooper and Head of US at XDC Network.

In this episode, Ken shares his remarkable journey—from serving in the U.S. military to working at J.P. Morgan, Bridgewater Associates, Wells Fargo, and Anchorage Digital, before making the leap into blockchain. Hear how he chose crypto over a sports car, and how his viral showdown with USAA highlighted the chilling effects of U.S. banking restrictions on digital assets.

We dive into Operation Chokepoint 2.0, crypto’s policy comeback in Washington, and the real-world impact of the CB 121 bulletin on banking. Ken also unpacks how XDC Network is quietly powering billions in tokenized assets globally — including deals involving BlackRock, Fidelity, and State Street.

🎧 Tune in to uncover the future of crypto policy, tokenization, and why a community bank in Oklahoma might just be the most crypto-friendly in America.

Join hosts Ronit Ghose and Gaurav Dhar as they sit down with Munaf Ali, founder and CEO of Phoenix Group, the UAE’s largest homegrown crypto mining company.

In this episode, Munaf shares his unlikely journey—from a traditional banker and luxury real estate developer to a crypto pioneer mining thousands of bitcoins and building the region’s biggest data centres. Discover how a chance encounter with a 21-year-old changed the course of his career, what it takes to run a mining empire, and why Phoenix is leading the charge in Web3 infrastructure across the Middle East and beyond.Recorded shortly after Phoenix Group’s historic IPO on the Abu Dhabi Stock Exchange, this episode is a must-listen for anyone curious about crypto’s real-world potential.

🎧 Tune in to uncover the future of crypto, mining, and Web3 in the region and beyond!

#Bitcoin #Crypto #DataCentres #AI #UAE #Billions

Join host Ronit Ghose as he dives into a powerful conversation with Gaurav Dhar, CEO of Marshal FinTech Partners and one of the most prolific fintech investors in the MENA region.In this episode, Gaurav shares his journey from entrepreneur to backing 600+ fintech startups, building billions in economic value, and shaping the future of finance through AI, blockchain, and visionary investing.From scaling early-stage ventures to driving policy and innovation, this episode is packed with insights for founders, investors, and anyone passionate about the intersection of technology and finance.🎙️ In partnership with CFTE, myco.io, and MENA Fintech Association, and proudly sponsored by Aquanow and XDC Network.🔍 Tune in to discover what’s next for fintech, investing, and the digital economy!

Join hosts Ronit Ghose and Gaurav Dhar as they dive into a compelling conversation with Paolo, Global Research Lead at IBM, about the future of banking, fintech, and AI-driven financial transformation.In this episode, Paolo explores how AI is reshaping modern finance, the impact of fintech on traditional banking, and the key trends driving the next evolution of financial services. Gain valuable insights into what financial institutions must do to stay competitive in an era of digital disruption.In partnership with CFTE, myco.io & MENA Fintech Association, and sponsored by Aquanow and XDC Network.🔍 Tune in to uncover what’s next for banking, fintech, and the future of finance!