While much of the financial world is racing to keep up with AI and the rapid institutionalisation of blockchain and crypto, another powerful technology has been quietly advancing in the background for decades — quantum computing.In this episode of the London Fintech Podcast, Tony Clark is joined by Christopher Jensen, Portfolio Manager & Director of Digital Asset Research at Franklin Templeton, to explore what quantum computing really is — and why it could have profound implications for digital assets, cryptography, and financial infrastructure.Franklin Templeton, one of the world’s most innovative asset managers with over $1 trillion in AUM, recently published a paper titled Digital Asset Security in the Quantum Era. Chris joins the podcast to unpack the research, explain the real risks quantum computing poses to today’s encryption standards, and outline how the industry can prepare for a post-quantum world.They discuss why Bitcoin’s quantum risk is concentrated in legacy address formats, how crypto-agility will create a new trust premium for assets and custodians, and why blockchain governance — not panic — is the key to navigating this transition. The conversation also explores smart contracts, post-quantum upgrades, and why the biggest systemic risk may be “harvest now, decrypt later.”The episode looks at how major financial institutions are already testing quantum-resistant approaches, why this shift may be comparable to Y2K or IPv6, and how the intersection of AI and quantum computing could accelerate change across financial markets faster than many expect.Whether you’re an investor, technologist, or finance leader, this episode offers a grounded, practical view of one of the most important — and least understood — risks facing digital finance.📌 Topics covered• What quantum computing is and why it matters for finance• How quantum machines threaten current cryptography• Bitcoin’s exposure via legacy address formats• Post-quantum cryptography and crypto-agility• Blockchain governance and upgrade coordination• Smart contracts and post-quantum migration• “Harvest now, decrypt later” risks• Institutional readiness and custody implications• AI, quantum, and the future of financial infrastructure• What investors should consider over the next 5–15 years🔗 Learn moreTony Clark: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tclark100/The London Fintech Podcast: https://londonfintechpodcast.comChristopher Jensen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopherjensen2001/Franklin Templeton: https://www.linkedin.com/company/franklin-templeton/Franklin Templeton Digital Assets Insightshttps://www.franklintempleton.com/insights/disruptive-technology/digital-assetsFranklin Templeton Digital Assets on Xhttps://x.com/FTDA_USDigital Asset Security in the Quantum Era: https://franklintempletonprod.widen.net/s/zqcgfsrm8f/insight-article-digital-asset-security-in-the-quantum-era-dasqe-fl

🎙️ In this episode of the London Fintech Podcast, Tony Clark speaks with Søren Westh Lonning, CFO of Pleo, about how finance leaders are navigating an era of growing complexity, higher expectations, and mounting pressure — and why too many organisations are still making decisions based on hindsight rather than foresight.

Søren shares Pleo’s growth journey, scaling from €65m to €165m in ARR in just three years, and explains how the company has evolved from a simple expense management tool into a comprehensive spend and cash management platform designed to support real-time, confident decision-making across finance teams.

Drawing on insights from Pleo’s Decision-Making Report, the conversation explores a stark reality facing finance leaders today: 58% of financial decision-makers — and 65% of CFOs — are making more high-level decisions than ever before, yet confidence remains low. Nearly half have experienced decision-freeze, and 41% of decisions are made without full confidence, often due to fragmented systems and a lack of contextual, real-time data.

Tony and Søren unpack what’s driving this — from rising geopolitical and economic pressures to greater business ambition — and discuss how modern finance teams can rethink strategy to stay effective. Central to this shift is enabling teams to move from hindsight to foresight, using real-time visibility, analytics, automation, and AI to guide decisions before opportunities are missed.

The episode also dives into how Pleo helps finance teams build trust across the business, forge stronger data-driven partnerships, invest more intelligently, and ensure cash works harder through smarter optimisation. Søren reflects on maintaining culture during rapid scale, the role of strategic partnerships, and practical advice for FinTech founders looking to achieve lasting product-market fit.

📌 Topics Covered

• Why CFOs are under more pressure — and less confident — than ever

• Insights from Pleo’s Decision-Making Report

• The cost of decision-freeze and fragmented financial data

• Moving finance teams from hindsight to foresight

• Real-time visibility, analytics, and AI in modern finance

• Scaling from expense management to full spend & cash management

• Maintaining culture and trust during rapid growth

• Strategic partnerships and the future roadmap for Pleo

🔗 Learn More:

Tony Clark: linkedin.com/in/tclark100

The London Fintech Podcast: https://londonfintechpodcast.com

Pleo: https://www.pleo.io/en

Søren Westh Lonning: https://www.linkedin.com/in/s%C3%B8ren-westh-lonning/

Pleo Decision-Making Report 2025: https://content.pleo.io/en/decisions-report-2025

Explore Pleo Embedded Finance: https://embedded.pleo.io/news/pleo-embedded-official-launch

Pleo Cash Management Suite: https://www.pleo.io/en/cash-management

NextWave Consulting: https://www.nxwave.com/

Go Beyond The Podcast: https://resources.nxwave.com/hub/london-fintech-podcast?c=cG9zdDo5OTI5NzY%3D&nav=aHViX3BhZ2U6MTA%3D&s=null

On My Watch: Leading NATO in a Time of War: https://www.amazon.co.uk/My-Watch-Leading-NATO-Time/dp/0008708746

How Big Things Get Done: https://www.amazon.co.uk/How-Big-Things-Get-Done/dp/1035018950/

In this episode of the London Fintech Podcast, Tony Clark sits down with Susanne Chishti to explore the growing pressure on CFOs operating in today’s increasingly complex financial environment, from geopolitical shocks to shrinking margins and fragmented data systems.

This conversation is created in collaboration with Pleo, and highlights their work in modernising the CFO’s office through real-time visibility, automated treasury workflows, and embedded finance capabilities that unify spend across the business.

Tony and Susanne dive deep into findings from Pleo’s Decision-Making Report 2025, including:

💡 Over 50% of UK decision-makers experience “decision freeze” due to a lack of real-time data

💡 Finance teams spend 26+ hours per week on manual treasury tasks

💡 Many organisations still make decisions based on “feeling” rather than evidence

💡 Fragmented systems slow down business agility and innovation

They also unpack how tools such as Pleo Embedded (their new embedded finance solution) and the Cash Management Suite are helping CFOs automate treasury operations, consolidate financial data, and accelerate decision-making with greater clarity and control.

Whether you're a CFO, operator, finance leader, or founder, this episode offers practical insights into the future of financial decision-making — and why integrated tooling is now essential rather than optional.

🔗 Learn More:

Tony Clark: linkedin.com/in/tclark100

The London Fintech Podcast: https://londonfintechpodcast.com

Pleo: https://www.pleo.io/en

Susanne Chishti: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susannechishti/

Pleo Decision-Making Report 2025: https://content.pleo.io/en/decisions-report-2025

Explore Pleo Embedded Finance: https://embedded.pleo.io/news/pleo-embedded-official-launch

Pleo Cash Management Suite: https://www.pleo.io/en/cash-management

NextWave Consulting: https://www.nxwave.com/

Go Beyond The Podcast: https://resources.nxwave.com/hub/london-fintech-podcast?c=cG9zdDo5OTI5NzY%3D&nav=aHViX3BhZ2U6MTA%3D&s=null

"From Good to Great" by Jim Collins: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Good-Great-Companies-published-HarperBusiness/dp/B00E327SVA/ref=asc_df_B00E327SVA?mcid=ff85ddadb41e3021bd513644d3a153d5&tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=781457465012&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=6936681774339943281&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9045984&hvtargid=pla-2444989498790&psc=1&hvocijid=6936681774339943281-B00E327SVA-&hvexpln=0&gad_source=1

🎙️ In this episode of the London Fintech Podcast, Tony Clark sits down with Sid Powell, CEO of Maple Finance, to explore the rapid rise of onchain finance and what it means for the future of institutional lending, asset management, and global financial markets.

Sid explains how Maple is building institutional-grade borrowing and lending natively onchain, taking a different path from traditional finance players that rely on legacy rails. By using stablecoins, Bitcoin, and decentralized finance protocols, Maple is working to make lending faster, cheaper, more transparent, and more efficient—all while maintaining a rigorous focus on risk management.

With over $4 billion in assets under management, Maple has emerged as a key player in crypto-native credit markets, partnering with institutions such as Cantor Fitzgerald, Bitwise, family offices, prime brokers, exchanges, trading firms, and Bitcoin miners. Sid outlines how BTC-backed loans, stablecoin-based lending, and DeFi integration are reshaping capital markets at scale.

The conversation also dives into the regulatory outlook for the year ahead, including the implications of the GENIUS Act, the likely passage of the Clarity Act, and how improved regulation could unlock new use cases such as Bitcoin-backed mortgages. Sid shares his views on Bitcoin’s long-term trajectory, the current macro environment, and why stablecoin adoption is accelerating through banks, fintechs, and global payment providers.

Tony and Sid also discuss Maple’s expansion across Ethereum, Solana, Arbitrum, and other blockchains, the role of products like syrupUSDC in creating liquid, yield-bearing assets for DeFi, and how AI is increasingly being used to improve risk management in onchain asset management.

📌 Topics covered:

•The explosive growth of onchain finance

• Institutional crypto lending vs traditional financial rails

• Stablecoins, BTC-backed loans, and DeFi credit markets

• Maple’s $4B+ AUM growth and institutional partnerships

• Risk management in crypto-native lending

• GENIUS Act, Clarity Act, and regulatory clarity

• Cross-chain DeFi infrastructure (Ethereum, Solana, Arbitrum)

• Yield-bearing stablecoins and onchain composability

• Bitcoin market outlook and macro trends

• The future of AI in onchain asset management

Whether you’re tracking institutional crypto adoption, stablecoin innovation, or the future of lending on blockchain rails, this episode offers a deep dive into where digital finance is heading next.

🔗Learn more:

Tony Clark: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tclark100/

The London Fintech Podcast: https://londonfintechpodcast.com/

Sid Powell: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sidneypowell/

Maple Finance: https://maple.finance/

Go Beyond The Podcast: https://resources.nxwave.com/hub/london-fintech-podcast?nav=aHViX3BhZ2U6NTY%3D&c=cG9zdDo5OTMzNTQ%3D

Augustus: The Life of Rome's First Emperor: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Augustus-Life-Romes-First-Emperor/dp/0812970586/ref=asc_df_0812970586?mcid=33b3cd8f94e23fceb665d3018d99fb8d&th=1&psc=1&tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=696450770399&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=15772828612049184534&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9045984&hvtargid=pla-417307122658&psc=1&hvocijid=15772828612049184534-0812970586-&hvexpln=0&gad_source=1

Founders Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/7txiovdzPARhjm18NwMUYj?trackId=21yPPGH9UO7nu1Vc0P6Y1l

🎙️ In this episode, Tony sits down with Richard Squire, founder of My Finance Future, to explore how his FinTech startup is reshaping the way people plan their financial lives—not just for today, but for the decades ahead.

Richard shares his journey from a successful career in management consulting to building a platform designed to help individuals truly understand their long-term financial position. He explains why so many people begin planning too late, and how My Finance Future aims to solve this by giving users a clear, comprehensive view of their financial future before they make life-changing decisions.

They discuss the complexities behind building a complete lifetime financial planning tool, the importance of earning user trust in financial services, and the collaborative effort required to bring a robust MVP to market. Richard also dives into the strategies behind reaching the right audience—from social media to influencer partnerships—and what it takes to stand out in a crowded FinTech landscape.

Looking ahead, Tony and Richard explore the next phase for My Finance Future, including new capabilities, expanded reach, and the broader mission of empowering individuals to take control of their financial journey.

📌 Topics Covered

• Richard Squire’s transition from consulting to FinTech

• Why lifetime financial planning matters

• Understanding your financial situation before major decisions

• Why many people start planning too late

• Building a comprehensive, all-in-one financial plan

• Trust as a cornerstone of financial services

• Collaboration & teamwork in early-stage startups

• Marketing via social media and influencers

• My Finance Future’s MVP and long-term roadmap

• Expanding the platform’s capabilities & audience

🔗 Learn More

Tony Clark: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tclark100/

The London Fintech Podcast: https://londonfintechpodcast.com/

Richard Squire: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardsquire/

MyFinanceFuture: https://myfinancefuture.com/

Go Beyond The Podcast: https://resources.nxwave.com/hub/london-fintech-podcast?nav=aHViX3BhZ2U6NTY%3D&c=cG9zdDo5OTMzNTQ%3D

🎙️ In this episode of the London Fintech Podcast, Tony Clark sits down with Dalal Buhejji to explore how Bahrain is fast becoming one of the most dynamic fintech hubs in the Middle East.

Dalal unpacks Bahrain’s rich legacy in financial services, now the largest contributor to its economy, surpassing oil and gas. She shares how the Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB) supports global and local fintechs entering the market—providing investment facilitation, guidance, and an environment designed for innovation.

They discuss Bahrain’s unique regulatory model featuring a single financial regulator, which simplifies market entry and has been instrumental in developing a thriving fintech ecosystem. Dalal also highlights the success of the country’s regulatory sandbox, which has produced major fintech players and spurred new models in payments, digital banking, and beyond.

A core focus of Bahrain’s strategy is talent development, with initiatives to upskill Bahrainis in technology and financial services. Combined with its strategic location, the country offers unrivalled access to the GCC and wider MENA region—positioning Bahrain as a launchpad for global expansion.

Looking ahead, Dalal and Tony explore emerging trends shaping Bahrain’s financial future, from AI and digital banking to deeper collaboration across the region.

📌 Topics Covered• Bahrain’s evolution into a fintech hub

• How the Bahrain EDB supports global fintechs

• Single-regulator advantage

• Success of Bahrain’s regulatory sandbox

• Local talent development & upskilling

• Strategic access to GCC & MENA markets

• Economic diversification beyond oil

• Innovation in payments & digital banking

• AI adoption in financial services

• What’s next for Bahrain’s fintech ecosystem

🔗 Learn More

Tony Clark: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tclark100/

The London Fintech Podcast: https://londonfintechpodcast.com/

Dalal Buhejji: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dbuhejji/

Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB): https://www.bahrainedb.com/

Go Beyond The Podcast: https://resources.nxwave.com/hub/london-fintech-podcast?nav=aHViX3BhZ2U6NTY%3D&c=cG9zdDo5OTMzNTQ%3D

In this episode of the London Fintech Podcast, Tony Clark sits down with Ben Brophy, Head of Institutional Growth, Europe at the Solana Foundation, to explore how the world’s fastest and most actively used blockchain is shaping the next generation of financial infrastructure.

Ben shares his journey from traditional finance—spanning roles at NatWest and Fidelity International—to leading Solana’s institutional adoption across Europe. They dive into how Solana’s high-performance, single-layer network is driving on-chain innovation at scale, and what it means for banks, asset managers, and payment providers now entering the blockchain era.

The conversation covers the institutional shift from private to public blockchains, the rise of tokenisation, the integration of on-chain solutions with treasury operations, and Solana’s vision to become “Nasdaq on the Internet.” Ben also unpacks Solana’s collaboration with R3, the regulatory evolution enabling public deployments, and the $2.5 billion DeFi capital request that’s opening new pathways between traditional finance and crypto-native ecosystems.

📌 Topics covered:• How Solana became the world’s fastest and most adopted blockchain

• The evolution of institutional blockchain adoption

• Public vs. private networks—and why the shift matters now

• Tokenisation, stablecoins, and yield-generating assets on-chain

• The future of programmable compliance and transparent governance

• R3 x Solana: bridging TradFi and DeFi

• Why we’ve passed the tipping point for on-chain finance

Tune in to hear how Solana is redefining performance, trust, and innovation in blockchain—and why the next wave of institutional finance will be built on-chain.

🔗 Learn More:Tony Clark: linkedin.com/in/tclark100

The London Fintech Podcast: https://londonfintechpodcast.comSolana Foundation: https://solana.com/ &. https://x.com/solana?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor

Ben Brophy: linkedin.com/in/benbrophy

NextWave Consulting: https://www.nxwave.com/

Go Beyond The Podcast: https://resources.nxwave.com/hub/london-fintech-podcast?c=cG9zdDo5OTI5NzY%3D&nav=aHViX3BhZ2U6MTA%3D&s=null

The Fourth Turning Is Here by Neil Howe: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fourth-Turning-Here-Seasons-History/dp/1982173734/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2JGUG3UZKXC5Y&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.UnHitIUegc8AC05jF0ZWTZMwWgbhD9RWG1GpDfRjCDvGjHj071QN20LucGBJIEps.F2PF1-CK0Cy5SS6yy83q5mKyUWCdfZ4L4QY58AN2GWo&dib_tag=se&keywords=the+Fourth+Turning+Is+Here+by+Neil+Howe&qid=1760691367&sprefix=the+fourth+turning+is+here+by+neil+howe%2Caps%2C150&sr=8-1

🎙️ In this episode of the London Fintech Podcast, Tony Clark sits down with Andy MacMillan, CEO of Alteryx, to explore how data, automation, and AI are reshaping the future of financial services.

With a background in enterprise software and data management, Andy shares how Alteryx has evolved into a leading platform helping organisations operationalise AI—turning raw data into actionable insight.

The conversation dives into what it takes to build trust in AI-driven systems, how financial institutions are integrating automation into both customer-facing and internal workflows, and why predictability and governance are critical to success.

They also discuss Alteryx’s role as a data clearinghouse for AI applications, the importance of customer feedback in shaping innovation, and how the real promise of AI lies not in hype—but in solving practical business challenges.

📌 Topics covered:

• Data as the fuel powering the AI revolution

• How Alteryx enables end-to-end AI adoption

• Building trust and predictability in AI processes

• The evolution of data management in financial services

• Using AI to enhance customer experience and operations

• The intersection of automation and human expertise

• The customer-led approach driving Alteryx’s innovation

• The future of AI: from experimentation to operational excellenceTune in to hear how Andy MacMillan and Alteryx are helping financial institutions turn data into their most strategic asset—and what it takes to bring AI to life responsibly.

🔗 Learn more:

Tony Clark: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tclark100/

The London Fintech Podcast: https://londonfintechpodcast.com

Andy MacMillan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/apmacmillan/Alteryx: https://www.alteryx.com

Go Beyond The Podcast: https://resources.nxwave.com/hub/london-fintech-podcast?nav=aHViX3BhZ2U6NTY%3D&c=cG9zdDo5OTMzNTQ%3D

On the Calculation of Volume 1" by Solvej Balle: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Calculation-I-Solvej-Balle/dp/0571383378

🎙️ In this episode of the London Fintech Podcast, Tony Clark speaks with Symmie Swil, UK General Manager of Upvest, about the company’s role in financial technology and investment infrastructure.

Symmie shares her career journey, the development of Upvest, and how embedded finance is being integrated into modern financial services. The conversation covers financial literacy, the use of AI in financial operations, and the supportive environment for fintech innovation in the UK.

📌 Topics covered:• The growth of embedded finance in financial services• Symmie’s career path and leadership insights• The role of AI in financial operations• Financial literacy and education initiatives• UK fintech ecosystem and regulatory environment• Building culture and collaboration at Upvest

🔗 Learn More:

Tony Clark: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tclark100/

The London Fintech Podcast: https://londonfintechpodcast.com

Symmie Swil: https://www.linkedin.com/in/symmie/

Upvest: https://upvest.co/

Go Beyond The Podcast: https://resources.nxwave.com/hub/london-fintech-podcast?nav=aHViX3BhZ2U6NTY%3D&c=cG9zdDo5OTMzNTQ%3D

Cautionary Tales podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/2yPlb6ynbhTJbziSIcykQd

Hidden Brain podcast: https://www.hiddenbrain.org/

Crossing the Chasm (book): https://www.amazon.co.uk/Crossing-Chasm-3rd-Disruptive-Mainstream/dp/0062292986

🎙️ In this episode of the London Fintech Podcast, Tony Clark speaks with Dr. Paul Dongha, Head of Responsible AI & AI Strategy at NatWest Group, about the importance of AI governance in financial services.

With decades of experience in AI—from his early PhD research on autonomous agents to leading responsible AI initiatives at major banks—Paul brings both technical depth and practical expertise to the conversation. He shares insights from his new book "Governing the Machine", co-authored with leading global AI advisors Ray Eitel-Porter and Miriam Voge, and promoted by figures such as Andrew Ng, Reid Hoffman, and the CEO of IBM.

They discuss the nine key risk areas of AI—including bias, privacy, security, and hallucinations—the role of regulation such as the EU AI Act, and why effective governance must be an organisation-wide effort led from the boardroom. Paul also explains how firms can implement practical frameworks, governance forums, and training to safely unlock AI’s potential while staying compliant and ethical.

"Governing the Machine" will launch on October 23rd and is available for pre-order now: https://amzn.eu/d/9PSBRAt

Paul shares perspectives from his career in AI research and strategy, including risk areas such as bias, privacy, security, and hallucinations. The discussion explores regulatory frameworks like the EU AI Act, organisational approaches to responsible AI, and practical tools that firms can use to manage AI adoption effectively.

📌 Topics covered:

• Why responsible AI is critical for financial services

• The nine biggest risk areas for AI adoption

• Bias, fairness, and how to mitigate them in practice

• Privacy, security, and the risks of prompt hacking

• Hallucinations and why they can’t be “designed away”

• Regulation: EU AI Act, NIST framework, and global standards

• The rise of Chief AI Officers and responsible AI roles

• How to build governance forums, ethics boards, and AI inventories

• Tools, platforms, and GRC systems for managing AI at scale

• Key takeaways from Governing the Machine

📌 Key takeaway: AI governance isn’t about slowing innovation—it’s about building the guardrails that make responsible, scalable innovation possible.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------📚 I would be delighted to welcome you to one of our launch events, where you can purchase a signed copy of the book. 7.30pm on Tuesday, 21st October in Jesus College, Cambridge, CB5 8BL.

RSVP: https://bit.ly/3VD65EV (select “Reserved tickets” – you are a VIP!)

You will need a ticket to gain entry, so you must RSVP. OR 6pm on Wednesday, 22nd October at NatWest Bank, 250 Bishopsgate, London, EC2M 4AA.RSVP: https://bit.ly/3IuBiaq

You will need a QR code to gain entry, so you must RSVP.

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🔗 Learn More:

Tony Clark: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tclark100/

The London Fintech Podcast: https://londonfintechpodcast.com/podcasts/

Paul Dongha: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-dongha/

Governing the Machine (pre-order link): https://amzn.eu/d/9PSBRAt

NextWave Consulting: https://www.nxwave.com/

Coming Up Short: A Memoir of My America: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Coming-Up-Short-Memoir-America/dp/0593803280

Go Beyond The Podcast: https://resources.nxwave.com/hub/london-fintech-podcast?c=cG9zdDo5OTI5NzY%3D&nav=aHViX3BhZ2U6MTA%3D&s=null