Mastercard Inner Circle Podcast

As technologies reshape the world around us, how are consumers and businesses navigating the shifts that transform the way we live, work, and interact? Unmask the factors behind rising fraud, pitfalls of rapid technological convergence, and the ethical considerations confronting businesses in the age of artificial intelligence.

Embark on a journey through the endless potential of space, from the burgeoning field of space tourism to the exciting frontier of asteroid mining. Discover what will drive the growth and transformation of commerce in space.

Enter the world of cutting-edge technology and disruptive innovation where we reveal the latest advancements and breakthroughs that are reshaping the digital frontiers, safeguarding our online identities from emerging threats, and confronting the complex challenges of our rapidly evolving digital landscape.

Sustainability has become a hot corporate buzzword, but is it a fad, or here to stay? Marie Soon, Mastercard APAC head of Sustainability, chats with Eugenia Koh from Standard Chartered and Mathias Wikström from Doconomy to debunk common misconceptions, explore why going green makes good business sense - and 'cents' - and how companies can successfully transition to a low-carbon economy through smart innovation.

Has cash been dethroned as king? Have we reached a 'cheque-mate'? How far are we from a world where digital currencies fully replace paper and plastic forms of currency? Connie Cheng, VP, Innovation Management, Asia Pacific at Mastercard speaks to Natasha Zurnamer, CEO & Co-Founder of Optty, and Paul Weingarth, CEO & Co-Founder of Slyp, about the next generation of payments, and the many possibilities that the future holds.

Supply chain disruptions, rising commodity costs, pent-up demand – just a few of the many drivers behind inflation. In this episode, David Mann, Mastercard's Chief Economist for AP & MEA, unpacks why inflation is so high, and if higher prices are here to stay.

The list of barriers holding women from participating in the digital economy is long. Still, they are not inevitable—if governments, the private sector and financial services providers work together to remove them. Hear from Payal Dalal, Senior Vice President at the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth on the collective strides made in the region and beyond, and the necessary holistic approach to further promote women's participation in the economy.

Blockchain, cryptocurrencies, NFTs, CBDCs – what are the opportunities, and what are the risks? In this episode, our experts break down the buzzwords and explore how businesses can harness the power of the digital asset ecosystem to stay relevant to a new generation of crypto natives. Find out more in the 'Tokens on a chain' report: https://news.mstr.cd/3d5iHS4

If flight booking trends continue at their current pace, an estimated 430 million more passengers are expected to fly in Asia Pacific in 2022 compared to last year. With border measures relaxing and travel recovery underway for much of the region, Mastercard's Chief Economist for AP & MEA explains who is the post-pandemic traveler? What do they want to do? Where do they want to go? And how are they getting there?

Get the "Travel 2022: Trends & Transitions" report here: https://bit.ly/3MG4eZR

APAC is the B2B commerce capital of the world. Yet less than 1% of the addressable opportunity in industries like electronics, retail and FMCG is actually carded—presenting vast untapped potential for financial institutions. Why is so much being left on the table?