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Blockchain at a key inflection point – where we are now in the innovation cycle, what’s coming next, and where to find your next opportunity.

Detailed Summary:

In this episode of the Finovate Podcast, host Greg Palmer chats with Matthew Le Merle of Blockchain Coinvestors about the current state and trajectory of blockchain technology. He explains that his firm has invested in over 1,250 blockchain startups, including major players like Coinbase and Kraken. With a background in internet and fintech investing and previous leadership roles at top consulting firms, Matthew outlines how blockchain has evolved from a niche innovation into a foundational infrastructure, now at an inflection point similar to the early internet days. He notes that the industry is scaling rapidly, with 500 million digital wallets already in use and billions more expected in the near future as adoption expands.

Matthew likens the rise of blockchain to the digitalization of communications through the internet. Just as we transitioned from handwritten letters to instant digital communication, blockchain enables the real-time, low-cost transfer of money and assets via digital wallets and stablecoins. This shift is especially impactful for global remittances, where traditional banking is slow and expensive. He emphasizes that current blockchain adoption mirrors the internet’s mid-1990s stage, where foundational tools are in place, but mass user adoption and advanced applications are just beginning. The key enabler is access—digital wallets open the door to the broader ecosystem of digital assets and services.

On the topic of tokenization, Matthew asserts that virtually any asset can be digitized through blockchain. Whether it’s equities, real estate, or personal possessions, the technology allows ownership records to be placed in digital wrappers (tokens), enabling secure, flexible, and transparent transfers online. This shift not only improves speed and cost-efficiency but also unlocks entirely new functionalities such as fractional ownership and global 24/7 trading. Ultimately, he argues that blockchain will do for assets and money what the internet did for communication and content—transform how we interact, manage, and trade value in every sector.

More info:

Blockchain Coinvestors: www.blockchaincoinvestors.com

Matthew Le Merle: linkedin.com/in/matthewlemerle; @‌mlemerle.bsky.social

Greg Palmer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregbpalmer/

Finovate: https://www.finovate.com ; https://www.linkedin.com/company/finovate-conference-series/

#fintech #blockchain #cryptocurrency #financialservices #innovation #tokenization #finovate #DeFi #digitization

Join hosts Tyler Seydel and Eric Schurr as they talk with John Barbella, Founder and President of Neighborli, about preventing fraud in fintech. With over 30 years in financial services, John shares insights on compliance, the evolving fraud landscape, and how banks and fintechs can collaborate to stay ahead. Tune in to learn how Neighborli is bridging the gap between financial institutions and fintechs to create a more secure and innovative digital banking future.

In the April 2025 episode of Breaking Banks Europe, host Elizabeth Kleinveld is joined by guests Amine Berraoui (Founder & CEO of E10 Capital) and Guy Stiebel (a.k.a. the “Fintech Plumber”) for a deep dive into the latest fintech developments. The discussion opens with European banks’ cautious expansion into the U.S. market, citing high regulatory barriers and cultural challenges. They examine crypto regulation divergences—Europe’s restrictive MiCA framework, the U.S.’s bank-favoring Genius Act, and Singapore’s balanced partnership model. The trio also reflects on the crypto space’s integration into traditional finance, challenging its original decentralized ideals. Shifting to AI, they highlight massive VC interest, with $120B raised globally in Q1. AI’s biggest fintech impact? Risk modeling, customer automation, and product delivery speed. Stiebel suggests AI could divide fintech into consumer-facing and enterprise software sectors, while Berraoui emphasizes the need for infrastructure investment in emerging markets. The episode closes with calls for more patient capital and smarter funding models.

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This week on Breaking Banks, Don Ginsel, host of our sister show Breaking Banks Europe, takes our mic and brings the conversation stateside. Don is joined by Nik Milanović, founder of This Week in Fintech, for a wide-ranging and energizing discussion of the latest forces shaping the fintech landscape.

From the evolving role of traditional banks and increasing interest in stablecoins to the current state of fintech M&A, the rise of fraud, and the impact of AI on financial services, Don and Nik cover the topics on everyone’s mind.

Whether you’re a founder, investor, or financial exec, this overview of the trends, risks, and opportunities is not to be missed.

Exploring CU-specific fintech solutions, with a preview of the CU Spotlight session at FinovateSpring.

Detailed Summary:

In this episode of the Finovate Podcast, host Greg Palmer interviews Nick Evens, President and CEO of Curql, ahead of FinovateSpring. Nick shares his journey from working within credit unions to leading Curql, a strategic investment fund focused on credit union innovation. He explains how Curql was born from a need to support credit unions in staying competitive with big banks by pooling resources to invest in transformative financial technology. With its roots in the credit union community, Curql helps these institutions gain access to tech solutions they otherwise couldn’t afford on their own.

Nick then elaborates on Curql’s mission to connect credit unions with fintechs and vice versa, underscoring its role in helping credit unions adopt cutting-edge technology. He discusses the company’s current and upcoming funds and how they support a growing portfolio of tech firms. Curql not only invests in startups but also fosters an ecosystem where over 130 credit unions collaborate and share resources. Additionally, Curql emphasizes regulatory modernization and strategic partnerships, often co-investing in companies that serve both banks and credit unions.

Looking ahead to FinovateSpring, Nick and Greg discuss the special Credit Union Spotlight session, designed to highlight fintechs that cater specifically to CUs. This curated environment ensures that attendees from various roles—whether in lending, compliance, or cybersecurity—can discover relevant solutions. With a diverse lineup of presenting companies, including those focused on AI and member-facing technologies, the session aims to meet the broad needs of credit union professionals and further Curql’s mission of bridging the gap between fintech and credit unions.

More info:

Curql: https://www.curql.com/ ; https://www.linkedin.com/company/curql/

Nick Evens: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-evens-76b75316/

Greg Palmer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregbpalmer/

Finovate: https://www.finovate.com ; https://www.linkedin.com/company/finovate-conference-series/

FinovateSpring: https://informaconnect.com/finovatespring/

#fintech #CU #creditunions #financialservices #innovation #digitaltransformation #finovate #finovatespring

In the 4th episode of #BBA, hosts Matteo Rizzi and Nadine Zoro are joined by John Brittell from Side B Ventures to explore the shift from aid-based funding to equity-driven investments in Africa. With a background in development finance, John shares his transition from working in aid and grants to focusing on private sector investment. The conversation dives into the challenges faced by local entrepreneurs, particularly in markets like Ivory Coast, where many are unfamiliar with the startup ecosystem. John emphasizes the need for access to capital as a key factor for entrepreneurial success. Together with Matteo and Nadine, they discuss how a hybrid model, combining experienced and emerging founders, could empower startups across Africa. This episode advocates for sustainable growth through equity investment, moving beyond traditional aid to foster long-term innovation and economic development on the continent.

Follow John: https://ug.linkedin.com/in/johnbrittell

This week, frequent guest and friend of The Futurists, Ross Dawson, takes over the hosting chair to speak with Joanna Lepore about Foresight and Vision(s) of the Future.

Ross, founder of AHT Group (Advanced Human Technologies Group) and the futures think tank Future Exploration Network, introduces us to Joanna Lepore. In 2024, Joanna founded and now co-leads Foresight Inside Group (FIG), an invite-only network for corporate futurists. Previously, she established and led Foresight at McDonald’s global HQ and Mars Wrigley, helping to push the strategies of some of the world’s best-known brands into the future. Motivated by the power of diverse perspectives, she also created and hosts Looking Outside, a podcast to share those perspectives.

This episode is packed with powerful and practical insights into the future, offering inspiration on how to seize today’s opportunities and drive change in a transforming world. 

In a rare and inspiring crossover episode, Breaking Banks teams up with Barefoot Innovation to bring you a special dispatch from Necker Island, BVI. Hosted by Brett King and Jo Ann Barefoot, this episode captures the energy and insight of a one-of-a-kind fintech gathering organized by Virgin Unite: an event bringing together innovators from around the world, from a cross section of industry, exploring what the future of finance could (and should) look like.

Podcasts hosts and speakers Brett and Jo Ann share their talks and insights from this carbon neutral event, connecting with Dr. Nick Hughes, OBE, father of M-Pesa, co-founder of M-Kopa and now Managing Director 4rdigital.com, the fourth revolution is digital, to cover all things fintech. Listen as these leaders discuss applications of fintech in other markets and all that is possible if we come out of our silos and collaborate — the combination of problem solving perspectives, resources, networks and more can make an impact on some of the world’s toughest challenges. We have the tech to do what we need to do, the potential is enormous! If you’re looking for inspiration and forward-thinking ideas this episode delivers!

Building and growing winning teams – thoughts from a seasoned fintech leader on managing high-performing engineering teams.

Detailed Summary:

In this episode Naga Rishyender, Manager of Software Engineering at Discover Financial Services, shares his thoughts on building and managing high-performing engineering teams in the fast-evolving fintech space. He begins by discussing his career journey—from his education at UNCC to roles at Wells Fargo, Oracle, Amazon, and now Discover—highlighting the impact of his leadership on major projects like Amazon’s “Pay with Affirm” feature. At Discover, he currently leads a team of engineers working on critical payment authorization systems, fraud prevention, and infrastructure modernization, with a strong focus on innovation and cloud technology.

Naga goes on to detail his philosophy for assembling effective engineering teams. He emphasizes diversity—not just in background, but in experience levels—as a key to fostering collaboration, mentorship, and innovation. Psychological safety, clear roadmaps, and continuous learning opportunities are all pillars of his leadership approach to ensure team alignment and growth.

The conversation also explores the evolving relationship between academia and the fintech industry. Naga praises the rise of fintech-specific courses in universities and highlights Discover’s Student Rotational Program as a successful model for bridging the gap between education and real-world experience. He advocates for more industry-academic collaboration through mentorship, hackathons, internships, and curriculum development. These partnerships, he argues, prepare students more effectively for careers in fintech by offering practical experience, exposure to regulations, and insight into company cultures before graduation.

More info:

Discover FS: https://www.discover.com/

Naga Rishyendar: https://www.linkedin.com/in/naga-rishyendar-p/

Greg Palmer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregbpalmer/

Finovate: https://www.finovate.com ; https://www.linkedin.com/company/finovate-conference-series/

#fintech #leadership #engineering #financialservices #innovation #mentorship #finovate

In this week’s show Brett and Rob discuss why the Administration were happy to bring the world’s markets to the brink of global recession and why it’s happening now? Is this a massive, economy scale Pump and Dump or is it an existential threat of China surpassing the U.S. as the world’s largest economy? Will these tariffs put any dent in China’s meteoric rise? Let’s find out.