Recorded live on stage at FTT Embedded Finance & Super Apps, Grant Evans is joined by guest co-host Dwayne Gefferie for a live conversation with Ed Moore, CRO at Payrails, exploring why the next generation of payments infrastructure is moving beyond traditional platforms and orchestration.

Ed explains the growing importance of the “payments execution layer”, and why merchants are increasingly demanding modular, open-stack infrastructure that gives them greater control over routing, optimisation, tokenisation, and the broader payments experience. The discussion dives into how orchestration is evolving, why merchants are pushing back against all-in-one providers, and what modern enterprise payments architecture increasingly looks like.

They also explore where AI is genuinely delivering value in payments today, from smarter routing to automated chargeback management, and how product-led infrastructure models are beginning to reshape how enterprise payment technology is bought, implemented, and consumed.

Plus, Ed steps up for The Payments Shed’s legendary Shelf of Shame — calling out one thing in payments he’d happily banish forever.

***

The Payments Shed Podcast is headline sponsored by ISX Financial.

ISX Financial, delivers a unified ecosystem with multi-currency accounts, online payments,  real-time UK and EU transfers and global mass payouts. Within that platform, PaidBy® provides Pay by Bank with real-time settlement notifications, automated reconciliation and integrated refund management. One partner, one integration — helping your business transact with confidence. Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.isx.financial⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

***

The Payments Shed Podcast is sponsored by Cyclops.

Cyclops is a crypto and stablecoin infrastructure platform for payments companies, enabling PSPs, acquirers and processors to offer crypto acceptance, stablecoin settlement and payouts without building their own blockchain stack. It provides a unified solution for pay ins, payouts and fiat to digital asset conversion, with simple API or low code integration. Built specifically for the payments ecosystem, Cyclops focuses on making stablecoins practical, scalable and commercially viable.

Learn more at - https://www.cyclops.io/

***

The Payments Shed Podcast is supported by PCN.

PCN is a boutique recruitment agency rooted in Amsterdam, driven by a singular mission: connecting top talent with industry leaders. PCN specialises in five core pillars — Fintech, Cybersecurity, SaaS, E-Commerce, and Salesforce — backed by a global network across borders.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://teampcn.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

***

Disclaimer. Any views or opinions referenced in this podcast episode are our own, or those of our respective guests, and they do not represent any views, opinions, or statements from our respective employers, or those of our guests. Additionally, any views expressed here are not intended as investment, legal, tax, or financial advice.

In this episode, host Grant Evans is joined by Jake Dovey, CEO of PayModum, for a candid conversation on why so many merchants still feel underserved by the payments industry — despite more products, providers, and platforms than ever before.

Jake shares his journey from working inside payments to building PayModum, and why he became convinced the industry was solving problems for itself rather than for merchants. The discussion dives into what merchants actually care about — from resilience and simplicity to transparency and control — and where PSPs and acquirers still consistently get it wrong.

They also unpack the rise of payments orchestration, cutting through the buzzwords to explore what orchestration should actually do, where it genuinely adds value, and whether some providers are simply rebuilding old models with new labels.

From regulation and licensing to merchant frustration, consolidation, and the future of infrastructure, this episode takes a brutally honest look at what’s fundamentally working — and what still isn’t — in modern payments.

Plus, Jake steps up for The Payments Shed’s legendary Shelf of Shame — calling out one fintech buzzword and industry cliché he’d happily banish forever.

***

The Payments Shed Podcast is headline sponsored by ISX Financial.

ISX Financial, delivers a unified ecosystem with multi-currency accounts, online payments,  real-time UK and EU transfers and global mass payouts. Within that platform, PaidBy® provides Pay by Bank with real-time settlement notifications, automated reconciliation and integrated refund management. One partner, one integration — helping your business transact with confidence. Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.isx.financial⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

***

The Payments Shed Podcast is sponsored by Cyclops.

Cyclops is a crypto and stablecoin infrastructure platform for payments companies, enabling PSPs, acquirers and processors to offer crypto acceptance, stablecoin settlement and payouts without building their own blockchain stack. It provides a unified solution for pay ins, payouts and fiat to digital asset conversion, with simple API or low code integration. Built specifically for the payments ecosystem, Cyclops focuses on making stablecoins practical, scalable and commercially viable.

Learn more at - https://www.cyclops.io/

***

The Payments Shed Podcast is supported by PCN.

PCN is a boutique recruitment agency rooted in Amsterdam, driven by a singular mission: connecting top talent with industry leaders. PCN specialises in five core pillars — Fintech, Cybersecurity, SaaS, E-Commerce, and Salesforce — backed by a global network across borders.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://teampcn.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

***

Disclaimer. Any views or opinions referenced in this podcast episode are our own, or those of our respective guests, and they do not represent any views, opinions, or statements from our respective employers, or those of our guests. Additionally, any views expressed here are not intended as investment, legal, tax, or financial advice.

In this episode, hosts Grant Evans and Justin Hanna are joined by Nikogiannis (John) Karantzis, Managing Director & CEO of ISX Financial, to unpack why global payments infrastructure still feels so fragmented — and what it takes to fix it.

John shares his view on how the industry ended up with complex, stitched-together ecosystems, and the hidden cost this creates for merchants operating across borders. The conversation dives into why legacy systems, regulatory complexity, and disconnected providers continue to slow innovation — and why a more unified, end-to-end approach is needed.

They explore the shift toward real-time payments as a baseline expectation, what “real-time” actually means in practice, and how it changes everything from treasury to customer experience. The discussion also tackles the uneven progress of open banking and A2A payments, what’s holding them back from mass adoption, and how they fit into a broader multi-rail strategy.

Looking ahead, the episode turns to AI, embedded finance, and the next phase of payments evolution, including where real value is being created today — and where governance and risk still need to catch up.

Plus, John steps up for The Payments Shed’s legendary Shelf of Shame — calling out one thing in payments he’d happily banish forever.

***

The Payments Shed Podcast is headline sponsored by ISX Financial.

ISX Financial, delivers a unified ecosystem with multi-currency accounts, online payments,  real-time UK and EU transfers and global mass payouts. Within that platform, PaidBy® provides Pay by Bank with real-time settlement notifications, automated reconciliation and integrated refund management. One partner, one integration — helping your business transact with confidence. Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.isx.financial⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

***

The Payments Shed Podcast is sponsored by Cyclops.

Cyclops is a crypto and stablecoin infrastructure platform for payments companies, enabling PSPs, acquirers and processors to offer crypto acceptance, stablecoin settlement and payouts without building their own blockchain stack. It provides a unified solution for pay ins, payouts and fiat to digital asset conversion, with simple API or low code integration. Built specifically for the payments ecosystem, Cyclops focuses on making stablecoins practical, scalable and commercially viable.

Learn more at - https://www.cyclops.io/

***

The Payments Shed Podcast is supported by PCN.

PCN is a boutique recruitment agency rooted in Amsterdam, driven by a singular mission: connecting top talent with industry leaders. PCN specialises in five core pillars — Fintech, Cybersecurity, SaaS, E-Commerce, and Salesforce — backed by a global network across borders.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://teampcn.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

***

Disclaimer. Any views or opinions referenced in this podcast episode are our own, or those of our respective guests, and they do not represent any views, opinions, or statements from our respective employers, or those of our guests. Additionally, any views expressed here are not intended as investment, legal, tax, or financial advice.

In this episode, hosts Grant Evans and Justin Hanna are joined by Fiennes Davey, Group Head of Payments at Kingfisher plc, to explore what payments really looks like from the merchant side of the table in 2026.

Fiennes brings a rare perspective — having worked inside a global acquirer before moving into a major retailer — and shares why payments is finally getting the strategic attention it deserves at enterprise level. The conversation dives into what good looks like when payments is treated as a core function, and where things still break down between merchants and PSPs.

They unpack the real implications of PSD3 and the potential loss of the Commercial Agent Exemption, why many marketplaces may be underprepared, and how merchants should be thinking about regulatory risk today. The discussion also challenges the industry’s growing reliance on open banking, exploring where it genuinely delivers value — and where it still falls short.

From scheme dominance and fee pressure to the overlooked impact of commercial card interchange, this episode cuts through the noise to focus on what actually matters for merchants trying to build resilient, future-proof payments strategies.

Plus, Fiennes steps up for The Payments Shed’s legendary Shelf of Shame — calling out one thing in payments he’d happily banish forever.

***

The Payments Shed Podcast is headline sponsored by ISX Financial.

ISX Financial, delivers a unified ecosystem with multi-currency accounts, online payments,  real-time UK and EU transfers and global mass payouts. Within that platform, PaidBy® provides Pay by Bank with real-time settlement notifications, automated reconciliation and integrated refund management. One partner, one integration — helping your business transact with confidence. Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.isx.financial⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

***

The Payments Shed Podcast is sponsored by Cyclops.

Cyclops is a crypto and stablecoin infrastructure platform for payments companies, enabling PSPs, acquirers and processors to offer crypto acceptance, stablecoin settlement and payouts without building their own blockchain stack. It provides a unified solution for pay ins, payouts and fiat to digital asset conversion, with simple API or low code integration. Built specifically for the payments ecosystem, Cyclops focuses on making stablecoins practical, scalable and commercially viable.

Learn more at - https://www.cyclops.io/

***

The Payments Shed Podcast is supported by PCN.

PCN is a boutique recruitment agency rooted in Amsterdam, driven by a singular mission: connecting top talent with industry leaders. PCN specialises in five core pillars — Fintech, Cybersecurity, SaaS, E-Commerce, and Salesforce — backed by a global network across borders.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://teampcn.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

***

Disclaimer. Any views or opinions referenced in this podcast episode are our own, or those of our respective guests, and they do not represent any views, opinions, or statements from our respective employers, or those of our guests. Additionally, any views expressed here are not intended as investment, legal, tax, or financial advice.

In this episode, hosts Grant Evans and Justin Hanna are joined by Tim Hughes, CEO & Co-Founder of DLA Ignite and author of Social Selling: Techniques to Influence Buyers and Changemakers, to unpack what’s actually working in social selling and thought leadership in 2026 — and what needs to be left behind.

Tim breaks down why, despite years of hype, social selling is more relevant than ever, driven by shifting buyer behaviour and the growing importance of trust before a sales conversation even begins. The discussion dives into how LinkedIn has evolved, what the algorithm really rewards today, and why most people still get the fundamentals wrong.

They also explore why financial services continues to lag, how organisations can balance compliance with authentic content, and why the biggest missed opportunity sits with the C-suite not showing up publicly. From practical do’s and don’ts to the habits that separate those who win from those who give up, this episode is a clear guide to turning content into a real commercial lever.

Plus, Tim steps up for The Payments Shed’s legendary Shelf of Shame — calling out one thing in sales and LinkedIn culture he’d happily banish forever.

***

The Payments Shed Podcast is headline sponsored by ISX Financial.

ISX Financial, delivers a unified ecosystem with multi-currency accounts, online payments,  real-time UK and EU transfers and global mass payouts. Within that platform, PaidBy® provides Pay by Bank with real-time settlement notifications, automated reconciliation and integrated refund management. One partner, one integration — helping your business transact with confidence. Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.isx.financial⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

***

The Payments Shed Podcast is sponsored by Cyclops.

Cyclops is a crypto and stablecoin infrastructure platform for payments companies, enabling PSPs, acquirers and processors to offer crypto acceptance, stablecoin settlement and payouts without building their own blockchain stack. It provides a unified solution for pay ins, payouts and fiat to digital asset conversion, with simple API or low code integration. Built specifically for the payments ecosystem, Cyclops focuses on making stablecoins practical, scalable and commercially viable.

Learn more at - https://www.cyclops.io/

***

The Payments Shed Podcast is supported by PCN.

PCN is a boutique recruitment agency rooted in Amsterdam, driven by a singular mission: connecting top talent with industry leaders. PCN specialises in five core pillars — Fintech, Cybersecurity, SaaS, E-Commerce, and Salesforce — backed by a global network across borders.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://teampcn.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

***

Disclaimer. Any views or opinions referenced in this podcast episode are our own, or those of our respective guests, and they do not represent any views, opinions, or statements from our respective employers, or those of our guests. Additionally, any views expressed here are not intended as investment, legal, tax, or financial advice.

In this episode, hosts Grant Evans and Justin Hanna are joined by Oliver Pugh, Co-Founder of yetipay, to unpack how embedded payments are reshaping the economics of hospitality — and what it really takes to scale fast in the process.

Oliver shares the journey behind yetipay’s rapid growth from £400k to £5m revenue in just 18 months, and why the biggest unlock wasn’t just product — it was rethinking who owns the merchant relationship. The conversation dives into what “embedded payments” actually means in practice, and why the traditional POS-to-PSP handoff model is still holding platforms back.

They explore how white-label payments and platform ownership are shifting power toward vertical SaaS players, and why hospitality — with its speed, complexity, and customer expectations — is the perfect proving ground for this model.

Looking ahead, the discussion turns to how data, automation, and deeper platform integration will define the next phase of embedded finance, and where the biggest opportunities still sit for operators and providers alike.

Plus, Oliver steps up for The Payments Shed’s legendary Shelf of Shame — calling out one thing in payments he’d happily banish forever.

***

The Payments Shed Podcast is headline sponsored by ISX Financial.

ISX Financial, delivers a unified ecosystem with multi-currency accounts, online payments,  real-time UK and EU transfers and global mass payouts. Within that platform, PaidBy® provides Pay by Bank with real-time settlement notifications, automated reconciliation and integrated refund management. One partner, one integration — helping your business transact with confidence. Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.isx.financial⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

***

The Payments Shed Podcast is sponsored by Cyclops.

Cyclops is a crypto and stablecoin infrastructure platform for payments companies, enabling PSPs, acquirers and processors to offer crypto acceptance, stablecoin settlement and payouts without building their own blockchain stack. It provides a unified solution for pay ins, payouts and fiat to digital asset conversion, with simple API or low code integration. Built specifically for the payments ecosystem, Cyclops focuses on making stablecoins practical, scalable and commercially viable.

Learn more at - https://www.cyclops.io/

***

The Payments Shed Podcast is supported by PCN.

PCN is a boutique recruitment agency rooted in Amsterdam, driven by a singular mission: connecting top talent with industry leaders. PCN specialises in five core pillars — Fintech, Cybersecurity, SaaS, E-Commerce, and Salesforce — backed by a global network across borders.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://teampcn.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

***

Disclaimer. Any views or opinions referenced in this podcast episode are our own, or those of our respective guests, and they do not represent any views, opinions, or statements from our respective employers, or those of our guests. Additionally, any views expressed here are not intended as investment, legal, tax, or financial advice.

In this episode, host Grant Evans is joined by Boris Diakonov and Eduard Panteleev, Co-Founders & Co-CEOs of ANNA Money, for a deep dive into how AI, automation, and regulation are reshaping small business finance.

Boris and Eduard share their journey building together — from early ventures in digital banking to launching ANNA — and why they believe a co-CEO model can be a strength, not a compromise. The conversation explores their customer-first philosophy, and why they’ve always focused on solving real problems rather than chasing the “fintech” label.

They dive into ANNA’s early bet on being “robot-ready”, how automation now handles a significant portion of tax workflows, and what it takes to balance speed, scale, and trust in AI-led financial services. The episode also unpacks the impact of Making Tax Digital (MTD), ANNA’s bold move to offer free filing, and whether regulation is a burden or a catalyst for innovation.

From navigating the Wirecard crisis to scaling toward a £100m+ business, the discussion offers candid insight into leadership, transparency, and building a platform small businesses can rely on.

Plus, Boris and Eduard step up for The Payments Shed’s legendary Shelf of Shame — nominating one thing in fintech they’d happily banish forever.

***

The Payments Shed Podcast is headline sponsored by ISX Financial.

ISX Financial, delivers a unified ecosystem with multi-currency accounts, online payments,  real-time UK and EU transfers and global mass payouts. Within that platform, PaidBy® provides Pay by Bank with real-time settlement notifications, automated reconciliation and integrated refund management. One partner, one integration — helping your business transact with confidence. Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.isx.financial⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

***

The Payments Shed Podcast is sponsored by Cyclops.

Cyclops is a crypto and stablecoin infrastructure platform for payments companies, enabling PSPs, acquirers and processors to offer crypto acceptance, stablecoin settlement and payouts without building their own blockchain stack. It provides a unified solution for pay ins, payouts and fiat to digital asset conversion, with simple API or low code integration. Built specifically for the payments ecosystem, Cyclops focuses on making stablecoins practical, scalable and commercially viable.

Learn more at - https://www.cyclops.io/

***

The Payments Shed Podcast is supported by PCN.

PCN is a boutique recruitment agency rooted in Amsterdam, driven by a singular mission: connecting top talent with industry leaders. PCN specialises in five core pillars — Fintech, Cybersecurity, SaaS, E-Commerce, and Salesforce — backed by a global network across borders.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://teampcn.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

***

Disclaimer. Any views or opinions referenced in this podcast episode are our own, or those of our respective guests, and they do not represent any views, opinions, or statements from our respective employers, or those of our guests. Additionally, any views expressed here are not intended as investment, legal, tax, or financial advice.

In this episode, hosts Grant Evans and Justin Hanna are joined by Mark Fairless, Group CEO of ClearBank, to explore how modern banking infrastructure is evolving to support the next generation of fintech and digital money.

Mark shares ClearBank’s journey from building cloud-native banking rails to becoming a critical infrastructure provider powering fintech growth, and how real-time capabilities are reshaping the digital economy. The conversation dives into the rise of embedded banking, what great infrastructure looks like in practice, and how fintechs can scale while staying compliant in an increasingly complex environment.

They also unpack the headline partnership between ClearBank and Circle, exploring what it means for USDC, on/off ramps, liquidity, and cross-border payments — and whether this signals a new era of collaboration between banks and digital asset players.

Looking ahead, the discussion turns to regulation, global fintech competition, and how policymakers can support innovation without compromising trust.

Plus, Mark steps up for The Payments Shed’s legendary Shelf of Shame — nominating one thing in payments he’d happily banish forever.

***

The Payments Shed Podcast is headline sponsored by ISX Financial.

ISX Financial, delivers a unified ecosystem with multi-currency accounts, online payments,  real-time UK and EU transfers and global mass payouts. Within that platform, PaidBy® provides Pay by Bank with real-time settlement notifications, automated reconciliation and integrated refund management. One partner, one integration — helping your business transact with confidence. Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.isx.financial⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

***

The Payments Shed Podcast is sponsored by Cyclops.

Cyclops is a crypto and stablecoin infrastructure platform for payments companies, enabling PSPs, acquirers and processors to offer crypto acceptance, stablecoin settlement and payouts without building their own blockchain stack. It provides a unified solution for pay ins, payouts and fiat to digital asset conversion, with simple API or low code integration. Built specifically for the payments ecosystem, Cyclops focuses on making stablecoins practical, scalable and commercially viable.

Learn more at - https://www.cyclops.io/

***

The Payments Shed Podcast is supported by PCN.

PCN is a boutique recruitment agency rooted in Amsterdam, driven by a singular mission: connecting top talent with industry leaders. PCN specialises in five core pillars — Fintech, Cybersecurity, SaaS, E-Commerce, and Salesforce — backed by a global network across borders.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://teampcn.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

***

Disclaimer. Any views or opinions referenced in this podcast episode are our own, or those of our respective guests, and they do not represent any views, opinions, or statements from our respective employers, or those of our guests. Additionally, any views expressed here are not intended as investment, legal, tax, or financial advice.

In this episode, hosts Grant Evans and Justin Hanna are joined by Spencer Levitt, Co-Founder, and Kara Parkey, Head of Strategic Accounts at Coast, to tackle one of fintech’s most overlooked problems — why selling complex products is still so broken.

From slow, inconsistent demos to disconnected handoffs between sales, product, and implementation teams, the conversation unpacks how product demos have quietly become a major bottleneck to growth. Spencer and Kara share why incremental fixes haven’t worked, and why the problem is especially acute in fintech, where APIs, compliance, and edge cases make storytelling harder.

They dive into how AI-powered, self-serve demos are changing the buying journey — enabling faster proof-of-value, more consistent experiences, and shorter sales cycles. The episode also explores the realities of building an AI platform that sits close to revenue, and what it takes to earn trust with technical buyers.

Looking ahead, the discussion turns to how demos could evolve from a friction point into a true growth lever for modern SaaS and fintech businesses.

Plus, Spencer and Kara take on The Payments Shed’s legendary Shelf of Shame — calling out what they’d banish forever from sales and product demos.

***

The Payments Shed Podcast is headline sponsored by ISX Financial.

ISX Financial, delivers a unified ecosystem with multi-currency accounts, online payments,  real-time UK and EU transfers and global mass payouts. Within that platform, PaidBy® provides Pay by Bank with real-time settlement notifications, automated reconciliation and integrated refund management. One partner, one integration — helping your business transact with confidence. Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.isx.financial⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

***

The Payments Shed Podcast is sponsored by Cyclops.

Cyclops is a crypto and stablecoin infrastructure platform for payments companies, enabling PSPs, acquirers and processors to offer crypto acceptance, stablecoin settlement and payouts without building their own blockchain stack. It provides a unified solution for pay ins, payouts and fiat to digital asset conversion, with simple API or low code integration. Built specifically for the payments ecosystem, Cyclops focuses on making stablecoins practical, scalable and commercially viable.

Learn more at - https://www.cyclops.io/

***

The Payments Shed Podcast is supported by PCN.

PCN is a boutique recruitment agency rooted in Amsterdam, driven by a singular mission: connecting top talent with industry leaders. PCN specialises in five core pillars — Fintech, Cybersecurity, SaaS, E-Commerce, and Salesforce — backed by a global network across borders.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://teampcn.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

***

Disclaimer. Any views or opinions referenced in this podcast episode are our own, or those of our respective guests, and they do not represent any views, opinions, or statements from our respective employers, or those of our guests. Additionally, any views expressed here are not intended as investment, legal, tax, or financial advice.

In this episode, hosts Grant Evans and Justin Hanna are joined by Nadja Bennett, Strategic Accounts Director, and Megan Coulson, UK Public Policy Lead at TrueLayer, to unpack how regulation, innovation, and commercial reality are finally converging in UK payments.

The conversation dives into the original intent behind open banking, what policymakers got right (and wrong), and how the UK has become a global testing ground for Pay by Bank and Variable Recurring Payments (VRPs). From behind-the-scenes regulatory frameworks to real merchant use cases, Nadja and Megan break down what’s actually driving adoption — and what’s still holding it back.

They explore where VRPs outperform cards, why merchant incentives matter more than ever, and whether Pay by Bank can truly move from alternative to default payment method. The episode also looks ahead to PSD3, instant payments, and evolving liability models, and what they mean for the next phase of growth.

Plus, Nadja and Megan step up for The Payments Shed’s legendary Shelf of Shame — calling out one thing in payments they’d happily banish forever.

***

The Payments Shed Podcast is headline sponsored by ISX Financial.

ISX Financial, delivers a unified ecosystem with multi-currency accounts, online payments,  real-time UK and EU transfers and global mass payouts. Within that platform, PaidBy® provides Pay by Bank with real-time settlement notifications, automated reconciliation and integrated refund management. One partner, one integration — helping your business transact with confidence. Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.isx.financial⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

***

The Payments Shed Podcast is sponsored by Cyclops.

Cyclops is a crypto and stablecoin infrastructure platform for payments companies, enabling PSPs, acquirers and processors to offer crypto acceptance, stablecoin settlement and payouts without building their own blockchain stack. It provides a unified solution for pay ins, payouts and fiat to digital asset conversion, with simple API or low code integration. Built specifically for the payments ecosystem, Cyclops focuses on making stablecoins practical, scalable and commercially viable.

Learn more at - https://www.cyclops.io/

***

The Payments Shed Podcast is supported by PCN.

PCN is a boutique recruitment agency rooted in Amsterdam, driven by a singular mission: connecting top talent with industry leaders. PCN specialises in five core pillars — Fintech, Cybersecurity, SaaS, E-Commerce, and Salesforce — backed by a global network across borders.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://teampcn.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Disclaimer. Any views or opinions referenced in this podcast episode are our own, or those of our respective guests, and they do not represent any views, opinions, or statements from our respective employers, or those of our guests. Additionally, any views expressed here are not intended as investment, legal, tax, or financial advice.