In this edition of WealthTech Unwrapped, Ned engages in a conversation with Adrian Johnstone, the CEO of Practifi. Tune in as they delve into data management, the hurdles posed by the present technology landscape, and the implications for future Fintech developments.

Key Takeaways:

1. Every financial advisor acknowledges the potential benefits of incorporating technology into their firm, but convincing them to embrace a broader perspective and recognize the value of technology beyond their immediate processes can be challenging.
2. Efficient data organization is crucial for the success of any system, particularly in the context of wealth management firms, as it determines the extent to which they can reap the benefits of such a system.

Join Ned and special guest Craig Iskowitz, Founder and CEO of Ezra Group and fellow Podcaster, as they dive into the world of WealthTech on this captivating episode of WealthTech Unwrapped. Discover the potential for enhancing wealth, asset, and investment management through technological advancements.

Key Takeaways:
1) In general, the WealthTech industry is performing well with the available backend technologies and is continually evolving.
2) The United States exhibits notable innovation in specific technology sectors, partially attributed to its capitalist system, free market, private property rights, and relatively limited government intervention.

Don't miss out on this enlightening discussion, exclusively on WealthTech Unwrapped! Tune in now!

This week, on WealthTech Unwrapped, Ned speaks with fellow founder Marla Sofer, CEO of Knomee. Join them as they discuss what it takes to be a founder in the fintech business and to flip the financial services industry on its head by defining and identifying a customer's financial identity. 

1) The challenge faced by financial services firms today is understanding their customers and prospects, hindering their efforts in acquiring, engaging, and retaining clients. 
2) It is difficult to put together a portfolio that reflects all of who a person is and the values they deem important unless you truly understand the customer.

Tune in to the discussion, exclusively on WealthTech Unwrapped!

This week on WealthTech Unwrapped, Ned sits down with Varun Mittal, Chief Innovator and Group Head of Innovation and Ecosystem at Singlife. Together, they explore the extraordinary growth of Fintech in Singapore over the past decade, uncovering the crucial elements that have propelled it to become a "Fintech Nation." Gain valuable insights into why Fintechs in Southeast Asia must expand their horizons beyond the region to thrive.

Key Takeaways:

1) Southeast Asia has more net new digital bank licenses than the United States.
2) Southeast Asian Fintechs need to move out of the region as there aren't enough buyers of large enough size to sustain them. In addition, the public market's risk appetite is low as there is little to no means to list in Southeast Asian exchanges due to local liquidity pools.

Tune in to this insightful conversation, only here on WealthTech Unwrapped! 

Ned Phillips interviews Dan Schmerin, the co-founder and president of Metaversal, about the world of NFTs (non-fungible tokens) and their implications for the future of finance. They discuss the concept of the metaverse and how younger generations value digital goods differently. Dan shares his background in public service and finance before exploring emerging trends in web3, crypto, and NFTs.


The conversation then focuses on the release of a humorous trailer about Blackberry, discussing the need for innovation and the impact of smartphones. They mention missed opportunities and the potential for digital activation of cultural treasures. Dan talks about his introduction to NFTs and the vast potential he discovered. Dan explains Metaversal’s approach of investing in iconic NFTs and empowering creators, emphasizing the importance of the experience rather than just technology.


The discussion moves on to NFTs, describing them as digital representations of assets without the need for intermediaries. Dan mentions the reliance on blockchain networks and the decentralized nature of most NFTs. Ownership and control in the digital realm are explored, highlighting how blockchain and smart contracts can enable true ownership of digital assets. The potential of NFTs to revolutionize industries by tokenizing real-world assets is discussed, despite acknowledging instances of misuse. Dan believes NFTs will become a major asset class in the next decade, attracting interest from traditional investors and companies.

Key Takeaways:
1) NFT’s and the concept of the Metaverse are an evolving digital landscape that hold the potential to forge new forms of digital ownership and interaction. 

2) Younger generations, who are digital natives, value digital goods differently from physical possessions, suggesting a shift in attitudes and preferences towards the digital realm.

3) NFT’s possess a transformative nature with their ability to represent assets without the need for intermediaries. This presents opportunities for investment, empowering creators, and revolutionizing various industries by tokenizing real-world assets.

Tune in to WealthTech UnWrapped!

On this episode of WealthTech Unwrapped, Ned chats with Tom Schapira, Chief Executive Officer of Imagine Capital Group and Investment Banker of Financial Technology, Real Estate & Venture Capital at Regiment Securities. Together, they delve into the intricate world of advisor technology, exploring the nuances required to cater to diverse markets around the globe. 

Gain insights into the complexities of this ever-evolving landscape and discover the strategies employed to meet the unique needs of different markets. 

Key Takes aways:
1) In truth, the WealthTech industry is primarily controlled by established providers who have evolved over time to cater to the evolving demands of end customers, including enhanced user experience, superior products, improved services, and increased mobility. However, it remains crucial for the industry as a whole to address those lingering challenges and pain points.

2) There exists a distinction in customer behavior between the Eastern and Western regions, considering the cultural inclination of customer segments towards technology adoption.

Tune in to this enlightening discussion, only on WealthTech Unwrapped!

This week on WealthTech unwrapped, Ned speaks with Doug Fritz, Founder and CEO of F2 Strategy. They discuss the humble beginnings of WealthTech and Doug's views on how it has evolved to what it is today.

Key Takeaways:

1. Encouraging a certain level of risk tolerance within your WealthTech project team and granting them the freedom to iterate quickly and embrace potential failures is vital for both learning and achieving success. This principle holds true not only in WealthTech but also in the broader tech industry.
2. When constructing a wealth management journey, it is crucial to deliberately plan and define the desired experience. Leveraging technology can consistently deliver exceptional experiences aligned with those intentions. However, many wealth management firms overlook this opportunity to create consistent and remarkable experiences.

In this episode of WealthTech Unwrapped, join host Ned as he engages in an insightful conversation with Ken McHugh, Chief Technology Officer of Bambu, about our latest digital solution, Bambu GO. They discuss how Bambu GO came to be, the problems it solves, and the technology behind building a ready-to-GO solution for any financial institution that wants to significantly increase its client base.

Key takeaways:
1) Instead of solely focusing on "what" is being built, it is crucial to prioritize who the solution is being built for, ensuring it is tailored to their needs and objectives, and how it can truly make a meaningful impact.

2) Bambu GO was created as a ready-to-use digital solution for any financial institution that wants to significantly increase its client base

Tune in for an in-depth exploration of this game-changing ready-to-use solution that aims to reshape the wealth management industry.

For more information, visit bambugo.com 

On this episode of WealthTech Unwrapped, Ned speaks with Kerry Ryan, Director of Financial Services Industry Marketing at Seismic. They discuss, not just WealthTech, but sales and enablement, along with current marketing trends in financial services, and most importantly, what is wrong with the industry today and how to make it better for the future. 

Key Takeaways: 
1) At present, wealth management is competitive, and the market for it is choppy and scary, but this is when advisors are needed most.
2) When it comes to marketing, it is important to find champions and advocates early on in your business, especially when implementing new technology. 
3) Potential clients want to be empowered and informed with more content and information. This is where advisors can add value.

On this week's episode of WealthTech Unwrapped, Ned speaks with Jeff Jeff Ye Myat Min and Sherry Jiang of Bluejay Finance. Tune in as they discuss Stablecoins, Defi Blockchain, and what it takes to be a Cryptocurrency start-up. 

Key Takeaways: 

1) Cryptocurrencies like Stablecoin could be stable if they are done in the right way. It is entirely possible through proper market dynamics, pure accounting principles, and ways to rebalance them. 

2) In markets like Southeast Asia, access is not access to privilege as it is tough to get into global financial services due to tight capital controls. One of the few ways you can get access to the global financial system is through cryptocurrencies.