Couchonomics with Arjun – Détails, épisodes et analyse

Today we’re joined by Sitoyo Lopokoiyit, CEO of M-PESA Africa, who has played a pivotal role in growing M-PESA across 8 African markets. 

Sitoyo shares the fascinating story behind M-PESA’s evolution from a mobile money service into a full-fledged digital ecosystem, empowering consumers, businesses, and developers through an open API program. 

We also covered:

- The role of regulation in fintech

- Cross-border payments and cost reduction

- The adoption of blockchain and AI  

- Balancing innovation and competition with open architecture 

- The future of CBDCs in Africa  

- National payment infrastructure players and their impact

Don't miss this insightful conversation on how M-PESA is reshaping financial inclusion across Africa and leading the fintech revolution. 

Our website 👉 https://bit.ly/3jk7UH0

Find us on our social media platforms:

• Arjun's LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjunvirsingh/
• CCN LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/couchonomics-with-arjun-singh/
• Instagram https://www.instagram.com/couchonomics/
• Twitter https://twitter.com/Arjun_Vir_Singh?s=20
• TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@couchonomics

Subscribe to Arjun's LinkedIn newsletter, Couchonomics Crunch: https://bit.ly/3WI4A6E

Joining us on the latest episode of Couchonomics with Arjun, all the way from Tbilisi, Georgia, is Salim Dhanani, founder and CEO of PaveBank—the world’s first programmable bank. 

In our conversation, Salim explains how PaveBank is shaping the future of financial services by leveraging blockchain and smart contracts to revolutionize trust and eliminate counterparty risks. We also dive into why they adopted the full reserve banking model, the impact of tokenization, and how evolving regulations are influencing the fintech space.

Tune in to discover what it means to be the world’s first programmable bank and hear about Pave Bank's exciting plans for the future!

Our website 👉 https://bit.ly/3jk7UH0

Find us on our social media platforms:

• Arjun's LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjunvirsingh/
• CCN LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/couchonomics-with-arjun-singh/
• Instagram https://www.instagram.com/couchonomics/
• Twitter https://twitter.com/Arjun_Vir_Singh?s=20
• TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@couchonomics

Subscribe to Arjun's LinkedIn newsletter, Couchonomics Crunch: https://bit.ly/3WI4A6E

The art of replacing disjointed systems with digitized processes.

Join us on Couchonomics with Arjun as we sit down with Vikram Suri, Managing Director for the Middle East and Turkey region at FIS. In this episode, Vikram and Arjun explore FIS’s significant impact in the GCC region and their constant drive for innovation and reinvention. 

We discuss the ever-evolving world of fintech and payments, covering topics such as Payment Trends and Financial Inclusion, Banks and Payment Infrastructure, Biometrics and Contactless Payments, and FIS’s Approach to Security. 
Don't miss this insightful conversation on the future of fintech and payments. 

#Couchonomics #Fintech #FIS #Innovation #Payments #CBDCs #Crypto #DigitalAssets

Our website 👉 https://bit.ly/3jk7UH0

Find us on our social media platforms:

• Arjun's LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjunvirsingh/
• CCN LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/couchonomics-with-arjun-singh/
• Instagram https://www.instagram.com/couchonomics/
• Twitter https://twitter.com/Arjun_Vir_Singh?s=20
• TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@couchonomics

Subscribe to Arjun's LinkedIn newsletter, Couchonomics Crunch: https://bit.ly/3WI4A6E

Neobanks are emerging rapidly across the world, all of them trying to solve many challenges that are preventing a seamless and safe digital banking experience. 

From government regulation to data confidentiality, multiple issues need to be solved so we can enter a new era of fully digital banking.

That is why we invited Amir Nooriala on the couch - Chief Commercial Officer at Callsign, the global leading artificial intelligence-based authentication platform for enterprises, financial institutions and consumer-facing digital services.

Our host Arjun Singh asked him about his previous experience as CSO at OakNorth and the unique authentication system that he is implementing into the digital banking sector with Callsign.

In this great conversation with Amir find out more about:
-Callsign’s mission and vision between UX, fraud prevention and compliance
-The new era of authentication
-Government’s regulations of digital banking.

Check out Callsign: https://www.callsign.com/

Follow 'Couchonomics with Arjun Singh' on any app you listen to podcasts.

Check out Couchonomics website for all new updates: www.couchonomics.com

HOST

Based in Dubai, Arjun is actively engaged with the Fintech & Start-up ecosystem across the MENA Region and beyond - as a passive investor, an advisory board member and as a commentator on the rapidly evolving scene.

FINTECH NEWS

Subscribe to Arjun's LinkedIn newsletter Daily Fintech Crunch to receive daily interesting news from the world of Fintech, DeFI, Crypto and beyond: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/6899436665924837377/

PARTNERS

Couchonomics with Arjun Singh is brought to you by our partners from:

Adyen, a reliable end-to-end payments solution that enables businesses to turn payments into a strategic growth driver: https://www.adyen.com/ 

LuLu Financial Group, a global financial services provider headquartered in Abu Dhabi and operating in 11 countries: https://www.lulufin.com/ 

M2P, Asia’s leading payment infrastructure company that enables businesses of any scale to embed financial products: https://m2pfintech.com/ 

Connect with Couchonomics:
Website https://www.couchonomics.com/ 
TikTok https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMLQYGHoa/ 
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/couchonomics/ 
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjunvirsingh/ 

Our website 👉 https://bit.ly/3jk7UH0

Find us on our social media platforms:

• Arjun's LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjunvirsingh/
• CCN LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/couchonomics-with-arjun-singh/
• Instagram https://www.instagram.com/couchonomics/
• Twitter https://twitter.com/Arjun_Vir_Singh?s=20
• TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@couchonomics

Subscribe to Arjun's LinkedIn newsletter, Couchonomics Crunch: https://bit.ly/3WI4A6E

Welcome to a very special edition of Couchonomics podcast! This episode features not one, not two, but 3 guests + a surprise guest appearance from someone very special (who actually asked the most relevant question of the show).

We had Verity's 3 founders - Dina, Kamal and Omar on the couch for the episode. Verity is a Middle East’s family banking app for kids and teens that is soon launching in the region. 

One by one, 3 co-founders of Verity are going to sit on our famous couch and chat about their new business venture. We're addressing the topic of financial literacy in teenagers and children and their wish to disrupt this space with their brilliant new app.

First you'll hear from Kamal Al-Samarrai, a serial entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience in banking and recruitment in the UK and UAE. He’ll tell us all about the initial idea behind Verity and his urge to do something that would be beneficial for his own family.

An international banking veteran and serial financial literacy entrepreneur, Dina Shoman, spoke about her experience in New York with a similar venture and her passion for teaching kids about the value in money.

For the great finale, Omar Al-Sharif, a startup maestro with a penchant for digital transformation, product development, and brand marketing, will explain the plans for the launch and the future of Verity.

Follow 'Couchonomics with Arjun Singh' on any app you listen to podcasts.

Check out Couchonomics website for all new updates: www.couchonomics.com

HOST

Based in Dubai, Arjun is actively engaged with the Fintech & Start-up ecosystem across the MENA Region and beyond - as a passive investor, an advisory board member and as a commentator on the rapidly evolving scene.

FINTECH NEWS

Subscribe to Arjun's LinkedIn newsletter Daily Fintech Crunch to receive daily interesting news from the world of Fintech, DeFI, Crypto and beyond: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/6899436665924837377/

PARTNERS

Couchonomics with Arjun Singh is brought to you by our partners from:

Adyen, a reliable end-to-end payments solution that enables businesses to turn payments into a strategic growth driver: https://www.adyen.com/ 

LuLu Financial Group, a global financial services provider headquartered in Abu Dhabi and operating in 11 countries: https://www.lulufin.com/ 

M2P, Asia’s leading payment infrastructure company that enables businesses of any scale to embed financial products: https://m2pfintech.com/ 

Connect with Couchonomics:
Website https://www.couchonomics.com/ 
TikTok https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMLQYGHoa/ 
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/couchonomics/ 
LinkedIn https://www.l

Our website 👉 https://bit.ly/3jk7UH0

Find us on our social media platforms:

• Arjun's LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjunvirsingh/
• CCN LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/couchonomics-with-arjun-singh/
• Instagram https://www.instagram.com/couchonomics/
• Twitter https://twitter.com/Arjun_Vir_Singh?s=20
• TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@couchonomics

Subscribe to Arjun's LinkedIn newsletter, Couchonomics Crunch: https://bit.ly/3WI4A6E

The "By Now, Pay Later" model has been around for 200 years. After being repackaged and rebranded countless times, it is currently one of the hottest spaces in FinTech, with BNPL accounting for 20% of e-commerce in countries such as Australia.

In this episode of Couchonomics, we are joined on the couch by a BNPL industry insider to get an informed perspective on this increasingly polarising topic. Abdulmajeed Alsukhan is the CEO and co-founder of Tamara, the leading Buy Now Pay Later provider in the MENA region.

Abdulmajeed and Arjun delved into the BNPL conversation, tackling questions around the risks customers face and how BNPLs are likely to grow and evolve in the MENA region in the coming years.

Get the answers to the burning questions:

- What is the likelihood of BNPL  expanding into other categories and appealing to broader age groups?

- What measures is Tamara taking to minimise their customers' risks?

- Whether the current business model of BNPL is sustainable, or if it will evolve in the future?

Follow 'Couchonomics with Arjun Singh' on any app where you listen to podcasts.

Check out Couchonomics website for all new updates: www.couchonomics.com

HOST

Based in Dubai, Arjun is actively engaged with the Fintech & Start-up ecosystem across the MENA Region and beyond - as a passive investor, an advisory board member and as a commentator on the rapidly evolving scene.

FINTECH NEWS

Subscribe to Arjun's LinkedIn newsletter Daily Fintech Crunch to receive daily interesting news from the world of Fintech, DeFI, Crypto and beyond: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/6899436665924837377/ 

PARTNERS

Couchonomics with Arjun Singh is brought to you by our partners from:

Adyen, a reliable end-to-end payments solution that enables businesses to turn payments into a strategic growth driver: https://www.adyen.com/ 

LuLu Financial Group, a global financial services provider headquartered in Abu Dhabi and operating in 11 countries: https://www.lulufin.com/ 

M2P, Asia’s leading payment infrastructure company that enables businesses of any scale to embed financial products: https://m2pfintech.com/ 

Our website 👉 https://bit.ly/3jk7UH0

Find us on our social media platforms:

• Arjun's LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjunvirsingh/
• CCN LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/couchonomics-with-arjun-singh/
• Instagram https://www.instagram.com/couchonomics/
• Twitter https://twitter.com/Arjun_Vir_Singh?s=20
• TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@couchonomics

Subscribe to Arjun's LinkedIn newsletter, Couchonomics Crunch: https://bit.ly/3WI4A6E

The status quo in the financial services sector is constantly changing. Innovation is the name of the game. If banks want to stay relevant in these evolving times, they need to be at the technological forefront and provide convenient, flexible payment solutions customers trust.

Ramana Kumar joins Arjun on the couch to share his perspective on this fascinating topic. Ramana is the CEO of Magnati, the payments subsidiary of First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB). He is responsible for building lifecycle solutions for corporates, including merchant acquiring, government solutions and prepaid solutions, constructed on a futuristic platform backed by data and AI. Ramana works with fintechs and tech companies to provide industry-leading, future-proofed, digital-first solutions. 

Ramana and Arjun discussed the role partnership and brand affinity play in constructing a platform that consumers will gravitate towards and the importance of being trustworthy, flexible and convenient.

Join us as we answer the questions:

🎙 Will open banking become a reality in the MENA region?

🎙 What makes Magnati different from other fintech platforms?

🎙 How will banking and the financial services sector integrate into the Metaverse?

Follow 'Couchonomics with Arjun Singh' on any app where you listen to podcasts.

Check out Couchonomics website for all new updates: www.couchonomics.com

HOST

Based in Dubai, Arjun is actively engaged with the Fintech & Start-up ecosystem across the MENA Region and beyond - as a passive investor, an advisory board member and as a commentator on the rapidly evolving scene.

FINTECH NEWS

Subscribe to Arjun's LinkedIn newsletter Daily Fintech Crunch to receive daily interesting news from the world of Fintech, DeFI, Crypto and beyond: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/6899436665924837377/

PARTNERS

Couchonomics with Arjun Singh is brought to you by our partners from:

Adyen, a reliable end-to-end payments solution that enables businesses to turn payments into a strategic growth driver: https://www.adyen.com/

LuLu Financial Group, a global financial services provider headquartered in Abu Dhabi and operating in 11 countries: https://www.lulufin.com/

M2P, Asia’s leading payment infrastructure company that enables businesses of any scale to embed financial products: https://m2pfintech.com/

Our website 👉 https://bit.ly/3jk7UH0

Find us on our social media platforms:

• Arjun's LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjunvirsingh/
• CCN LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/couchonomics-with-arjun-singh/
• Instagram https://www.instagram.com/couchonomics/
• Twitter https://twitter.com/Arjun_Vir_Singh?s=20
• TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@couchonomics

Subscribe to Arjun's LinkedIn newsletter, Couchonomics Crunch: https://bit.ly/3WI4A6E

The latest episode of Couchonomics with Arjun is here. This one is a real treat!

Our guest is Ronit Ghose, the Global Head of Banking, FinTech & Digital Assets for Citi Global Insights. He joined us on Couchonomics to give us a sneak preview of Citi's amazing new report: Metaverse and Money: Decrypting the Future.

We discussed Metaverse and how will it impact the way we are accessing the internet. The possibilities of the Metaverse are endless according to Ronit. From a gaming industry, fintech, education: every aspect of our future lives could be connected with Metaverse in the future!

Ronit’s previous report had over 350,000 downloads, making it one of the most-read fintech reports ever published. In his latest article, he has also unraveled how NFTs can make ownership in the digital space more transparent and conclusive. 

In this episode, we answered the questions… 

-         Why are connectivity and availability the biggest challenges?

-         How can digital tokens improve digital transactions?

-         What can go wrong with Metaverse?

Check out the full report Metaverse and Money here: https://www.citivelocity.com/citigps/metaverse-and-money/ 

Follow 'Couchonomics with Arjun Singh' on any app where you listen to podcasts.

Check out Couchonomics website for all new updates: www.couchonomics.com

HOST

Based in Dubai, Arjun is actively engaged with the Fintech & Start-up ecosystem across the MENA Region and beyond - as a passive investor, an advisory board member and as a commentator on the rapidly evolving scene.

FINTECH NEWS

Subscribe to Arjun's LinkedIn newsletter Daily Fintech Crunch to receive daily interesting news from the world of Fintech, DeFI, Crypto and beyond: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/6899436665924837377/

PARTNERS

Couchonomics with Arjun Singh is brought to you by our partners from:

Adyen, a reliable end-to-end payments solution that enables businesses to turn payments into a strategic growth driver: https://www.adyen.com/

LuLu Financial Group, a global financial services provider headquartered in Abu Dhabi and operating in 11 countries: https://www.lulufin.com/

M2P, Asia’s leading payment infrastructure company that enables businesses of any scale to embed financial products: https://m2pfintech.com/

Our website 👉 https://bit.ly/3jk7UH0

Find us on our social media platforms:

• Arjun's LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjunvirsingh/
• CCN LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/couchonomics-with-arjun-singh/
• Instagram https://www.instagram.com/couchonomics/
• Twitter https://twitter.com/Arjun_Vir_Singh?s=20
• TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@couchonomics

Subscribe to Arjun's LinkedIn newsletter, Couchonomics Crunch: https://bit.ly/3WI4A6E

Our esteemed guest for Episode 01 is Roberto Croci, the Managing Director for Microsoft for Startups in MEA!

Roberto spoke about the idea of pairing the big corporates and enterprises with startups, and the complex business ecosystem with vast opportunities that have been emerging as a result of this co-op.

With 20+ years of experience working with both Google and Microsoft, Roberto explained the full process of selecting the startups that can add value to the big corporate businesses and at the same time, enable them to succeed.

Tune in on your favorite podcast app and listen to Roberto Croci speaking about:
🎙 How big corporates and enterprises can be paired with carefully selected startups for mutual benefit
🎙 Empowering MENA's local pool of talent
🎙 How Microsoft's technology is helping entrepreneurs succeed
🎙 The importance of culture when scaling your business.

🎧 Follow 'Couchonomics with Arjun Singh' on any app you listen to podcasts.
👉 Check out Couchonomics website for all new updates: https://www.couchonomics.com/

🗣 HOST
Based in Dubai, Arjun is actively engaged with the Fintech & Start-up ecosystem across the MENA Region and beyond - as a passive investor, an advisory board member, and as a commentator on the rapidly evolving scene.

🗞 FINTECH NEWS
Subscribe to Arjun's LinkedIn newsletter Daily Fintech Crunch to receive daily interesting news from the world of Fintech, DeFI, Crypto, and beyond: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/6899436665924837377/

PARTNERS
Couchonomics with Arjun Singh is brought to you by our partners from:
✨ Adyen, a reliable end-to-end payments solution that enables businesses to turn payments into a strategic growth driver: https://www.adyen.com/
✨ LuLu Financial Group, a global financial services provider headquartered in Abu Dhabi and operating in 11 countries: https://www.lulufin.com/
✨ M2P, Asia’s leading payment infrastructure company that enables businesses of any scale to embed financial products: https://m2pfintech.com/

Connect with Couchonomics:
Website https://www.couchonomics.com/
TikTok https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMLQYGHoa/
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/couchonomics/
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjunvirsingh/

Our website 👉 https://bit.ly/3jk7UH0

Find us on our social media platforms:

• Arjun's LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjunvirsingh/
• CCN LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/couchonomics-with-arjun-singh/
• Instagram https://www.instagram.com/couchonomics/
• Twitter https://twitter.com/Arjun_Vir_Singh?s=20
• TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@couchonomics

Subscribe to Arjun's LinkedIn newsletter, Couchonomics Crunch: https://bit.ly/3WI4A6E

Fintech is fundamentally reshaping the financial services industry as we know it today.
In order to understand the wider vision of these fintech-led disruptions, Arjun Singh will invite the influential stakeholders to 'Couchonomics' show, to discuss and dissect the highs and lows of their own ventures, and how that effects the broader sector.

Follow 'Couchonomics with Arjun Singh' on any app you listen to podcasts.
Check out Couchonomics website for all new updates: www.couchonomics.com

HOST
Based in Dubai, Arjun is actively engaged with the Fintech & Start-up ecosystem across the MENA Region and beyond - as a passive investor, an advisory board member and as a commentator on the rapidly evolving scene.

FINTECH NEWS
Subscribe to Arjun's LinkedIn newsletter Daily Fintech Crucnh to receive daily interesting news from the world of Fintech, DeFI, Crypto and beyond: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/6899436665924837377/

PARTNERS
Couchonomics with Arjun Singh is brought to you by our partners from:
Adyen, a reliable end-to-end payments solution that enables businesses to turn payments into a strategic growth driver: https://www.adyen.com/
LuLu Financial Group, a global financial services provider headquartered in Abu Dhabi and operating in 11 countries: https://www.lulufin.com/
M2P, Asia’s leading payment infrastructure company that enables businesses of any scale to embed financial products: https://m2pfintech.com/

Our website 👉 https://bit.ly/3jk7UH0

Find us on our social media platforms:

• Arjun's LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjunvirsingh/
• CCN LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/couchonomics-with-arjun-singh/
• Instagram https://www.instagram.com/couchonomics/
• Twitter https://twitter.com/Arjun_Vir_Singh?s=20
• TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@couchonomics

Subscribe to Arjun's LinkedIn newsletter, Couchonomics Crunch: https://bit.ly/3WI4A6E