Explore every episode of the podcast The Payment Expert Podcast

Welcome to The Payment Expert Podcast – a new podcast hosted by Payment Expert’s News Editor, Louis Thompsett, who will be joined by Payment Expert’s editorial team each week to dissect the breaking news throughout the global payments industry.

Elon Musk's X Money launches April 2026 – but is it a payments product or a revenue pivot? We break down the Visa Direct integration, the WeChat super app myth, and whether X can earn the trust financial services demands. Plus: a CBDC ban buried in a US housing bill, what a permanent digital dollar block means for stablecoin infrastructure, and how MiCA shapes X Money's global ambitions.

Host: Louis Thompsett
Guests: Kieran O'Connor & Callum Williams 
Producer: Anaya McDonald
Editor: Anaya McDonald

In today's episode, Host Louis Thompsett is joined by Nick Kerigan, Managing Director and Head of Innovation at Swift, as the duo discuss the evolving landscape of global value transfer, focusing on how Swift is integrating blockchain technology and shared ledgers into its infrastructure to solve real-world payment friction.

Tune in to today's episode to find out:

• How Swift’s new blockchain-based shared ledger enables real-time, 24/7 cross-border payments and synchronized obligations between participating banks.
• The critical role of interoperability in connecting fragmented digital asset "islands" with existing financial infrastructure.
• Why the industry is shifting toward wholesale use cases for orchestration and how this helps banks manage liquidity and risk more effectively.
• Swift's "multi-money, multi-chain" vision that embraces CBDCs, stablecoins, and tokenized deposits as complementary tools.
• The strategy behind tackling the "last mile" of retail payments to ensure upfront cost certainty and full value delivery for consumers.

Host: Louis Thompsett
Guests: Nick Kerigan 
Producer: Anaya McDonald
Editor: Anaya McDonald

In today's episode, Host Louis Thompsett is joined by Payment Expert Editor Rachael Kennedy and Senior Business Journalist Kieran O'Connor as the trio discuss the major regulatory shifts emerging from UK FinTech Week, specifically the government's push for a unified framework for digital money and the FCA's evolving stance on AI.

Tune in to today's episode to find out:

• How the UK plans to bring stablecoins, tokenized deposits, and e-money under a single regulatory umbrella by 2027.
• What the official folding of the Payment Systems Regulator (PSR) into the FCA means for future industry oversight.
• Why the Bank of England is considering a £20,000 limit on individual stablecoin holdings to prevent deposit flight.
• The FCA’s "no new rules" approach to agentic AI and how industry labs are shaping future practice.
• Whether the UK’s "pro-innovation" strategy will successfully balance centralised strategy with decentralised rule making.

Host: Louis Thompsett
Guests: Rachael Kennedy & Kieran O’Connor
Producer: Anaya McDonald
Editor: Anaya McDonald

Learn more about the latest payments insights: https://paymentexpert.com

In today's episode, Host Louis Thompsett is joined by Payment Expert Senior Business Journalists Kieran O'Connor and Callum Williams to discuss their key takeaways from the first day of the Money20/20 Asia conference in Bangkok, focusing on the evolution of digital payments and infrastructure across the Asian market.

Tune in to today’s episode to find out:

• The rise of tokenized deposits: Why banks are increasingly exploring tokenized deposits over stablecoins to leverage traditional infrastructure while gaining the benefits of 24/7 blockchain settlement. 
• Thailand’s unique payment landscape: How the country has positioned itself as a financial hub through its PromptPay scheme and the widespread adoption of QR code payments among local merchants and street vendors. 
• Barriers to financial inclusion: Why high-tech solutions like digital IDs and tokenization face skepticism in rural areas and markets like Azerbaijan due to low technological literacy and a deep-rooted trust in cash. 
• The future of "AI Super Apps": How leaders in the Chinese market are moving beyond traditional super apps toward AI-driven agents that can handle payments and user interactions at every layer. 
• Japan’s approach to tokenized money: Insights into how Japan is testing the synergy between stablecoins, CBDCs, and tokenized deposits through inclusive, multi-bank networks. 

Host: Louis Thompsett
Guests: Callum Williams & Kieran O’Connor
Producer: Anaya McDonald
Editor: Anaya McDonald

Learn more about the latest payments insights: https://paymentexpert.com

In today's episode, Payment Expert Editor & Host Louis Thompsett and Payment Expert Senior Journalists Kieran O'Connor & Callum Williams discuss the Reserve Bank of India’s radical proposal to introduce a one-hour pause on digital payments to combat the 10x rise in fraud cases, comparing this pragmatic approach to Brazil’s PICS system and the emerging regulations in the UK and EU

Tune in to today's episode to find out:

• Why India is proposing a 1-hour lag for instant UPI transactions and how it gives users a "cancel" button for suspicious payments
• A comparison between India and Brazil’s fraud strategies, specifically the difference between a proactive buffer and a 7-day dispute mechanism.
• The "safety vs. speed" dilemma facing the EU as they mandate instant payments while potentially overlooking robust fraud controls
• Why social media platforms are dodging responsibility for the rise in Authorized Push Payment (APP) scams.
• A preview of Money 20/20 Asia in Thailand, covering the explosion of QR codes, tokenised money, and the real-world adoption of stablecoins

Host: Louis Thompsett
Guests: Callum Williams & Kieran O’Connor
Producer: Anaya McDonald
Editor: Anaya McDonald

Learn more about the latest payments insights: https://paymentexpert.com

We explore:

Why New York is legally protecting cash payments
The reality of unbanked and underbanked populations
Whether digital payments can truly replace cash
The risks of relying on digital infrastructure
How war, outages and crises expose payment vulnerabilities
Why central banks are still investing in physical money

This isn’t just about payments, it’s about access, resilience and the future of money itself.

Host: Louis Thompsett
Guests: Rachael Kennedy & Kieran O’Connor
Producer: Anaya McDonald
Editor: Anaya McDonald

Learn more about the latest payments insights: https://paymentexpert.com

The CLARITY Act was supposed to bring order to US stablecoin regulation. Instead it's stalled – and Coinbase just rejected the latest draft for the second time. We break down why the yield ban is so specifically damaging to Coinbase's revenue model, what it means for the Circle-Coinbase relationship ahead of their August renegotiation, and whether Armstrong's opposition is a genuine veto or a negotiating position.
Plus: what happens to yield demand if it's simply banned on compliant products, whether US gridlock hands Europe and Asia a real advantage, and what USDC falls back on if passive holding incentives disappear.

Host: Louis Thompsett
Guests: Callum Williams & Kieran O'Connor
Producer: Anaya McDonald
Editor: Anaya McDonald

Wero is making its move – but can Europe's pan-European A2A scheme succeed where every previous attempt has failed? We break down the chargeback gamble, the ECB's interoperability doubts, and what it will take to achieve the scale Europe needs.
Plus: Mastercard acquires stablecoin firm BVNK for $1.8bn – we speculate what's driving the deal, what it signals about where card networks see their future, and whether calls for “collaboration over competition” hold up

Elon Musk's X Money launches April 2026 – but is it a payments product or a revenue pivot? We break down the Visa Direct integration, the WeChat super app myth, and whether X can earn the trust financial services demands. Plus: a CBDC ban buried in a US housing bill, what a permanent digital dollar block means for stablecoin infrastructure, and how MiCA shapes X Money's global ambitions.

Host: Louis Thompsett
Guests: Rachael Kennedy & Callum Williams 
Producer: Anaya McDonald
Editor: Anaya McDonald

This episode features insights from the launch of the UK Payments Initiative (UKPI) at Money20/20 Europe, focusing on how Commercial Variable Recurring Payments (cVRPs) are transforming the open banking landscape. Experts discuss the phased rollout of these payment methods, regulatory and pricing frameworks, and the ecosystem collaboration required for widespread consumer adoption.

Key Topics

• The evolution of UKPI and the shift to commercial-driven open banking
• Commercial Variable Recurring Payments (cVRPs) vs. traditional direct debits and cards
• The phased rollout of cVRPs (Wave 1 restricted use cases to Wave 2 broader applications)
• Consumer benefits, including payment parameters, visibility, and control within banking apps
• Regulatory considerations, independent pricing principles, and mitigation of litigation risks
• Technical plumbing, industry collaboration, and transaction volume as key success metrics

Host: Louis Thompsett
Guest: Richard Mould
Producer: Anaya McDonald
Editor: Anaya McDonald

Learn more about the latest payments insights: https://paymentexpert.com

This episode features insights from the Money2020 Europe event, focusing on stablecoins, agentic AI, regulation, tokenisation, and fraud prevention in the payments industry. Experts discuss industry milestones, regulatory frameworks, and the future of payment innovations.

Key Topics

• Stablecoins and their regulatory landscape
• Agentic AI and its impact on payments
• Tokenisation projects like Project Agora
• Industry consolidation and M&A activity
• Fraud and identity security advancements

Host: Louis Thompsett
Guest: Justin Jacobs
Producer: Anaya McDonald
Editor: Anaya McDonald

Learn more about the latest payments insights: https://paymentexpert.com

In this episode Host, Louis Thompsett is joined by Justin Jacobs, Chief Policy and Engagement Officer at Pay.UK,  to discuss the future of digital money, interoperability of payment rails, trust, and security in a multi-money world. This episode explores opportunities, risks, and the evolving landscape of payments in the UK.

Key Topics

• Multi-money world and payment interoperability
• Opportunities in programmability and new use cases
• Resilience and diversity of payment options
• Trust, consumer protection, and fraud prevention
• Regulatory adaptation and industry collaboration

Host: Louis Thompsett
Guest: Justin Jacobs
Producer: Anaya McDonald
Editor: Anaya McDonald

Learn more about the latest payments insights: https://paymentexpert.com

In today’s episode, Host Louis Thompsett is joined by Shaanil Senarath-Dassanayake, Associate at Charles Russell Speechlys, as the duo discuss the seismic shifts in the UK’s regulatory landscape and what the transition from "unregulated" to "fully authorised" actually means for the next generation of fintech innovators.

Key Discussion Points

• The Crypto Authorization Gateway: Why the move from AML registration to full FCA authorization is more than just a paperwork exercise—it’s a total shift in operational expectations.
• Senior Management Accountability: How the extension of SM&CR to crypto firms is forcing founders to rethink personal liability and governance in a maturing market.
• The BNPL "Regulation Day": Navigating the July 15, 2026, deadline for Deferred Payment Credit and the compliance hurdles for firms facing FCA consumer credit rules for the first time.
• Structural Shakeups: What the consolidation of the PSR into the FCA means for payments firms and whether a "single supervisor" model will truly simplify the complex UK ecosystem.
• The AI Liability Gap: Insights from the FCA’s Mills Review on where the legal "buck stops" when agentic and generative AI systems cause consumer harm.

Host: Louis Thompsett
Guest: Shaanil Senarath-Dassanayake
Producer: Anaya McDonald
Editor: Anaya McDonald

Learn more about the latest payments insights: https://paymentexpert.com

This episode explores how mobile network intelligence is transforming fraud prevention in the financial industry. Samantha Kight from GSMA discusses emerging threats, innovative API solutions, and the importance of cross-industry collaboration.

Key Topics

• Emerging mobile fraud threats and trends
• GSMA's role in securing the mobile ecosystem
• Innovative API solutions for fraud detection
• Cross-industry collaboration against scams
• Impact of open source and AI on security

Host: Louis Thompsett
Guest: Samantha Kight
Producer: Anaya McDonald
Editor: Anaya McDonald

Learn more about the latest payments insights: https://paymentexpert.com

In this episode, Oliver Hanmer, Managing Director of UK Financial Crime Compliance Advisory at Capgemini, shares insights from the global anti-scam summit, discusses the evolving landscape of financial fraud, the role of AI, and the importance of cross-sector collaboration in combating fraud.

Key Points

• Global Anti-Scam Summit insights
• Role of AI in fraud detection and prevention
• Cross-sector collaboration between finance, telecom, and social media
• Regulatory incentives and misalignments
• Impact of instant payments on fraud
• UK's national fraud strategy and online crime centre

Host: Louis Thompsett
Guest: Oliver Hanmer
Producer: Anaya McDonald
Editor: Anaya McDonald

Learn more about the latest payments insights: https://paymentexpert.com

Open banking has a problem and the FCA finally has the statutory powers to fix it. 

We sit down with Andrew Self, Head of Open Banking & Finance at the Financial Conduct Authority, to find out what the new regulatory framework actually means for the UK's open finance future.

From variable recurring payments to the 2028–2030 Open Finance roadmap, Andrew breaks down the real obstacles, commercial models, consumer trust, data access and how the FCA plans to solve them.

🎙️ IN THIS EPISODE:
Intro: Why open banking is at a crossroads
The FCA's new statutory powers explained
Why the commercial model has failed so far
Variable recurring payments (VRP) — the game changer?
Reliability & error messaging: the industry's weak spot
Open Finance vision: mortgages, SMEs, and pensions
The PRISM framework: how the FCA prioritises use cases
What needs to happen before 2028

🔔 Subscribe for weekly payments, fintech, and financial services news.

#OpenBanking #OpenFinance #FCA #Fintech #UKPayments

In this episode, we explore the latest developments in UK stablecoin regulation, comparing it with US and European models. We discuss the implications for industry growth, regulatory collaboration, and future prospects for digital currencies.

Key Topics

• UK stablecoin regulation and its industry impact
• Comparison of US, EU, and UK stablecoin reserve requirements
• Regulatory collaboration between FCA and Bank of England
• Implications of high reserve caps and market viability
• Future outlook for stablecoin innovation and interoperability

Host: Louis Thompsett
Guest: Kieran O'Connor
Producer: Anaya McDonald
Editor: Anaya McDonald

Learn more about the latest payments insights: https://paymentexpert.com

In this episode, David Birch discusses the security and trust challenges of agentic transactions as they move from concepts to pilots, exploring digital identity infrastructure, standardisation, and fraud mitigation in the evolving payments landscape.

Key  Topics

• Digital identity infrastructure and its importance
• Security challenges with agentic transactions
• Standardisation needs for agentic frameworks
• Fraud risks and mitigation strategies
• The role of digital signatures and certificates
• Layered approach to transaction trust and discovery
• Potential of hardware security modules (HSMs)
• Liability and legal considerations in agent-based payments

Host: Louis Thompsett
Guest: David Birch
Producer: Anaya McDonald
Editor: Anaya McDonald

Learn more about the latest payments insights: https://paymentexpert.com

Payments are changing faster than ever.

New payment rails, tokenisation, AI and always-on banking are reshaping how money moves around the world, but can the financial system keep up?

In this episode of the Payment Expert Podcast, Louis Thompsett is joined by Bana Akkad Azhari, Head of EMEA Global Payments & Trade at BNY, to discuss the biggest trends shaping global payments and financial infrastructure.

The conversation explores interoperability, cross-border payments, tokenisation, liquidity management, 24/7 payment rails and the growing role of AI in financial decision-making.

In this episode:

✅ Why interoperability is becoming more important than ever
✅ The challenge of connecting new payment rails
✅ How 24/7 payments are changing treasury and liquidity management
✅ Why real-time visibility matters for financial institutions
✅ How tokenisation could transform settlement and collateral management
✅ The future of cross-border payments
✅ Why AI agents need governance before they can make payment decisions
✅ The importance of explainability and trust in financial AI
✅ How better connectivity can improve client experiences
✅ What the next generation of banking infrastructure looks like

BNY also shares why the future of payments is about much more than speed. Success will depend on better interoperability, trusted infrastructure, stronger data and intelligent automation working together.

#PaymentExpert #Payments #Fintech #Banking #BNY #Tokenisation #CrossBorderPayments #AI #RealTimePayments #Treasury

In this episode, Keith Bear discusses the evolving landscape of digital payments, stablecoins, tokenised deposits, and the regulatory environment across the US and UK. Gain insights into how these innovations are shaping the future of digital finance and what banks and fintechs are doing to adapt.

Key Topics

• Digital payments evolution
• Stablecoin regulation in US and UK
• Tokenised deposits and their applications
• Impact of regulation on banking strategies
• Future of A2A payments and digital wallets

Host: Callum Williams
Guest: Keith Bear
Producer: Anaya McDonald
Editor: Anaya McDonald

Learn more about the latest payments insights: https://paymentexpert.com

In this episode, Pahal Patangia from NVIDIA discusses the transformative impact of payment foundation models, AI, and data sharing in financial services. We explore how these innovations are shaping the future of autonomous finance, agentic commerce, and personalized customer experiences.

Key Topics

• Payment foundation models and their capabilities
• The impact of transformer architecture on financial data
• Building a 360-degree customer view
• Agentic commerce and autonomous transactions
• The importance of data sharing and open source models
• Liability and regulation in AI-driven payments
• The convergence of AI, data, and infrastructure in finance

Host: Louis Thompsett
Guest: Pahal Patangia
Producer: Anaya McDonald
Editor: Anaya McDonald

Learn more about the latest payments insights: https://paymentexpert.com

In this episode, we explore the recent UK regulations on buy now pay later (BNPL), their impact on the market, and how major players like Klarna are adapting. We discuss market timing, regulatory challenges, and future trends in BNPL and banking integration.

Key Topics

• UK BNPL regulation implementation and market impact
• Klarna's strategic move towards banking licenses
• The timing of BNPL regulation and market maturity
• Affordability checks and their implications for consumers and providers
• US market differences and regulatory approaches
• The future of standalone BNPL providers versus integrated financial services

Host: Louis Thompsett
Guest: Kieran O'Connor 
Producer: Anaya McDonald
Editor: Anaya McDonald

Learn more about the latest payments insights: https://paymentexpert.com

In this episode, we explore the launch of X Money by Elon Musk, its potential as a US super app, and the challenges it faces including security, regulation, and market competition. Our experts analyse whether X Money will succeed or just be a fleeting gimmick.

Key Topics

• Launch of X Money and its features
• Potential as a US super app and market strategy
• Security concerns and recent hacks
• Regulatory challenges and oversight issues
• Market competition with existing fintechs and challenger banks
• User trust and adoption hurdles
• X Money's revenue streams and business model
• Impact of regional licensing and coverage gaps
• Future prospects and potential for success

Host: Louis Thompsett
Guests:Kieran O'Connor & Callum Williams
Producer: Anaya McDonald
Editor: Anaya McDonald

Learn more about the latest payments insights: https://paymentexpert.com