Couchonomics with Arjun

Madhusudanan and Prabhu Rangarajan are the Co-founders of M2P, an innovative, India-born fintech company with ambitious expansion goals for Dubai. However, word on the streets suggests that the party is over for startups, fintech companies included. Madhu and Prabhu start the conversation by highlighting what sets them apart from other fintech companies and offer valuable insights into which fintech companies have what it takes to make it through this difficult time.

Innovation is one thing; sustainable innovation is a whole other story. Madhu’s unique lens into the true function of fintech suggests that the problem that fintech is solving, actually is inclusion. Prabhu offers the interesting perspective that smaller players possess the drive to go deeper, as opposed to broader, enabling them to occupy an advantaged position in the market.

We also discuss:

· Is the party really over for fintech startups or did it just move?

· Will incumbents emerge stronger than ever from the recent fintech bubble?

· What does M2P bring to MENA?

Timeline

00:00 – Introduction

03:00 – Valuation reset or something more foundational?

10:00 – Outlasting the downward spiral

18:00 – How embedded finance might grow in MENA

24:00 – Big banks, small banks and each of their roles

30:00 - Motivations for international expansion

36:00 – Democratizing financial access

41:00 – Conclusion

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 Dhaband 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/

TikTo

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 FinTech industry is rapidly expanding and evolving. New innovations and inventions spring up every day at every point in the financial world. In all this excitement, some segments become overlooked.
Insurance, bogged down by hundreds of years of tradition and legacy, is one of those neglected and forgotten segments. But Tanja Magas, Chief Data and Analytics Officer at Democrance, believes otherwise.
Democrance, a company initially founded to capitalize on the microinsurance market, has recently seen rapid expansion. Riding the wave of digitization brought on by the pandemic, the company has managed to double its size in the past two years. For Tanja, the secret to this success can be found in the numbers.
Other topics for this episode include:
- How digitization will transform insurance
- “The digital attacker”: a new business model for a new world
- Unlocking the hidden power of data for your business
Timeline:
00:00 — Introduction
01:38 — Creating space for innovation
07:01 — Origin and development of Democrance
13:17 — New engagement and distribution channels
23:10 — Metaverse and insurance
26:40 — Women in InsureTech
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/...
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/
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

In the second part of our unprecedented 2-Part episode, we're diving into the technical aspects that make crypto possible to understand some of its most practical use cases. One of the most glamorous uses for crypto is obviously the possibility to make and receive payments.

Dominic Longman and Nadeem Ladki explore how the relationship between crypto and fiat currencies is pushing crypto towards evolving more as an ecosystem and less as an industry in the traditional sense. We also explore a slew of other topics such as:

• How CBDCs may affect the crypto market
• The growing role of regulations in the crypto market
• Crypto as a payments solution

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

Dive into the vibrant and ever-evolving world of FinTech as we explore the Singapore FinTech Festival (SFF) 2023 which is happening 15-17 November 2023. This is the global event where policy, finance, and technology not only meet but converge to reshape global economies.

Joining Arjun for this special episode is Pat Patel, the Executive Director of Elevandi. Having led the International FinTech Office at the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and played a pivotal role in shaping the digital economy, Pat offers a unique insider's perspective into the preparations and expectations of SFF.

Pat reveals some of the major industry leaders and key figures marking their presence at the event, including insights about Ajay Bhanga, the new president of the World Bank, and Eric Jing from Ant Group.

From policy discussions and financial tech showcases to its vast size resembling six giant warehouse hangers, Pat emphasizes the diversity and scale of the event. He also highlights the key thematic focuses of SFF this year, such as re-architecting the monetary system and the pivotal role of AI.

Other topics discussed:

• The significance of Ravi Menon's last festival address.
• Importance of talent pipelines in the global economic climate.
• The expansive evening festivities, turning Singapore's Club Street into a week-long street party.
• The challenge of navigating the vast offerings of SFF.
• Arjun's humorous take on the need for digital visiting cards and energy drinks to make the most of the festival.

Tune in to get a comprehensive understanding of what to expect from SFF 2023 and why, if you're serious about FinTech, it's an event you cannot afford to miss. Follow the journey with Arjun and Pat Patel as they discuss the nuances, attractions, and future trajectories of the festival. Don't miss out on this exclusive insider's view into the world's largest fintech event!

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

Leila Hurstel might have the coolest job title ever as the Chief Metaverse Officer at Verse Estate, but today she wears the title of guest on Couchonomics. Settling comfortably into the famous couch, Leila shares a brief overview of her time spent studying fintech at Harvard before pioneering the AllStarsWomen DAO.

Leila shares how the decentralized autonomous organization arose out of a deep desire to transform society, and how blockchain technology enables her to do that with a committed, dedicated community. Leila describes how community is key to many of the futuristic projects in the works, including the metaverse.

Regulation for the metaverse is still massively behind the curve, and in many ways, this represents the underdeveloped metaverse environment. However, Leila is quick to point out that this represents a massive potential for growth more than anything, and many companies have begun to recognize it.

Major corporations such as Gucci and Nike have taken to the metaverse for a more immersive experience, Leila explains. and the numbers indicate a massive underlying demand for the product, as up to 21 million people have actively interacted with the metaverse. Although the metaverse is, in many ways, still restricted to floating heads and half-bodies, Leila believes that this simply signals how early the market is in its ambitious development cycle. Leila points to interoperability as one of the main building blocks that will form the foundation of the metaverse.

Decentralization, distinctions from web 3.0 and much more: Leila gives a complete tour of everything you need to know about the fledgling metaverse.

Listen to the full episode now to discover how:

• Companies are making the jump into the Metaverse and how this will fuel the growth of the metaverse (05:00-15:00)
• The metaverse differs from web 3.0, and how the user-centric approach of web 3.0 will redefine modern instant communication (15:00-25:00)
• The metaverse is truly a multiverse. We also explore real-world applications of the metaverse, including digital twins and much more. (25:00-35:00)

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