Converge

Ten years on from the Brexit referendum, the shock might be over but its effects on sterling remain. Steven Dooley speaks to George Vessey and Antonio Ruggiero about how Brexit redefined the pound’s trading level and risk dynamics, and what that means for businesses managing FX exposure today. Converge is Convera’s podcast that discusses a range of financial services topics. We want to remind our...

What does this week's US–Iran peace deal mean for APAC FX? Shier Lee Lim breaks it down, while Ingmar Apinis dives into Payments 2026+: Liquidity in Motion — Convera’s latest report on how cross-border payments are evolving. Converge is Convera’s podcast that discusses a range of financial services topics. We want to remind our listeners that the information shared on this podcast is for infor...

This week’s FX Weekly podcast unpacks a market that looks stable on the surface but lacks real conviction underneath. George Vessey is joined by Steven Dooley and Antonio Ruggiero to explore how unresolved geopolitics, sticky inflation, and shifting central bank dynamics are shaping FX. The team dives into softer yet still inflationary US data, the Fed’s constrained outlook, and the RBNZ’s hawkish...

George Vessey and Antonio Ruggiero join from London with host Steven Dooley. In this episode, the team unpacks a volatile moment for global markets, with rising bond yields, persistent geopolitical tension, and a stronger US dollar shaping the macro narrative. They explore what’s driving the latest market moves, how shifting rate expectations are impacting currencies, and why the dollar continues...

In this episode, Alex Lawrence, Alanna Frost and Akash Patel sit down with Geetha Panchapakesan, Founder and CEO of Tesser and Dana Weinstein, Head of Product and Operations at Tesser to unpack why cross-border payments are still so broken, how stablecoins can make money movement faster and more predictable, and why banks and PSPs don’t need to become crypto startups to get on chain. They also exp...

In this Market Update, host Alex Lawrence sits down with Kevin Ford to break down a volatile Q1 2026 shaped by geopolitical shocks, uneven market performance, and rising uncertainty around inflation and growth. They discuss how the US‑Iran conflict, higher oil prices, and tightening financial conditions are affecting markets—alongside pressure from large‑scale AI spending and growing concerns in p...

This week, we sat down with Stefan Deiss , CEO of The Hashgraph Group, to discuss the transformative potential of Hedera Hashgraph in cross-border payments, digital identity, ESG markets, and enterprise solutions. Stefan reveals how trust, transparency, and innovative projects are shaping the future of digital infrastructure, with highlights of impactful financial services projects built for the H...

This week, host Alex Lawrence sat down with FX and Macro Analyst Antonio Ruggiero to analyze the impact of the escalating Middle East conflict on global markets, central bank policies, and the US dollar. They explore how geopolitical tensions influence energy prices, inflation expectations, and currency dynamics, providing insights for investors navigating uncertain times. Disclaimer: Converge is...

This week, host Alex Lawrence sat down with Meaghan Riley , newly appointed Chief Commercial Officer at Convera, to dive into her journey as a female leader in tech and finance in celebration of International Women's Day. Meaghan shares her views on the importance of diversity and inclusion, and explores the future of cross-border payments and AI in financial services where the signal is going bey...

In this episode, Steven Dooley, head of market insights at Convera, discusses the recent geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, their impact on global markets, oil prices, safe havens, and implications for risk management and macroeconomic outlooks. Disclaimer: Converge is Convera’s podcast that discusses a range of financial services topics. We want to remind our listeners that the information...

On this episode of Converge, host Alex Lawrence sits down with market strategist George Vessey to unpack the chaos shaping today’s global economy. From the shockwaves of AI disruption to mounting trade friction and escalating geopolitical tensions, George breaks down what’s driving the turbulence — and what it all means for investors trying to navigate an increasingly unpredictable world. Disclaim...

Join host Alex Lawrence, Akash Patel and Alanna Frost of Convera as they sit down with  Damian Dugauquier , co-founder and CEO of IPID (International Payment Identity). With experience at SWIFT, Damian and his team are building the "seat belts" for the global financial highway. In this episode, we dive into: The Power of the "Green Tick":  How real-time account verification is...

In this episode, Alex Lawrence and Kevin Ford break down the latest US job numbers and what they reveal about the current state of the economy. Their conversation examines the fragility of the labor market, the unexpected job growth seen in January, and the growing disconnect between economic expansion and job creation. They also discuss how AI is influencing productivity and employment trends, as...

This week, Alex Lawrence speaks with Adva Lewitte from ShareForce about modernizing global reward programs. They discuss the challenges of traditional incentive management, the importance of automation and integration, and how technology can enhance employee engagement. Adva shares insights on navigating complexities in multi-country share plans and the impact of remote work on employee ownership....

In this week's market update, Alex Lawrence and Stephen Dooley discuss the significant movements in the FX markets over the past week, particularly the Japanese yen's weakness against the US dollar. They explore the potential for coordinated intervention by central banks, historical precedents like the Plaza Accord, and the current fiscal pressures facing Japan. The conversation highlights...

This week we're sharing a conversation from last month's The PIE webinar featuring Convera's Head of Content Alex Lawrence and the University of Denver's Janet Burkhardt . They delve into the escalating cyber threats faced by higher education institutions, particularly focusing on the rise of sophisticated fraud tactics such as ghost students and identity theft. They also discuss the vulnerabiliti...

2026 has started with a bang. Geopolitical risks are piling up - from US military intervention in Venezuela to fresh threats across the Americas, Iran, and even Greenland. And if that wasn’t enough, the US administration’s globally destabilising attack on the Federal Reserve has added another layer of chaos to the start of the year. Yet markets remain remarkably calm. And that’s the real danger. T...

To kick off 2026, host Alex Lawrence discusses the challenges ahead in navigating cross border payments and global business growth with UK-based small business leaders Colin Watton and Nalin Perera of LSP Group and Sunrise Products, Ltd. They explore the significance of FX risk for small businesses going in to the new year, the impact of geopolitical shifts on profitability, and strategies for man...

In this episode of the Converge, Steven Dooley and Shier Lee Lim discuss the current state of currency markets, focusing on the US dollar's recent performance and its implications for global finance. They explore the breakdown of the dollar as a safe haven, the slow evolution of de-dollarization, and the impact of US policy on Asian currencies. The conversation highlights the complexities of r...

This conversation, hosted by Steven Dooley and featuring Kevin Ford as the speaker, explores how monetary policy is evolving, with growing attention on fiscal dominance and its impact on interest rates and foreign exchange markets. It also looks at how geopolitical tensions and shifts in central bank independence are adding new layers of complexity, making it increasingly difficult to forecast cur...

This week, host Alex Lawrence sat down with Sarah Madden , CISO at Convera, and fintech advisor and Voalyre founder, Ted Huff, to discuss the implications of AI in the financial sector, particularly in the context of cybersecurity and fraud prevention. They reflect on their experiences at Money 2020, emphasizing the rapid adoption of AI technologies and the challenges that come with it. The discus...

George Vessey and Antonio Ruggiero discuss the evolving nature of geopolitical risk, emphasizing its expansion beyond traditional armed conflict to include populism, protectionism, and anti-globalization narratives. They highlight the implications of these changes on the global economic landscape, From tariff-driven central bank dilemmas to the erosion of traditional fiscal anchors. Disclaimer: Co...

This week, we're bringing you a panel discussion recorded live at Money2020 USA on Oct. 27th, 2025. The conversation is hosted by David Savage of the Tech Talks podcasts, and features Sudipto Das , VP of Engineering at Convera, Nilesh Dusane, Head of Institutional Payments at AWS, and Shawnna DelHierro, Chief Information Officer of SoundHound AI. They explore the intersection of AI and cross-b...

In this episode of the Converge podcast, Steven Dooley and George Vessey discuss the insights from the 'Are You Ready for 2026' research report, reflecting on the past year's market influences and looking ahead to the key themes shaping the FX landscape in 2026. They explore the impact of tariffs, monetary policy, and geopolitical factors on global growth and currency forecasting, focu...

This week, we sat down with Brian Hamilton, President of Origence Lending, to discuss the evolution of the lending landscape, the impact of technology, AI, automation, and the importance of compliance as the lending sector evolves. We cover how Origence has adapted to changes in consumer behavior and economic conditions, emphasizing the need for a frictionless experience in lending. We also chat a...