The CXO Conversations

What happens when regulators can’t keep up with fintech’s pace of change? In this episode, Professor Bob Wardrop, co-founder of the Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance and RegGenome, explains why regulators hesitance in the face of new technologies, how computational regulation can make compliance machine-readable, and why resource constraints create systemic blind spots. He shares the challe...

Home to world-class talent and the world’s third-largest economy, Japan is ripe with potential to produce the next unicorns and decacorns. In this episode, Jordan Fisher, venture partner at Antler Japan and Founder of Zehitomo Inc, unpacks the structural challenges holding back Japan’s startup scene. He shares why Antler is betting on cross-cultural founder teams, how global capital and secondarie...

Japan’s crypto landscape has historically been plagued by hacks and heavy regulation. Today, the country is charting a comeback. In this episode, Genki Oda, Managing Executive Officer of SBI Holdings, shares how regulators are easing tax burdens, why stablecoins could define Japan’s next phase, and how SBI is connecting 50 million customers to digital assets. Get a candid look at what it will take...

In this episode, Naveen Mallela, Global Co-head of Kinexys & Managing Director at J.P. Morgan. takes the hot seat. Joined by Arjun Vir Singh of Couchonomics with Arjun, they discuss the evolving landscape of digital assets and the critical role blockchain is playing in reshaping financial market infrastructure. From tackling cross-border payment friction to exploring the future of stablecoins...

In this episode of The CXO Conversations, GFTN’s Pat Patel sits down with Prajit Nanu, Founder & CEO of Nium. They dive deep into the journey of scaling a business from Singapore to San Francisco, navigating the shift from growth at any cost to profitable growth. Hear how resilience, shamelessness, and a bit of boldness shaped Prajit’s approach to business, and why early-stage founders need to...

Benjamin Fernandez, CEO and Founder of NALA, takes us through the evolving role of cross-border payments in Africa’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Learn how seamless and efficient payment systems can fuel innovation, improve trade, and enable local businesses to scale globally. This episode offers valuable insights on the importance of cross-border payments in driving business growth and financial in...

In this episode, we explore the powerful intersection of financial inclusion, innovation, and entrepreneurship in Africa. Join Leila Rwagasana of Rwanda Finanace Limited and Christian Kajeneri of the National Bank of Rwanda as they share inspiring success stories, the launch of the National Digital Payment System, and discuss building a conducive environment for startups in Rwanda. They delve into...

Christian Rebernik, CEO, Founder and Chancellor at the Tomorrow University of Applied Sciences, joins The CXO Conversations to discuss how his platform is transforming education. From his journey in fintech to disrupting education, Christian explains how Tomorrow University is equipping African youth with the skills needed for the 21st century. He shares insights into the African Changemaker Schol...

Kosta Peric, Deputy Director of Inclusive Financial Systems at the Gates Foundation joins The CXO Conversations to share his expertise on bridging the gap for the 1 billion unbanked globally, focusing on Africa’s progress in digital payments and instant payment systems. He discusses the importance of cross-border payment integration and the exciting opportunities in Africa’s growing financial sect...

Thelma Quaye of Smart Africa joins the podcast to share insights on their mission to drive digital transformation across the continent. Discover how the Smart Africa Digital Academy is shaping the future by building digital skills from the grassroots to the policy level, empowering youth, entrepreneurs, and decisionmakers alike. Learn about the organisation’s work to close Africa’s digital divide...

In this episode, Hilda Moraa, Founder & CEO of Pezesha, shares her journey from fintech pioneer to creating financial inclusion for Africa's SMEs. Hilda reveals how Pezesha is transforming credit access through digital identity and AI, and why collaboration is key to solving Africa’s $300B financing gap. Learn how Pezesha is not just providing credit, but helping SMEs scale by offering tai...

In this episode, Parag Bhise, CEO of Nucleus Software, shares the story behind the company’s extensive legacy and its role in transforming India’s lending landscape. From pioneering digital lending to integrating APIs and collaborating with fintechs, Parag highlights Nucleus’s adaptability and commitment to innovation. He also discusses the future of small businesses in India, and how Nucleus Soft...

Matteo Rizzi, Founder of TimePledge.org, discusses his ambitious plans to reshape Africa's talent pool. With the launch of the African Talent Academy, Timepledge is on a mission to turn Africa’s youth into the next wave of entrepreneurs and tech leaders. Discover how they’re breaking barriers in education, bypassing traditional roadblocks, and pushing governments to embrace new models of upskillin...

In this episode, we explore how EMTECH is helping central banks embrace innovation while balancing regulation and consumer protection. Carmelle Cadet, Founder & CEO of EMTECH is joined by Hannatu Kasim Adegboyega, the Vice President of Sales, to discuss their journey in building regulatory sandboxes to help central banks stay ahead of fintech disruptions and explore the challenges and opportun...

Chebet Kipingor, Country Head at Africa crypto exchange Busha, shares insights into the challenges and opportunities in the region’s crypto landscape. From the importance of working closely with regulators to overcoming misconceptions and building trust, she explains how the continent can harness the power of crypto and stablecoins. She also discusses the role of collaboration between exchanges an...

What does it take to build a digital finance brand in one of the world’s most tradition-bound markets? Samantha Ghiotti, CEO and Co-Founder of Habitto, shares how her team broke through the cultural, regulatory, and behavioral barriers in Japan’s financial system. From rewriting the playbook on savings behavior to navigating licensing without a local co-founder, this is a masterclass in building t...

What does it take to build a digital-first, investor-ready, and globally connected financial hub in Africa? Jean-Marie Munyentwali, Chief Investment Officer of Rwanda Finance Limited, joins Kwame Oppong of the Bank of Ghana to unpack Rwanda’s bold vision. From AI-powered compliance to cross-border licensing, digital inclusion to talent mobility—this episode offers a roadmap to what the future of f...

Regulatory transformation is no longer optional. Jo Ann Barefoot, CEO of the Alliance for Innovative Regulation, shares why modern regulators must embrace emerging tech to stay ahead of fraud, enable financial inclusion, and unlock systemic resilience. With insights from global markets and lessons from AI, digital assets, and mobile finance, this is essential listening for senior leaders shaping t...

Parul Seth Khanna, Co-founder and CEO of PinBox Solutions, joins Matteo Rizzi to sound the alarm on an under-discussed crisis: old age poverty in emerging markets. From savings incentives in Rwanda to pension reform in India, this is a sharp, honest look at building financial dignity in the face of a looming global demographic shift. Guest: Parul Seth Khanna, Co-founder and CEO, PinBox Solutions H...

Christian Kajeneri Mugenzi, Director of Payment Systems at the National Bank of Rwanda, joins GFTN’s Kwame Oppong for a wide-ranging conversation on Africa’s digital transformation. From AI in fraud prevention to interoperability, data privacy, and carbon credit innovations, this is a grounded take on the real work of connecting a continent. Guest: Christian Kajeneri Mugenzi, Director of Payment S...

What happens when global volatility meets local innovation? Kwamina Duker, CEO of the Development Bank Ghana, breaks down the promise and pitfalls of AI, geopolitics, and sustainability in Africa’s development finance. In conversation with GFTN’s Kwame Oppong, this episode charts a future where trust, transparency, and tech could redefine what it means to bank on growth. Guest: Kwamina Duker, CEO,...

Valeria MBango and Tuna Brock of the Bank of Namibia join Matteo Rizzi to explore how the country is reimagining regulation, talent, and inclusion through fintech. From sandbox innovation to cross-border CBDC pilots, this is a rare look inside one of Africa’s most forward-looking central banks—and a fintech ecosystem on the rise. Guest: Valeria MBango, Director of Strategy, Projects and Transforma...

Milind Sanghavi, founder of XWeave, joins GFTN’s Pat Patel to explore how blockchain, stablecoins, and regulatory pragmatism can reshape money movement. From rethinking cross-border payments to bridging the gap between legacy systems and Web2.5 innovation, this is a grounded, founder-led take on scaling payments for a multipolar world. Guest: Milind Sanghavi, Co-founder & CEO, XWeave.io Host:...

Nasir Zubairi, CEO of The LHoFT Foundation, joins GFTN’s Pat Patel to discuss the future of fintech in Europe. From Luxembourg’s leadership in tokenized finance and blockchain regulation to urgent strategies for talent development and cross-border fintech partnerships, this episode explores how innovation, trust, and regulation are shaping the next wave of global finance. Guest: Nasir Zubairi, CEO...