In this episode, we have the privilege of hosting Ashraf Sabry, the visionary Founder and CEO of Fawry. Ashraf has transformed Fawry into a trailblazing fintech and one of the most successful startups in Africa.

We covered a range of topics, including innovation in payments,the development of startups in Egypt, Fawry’s diversification strategy, and Ashraf’s personal philosophy and expansion plans for Fawry. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights from one of Africa's preeminent fintech leaders.

We are talking about Digital Assets, DeFI and Crypto on Couchonomics with Arjun this week.

Joining us on the couch is Nick Philpott, Co-Founder and Head of Partnerships at Zodia Markets by Standard Chartered & OSL. We had a very interesting conversation around #bitcoinhalving, #stablecoins, virtual-assets regulations, and tokenization of real-world assets, among other topics. Nick gave us insights into Zodia Markets' role as an OTC crypto brokerage serving institutional clients and their partnership with Standard Chartered.

In this episode of Couchonomics, we tackle the burning question: "Bitcoin in 2024: Boom or Bust?" Join us as we engage in a fascinating conversation with Stefan Kimmel, the CEO of M2, a crypto exchange, and investment platform regulated by the FSRA in Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM).

We dive deep into the world of cryptocurrency, exploring the intricate dynamics of Bitcoin, DeFi, and digital assets. Throughout our chat, we touch upon various topics, including market dynamics, product innovation, and future trends in the crypto space.

Join Arjun as he explores Africa's dynamic startup scene and fintech landscape with Elias Yazbeck, Managing Director at Helios Investment Partners.

Discover key insights into Africa's market dynamics, challenges, and future trends in fintech. Elias also shares Helios Investment Partners' strategies and potential seismic shifts in private equity.

Topics covered include real-time payments, digital banking for SMEs, regulatory roles, entrepreneurship challenges, and Helios Investment's unique philosophy.

Join Arjun on Couchonomics as we explore open banking and fintech in the GCC with Abdulla Almoayed, Founder & CEO of Tarabut. Discover the evolving landscape of financial services, BaaS, and gain insights into open banking. We also delve into Tarabut's inspiration, GCC financial services, managed competition, challenges, and opportunities with open banking, BaaS integration, and accelerating digital adoption through fintech partnerships.

In this episode, we delve into the crucial topic of mental health with Scott Armstrong, Founder & CEO of Mentl, a mental health advocacy platform. From workplace challenges to the impact of AI, we explore various facets of mental well-being in today's world. Tune in for insightful discussions on work-life balance, stress management, and more. Don't miss out on this important conversation!

Episode 5 of Season 3 is live now featuring Mounir Nakhla, Founder and CEO of MNT-Halan. Join us as we delve into the journey of MNT-Halan and the Egyptian fintech landscape. From ride-hailing to a financial super app, we cover it all in this insightful episode! Tune in for a glimpse into the world of fintech innovation!

🚀 Explore the world of Venture Capital with Khaled Talhouni, Managing Partner at Nuwa Capital, in Episode 4 of Couchonomics with Arjun! We cover topics like the State of Venture Capital in 2023, market dynamics, lessons learned by VCs, challenges and opportunities for women founders, and more. Don’t miss this conversation full of invaluable insights. Tune in now!

Join us for Episode 3 of Couchonomics with Arjun as we explore the UAE's entrepreneurship ecosystem with Professor Ramesh Jagannathan, Managing Director of StartAD. Learn about StartAD's innovative programs, the challenges of entrepreneurship, and the role of women in business. Subscribe for insightful discussions on driving economic growth and global competitiveness in the UAE!

Welcome back to Couchonomics! In line with the theme of rearchitecting the global financial system, this week we explored the banking sector in the UAE and the wider GCC: regulatory focus, financial crime regulation, innovation, and in general, what the banking sector could do differently.

Helping us explore these topics, we had the privilege of hosting Raheel Ahmed, CEO of RAKBANK, on our show. During our conversation, Raheel shared his insights on the dynamic relationship between fintech and banks, his views on central banks, and Arjun even managed to slip in a CBDC question. 💸

Dive into the future of Fintech with J.K. Khalil, General Manager at MasterCard GCC & Pakistan! Join Arjun and J.K. as they explore the partnership dynamics between fintechs and banks, the game-changing role of governments in innovation, embedded finance, and MasterCard's bold new initiatives! Don't miss out on this epic start to the third season!

In the season finale of Couchonomics S02, Arjun was joined by David Chaum, inventor of electronic money and privacy technology. He is known as a pioneer in cryptography and privacy-preserving technologies, and widely recognized as the inventor of digital cash. His 1982 dissertation is the first known proposal for a blockchain protocol. Complete with the code to implement the protocol, Chaum's dissertation proposed all but one element of the blockchain later detailed in the Bitcoin whitepaper.

In the latest episode of Couchonomics, Arjun was joined by Eyad Albayouk, General Manager at Flat6Labs. Eyad comes from a 12-year background focused on alternative investments. This special episode, shot at Fintech Saudi, provided great insight into the state of the fintech startup ecosystem in KSA.

In the latest episode of Couchonomics, Arjun was joined by Paul Melotto, Executive Board Member at Alraedah Finance. Paul has played a key part in Arjun’s journey to understand the Saudi ecosystem, especially regarding fintech and financial services.

In the latest episode of Couchonomics, Arjun was joined on the couch by Medhi Fichtali, Founder & CEO of FinaMaze, MENA’s first AI digital wealth manager. Founded by a highly experienced team with decades of track record in capital markets and asset management, their hybrid human/machine teams are currently managing hundreds of portfolios. We spent a fair amount of the episode breaking down AI’s role in wealth management and the need for a product like FinaMaze.

In the latest episode of Couchonomics, Arjun was joined by Jan Pilbauer, Chief Executive Officer of Al Etihad Payments, a national payments utility and fully owned subsidiary of the Central Bank of the UAE. Al Etihad Payments recently launched Aani, a “payments experience” that allows you to make instant payments to people or merchants from your bank accounts, wallets, or other sources. We spent a good portion of the episode exploring this latest venture, and how it is furthering Al Etihad’s mission of powering the payments that make the UAE thrive.

Join us on Couchonomics as we explore corporate wellness with Diego Carrete, Chief Wellness Officer at FAB. Discover the new era where wellness is key to attracting talent, the role of wellness in the workplace, and practical tips for a healthier life. Tune in for a transformative discussion on balancing work, health, and personal growth in our latest episode, "Reimagining the 9 to 5."

Dive into the heart of FinTech with Arjun's exclusive episode featuring Pat Patel, the mastermind behind Elevandi, as they unveil the highlights of Singapore FinTech Festival (SFF) 2023. From key figures like World Bank's Ajay Bhanga to groundbreaking tech discussions, get an insider's look into the world's premier FinTech event. Whether it's the significance of Ravi Menon's address or Singapore's Club Street transformation, this episode is a must-listen for every FinTech enthusiast. Don't miss the blend of policy, finance, and tech reshaping the global digital economy.

In the latest episode of Couchonomics with Arjun, dive into the world of financial technology and the future of retirement with none other than Michael Watkins, the mastermind behind Aurem. From unearthing behavioral challenges people face in securing their future, to demystifying the real value of money and breaking down misconceptions about wealth - this episode is a treasure trove of insights. As the landscape of work and finance shifts beneath our feet, discover how platforms like Aurem stand at the forefront of innovation, illuminating the path to a prosperous future. Don't miss this enlightening conversation!

Venture capital, startups, and the nuances of the MENA region - these are the intriguing elements at the core of our latest episode of Couchonomics. We're honored to host Philip Bahoshy, the visionary CEO of MAGNiTT, as he shares unparalleled insights into the evolving landscape of venture investments in the MENA ecosystem. Drawing from his wealth of experience and MAGNiTT's impactful journey, Philip presents an in-depth perspective on the significant trends, challenges, and opportunities in the startup world. Whether you're an investor, entrepreneur, or an ardent follower of the MENA market, this episode promises a riveting dive into the heart of venture capital dynamics. Tune in and be part of this enlightening discourse!