What is the current state of fintech? Varun Mittal, founder of Fintech Nation, returns to Kopi Time after nearly 100 episodes to comment on the changes in the last four years. We discuss the depth and breadth of the sector, its profitability and investor returns across geographies, and the competition/collaboration relationship between banks and nonbank financial companies. We discuss fintech’s role in wealth planning and financial inclusion, the proliferation of payments solutions, and the state of development in the worlds of cryptos, stablecoins, and CBDCs. Discussions then move on to the impact of AI/GenAI on the financial sector and likely forthcoming regulation.  

What is the current state of fintech? Varun Mittal, founder of Fintech Nation, returns to Kopi Time after nearly 100 episodes to comment on the changes in the last four years. We discuss the depth and breadth of the sector, its profitability and investor returns across geographies, and the competition/collaboration relationship between banks and nonbank financial companies. We discuss fintech’s role in wealth planning and financial inclusion, the proliferation of payments solutions, and the state of development in the worlds of cryptos, stablecoins, and CBDCs. Discussions then move on to the impact of AI/GenAI on the financial sector and likely forthcoming regulation.

Kopi time is a podcast series on insights from markets and economies around the world, hosted by Taimur Baig, Ph.D., Chief Economist of DBS Bank Ltd.

Kopi time is a podcast series on insights from markets and economies around the world, hosted by Taimur Baig, Ph.D., Chief Economist of DBS Bank Ltd.

Kopi Time podcast with Taimur Baig

DBS Economics & Strategy

Kopi Time E139 - Fintech Zeitgeist with Varun Mittal

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/f6ad7490-363d-4f1f-8948-abf300412a6f/clips/c57cdae4-190a-4f2a-9ed2-b21e0067d0ea/transcript

Dr. Shekhar Aiyar, Director and CEO of Indian Centre for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER), returns to Kopi Time for a wide-ranging discussion on India. We begin with the clear, foundational tailwinds in place that could propel India’s economic growth higher in the coming years, followed by factors that could hold back growth, especially onerous regulation, insufficient spending on R&D, labour market rigidity, and complexities associated with state-centre relationship. We then move on to public finances, which is presently characterised by favourable debt dynamics and a consolidating fiscal stance. Building on that, we focus on budgetary allocations in key areas of the economy. Shekhar then touches on external matters, including the rupee, trade deals, and India’s calculus vis-à-vis China. A must-listen for India watchers.  

Dr. Shekhar Aiyar, Director and CEO of Indian Centre for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER), returns to Kopi Time for a wide-ranging discussion on India. We begin with the clear, foundational tailwinds in place that could propel India&rsquo;s economic growth higher in the coming years, followed by factors that could hold back growth, especially onerous regulation, insufficient spending on R&amp;D, labour market rigidity, and complexities associated with state-centre relationship. We then move on to public finances, which is presently characterised by favourable debt dynamics and a consolidating fiscal stance. Building on that, we focus on budgetary allocations in key areas of the economy. Shekhar then touches on external matters, including the rupee, trade deals, and India&rsquo;s calculus vis-&agrave;-vis China. A must-listen for India watchers. &nbsp;

Kopi Time E172: ICRIER head Shekhar Aiyar on key aspects of India’s outlook

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/f6ad7490-363d-4f1f-8948-abf300412a6f/clips/e87d333c-4f9e-4e01-bdf3-b3fb00a92572/transcript

Timothy Adams, President and CEO of the Institute of International Finance, brings his deep experience and expertise to Kopi Time. We begin with the nomination of Kevin Warsh as the next Fed Chair, and his potential approach to monetary policy, including the challenges of balancing political pressure with institutional independence. We then discuss the state of monetary and fiscal policy, risks characterising the outlook, financial stability concerns, and the politics and economics around the USD and stablecoins. We end with Tim's views on the evolving geopolitical landscape and the need for middle powers to seek new partnerships and pragmatic positions on matters of national security and trade.

Timothy Adams, President and CEO of the Institute of International Finance, brings his deep experience and expertise to Kopi Time. We begin with the nomination of Kevin Warsh as the next Fed Chair, and his potential approach to monetary policy, including the challenges of balancing political pressure with institutional independence. We then discuss the state of monetary and fiscal policy, risks characterising the outlook, financial stability concerns, and the politics and economics around the USD and stablecoins.&nbsp;We end with Tim's views on the evolving geopolitical landscape and the need for middle powers to seek new partnerships and pragmatic positions on matters of national security and trade.

Kopi Time E171 - IIF's Tim Adams on the Fed, US Fiscal, & Financial Stability

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/f6ad7490-363d-4f1f-8948-abf300412a6f/clips/7b080880-5a3f-492c-a01e-b3ee001fb4b3/transcript

Bernard Haykel, Professor of Near Eastern Studies at Princeton University, returns to Kopi Time to walk us through various geopolitical flashpoints. We begin with the US’s recent intervention in Venezuela and the cohesiveness of the strategy at play. Heavy on economic coercion and light on ground-level involvement, to what extent US can achieve control on the region remains to be seen, although the goal of reducing China’s influence is being achieved to some extent. We then touch on what lies ahead for other central and Latin American leaders who are not aligned with the White House. Next, Greenland, where Professor Haykel does not see military intervention, nor does he see the fraying of the NATO. We then move on to the various moving parts in the Middle-East, from Iran to Saudi Arabia to UAE to Israel to Syria. There are few academics like Professor Haykel who can parse through these complex issues with such ease. A tour de force.  

Bernard Haykel, Professor of Near Eastern Studies at Princeton University, returns to Kopi Time to walk us through various geopolitical flashpoints. We begin with the US&rsquo;s recent intervention in Venezuela and the cohesiveness of the strategy at play. Heavy on economic coercion and light on ground-level involvement, to what extent US can achieve control on the region remains to be seen, although the goal of reducing China&rsquo;s influence is being achieved to some extent. We then touch on what lies ahead for other central and Latin American leaders who are not aligned with the White House. Next, Greenland, where Professor Haykel does not see military intervention, nor does he see the fraying of the NATO. We then move on to the various moving parts in the Middle-East, from Iran to Saudi Arabia to UAE to Israel to Syria. There are few academics like Professor Haykel who can parse through these complex issues with such ease. A tour de force. &nbsp;

Kopi Time E170: Bernard Haykel on foreign policy in the Americas and the Middle-East

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/f6ad7490-363d-4f1f-8948-abf300412a6f/clips/4b13d434-275f-4030-b1f4-b3e000139e62/transcript

Kopi Time E139 - Fintech Zeitgeist with Varun Mittal

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