We discuss fintech innovation within the context of geoeconomics and AI with Chengyi Ong, Director of Policy and Regulatory Strategy for APAC at Circle, the company behind USDC stablecoin. We begin by taking stock of the depth and breadth of global digital transactions across industrial and developing markets. We then focus on the US legislative efforts to bring digital currencies and transactions under an industry-supportive regulatory framework.  Chengyi then goes deeper into stablecoins, going over their global reach and adoption, while addressing concerns on local currency and financial system disintermediation. We then discuss SE Asia’s fintech stack, on the innovation dynamic and demand for such services. We conclude on trust/transparency/security issues embedded in fintech in the AI era.

We discuss fintech innovation within the context of geoeconomics and AI with Chengyi Ong, Director of Policy and Regulatory Strategy for APAC at Circle, the company behind USDC stablecoin. We begin by taking stock of the depth and breadth of global digital transactions across industrial and developing markets. We then focus on the US legislative efforts to bring digital currencies and transactions under an industry-supportive regulatory framework. &nbsp;Chengyi then goes deeper into stablecoins, going over their global reach and adoption, while addressing concerns on local currency and financial system disintermediation. We then discuss SE Asia&rsquo;s fintech stack, on the innovation dynamic and demand for such services. We conclude on trust/transparency/security issues embedded in fintech in the AI era.

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 E188 - Digital Assets and Currencies with Circle’s Chengyi Ong

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/f6ad7490-363d-4f1f-8948-abf300412a6f/clips/d3ea6c61-67bb-4467-ac64-b4ed00036bdd/transcript

In this special episode, we feature a conversation recorded recently in Delhi with the government of India’s Chief Economic Advisor, Dr Anantha Nageswaran. I began by asking Dr Nageswaran for an overview of the current state of the economy. We then move on to buffers, from energy to financial, to deal with a world of frequently occurring shocks. The conversation then delves into the high interest rate environment, supply side constraints, India’s fiscal dynamics, risk premium, investment environment, trade friction and liberalisation policy, AI disruption, relationship with the US, challenges with pursuing strategic autonomy, laying the foundation of high-end manufacturing through activist policies, green transition, outlook for exports, agriculture, and the exchange rate. Wide ranging and excellent insights.

In this special episode, we feature a conversation recorded recently in Delhi with the government of India&rsquo;s Chief Economic Advisor, Dr Anantha Nageswaran. I began by asking Dr Nageswaran for an overview of the current state of the economy. We then move on to buffers, from energy to financial, to deal with a world of frequently occurring shocks. The conversation then delves into the high interest rate environment, supply side constraints, India&rsquo;s fiscal dynamics, risk premium, investment environment, trade friction and liberalisation policy, AI disruption, relationship with the US, challenges with pursuing strategic autonomy, laying the foundation of high-end manufacturing through activist policies, green transition, outlook for exports, agriculture, and the exchange rate. Wide ranging and excellent insights.

Kopi Time E187 - India’s Path Forward with Chief Economic Advisor A Nageswaran

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/f6ad7490-363d-4f1f-8948-abf300412a6f/clips/ac5db4c0-864a-47e9-9424-b4e100cc275b/transcript

This podcast is about a collaboration. Bain & Company, DBS, and Vriens & Partners joined hands to prepare this report on Southeast Asia, with analysis of recent developments and scenarios about the next decade. I worked with Bain’s Ravi Vijayaraghavan, Senior Partner, and Hans Vriens, Founder and Managing Partner of Vriens & Partners on this report, with strong support from several analysts in the three firms. You can download the report here. In the podcast, I go over the salient points of the report, flagging the innovative scenario analysis tool deployed. Southeast Asian economies have held up remarkably well despite recent turbulence, but structural differences across countries are widening the quality and concentration of growth. Our base case forecast for 2026 to 2035 remains broadly intact at 4.8% in this updated edition, but with widened range of possible outcomes, amid shifting global conditions.

This podcast is about a collaboration. Bain &amp; Company, DBS, and Vriens &amp; Partners joined hands to prepare this report on Southeast Asia, with analysis of recent developments and scenarios about the next decade. I worked with Bain&rsquo;s Ravi Vijayaraghavan, Senior Partner, and Hans Vriens, Founder and Managing Partner of Vriens &amp; Partners on this report, with strong support from several analysts in the three firms. You can download the report <a href="https://www.dbs.com.sg/corporate/aics/templatedata/article/generic/data/en/GR/092026/260916_insights_sea_outlook.xml">here</a>. In the podcast, I go over the salient points of the report, flagging the innovative scenario analysis tool deployed. Southeast Asian economies have held up remarkably well despite recent turbulence, but structural differences across countries are widening the quality and concentration of growth. Our base case forecast for 2026 to 2035 remains broadly intact at 4.8% in this updated edition, but with widened range of possible outcomes, amid shifting global conditions.

Kopi Time E186 - A report on SE Asia 2026-2035

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/f6ad7490-363d-4f1f-8948-abf300412a6f/clips/73a27ec9-38ce-4fbe-9737-b4d400a61a19/transcript

Veteran US political and policy analyst Steve Okun, founder and CEO of APAC Advisors, joins Kopi Time to offer a cogent analysis of the US political cycle. We begin by assessing the gravity of the November mid-term elections, going over the domestic and foreign policy implications. Steve then details the momentum of key races and issues at stake for the voters. We talk about the elections likely to be a referendum on Donald Trump’s presidency, the role of special interests, and the predictive power of polls. We consider a set of scenario analyses, from a blue sweep to status quo, and even the possibility of a constitutional crisis in January 2027. We conclude with how all this will set things up for the 2028 presidential elections.

Veteran US political and policy analyst Steve Okun, founder and CEO of APAC Advisors, joins Kopi Time to offer a cogent analysis of the US political cycle. We begin by assessing the gravity of the November mid-term elections, going over the domestic and foreign policy implications. Steve then details the momentum of key races and issues at stake for the voters. We talk about the elections likely to be a referendum on Donald Trump&rsquo;s presidency, the role of special interests, and the predictive power of polls. We consider a set of scenario analyses, from a blue sweep to status quo, and even the possibility of a constitutional crisis in January 2027. We conclude with how all this will set things up for the 2028 presidential elections.

Kopi Time E185 - US Election Outlook with Steve Okun

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/f6ad7490-363d-4f1f-8948-abf300412a6f/clips/f53fcf9e-928e-4f3d-8d9c-b4c60071ab18/transcript

Kopi Time E188 - Digital Assets and Currencies with Circle’s Chengyi Ong

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