Neo Ventures, Tokenized Assets & the Future of Wholesale Banking

AI isn’t a campaign. It’s a core banking reset.In this episode of Couchonomics with Arjun, we’re joined by Amith Rajan, CEO of Neo Ventures and Head of Digital Wholesale Banking at Mashreq, for a candid conversation on how AI, tokenization, and infrastructure transformation are reshaping the banking stack from the inside out.We unpack:- Why "rip and replace" is a myth and what real legacy evolution looks like-How Mashreq is deploying AI across KYC, onboarding, and customer insights-The role of tokenized assets, CBDCs, and smart contracts in wholesale banking- How Neo Ventures is exporting IP and scaling infrastructure beyond capital- Why culture,  not technology, is the biggest barrier to digital transformation🎧 Full episode now streaming on YouTube, Spotify & Apple Podcasts.🎧 Watch now and subscribe for more conversations on the future of finance.Couchonomics with Arjun Season 04 is brought to you by our partners:Adyen https://www.adyen.com/Thunes https://thunes.com/Mastercard https://mastercard.com/E& https://www.eand.com/Digit9 https://www.digitnine.com/SC Ventures https://scventures.io/Hala https://hala.com/Chapters:00:00 Episode Highlights00:43 Welcome to Couchonomics01:48 Aligning Dual Roles in Banking04:11 Challenges in Wholesale Banking06:51 The Role of AI in Banking11:14 FinTech and Digital Assets25:14 The Future of Tokenization27:04 CBDCs and Stablecoins: A Comparative Analysis29:14 Exploring Digital Assets in the Lab29:47 Introduction to New Ventures30:49 Venture Building and Investment Strategies35:45 Scouting and Partnerships with Fintechs39:08 Challenges and Opportunities in the VC Landscape46:17 Advice for Institutions Entering the CVC Space48:34 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsOur website 👉 https://bit.ly/3jk7UH0Find us on our social media platforms: Arjun's LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjunvirsingh/ CCN LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/couchonomics-with-arjun-singh/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/couchonomics/ Twitter https://twitter.com/Arjun_Vir_Singh?s=20 TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@couchonomics Subscribe to Arjun's LinkedIn newsletter, Couchonomics Crunch: https://bit.ly/3WI4A6E

The core of banking is broken, and duct-taping legacy systems won’t fix it.This week on Couchonomics with Arjun, I’m joined by Myles Bertrand, CEO of Tuum, the modular core banking platform built in Estonia and now scaling across Europe and the GCC.Tuum isn’t selling digital lipstick. They’re rebuilding the real plumbing of modern banking — one composable, cloud-native layer at a time.💡 In this episode:- Why full core replacement is a myth — and composability is the real unlock- How to modernize without breaking everything (or everyone)- What it takes to scale infra platforms into the GCC- Where AI fits in — and where it doesn’t- Why institutional banking might be the biggest opportunity for transformationIf you’re in banking, infra, SaaS, or scaling into MENA, this episode is required listening.#couchonomicswitharjun  #CoreBanking #BankingInfrastructure #DigitalBanking #ComposableInfra #Fintech #MENA #GCCStartups #AIinBanking #Tuum #FutureOfFinance #BankTech #SaaS #LeadershipCouchonomics with Arjun Season 04 is brought to you by our partners:Adyen https://www.adyen.com/Thunes https://thunes.com/Mastercard https://mastercard.com/E& https://www.eand.com/Digit9 https://www.digitnine.com/SC Ventures https://scventures.io/Hala https://hala.com/Find us on our social media platforms:Arjun's LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjunvirsingh/Couchonomics LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/couchonomics-with-arjun-singh/Instagram https://www.instagram.com/couchonomics/Twitter https://twitter.com/Arjun_Vir_Singh?s=20TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@couchonomicsSubscribe to Arjun's LinkedIn newsletter, Couchonomics Crunch: https://bit.ly/3WI4A6E00:00 Episode Highlights01:59 Myles' Journey to Estonia02:58 The Story of TOMB05:40 Challenges and Trends in Banking10:18 Cloud and Banking Infrastructure15:17 Complexity in Banking Systems20:03 Regulatory and Cultural Challenges25:38 Competitive Landscape in Core Banking26:41 Banking as a Service Evolution27:45 Challenges and Opportunities in the Market29:46 The Role of Technology Providers31:20 Core Banking and Integration Strategies40:03 AI in Banking: Potential and Challenges45:57 Cultural Shifts and Technological Adoption49:12 Regional Focus and Future Plans51:25 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsOur website 👉 https://bit.ly/3jk7UH0Find us on our social media platforms: Arjun's LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjunvirsingh/ CCN LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/couchonomics-with-arjun-singh/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/couchonomics/ Twitter https://twitter.com/Arjun_Vir_Singh?s=20 TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@couchonomics Subscribe to Arjun's LinkedIn newsletter, Couchonomics Crunch: https://bit.ly/3WI4A6E

In this episode of Couchonomics with Arjun, we sit down with Tim Levene, CEO of Augmentum Fintech, the UK’s only publicly listed fintech venture capital firm.From going public to backing infrastructure instead of hype, Tim shares what permanent capital allows that traditional VC structures don’t and why he believes the next decade of fintech will be won with discipline, not just disruption.What we cover:🛋️ Why Augmentum chose public markets over LP cycles🛋️ The real story behind growth-at-all-costs and its fallout🛋️ Why the GCC is becoming central to Augmentum’s investment strategy🛋️ What it takes to stay relevant when the hype fades🎧 Now streaming on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.Couchonomics with Arjun Season 04 is brought to you by our partners:Adyen https://www.adyen.com/Thunes https://thunes.com/Mastercard https://mastercard.com/E& https://www.eand.com/Digit9 https://www.digitnine.com/SC Ventures https://scventures.io/Hala https://hala.com/Find us on our social media platforms:Arjun's LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjunvirsingh/Couchonomics LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/couchonomics-with-arjun-singh/Instagram https://www.instagram.com/couchonomics/Twitter https://twitter.com/Arjun_Vir_Singh?s=20TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@couchonomicsSubscribe to Arjun's LinkedIn newsletter, Couchonomics Crunch: https://bit.ly/3WI4A6EChapters:00:00 – Episode Highlights02:45 – Why Augmentum chose to go public06:10 – Permanent capital vs traditional VC fundraising10:25 – What LPs and public shareholders want in today’s market13:55 – How Augmentum balances patient capital with fintech agility17:20 – The post-2021 correction: resetting the fintech ecosystem21:40 – Fintech infrastructure or B2C buzz: where the real value is now25:00 – Operator-led investing and what it means for founders29:15 – What makes a good VC-founder relationship33:40 – Augmentum’s evolving interest in the Middle East37:00 – Dubai and GCC as emerging fintech investment hubs41:30 – Tim’s take on profitability vs scale in VC45:05 – Outlook for fintech in the next 3–5 years48:50 – Closing reflections and final takeawaysOur website 👉 https://bit.ly/3jk7UH0Find us on our social media platforms: Arjun's LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjunvirsingh/ CCN LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/couchonomics-with-arjun-singh/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/couchonomics/ Twitter https://twitter.com/Arjun_Vir_Singh?s=20 TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@couchonomics Subscribe to Arjun's LinkedIn newsletter, Couchonomics Crunch: https://bit.ly/3WI4A6E

The next banking stack won’t just be fast — it has to be human.In this episode of Couchonomics with Arjun, Nick Drewett, Chief Commercial Officer at Engine by Starling, joins the conversation to share what it actually takes to launch and scale a digital bank — not in theory, but in practice.Engine is the tech spinout from Starling Bank - one of the world’s first profitable digital banks - and it’s now powering next-gen banking infrastructure globally.We cover:- How Salt Bank launched in under 12 months- Why most “modern” stacks still act like legacy- Where AI adds real value in banking- Why cost-to-serve is the new frontline- What it means to localise for the GCCEngine isn’t theory — it’s the tech behind Starling Bank’s success.📍🎧 Listen now on Spotify, YouTube & Apple Podcasts.Couchonomics with Arjun Season 04 is brought to you by our partners:Adyen https://www.adyen.com/Thunes https://thunes.com/Mastercard https://mastercard.com/E& https://www.eand.com/Digit9 https://www.digitnine.com/SC Ventures https://scventures.io/Hala https://hala.com/Chapters:00:00 Episode Highlights01:07Introduction01:15 Meet Nick Drewett and Engine01:53 The Story of Starling Bank02:23 Starling Bank's Success and Customer Service05:50 Introduction to Engine08:12 Engine's Global Expansion13:40 Case Study: Salt Bank in Romania20:15 Case Study: AMP Bank in Australia21:55 The Value of Banking Relationships22:52 Competition and Mobile App Strategy24:16 Global Banking Challenges and Localization26:40 Trust and Managed Services30:15 Technology and Banking as a Service38:34 Growth and Expansion Plans41:36 Final Thoughts and Future of BankingOur website 👉 https://bit.ly/3jk7UH0Find us on our social media platforms: Arjun's LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjunvirsingh/ CCN LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/couchonomics-with-arjun-singh/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/couchonomics/ Twitter https://twitter.com/Arjun_Vir_Singh?s=20 TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@couchonomics Subscribe to Arjun's LinkedIn newsletter, Couchonomics Crunch: https://bit.ly/3WI4A6E

There’s a $260B SME financing gap in MENA, and most players are still offering copy-paste solutions.In this episode of Couchonomics with Arjun, Craig Moore, Founder and CEO of Beehive, shares how one of the region’s original fintechs is tackling real problems with real results.Since 2014, Beehive has built a lending model that combines technology, regulatory know-how, and operational depth to serve the segment banks continue to overlook.In this conversation, we explore: • What SME lending looks like on the ground in the GCC • Why Beehive shifted from peer-to-peer to institutional capital • How investor appetite is changing, from family offices to global VCs • The practical role of AI in credit decisioning • Beehive’s plans for expansion into Saudi Arabia, Oman, and more📌 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube.#CouchonomicsWithArjun #SMELending #Fintech #DigitalBanking #MiddleEastFintech #AltCredit #VentureCapital #GCCStartups #FinancialInclusion #FounderVoicesCouchonomics with Arjun Season 04 is brought to you by our partners:Adyen https://www.adyen.com/Thunes https://thunes.com/Mastercard https://mastercard.com/E& https://www.eand.com/Digit9 https://www.digitnine.com/SC Ventures https://scventures.io/Hala https://hala.com/Find us on our social media platforms:Arjun's LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjunvirsingh/Couchonomics LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/couchonomics-with-arjun-singh/Instagram https://www.instagram.com/couchonomics/Twitter https://twitter.com/Arjun_Vir_Singh?s=20TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@couchonomicsSubscribe to Arjun's LinkedIn newsletter, Couchonomics Crunch: https://bit.ly/3WI4A6EChapters:00:00 Episode Highlights00:50 Intro01:37 Beehive's Origin and Mission04:22 Challenges in SME Lending12:45 Technology's Role in Lending15:08 Beehive's Evolution and Strategy21:29 Competitive Landscape and Future Outlook30:11 The SME Lending Landscape30:43 Challenges and Competition in SME Lending31:42 Significant Milestones and Growth33:16 BNPL and Merchant Lending35:46 Investment and Corporate Dynamics40:53 Embracing AI and Technology44:21 Blockchain and Tokenization47:09 Regional Expansion and Market Strategies51:34 Future Vision and Focus55:40 Final ThoughtsOur website 👉 https://bit.ly/3jk7UH0Find us on our social media platforms: Arjun's LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjunvirsingh/ CCN LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/couchonomics-with-arjun-singh/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/couchonomics/ Twitter https://twitter.com/Arjun_Vir_Singh?s=20 TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@couchonomics Subscribe to Arjun's LinkedIn newsletter, Couchonomics Crunch: https://bit.ly/3WI4A6E

The Venture Model Broke. But Startups Are Still Building.In this episode, Arjun is joined by Devin Kohli, General Partner at Outward VC, for a candid conversation on what’s next for venture capital.They unpack:- Shifting VC trends in Europe, MENA, and the USA- Outward’s bets on Curve, Vauban, Bud & more- AI hype vs. real vertical value- Tokenisation, digital assets & future financial infrastructure- Emerging tech hubs across Japan, MENA, Southeast AsiaPlus, Devin shares what conviction really looks like in a post-hype market — and why MENA founders are ones to watch.No pitch decks. No jargon. Just a candid chat about cycles, conviction, and building through uncertainty.🎧 Episode now live on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.Couchonomics with Arjun Season 04 is brought to you by our partners:Adyen https://www.adyen.com/Thunes https://thunes.com/Mastercard https://mastercard.com/E& https://www.eand.com/Digit9 https://www.digitnine.com/SC Ventures https://scventures.io/Hala https://hala.com/chapters:00:00 Episode Highlights00:51 Introduction02:01 State of the Nation: VC Insights for 2023 and Beyond02:52 Impact of Global Events on VC and Startups13:43 The Genesis and Philosophy of Outward VC22:20 Challenges and Success Stories in VC Investments30:05 Key Qualities and Red Flags in Founders31:01 Identifying Key Qualities in Founders33:26 Quantitative Aspects of Evaluating Founders34:02 Emerging Sectors and Avoiding Herd Mentality35:15 Focus on Wealth Tech and Asset Management44:07 Challenges and Opportunities in Europe and the UK51:37 Middle East as a Growing Hub for FinTech54:12 Concluding Thoughts and Future ProspectsOur website 👉 https://bit.ly/3jk7UH0Find us on our social media platforms: Arjun's LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjunvirsingh/ CCN LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/couchonomics-with-arjun-singh/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/couchonomics/ Twitter https://twitter.com/Arjun_Vir_Singh?s=20 TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@couchonomics Subscribe to Arjun's LinkedIn newsletter, Couchonomics Crunch: https://bit.ly/3WI4A6E

Phygital is the new digital.On Episode 2 of Couchonomics with Arjun Season 4, we sit down with Coenraad Jonker — Founder & Group CEO of Tyme — a digital banking pioneer who’s built real scale across emerging markets.Tyme raised $250M in Series C. Reached a $1.5B valuation. Signed up 17M+ customers across South Africa and the Philippines. All while keeping CAC at one of the lowest levels globally.This isn’t hype. This is hard-earned traction.  We break down regulation, scale, AI-native banks & why incumbents can't keep up.If you want to understand the next decade of retail banking — this is the conversation.📺 Watch the full episode now on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.Couchonomics with Arjun Season 04 is brought to you by our partners:Adyen https://www.adyen.com/Thunes https://thunes.com/Mastercard https://mastercard.com/E& https://www.eand.com/Digit9 https://www.digitnine.com/SC Ventures https://scventures.io/Hala https://hala.com/Chapters:00:00 Episode Highlights01:00 Introduction to the Guest and Tyme Group01:46 Overview of Tyme Bank's Operations02:46 The Growth of Digital Banking04:33 Challenges and Failures in Digital Banking08:54 Secrets to Tyme Bank's Success16:28 Future Plans and Strategies22:29 The Role of Digital Banks in the Financial Ecosystem25:14 The Future of Digital Banks27:10 Investor and Regulatory Perspectives29:51 Challenges for Traditional Banks39:38 Emerging Technologies and Their Impact45:26 The Importance of Ecosystems49:15 Future Expansion PlansOur website 👉 https://bit.ly/3jk7UH0Find us on our social media platforms: Arjun's LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjunvirsingh/ CCN LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/couchonomics-with-arjun-singh/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/couchonomics/ Twitter https://twitter.com/Arjun_Vir_Singh?s=20 TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@couchonomics Subscribe to Arjun's LinkedIn newsletter, Couchonomics Crunch: https://bit.ly/3WI4A6E

Season 4 of Couchonomics with Arjun kicks off with a venture builder shaking up the system — Gautam Jain from SC Ventures by Standard Chartered.From launching digital banks in Asia to building full-stack ventures in the GCC, Gautam’s now part of a team transforming how venture-building happens inside a bank.In this episode: 🧠 Innovation culture & internal equity 🧱 Building in real, underserved sectors 💡 Regulator-respecting fintech 🇸🇦 Why the GCC is ripe for bold ideasWatch to learn why SCV isn’t your typical corporate venture arm — and how it’s building businesses that matter.🎧 Watch now on YouTube or listen on all podcasting platforms! Couchonomics with Arjun Season 04 is brought to you by our partners:Adyen https://www.adyen.com/Thunes https://thunes.com/Mastercard https://mastercard.com/E& https://www.eand.com/Digit9 https://www.digitnine.com/SC Ventures https://scventures.io/Hala https://hala.com/chapters:00:00 Episode Highlight00:49 Welcome to Season Four01:13 Introducing Gautam Jain and SC Ventures01:59 Understanding SE Ventures04:29 The Importance of Mindset Shift in Banking06:17 Challenges and Strategies in Innovation20:04 The Role of Ecosystem Collaboration24:26 Balancing Risk, Regulation, and Innovation27:10 The Importance of People in Business27:54 The Changing Landscape of Financial Services28:46 Big Disruptive Trends and Technologies30:32 Globalization and Digital Assets31:38 Sustainability and Financial Inclusion34:43 Adapting to Ambiguity and Change37:54 Global Expansion and Market Dynamics42:37 Investment Strategies and Risk Appetite49:31 Future Vision for SE Ventures52:40 Final ThoughtsOur website 👉 https://bit.ly/3jk7UH0Find us on our social media platforms: Arjun's LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjunvirsingh/ CCN LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/couchonomics-with-arjun-singh/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/couchonomics/ Twitter https://twitter.com/Arjun_Vir_Singh?s=20 TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@couchonomics Subscribe to Arjun's LinkedIn newsletter, Couchonomics Crunch: https://bit.ly/3WI4A6E

We're officially back - bigger, bolder, more diverse, and more global than ever. In Season 4, we’re asking the real questions: - What’s next for AI, digital assets, open banking, and embedded finance? - How are regulations and disruptive technologies reshaping financial services? - Are we really keeping pace with the transformation?Over 100 episodes in — and the journey’s just getting started. Tune in and join the conversation as we decode the future of finance together. Our website 👉 https://bit.ly/3jk7UH0Find us on our social media platforms: Arjun's LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjunvirsingh/ CCN LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/couchonomics-with-arjun-singh/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/couchonomics/ Twitter https://twitter.com/Arjun_Vir_Singh?s=20 TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@couchonomics Subscribe to Arjun's LinkedIn newsletter, Couchonomics Crunch: https://bit.ly/3WI4A6E

Re-architecting Finance with Blockchain - Not Just Hype, But Real-World InfrastructureWe’re wrapping up this special Tokyo series of Couchonomics, filmed at the GFTN Forum — and what better way to close than with a bold conversation on the future of financial systems?In this final episode, I’m joined by Naveen Mallela, Co-Head of Kinexys & Managing Director at JP Morgan — and we’re going beyond the buzzwords to talk about what it really takes to rewire the plumbing of global finance.It’s a fascinating conversation about the real challenges — and opportunities — in transforming the global financial infrastructure.🎧 Tune in now on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.Chapters:00:00 Introduction to Stable Coins and Liquidity00:20 Welcome to Couch Genomics00:52 Introducing Navin Male and Connexus01:23 The Genesis of Connexus and Onyx03:48 Exploring Digital Assets and Payments06:15 Stable Coins vs. Commercial Bank Money09:23 Connexus' Global Footprint and Innovations11:52 Regulatory Challenges and Innovations19:03 Collaborations and Future Plans21:54 Conclusion and FarewellOur website 👉 https://bit.ly/3jk7UH0Find us on our social media platforms: Arjun's LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjunvirsingh/ CCN LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/couchonomics-with-arjun-singh/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/couchonomics/ Twitter https://twitter.com/Arjun_Vir_Singh?s=20 TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@couchonomics Subscribe to Arjun's LinkedIn newsletter, Couchonomics Crunch: https://bit.ly/3WI4A6E