Breaking Banks Europe

Host Matteo Rizzi welcomes fintech ecosystem builder Rodrigo García de la Cruz for a global conversation on the future of financial innovation. This episode explores how fintech ecosystems scale across regions, why Nubank’s U.S. banking license marks a turning point for global neobanks, and how stablecoins and banking infrastructure are reshaping cross-border finance. The discussion also compares European fintech models – from France’s unicorn-focused strategy to Germany’s resilient innovation approach – and dives into what makes fintech associations truly sustainable. A must-listen for founders, investors, regulators, and anyone shaping digital finance.

In this episode of Breaking Banks Europe, host Don Ginsel is joined by fintech thought leader Alessandro Hatami, co-founder of Pacemakers.io , to explore the most important trends shaping the future of financial services. The conversation covers financial inclusion and well-being, the cultural and legacy challenges holding traditional banks back, and why inclusion is as much an economic opportunity as a social one. They discuss the growing role of AI in banking – separating hype from real impact – along with its surprising effect on human interaction, hiring, and education. The episode also dives into digital resilience, cybersecurity risks, cash versus digital payments, and Europe’s opportunity around CBDCs, stablecoins, and digital identity. A wide-ranging, forward-looking discussion to kick off the new year in fintech. Follow the guest: https://www.alessandrohatami.net https://www.linkedin.com/in/aehatami

In last month’s segment of #BBE, Elizabeth Kleinveld invited Lars Markull, founder of Embedded Finance Review, and Philipp Buschmann, CEO of AAZZUR. Celebrating the podcast’s sixth anniversary, the episode explores major trends across funding, regulation, partnerships, and the rapid rise of embedded finance. Key topics include the deep fintech–bank partnership between Allegro and PKO Bank Polski, Italy’s CDP blocking the sale of Nexi for strategic infrastructure reasons, and BaFin’s €45m fine against JP Morgan ahead of its 2026 Chase launch. Revolut expands with Booking.com via Revolut Pay, signaling its broader ecosystem ambitions. Funding trends show U.S. fintech investment slowing except for megadeals like Ramp, while Europe sees growth. The thematic deep dive highlights embedded lending’s breakout year, expanding across marketplaces, SaaS platforms, and traditional enterprises, with Germany’s embedded finance market projected to surge through 2030.

As Breaking Banks Europe approaches its 6th anniversary, we’re celebrating with a special throwback! Host Matteo Rizzi welcomes back Serena Torielli, CEO and founder of WealthHype, who first joined us in Episode 3 – at the very start of our journey: https://provoke.fm/episode-3-insurtech/ In this new conversation, Matteo and Serena dive into Revolut’s explosive growth in Italy, the future of private banking, and how AI, Bitcoin, and gold are reshaping investing. They also explore regulation, stablecoins, and global market shifts, with Serena sharing her optimistic view on innovation in AI, energy, and biotech as drivers of the next financial revolution. Connect with our guest: https://www.linkedin.com/in/serenatorielli/

In this episode of Breaking Banks Europe, hosts Matteo Rizzi and Don Ginsel welcome guest Bianca Lopes for a global discussion on fintech innovation, neobanks, and regulation. They begin with Revolut’s rapid growth and $13 billion expansion, comparing its evolving model to Brazil’s Nubank, which thrives with cost efficiency and minimal physical infrastructure. The conversation shifts to stablecoins, cross-border payments, and announcements from SWIFT at Sibos about new digital asset layers and near-instant international transactions. Lopes highlights the “Finance of Tomorrow” conference in Rio de Janeiro, which fosters collaboration among 17 countries’ regulators and promotes financial inclusion and responsible innovation across Latin America. They discuss Brazil’s leadership in instant payments, regulatory cooperation inspired by India’s UPI system, and global progress in open banking. The episode closes with reflections on the evolving role of central banks, financial well-being, and the human impact of inclusive fintech.

August was hosted by Matteo Rizzi and the conversation features Ian Horne, Head of Content at Saxo Bank, and Sarah Kocianski, fintech consultant and former CEO of Fintech Wales, discussing major developments in the sector. They begin with AI-powered browsers, weighing opportunities for personalization against serious risks to privacy, data usage, and transparency. Klarna’s evolution from buy-now-pay-later to a full shopping ecosystem, its regulatory positioning, and plans for an IPO are explored, alongside broader BNPL growth. The panel highlights stablecoins, with Tether’s investment in Juventus and African startups signaling their role in remittances, cross-border payments, and the need for banks to provide liquidity. They also address implications for global currencies and financial infrastructure. Discussion then shifts to “agentic” AI in insurance, examining benefits of automation versus risks of mis-selling and lack of human empathy. Finally, they reflect on Africa’s rapid fintech growth, reduced U.S. funding, and Europe’s opportunity to increase investment. ‌ Connect with our guests: Sarah Kocianski: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahkocianski Ian Horne: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ian-horne-86335399/ ‌ JOIN THE GLOBAL SME FINANCE FORUM – SEP 15-17, Johannesburg, South Africa: https://registration.globalsmefinanceforum.com/sme/begin?c_5950203%5B0%5D=33877891&c_5950819=33888776&reg_type_id=856543&ref=GSMEFF25-IND-PTNR-BBE02&code=GSMEFF25-IND-PTNR-BBE02 ‌

In this episode, host Elizabeth Kleinveld is joined by Leon Ifayemi (CFIT) and Kristy Duncan (Women in Payments) to unpack the latest in global fintech. The discussion covers Europe’s shifting financial landscape, with Wise and Starling Bank eyeing US listings—raising questions about Europe’s competitiveness. The EU’s new Anti-Money Laundering Authority takes aim at crypto risks, while the US pushes ahead with stablecoin regulation. Guests explore the UK’s Smart Data Initiative, EU Digital ID Wallet rollout, and the Mansion House Leeds Reforms, all shaping future innovation. The episode also spotlights funding rebounds, strategic mergers, and female leadership in fintech, including Revolut’s appointment of Beatrice Cossa-Dumurgier and Blythe Masters’ return to JPMorgan. From regulation to cross-border payments, this conversation dives deep into how policy, technology, and leadership are driving the next phase of financial services.

This special episode of Breaking Banks Europe at Money20/20 features insights from fintech and crypto leaders shaping the future of finance. Jeff Parker, CEO of Paymentology, outlines the company’s global, cloud-based card processing platform that supports fintechs and digital banks in over 50 countries. Emphasizing agile infrastructure, tokenization, and financial inclusion, Parker highlights innovations like instant virtual cards and kiosk-based banking access. Charles Hoskinson, co-founder of Ethereum and Cardano, reflects on crypto’s journey from fringe to mainstream. He discusses decentralized finance (DeFi), stablecoins, and the need for automated compliance and global regulation, emphasizing the transformative potential of blockchain. Stani Kulechov, CEO of Aave Labs, discusses the evolution of DeFi through the tokenization of real-world assets (RWAs). He advocates for more accessible, programmable finance and collaboration between traditional and decentralized institutions, positioning DeFi as the next engine for scalable, transparent, and inclusive financial ecosystems. Connect with our guests: Jeff Parker – CEO, Paymentology Charles Hoskinson – Founder, Input Output (IOHK) Stani Kulechov – CEO, Aave Labs

Host Don Ginsel speaks with Jos van Kerkhof, Country Manager at Visa Netherlands, about key developments in fintech across Europe. They discuss Visa’s strong growth in the Dutch market, innovations in fraud prevention, and the rollout of Visa Debit to align with local payment habits. The conversation also covers broader industry trends, including the growing role of AI in commerce, such as Google’s new shopping agent and Visa’s own intelligent commerce initiative. Jos shares insights on the maturing crypto space, including Visa’s stablecoin initiatives and Coinbase’s commendable response to a recent data breach. They examine the rise of stablecoins, the impact of EU regulation like MiCA, and the potential for blockchain-based infrastructure to transform payments. The episode also highlights the importance of digital wallets, Europe’s push for greater payment sovereignty, and Visa’s vast global money movement network. Both guests look ahead to Money20/20 Europe in Amsterdam, where the industry will gather to shape fintech’s future.

In the April 2025 episode of Breaking Banks Europe, host Elizabeth Kleinveld is joined by guests Amine Berraoui (Founder & CEO of E10 Capital) and Guy Stiebel (a.k.a. the “Fintech Plumber”) for a deep dive into the latest fintech developments. The discussion opens with European banks’ cautious expansion into the U.S. market, citing high regulatory barriers and cultural challenges. They examine crypto regulation divergences—Europe’s restrictive MiCA framework, the U.S.’s bank-favoring Genius Act, and Singapore’s balanced partnership model. The trio also reflects on the crypto space’s integration into traditional finance, challenging its original decentralized ideals. Shifting to AI, they highlight massive VC interest, with $120B raised globally in Q1. AI’s biggest fintech impact? Risk modeling, customer automation, and product delivery speed. Stiebel suggests AI could divide fintech into consumer-facing and enterprise software sectors, while Berraoui emphasizes the need for infrastructure investment in emerging markets. The episode closes with calls for more patient capital and smarter funding models. ‌