Why Trust Is Becoming Financial Services’ Biggest Competitive Advantage with Know Your Customer

In this special episode of THE SHIFT, recorded live at Money20/20 Asia in Bangkok, Danny Levy explores one of the biggest problems still facing global finance:Why can you send money across Singapore in seconds… but moving it across borders can still take days?Despite decades of innovation, much of the infrastructure powering cross-border payments remains slow, expensive, fragmented, and dependent on multiple intermediaries.And this isn’t a small problem. We’re talking about a global cross-border payments market moving more than $150 trillion.Joining Danny is Eddie Hui, Co-President & Chief Operating Officer at MetaComp, to explore whether a new liquidity layer built using blockchain, stablecoins, and modern settlement infrastructure could finally change how money moves around the world.Recorded onsite at Money20/20 Asia, the conversation explores what’s actually broken in cross-border payments - and what replacing the infrastructure underneath them could look like.The conversation explores:Why domestic payment systems like PayNow and PromptPay have evolved so much faster than cross-border paymentsWhere the current correspondent banking model creates friction, cost, and uncertaintyWhy SMEs and institutional payments may have more to gain from new infrastructure than consumersWhat a blockchain-powered “liquidity layer” actually means in practiceWhere stablecoins fit into the future of global settlementHow newer payment rails could change liquidity, certainty, and cash flow for businessesWhether faster settlement can provide the same trust and protection as traditional banking infrastructureWhy regulation could be an enabler rather than a barrier to adoptionWhether correspondent banking will still exist in its current form 5–10 years from nowWhy separating blockchain as a technology from crypto as an asset class mattersDrawing on Eddie’s experience across payments, digital assets, and financial infrastructure, the discussion cuts through the technology narrative and focuses on the problem that actually matters: moving money around the world faster, more efficiently, and with greater certainty.Because the future of payments may not look radically different on the surface.But underneath, the rails could change completely.That’s THE SHIFT.

Trust has always been at the heart of financial services. But as AI accelerates, financial crime becomes more sophisticated, and regulation continues to evolve, trust is becoming more than a prerequisite - it’s becoming a competitive advantage.Recorded live at Money20/20 Asia, Danny Levy sits down with Claus Christensen, Founder & CEO of Know Your Customer, to explore how financial institutions are rethinking compliance, identity and risk in a rapidly changing world.They discuss how AI is transforming KYC and AML, why compliance is shifting from a back-office function to a strategic advantage, the challenge of building technology for a fragmented global regulatory landscape, and what the future of trust looks like in financial services.Claus also shares the story behind building Know Your Customer, lessons from scaling a global regtech company, and how leaders should think about regulation, innovation and customer trust over the next three to five years.In this episode:Why trust is becoming a competitive advantage in financial servicesHow AI is changing KYC and AMLThe biggest trends shaping compliance and financial crimeBuilding global technology for local regulationWhy compliance is moving from cost centre to strategic assetLeadership lessons from scaling a global regtech businessWhat the future of trust and financial services looks likeWhether you’re a fintech founder, banking executive, compliance leader or simply curious about the future of financial services, this episode explores one of the biggest SHIFTS happening behind the scenes.

In Episode Seven of THE SHIFT, Danny Levy explores a challenge that sits at the heart of global commerce:Why is moving money across borders still so complicated?For businesses operating across Asia Pacific, payments rarely move in a straight line. Different currencies, fragmented banking infrastructure, regulatory complexity, hidden costs, settlement delays, and limited visibility continue to create friction in a world that increasingly expects everything to happen instantly.At the same time, businesses are demanding more transparency, greater control, and faster access to global markets.So what does it take to build a payment network designed for how business actually operates today?Joining Danny is Vijay Rao, Chief Revenue Officer APAC at TransferMate, one of the world's leading providers of B2B cross-border payments. With deep experience across fintech and payments, Vijay is helping businesses navigate some of the most complex payment corridors in the world while driving TransferMate's expansion across Asia Pacific.Recorded onsite at Money20/20 Asia, this conversation explores the evolving infrastructure behind global money movement and what it takes to deliver payments that are faster, more transparent, and truly borderless.The conversations explores:Why cross-border payments remain one of the biggest operational pain points for businessesThe hidden costs, delays, and inefficiencies that still exist within traditional payment networksHow TransferMate is building an alternative approach to global money movementWhat differentiates TransferMate in an increasingly competitive payments landscapeThe realities of operating across APAC's complex regulatory and banking environmentsHow licensing and regulatory infrastructure unlock greater certainty for businessesWhere the biggest growth opportunities are emerging across Asia PacificHow AI and automation are improving efficiency, compliance, and payment transparencyThe leadership challenges of scaling teams across highly diverse marketsHow organisations balance innovation with regulatory responsibilityThe trends that will define the next decade of cross-border paymentsLessons from Vijay's career journey and advice for the next generation of fintech leadersDrawing on his experience leading growth across one of the world's most dynamic payments regions, Vijay offers a practical perspective on the infrastructure, regulation, and technology reshaping international commerce.Grounded, insightful, and highly relevant for leaders across banking, fintech, treasury, and global business, this episode examines the systems quietly powering the movement of money around the world.Because this isn't just about making payments faster.It's about removing the friction that holds global business back.That's THE SHIFT.

In Episode Six of THE SHIFT, Danny Levy explores one of the biggest questions facing financial services today:What if the future of global payments isn’t built on new apps… but entirely new rails?For decades, the infrastructure powering cross-border money movement has remained largely unchanged—reliable, trusted, but often slow, expensive, and fragmented.At the same time, a new generation of technologies is emerging. Blockchain networks, stablecoins, tokenised assets, and programmable settlement layers are promising a radically different way for money to move around the world.But how much of this is real innovation—and how much is still hype?Joining Danny is Santosh Vishwasrao, Head of Payments at XDC Network, where he works at the intersection of traditional financial infrastructure, blockchain technology, and next-generation payment systems.Recorded onsite at Money20/20 Asia, this conversation explores what happens when Web3 moves beyond speculation and starts solving real-world payment challenges.The conversation explores:Why the current global payments system still relies on decades-old infrastructureWhether blockchain is replacing traditional rails—or enhancing themWhere XDC Network fits alongside established networks like SWIFTReal-world examples of cross-border payments already happening on-chain todayWhy stablecoins, tokenisation, and blockchain settlement are gaining momentumThe biggest barriers to adoption, from regulation to risk and market readinessHow cards, crypto, and traditional banking rails are beginning to convergeWhy emerging markets may adopt these technologies faster than developed economiesThe role of CBDCs in the future financial ecosystemWho stands to win—and lose—as the next generation of payment infrastructure emergesDrawing on Santosh’s experience across payments, digital assets, and financial innovation, the discussion cuts through the noise surrounding Web3 and focuses on what is actually happening today—and what could change over the next 3–5 years.Grounded, practical, and highly relevant for leaders across banking, fintech, payments, and digital assets, this episode examines the infrastructure layer quietly reshaping the future of money movement.Because this isn’t just about blockchain.It’s about who controls the rails that move money around the world.That’s THE SHIFT.

In Episode Five of THE SHIFT, Danny Levy sits down with Eduardo de Abreu, CPO and CEO Singapore at EBANX, to unpack one of the most misunderstood challenges in global fintech:Why scaling payments across high-growth markets isn’t about expansion - it’s about precision.Recorded live at Money20/20 Asia, this conversation moves beyond the surface-level narrative of “emerging market growth” and into the operational reality of building a truly global payments company across Latin America, APAC, Africa, and India.Because while many companies enter new markets, very few actually understand them.And in payments, that gap is where strategies break.Eduardo shares a rare, inside look at EBANX’s decade-long journey - from its early days in Latin America to its latest expansion into APAC, anchored by a new regional HQ in Singapore. Together, they explore what it takes to navigate fragmented payment rails, regulatory complexity, and deeply local consumer behaviours — all while maintaining a scalable global model.The discussion dives into:The real decision-making behind entering complex, high-growth marketsWhy APAC is fundamentally different from Latin America — and what that means for product and strategyThe biggest mistakes companies make when trying to “copy-paste” expansion modelsHow EBANX balances local adaptation with global scaleThe role of AI and product design in managing systemic complexityWhere the next wave of opportunity lies beyond the obvious marketsWhat the future of cross-border payments will demand over the next 3–5 yearsLeadership lessons from building and scaling teams across multiple regionsGrounded in real-world execution and hard-earned lessons, this episode challenges the idea that global scale comes from standardisation - and instead makes the case for localisation as a competitive advantage.Because in the next era of payments, the winners won’t just be global.They’ll be locally fluent, everywhere they operate.And that’s THE SHIFT.

In Episode Four of THE SHIFT, Danny Levy explores one of the biggest questions emerging in financial services today:What happens when AI doesn’t just assist humans… but starts acting on their behalf?Joining him is Garry Sien - a fintech and AI leader and Chief Innovation and Solutions Officer, International at Ant Digital Technologies. He is working at the intersection of financial infrastructure, digital trust, and next-generation platform innovation. Recorded onsite at Money20/20 Asia, this conversation dives deep into the rise of agentic finance: a world where AI agents can execute trades, approve loans, move money across borders, and make decisions in real time with minimal human intervention.Together, they unpack the shift from the super-app era to what comes next: intelligent, autonomous financial ecosystems built around AI agents capable of acting — not just advising.But with that shift comes a far bigger challenge:How do you build trust into systems where humans are no longer directly in the loop?The conversation explores:Why the super-app model was only the beginningWhat “agentic platforms” actually look like in practiceThe accountability debate surrounding AI-driven financial decisionsWhether regulators may eventually treat AI agents more like digital employees than software infrastructureWhy trust, auditability, and reversibility could become foundational requirements for financial AI systemsThe balance between innovation speed and systemic riskHow banks and fintechs can compete in a world moving beyond closed big-tech ecosystemsWhat’s real today versus what’s still hype in agentic financeWhich institutions are best positioned to win over the next 3–5 yearsDrawing on Garry’s experience across fintech, cloud, cybersecurity, and AI strategy, the discussion moves beyond surface-level AI hype and into the practical realities of building financial systems that are autonomous, scalable, and trusted.Grounded, thought-provoking, and highly relevant for leaders across banking, fintech, payments, and policy, this episode examines the infrastructure, governance, and trust models that could define the next era of financial services.Because this isn’t just about technology shifting.It’s about how decisions get made… and who we trust to make them.That’s THE SHIFT.

In this episode of THE SHIFT, Danny Levy explores one of the most critical forces shaping digital business today: trust.Joining him is Troy Nyi Nyi, SVP & GM APAC at SEON, a leader operating at the intersection of fraud prevention, digital transformation, and one of the fastest-moving fintech regions in the world.Together, they unpack what it really takes to scale fintech in APAC, where rapid growth, real-time payments, and cross-border commerce are creating both opportunity and risk at unprecedented speed.From fraud detection and risk management to customer experience and platform design, this conversation goes beyond theory into the realities of building and operating in complex, high-growth markets.Troy shares perspectives from across the region, revealing how businesses are navigating emerging fraud challenges, balancing security with seamless user journeys, and adapting to an environment where threats evolve as quickly as innovation.The conversation also looks ahead:Why fraud prevention is becoming a core part of digital transformation, not just a compliance layerHow businesses can scale without introducing frictionWhat new risks are emerging across payments, ecommerce, banking, and Web3How leaders can build agile, high-performing teams across diverse APAC marketsGrounded, practical, and regionally relevant, this episode is a must-listen for anyone building, investing in, or operating in fintech today.Because in a world moving this fast, growth doesn’t come from speed alone.It comes from trust.This is fintech at scale. This is the next SHIFT.

In Episode Two of THE SHIFT, Danny Levy goes deep into one of the most important transformations unfolding in business today: the rise of the Agentic Enterprise.Joining him is Gavin Barfield, VP & CTO for Solutions in ASEAN at Salesforce - a technologist, strategist, and trusted advisor to some of the region’s most ambitious organisations. With decades of experience at the forefront of enterprise innovation, Gavin brings clarity, realism, and practical insight to a topic often clouded by hype.Together, they explore what it actually means to operationalise AI at scale. From autonomous agents that can sell, service, and support customers, to the organisational shifts required to unlock human creativity, this conversation moves beyond theory into tangible, real‑world impact.Gavin shares examples from across Singapore and ASEAN - including Salesforce’s own role as “customer zero” - revealing how AI agents are already handling millions of interactions, automating routine work, and redefining productivity, while still keeping humans firmly in the loop.The conversation also looks ahead:How AI will reshape jobs, skills, and leadershipWhy accessibility and localisation are critical to AI adoptionHow businesses of every size - from global enterprises to SMEs - can participate in the AI economyWhy the Agentic Enterprise may prove as foundational as electricity itselfGrounded, thoughtful, and forward‑looking, this episode is a must‑listen for leaders navigating the next era of business - where intelligence is embedded, work is reimagined, and technology truly works alongside people.This is AI in action. This is the next SHIFT.

THE SHIFT marks the evolution of Danny Levy’s long‑running exploration into digital transformation and leadership — expanding the conversation into the forces, decisions, and technologies redefining the future of business.In this debut episode of the next chapter, Danny sits down with Jen Taylor, CEO of Mixpanel and one of the most influential product and data leaders of her generation. With a career spanning pivotal roles at Salesforce, Cloudflare, and now Mixpanel, Jen brings a rare combination of product intuition, operational discipline, and transformational leadership.Together, they explore the shifting landscape of modern business: what it means to lead through uncertainty, how data and analytics are accelerating organisational change, and the mindset required to navigate — and shape — the next wave of innovation. Jen opens up about her journey, her leadership philosophy, and the future she sees unfolding across industries.For listeners who have followed Danny’s previous conversations on transformation and leadership, this episode represents the natural progression: a deeper, more inquisitive look into the ideas and people building what comes next.Welcome to the evolution. Welcome to THE SHIFT.

What does it take to make AI truly work for people — not just profits?In this episode, Rafael Frankel, Director of Public Policy for Asia-Pacific at Meta, joins Danny Levy to share how one of the world’s most influential technology companies is driving responsible, transparent, and scalable AI adoption across the region.A former journalist turned policy leader, Rafael brings a rare blend of storytelling, diplomacy, and innovation insight from over a decade shaping tech policy and trust frameworks across APAC.You’ll learn:How Meta defines its role in the AI ecosystem — and how it’s applying AI to create real-world impact for businesses and communitiesThe truth behind Generative, Predictive, and General AI — what’s hype, what’s here, and what’s nextHow partnerships with Deloitte SEA, AiSee, and Meta’s Llama program are accelerating accessible AI innovation in AsiaThe biggest barriers to AI adoption in APAC — and what forward-thinking leaders can do to overcome themRafael’s personal lessons in leadership, resilience, and purpose from his journey across media, policy, and technologyIf you want to cut through the noise around AI, understand where the next decade is heading, and learn how to lead with clarity in an uncertain world — this is an episode you won’t want to miss.Are you getting every episode of Digital Transformation & Leadership in your favourite podcast player? You can find us Apple Podcasts and Spotify to subscribe.