Ep46: Adam Katz, Founder & CEO at Kooltra, Empowering FX and Cross-Border Payments with Scalable Infrastructure

In this episode, Mark Beresford sits down with Mike Carlo, CEO of XanderPay, and Rohan Shaju, Consultant at EDC, to delve into the hidden potential of hotel payment systems and the strategic changes reshaping the industry. Mike shares his insights on the transition from traditional property-level payments to innovative centralized systems. He reflects on the complexities of hotel ownership models and the advancements needed for seamless guest experiences. Rohan provides an overview of the challenges and opportunities identified through his extensive research, including the role of centralization, AI, and payment orchestration in optimizing hotel revenue and customer satisfaction. Together, they explore the transformative power of centralized payment systems and the potential impact on the future of hospitality. Join us as we explore the future of hotel payments, the technological innovations on the horizon, and the strategies hotels can implement today to stay ahead in a competitive industry.

In this episode, Volker Schloenvoigt meets with Kamran Hedjri, Group CEO of PXP, to explore the evolution of payment processing and the strategic transformations shaping the industry. Kamran shares his journey from software development to leading a global payments company, reflecting on the challenges of navigating ever-changing regulations, including the evolving PSD framework, and the growing complexity of cross-border payments. He discusses how PXP has embraced AI, real-time business intelligence, and intelligent payment routing to deliver a seamless and unified commerce experience. Join us as we dive into the future of payments, the impact of regulatory shifts, and the innovations driving the next era of financial services.

In this episode, Mark Beresford, Head of the Retail and Hospitality Practice and Director in the London Office at Edgar Dunn & Company, speaks with Adam Katz, Founder & CEO of Kooltra, about the challenges and opportunities in foreign exchange (FX) and cross-border payments. They explore how Kooltra provides infrastructure solutions for financial institutions, enabling them to streamline multi-currency operations, compliance, treasury, and transaction monitoring. Adam discusses why many banks and fintechs struggle to scale FX and cross-border payments, the impact of pricing competition, and how Kooltra helps firms modernize their infrastructure without costly in-house development. Tune in for a deep dive into the future of FX infrastructure, the increasing complexity of treasury management, and strategies to optimize cross-border payments.

In this episode, Mark Beresford, Head of the Retail and Hospitality Practice, and Director in the London Office at Edgar Dunn & Company, speaks with Nitin Pulyani, Head of Product Development at Cashfree Payments, about India’s rapidly evolving digital payments ecosystem. They discuss how Cashfree has positioned itself as a key enabler of seamless, API-driven payment solutions for businesses, addressing the country’s unique challenges and opportunities in online transactions, real-time payments, and regulatory shifts.The conversation explores India’s booming fintech landscape, the impact of UPI on innovation, and how Cashfree is driving financial inclusion while scaling its operations in a dynamic market. Tune in for a deep dive into the future of payments in one of the world’s fastest-growing digital economies.

In this episode, Jean Sideris, Director for the MENA region at Edgar Dunn & Company, speaks with Suryaveer Singh, Head of Loyalty, CRM and Data Analytics at Emirates National Oil Company (ENOC). Suryaveer shares his journey into the loyalty space and the development of Yes Rewards, ENOC's innovative loyalty program. They discuss the challenges of operating in a regulated fuel industry, strategies to drive customers toward higher-margin non-fuel services, and the importance of data protection and GDPR compliance. Suryaveer highlights the success of Yes Rewards and reveals plans to expand the program through new partnerships, enhancing customer engagement and value beyond fuel services. Join us for insights into loyalty, data, and payment innovations shaping the UAE’s dynamic retail market!

Each year, EDC's Advanced Payments and Fintech Report provides insights into the latest trends shaping the payments landscape. Now in its 17th edition, the report examines 14 key areas transforming the industry, driven by technological innovations, regulatory changes, and evolving consumer preferences. The report also includes findings from our annual industry survey conducted between May and July 2024, gathering insights from 100 senior payments professionals worldwide on the most pressing challenges and opportunities.

In this episode, Samee Zafar meets with Ralf Germer, Co-Founder and CEO of PagBrasil, to delve into the evolving landscape of payment processing in Brazil. Ralf shares his personal journey from Germany to becoming a fintech leader in Latin America and how PagBrasil is facilitating both local and international merchants in navigating Brazil’s sophisticated payments market. He discusses the unique challenges faced by global companies when entering the Brazilian market and how PagBrasil is bridging the gap by providing tailored payment solutions that meet local demands. We also explore how the Central Bank of Brazil’s openness to innovation has paved the way for advancements like Pix and the country’s rapid embrace of instant payments and digital currency. Join us as we uncover insights into the dynamic payments industry in one of the world’s most critical markets.

In this episode, Hugh Gallagher meets with Roenen Ben-Ami, Co-Founder and Chief Risk Officer at Justt. Justt is transforming the world of chargeback management with its AI-powered solution that helps businesses recover lost revenue and streamline operational efficiency. Roenen shares how Justt’s unique approach simplifies the chargeback process by automatically generating case-specific responses, allowing businesses to efficiently resolve disputes while focusing on growth and innovation. We also discuss the future of payments and how automation is playing a crucial role in shaping the industry.

In this episode of the Leaders in Payments and Fintech podcast, Jerome Traisnel, CEO and founder of SlimPay, discusses his extensive journey and insights in the fintech and payments industry. The conversation delves into the evolution of SlimPay, the first payment service provider focused exclusively on recurring payments, and its role in the rise of the subscription economy. Highlights include Jerome's background in engineering and marketing, his early ventures in mobile technology with Freever, and SlimPay's recent partnership with Trustly to set new standards for recurring payments across Europe and the UK. The episode also explores the challenges and strategies in scaling a fintech company, regulatory impacts, and the future landscape of payments and subscription services globally.

In this episode of the Leaders in Payments and Fintech podcast, James Neville, CEO, and founder of Yaspa, discusses his journey and insights in the fintech and payments industry. The conversation focuses on the evolution of Yaspa, a real-time payments business leveraging open banking technologies to reduce fraud, improve customer identification, and streamline transactions in regulated markets. Highlights include the impact of GDPR and FCA regulations, the challenges and strategies in consumer and merchant adoption, and future prospects for growth and innovation in the payments landscape globally.