London Fintech Podcast

LFP 279 – Digitisation: The next 50 years in global finance, with Sandy Kaul

In this episode of the London Fintech Podcast, Tony Clark sits down with Sandy Kaul, Executive Vice President & Head of Innovation at Franklin Templeton, to explore how tokenisation, smart contracts, and wallet-based ecosystems are set to redefine the future of finance. Sandy shares her extensive background at the intersection of finance and technology, explaining how the industry is moving from traditional account-based systems to decentralised, wallet-driven models. They dive into the transformative power of tokenisation for equities, bonds, and other financial instruments, as well as the potential of smart contracts to automate and streamline transactions. The conversation also unpacks the regulatory landscape, the growing mainstream adoption of digital assets, and why investment firms must act now to adapt. From tokenised funds to personalised portfolio benefits, Sandy outlines a vision of finance that is more accessible, flexible, and innovative than ever before. Topics covered: • The shift from account-based to wallet-based systems • Why tokenisation will revolutionise traditional finance • Smart contracts and the automation of financial markets • How decentralised finance can democratise investment access • Institutional adoption of digital assets • The regulatory path for tokenised instruments • Future trends in portfolio management and investor personalisation Learn More: Tony Clark: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tclark100/ The London Fintech Podcast: https://londonfintechpodcast.com Sandy Kaul: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandy-kaul/ Book –The Fourth Turning: What the Cycles of History Tell Us About America’s Next Rendezvous with Destiny: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fourth-Turning-American-Prophecy/dp/0767900464 #Tokenisation #DigitalAssets #SmartContracts #WalletBasedSystems #FinTech #DeFi #Blockchain #InvestmentInnovation #FranklinTempleton #FinancialServices #LondonFintechPodcast

LFP 278 –Rethinking AI: platforms, purpose & simulation in practice, with Robb Wilson

️In this episode of the London Fintech Podcast, Tony Clark sits down with Robb Wilson—pioneer in AI, experience design expert, and author—to unpack the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence and what it really means for the future of financial services. Robb shares why simulation is the next big leap in AI, how outbound and agentic AI will redefine customer interactions, and why the industry needs to stop bolting AI onto outdated systems. Drawing from years of experience building platforms for smarter machines, Robb argues that success with AI requires rethinking objectives, embracing foundational design, and preparing for a future where machines not only support—but act. They also explore the risks of AI overload, the need for shared knowledge infrastructure, and why clarity and control must underpin innovation. Topics covered: • Why AI is the defining force in financial services • The rise of agentic AI and outbound automation • Why simulation will reshape AI development • The hidden risks of bolt-on AI solutions • How companies can build foundational AI infrastructure • The challenge of integrating AI into legacy business structures • Why objectives—not just tools—must evolve • Building platforms for intelligent, autonomous systems • The future of human-AI collaboration in finance Tune in to hear how Robb Wilson is helping reshape AI thinking across industries—and what it takes to lead in the age of intelligent systems. Learn More: Tony Clark: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tclark100/ The London Fintech Podcast: https://londonfintechpodcast.com Robb Wilson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/invisiblemachines/ UX Magazine: https://uxmag.com/ OneReach.ai: https://onereach.ai/ Dopamine Nation: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dopamine-Nation-Finding-Balance-Indulgence/dp/B09GYNV92D #AIinFinance #AgenticAI #ConversationalAI #OutboundAI #DigitalTransformation #SimulationTech #FinTech #Automation #PlatformThinking #LondonFintechPodcast #AILeadership #FutureOfWork

LFP 277 – Stablecoins & blockchain use cases in modern finance

️ In this episode of the London Fintech Podcast, Tony Clark sits down with Staci Warden, CEO of the Algorand Foundation, to explore the future of crypto, stablecoins, and the role of blockchain in building more inclusive, efficient financial systems. Staci shares her journey from Wall Street and the U.S. Treasury to leading one of the most innovative blockchain foundations in the world. The conversation dives deep into how stablecoins work, what makes them trustworthy, and why Algorand’s energy-efficient, secure platform is well-positioned to power the next generation of decentralised finance. They also explore real-world use cases for blockchain—from programmable money to disaster relief—and discuss how stablecoins could reshape traditional finance, enable financial inclusion, and unlock new forms of value transfer. Topics covered: • Staci Warden’s path from JP Morgan to the Algorand Foundation • What makes stablecoins stable—and how they differ from other crypto • Algorand’s tech: instant finality, low fees, energy efficiency • How blockchain is helping drive transparency and accountability • The shift from hype to utility in the crypto space • Financial inclusion and identity in the digital era • The rise of programmable money and automated transactions • Integrating blockchain into traditional finance • Educating traditional finance professionals on Web3 • Why the future may favor yield-bearing digital assets over fiat-backed stablecoins Tune in to hear how Algorand is building the foundation for a fairer, faster financial future—and what it takes to lead responsibly in the crypto era. Learn More: Go Beyond The Podcast for exclusive insights and resources (free of charge): https://resources.nxwave.com/dash/hubs/hubs/aHViOjY%3D?nav=aHViX3BhZ2U6NTY%3D&c=cG9zdDo5OTMzNTQ%3D The London Fintech Podcast: https://londonfintechpodcast.com Tony Clark: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tclark100/ Staci Warden: https://www.linkedin.com/in/staci-warden-b15268b9/ & https://x.com/StaciW_DC Algorand Foundation: https://www.algorand.foundation/ Read Write Own: Building the Next Era of the Internet: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Read-Write-Own-Building-Internet/dp/1529925623

LFP 276 – The state of AI in financial services – myth vs reality

In this special AI episode of the London Fintech Podcast, Tony Clark explores the transformative impact of AI in financial services—from practical applications to regulatory challenges, and everything in between. As AI adoption accelerates, Tony goes through a number of key insights covering what it takes to implement AI responsibly, how firms are moving from narrow to generative and Agentic AI models, and why data quality, ROI, and explainability are critical for success. We discuss real-world use cases, how leading institutions are embedding AI into their operations, and why the future of work will be defined by human-AI collaboration. Whether you’re in tech, risk, strategy, or ops—this episode offers tangible insights to help you navigate the AI shift. Topics Covered: • The rise of generative and agentic AI in finance • AI for fraud detection, customer service & operational efficiency • Measuring ROI on AI projects • Navigating regulation, compliance & governance • AI as a coworker, not just a tool • Building AI literacy across financial institutions • Investing in data quality and explainable AI • Use cases for synthetic teams and autonomous agents • The future of finance: collaboration between people and machines Tune in to learn how AI is reshaping the financial sector—and what it takes to lead the change responsibly. Learn More: Tony Clark: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tclark100/ The London Fintech Podcast: https://londonfintechpodcast.com NextWave Consulting: https://www.nxwave.com/

LFP 275 – Building fintech for frontier markets, with Elizabeth Rossiello

In this episode of the London Fintech Podcast, Tony Clark sits down with Elizabeth Rossiello, CEO and founder of AZA Finance, to explore how she’s reshaping cross-border payments and foreign exchange across frontier markets in Africa and beyond. Elizabeth shares her journey from Wall Street to Nairobi, her groundbreaking work with BitPesa in launching digital currencies, and how AZA Finance is solving real-world problems through infrastructure, innovation, and deep local expertise. The conversation highlights the challenges of building a fintech across diverse and volatile markets, and the importance of representation, resilience, and culture in leading a global financial company. They also discuss AZA’s recent partnership with Dlocal, the growing role of stablecoins and AI in payments, and the importance of sticking to your values while building something that lasts. Topics covered: • From New York to Nairobi: Elizabeth’s founding story • Building BitPesa—the world’s first digital FX exchange • The evolution of mobile money and fintech in Africa • Why infrastructure, not hype, is the future of fintech • AZA Finance’s cross-border payments and FX strategy • How to lead in volatile frontier markets • The importance of diversity and representation in fintech • Culture as the engine of scale • The rise of stablecoins, 24/7 settlement & AI innovation • Lessons for female founders and fintech entrepreneurs • Why everything in business is cyclical—and persistence wins Tune in to hear how AZA Finance is redefining payments in some of the world’s most dynamic markets—and what it really takes to lead with purpose and vision. Learn More: Tony Clark: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tclark100/ The London Fintech Podcast: https://londonfintechpodcast.com Elizabeth Rossiello: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-rossiello-589b8b1/ AZA Finance: https://azafinance.com/ #FinTech #EmergingMarkets #DigitalCurrency #CrossBorderPayments #WomenInFintech #Stablecoins #AfricaTech #FinancialInclusion #Entrepreneurship #LondonFintechPodcast #AZAFinance #AIinFinance #PaymentsInnovation #FintechLeadership