Fintech Files: Insights on TECH by BCG Platinion

How does a region skip the traditional path of banking entirely and jump straight into a digital future? Central Asia has become one of the fastest-moving digital banking regions in the world. In this episode, Nika Kurdiani, CEO of TBC Uzbekistan, reflects on what’s driving this rapid shift and how it’s reshaping competition, customer expectations, and the overall financial landscape. We discuss TBC’s approach to entering Uzbekistan, the evolving needs of a young and digital-first population, and the operational and strategic choices required to build trust in a transforming market. Discussion Highlights: The Post-Soviet Legacy: How the collapse of financial institutions resulted in a cash-based culture and long-lasting skepticism toward banks. A Leapfrog Moment: Why Central Asia moved straight into mobile-first, digital-native banking, and how this compares to mature markets. Generational Shifts in Adoption: The divide between younger users driving digital growth and older generations relying on familiar cash habits. TBC’s Strategy in Uzbekistan: What it takes to enter and scale in a high-growth market, from talent and product design to regulatory navigation. AI & Digital Innovation: How AI, UX, and mobile onboarding are reshaping customer expectations and accelerating adoption. The Future of Fintech in Central Asia: How customer education, responsible data use, and embedded services will define the next phase of digital banking in the region. About Fintech Files:Join us on Fintech Files from BCG Platinion as we explore the cutting-edge trends disrupting Fintech today. From NeoBanks to cryptocurrency, we delve into the dynamic landscape of financial technology through insightful conversations with global disruptors. We’ll uncover the most groundbreaking trends shaping the future of Fintech and examine their impact on the financial world. We focus on real-world examples, making financial technology relatable and accessible to both Fintech enthusiasts and professionals alike.Hosted by Annika Melchert, a Principal currently based at BCG Platinion in the Middle East, and Nora Hocke, a Principal currently based at BCG Platinion in Sydney, our hosts bring expertise in tech transformations, platform architecture, and digital innovation. Annika and Nora work with Fintechs and incumbent banks, and together they offer unique insights into the evolving financial landscape, drawing on their wealth of experience with leading organizations. Bianca Lopes is an entrepreneur and economist from Brazil with a background in digital identity and biometrics. Having supported over 40 financial institutions and eight governments, Bianca’s work reshapes technology, reimagines identity, and drives innovation.

What does it take to create payment infrastructure from the ground up in one of the world’s fastest-growing fintech regions? Recorded at Money 20/20 in Riyadh, PayTabs CEO and Founder, Abdulaziz Al Jouf, reflects on how the company helped establish one of the Middle East’s earliest fintechs. We explore the challenges of launching in a cash-reliant market, the role of cultural understanding in earning trust, and how partnerships with banks and regulators created the foundation for secure growth. From embedded finance to cross-border expansion, this conversation looks at how PayTabs is shaping the next chapter of digital payments in the Middle East. Discussion Highlights:Building in a Cash-First Region: How PayTabs addressed the behavioral, infrastructural, and trust challenges of early digital payments in the Middle East. Cultural Insight as Strategy: How understanding merchants, consumers, and local dynamics became a competitive advantage. Partnerships and Regulation: The role of banks, regulators, and ecosystem players in enabling secure, sustainable fintech growth. Cross-Market Expansion: Lessons from scaling across Saudi Arabia, the UAE, India, and Morocco — and what it takes to serve diverse markets. The Future of Middle East Payments: Emerging trends including embedded finance, cross-border commerce, and new digital payment experiences. Advice for Entrepreneurs: Abdulaziz shares grounded guidance on market entry, resilience, and developing trust. About Fintech Files:Join us on Fintech Files from BCG Platinion as we explore the cutting-edge trends disrupting Fintech today. From NeoBanks to cryptocurrency, we delve into the dynamic landscape of financial technology through insightful conversations with global disruptors. We’ll uncover the most groundbreaking trends shaping the future of Fintech and examine their impact on the financial world. We focus on real-world examples, making financial technology relatable and accessible to both Fintech enthusiasts and professionals alike.Hosted by Annika Melchert, a Principal currently based at BCG Platinion in the Middle East, and Nora Hocke, a Principal currently based at BCG Platinion in Sydney, our hosts bring expertise in tech transformations, platform architecture, and digital innovation. Annika and Nora work with Fintechs and incumbent banks, and together they offer unique insights into the evolving financial landscape, drawing on their wealth of experience with leading organizations. Bianca Lopes is an entrepreneur and economist from Brazil with a background in digital identity and biometrics. Having supported over 40 financial institutions and eight governments, Bianca’s work reshapes technology, reimagines identity, and drives innovation.

Money moves digitally across invisible networks every day — but what actually carries it from one place to another? Fireblocks CEO Michael Shaulov joins us to unpack the evolution of digital payment rails; the networks and infrastructure that move money in our digital world. We explore how cybersecurity, blockchain, and new forms of currency are reshaping global transactions. Michael shares how Fireblocks’ “security by design” approach has fueled institutional adoption of digital assets and what the rise of stablecoins could mean for everyday payments. From practical benefits to the complex challenges of integration, this conversation looks at how the future of money movement is being built right now.Discussion Highlights: Building the Foundation for a New Financial Rail: How early insights into organized crypto attacks led to Fireblocks’ creation.Secure by Design: How Fireblocks built its platform on chip-level security to protect the growing world of digital assets.Secure at Scale: Why institutions are moving from experimenting with crypto to using digital assets and stablecoins in real business transactions.The Role of Stablecoins: How digital dollars are complementing traditional finance, reshaping payments and operations worldwide.The Opportunity for Cross-Border Payments: Why blockchain-based payment rails are tackling fragmentation and inefficiency in moving money around the world.Connecting the Digital Economy: Why the launch of the Fireblocks Payments Network marks a turning point toward truly instant, compliant global transactions.About Fintech Files:Join us on Fintech Files from BCG Platinion as we explore the cutting-edge trends disrupting Fintech today. From NeoBanks to cryptocurrency, we delve into the dynamic landscape of financial technology through insightful conversations with global disruptors. We’ll uncover the most groundbreaking trends shaping the future of Fintech and examine their impact on the financial world. We focus on real-world examples, making financial technology relatable and accessible to both Fintech enthusiasts and professionals alike.Hosted by Annika Melchert, a Principal currently based at BCG Platinion in the Middle East, and Nora Hocke, a Principal currently based at BCG Platinion in Sydney, our hosts bring expertise in tech transformations, platform architecture, and digital innovation. Annika and Nora work with Fintechs and incumbent banks, and together they offer unique insights into the evolving financial landscape, drawing on their wealth of experience with leading organizations. Bianca Lopes is an entrepreneur and economist from Brazil with a background in digital identity and biometrics. Having supported over 40 financial institutions and eight governments, Bianca’s work reshapes technology, reimagines identity, and drives innovation.

How can wealth management become more intuitive, transparent, and accessible? Dhruv Arora, Founder & CEO at Syfe, a leading wealth management platform based in Singapore, shares how Syfe is redefining investing for the mass-affluent segment in Asia-Pacific. Drawing on his background in traditional finance, Dhruv reflects on building trust in emerging markets, how technology and digital advice are reshaping investor behavior, and preparing for the next wave of intergenerational wealth transfer. Discussion Highlights: From the Trading Floor to Fintech: How Dhruv’s early career inspired the creation of Syfe and its mission to simplify investingBuilding Trust Across Borders: The early challenges of entering markets like Singapore, Hong Kong, and Australia, and how education and transparency helped overcome them. Lowering Barriers to Investment: The product features that make Syfe’s platform intuitive for investors. Technology and Regulation: How evolving digital frameworks are reshaping the future of wealth management.The Rise of Digital Advice: Why personalization and accessibility are key to engaging the next generation of investors. Intergenerational Wealth Transfer: How shifting demographics are redefining financial priorities across Asia-Pacific.Scaling for the Future: Syfe’s vision for expansion and the future of fintech. About Fintech Files:Join us on Fintech Files from BCG Platinion as we explore the cutting-edge trends disrupting Fintech today. From NeoBanks to cryptocurrency, we delve into the dynamic landscape of financial technology through insightful conversations with global disruptors. We’ll uncover the most groundbreaking trends shaping the future of Fintech and examine their impact on the financial world. We focus on real-world examples, making financial technology relatable and accessible to both Fintech enthusiasts and professionals alike.Hosted by Annika Melchert, a Principal currently based at BCG Platinion in the Middle East, and Nora Hocke, a Principal currently based at BCG Platinion in Sydney, our hosts bring expertise in tech transformations, platform architecture, and digital innovation. Annika and Nora work with Fintechs and incumbent banks, and together they offer unique insights into the evolving financial landscape, drawing on their wealth of experience with leading organizations. Bianca Lopes is an entrepreneur and economist from Brazil with a background in digital identity and biometrics. Having supported over 40 financial institutions and eight governments, Bianca’s work reshapes technology, reimagines identity, and drives innovation.

How can financial planning evolve from numbers on a spreadsheet to a tool for shaping life goals? Adrianna Adams, Head of Financial Planning at Domain Money, joins Fintech Files to explore how technology and new fee models are transforming the way millennials and Gen Z engage with their financial futures. Drawing on her journey into the field, Adrianna shares how Domain Money is making personalized, confidence-building financial planning accessible to younger generations. Discussion Highlights: Adrianna’s Path to Planning: From personal curiosity to professional purpose, why Adrianna believes financial planning is more about people than portfolios. Life Planning vs. Money Management: How the role of financial advisors is shifting beyond just managing investments, to helping clients navigate major life decisions Flat Fees & Accessibility: Why Domain Money’s approach offers transparency and affordability for a generation wary of hidden costs. The Tech Advantage: How AI and digital tools enable customized, scalable financial plans and what this means for trust and adoption. Generational Challenges: The unique obstacles millennials and Gen Z face, from student debt to housing costs, and how planning can unlock confidence. Looking Ahead: Adrianna’s vision for a future where integrated data makes financial advice more personal, intuitive, and empowering. About Fintech Files:Join us on Fintech Files from BCG Platinion as we explore the cutting-edge trends disrupting Fintech today. From NeoBanks to cryptocurrency, we delve into the dynamic landscape of financial technology through insightful conversations with global disruptors. We’ll uncover the most groundbreaking trends shaping the future of Fintech and examine their impact on the financial world. We focus on real-world examples, making financial technology relatable and accessible to both Fintech enthusiasts and professionals alike.Hosted by Annika Melchert, a Principal currently based at BCG Platinion in the Middle East, and Nora Hocke, a Principal currently based at BCG Platinion in Sydney, our hosts bring expertise in tech transformations, platform architecture, and digital innovation. Annika and Nora work with Fintechs and incumbent banks, and together they offer unique insights into the evolving financial landscape, drawing on their wealth of experience with leading organizations. Bianca Lopes is an entrepreneur and economist from Brazil with a background in digital identity and biometrics. Having supported over 40 financial institutions and eight governments, Bianca’s work reshapes technology, reimagines identity, and drives innovation.