EP26 Building Wealth-Tech in MENA | Feras Jalbout, Baraka

Investing has often been viewed as an expensive, costly process that only a privileged few can access. But as technology evolves and grows, companies like Baraka are finding increasingly creative ways to give people access to financial markets.

Founder and CEO of Baraka, Feras Jalbout, joins us for a lively discussion that sparks off with a bit of a hot-take. Since Baraka charges no commission, its clients often engage in online trading, a practice that some have described as part-gambling and part-gaming. However, Feras sees things entirely differently.

For Feras, the investment philosophy he hopes will shine through his company is long-term appreciation over short-term gain. Although this is the case, he also believes that it the priority is to give people access to markets, and the wealth-app accomplishes precisely that.

Our conversation takes us through some other hot topics in the FinTech space, such as:

• Have Baraka considered an expansion into Saudi Arabia?
• Zero-commission or robot advisory; what drove Feras’ choice?
• What role does education play on their platform?

Timeline:

00:00 – Introduction

06:02 – Zero commission V. robot advisory

12:17 – Fractional shares and retail investors

19:41 – How will Baraka carve a niche for itself?

25:10 – Surviving the stock market

31:10 – Is Crypto the future?

39:01 – Conclusion

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HOST

Based in Dubai, Arjun is actively engaged with the Fintech & Start - up ecosystem across the MENA Region and beyond - as a passive investor, an advisory board member and as a commentator on the rapidly e volving scene.

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