London Fintech Podcast

Tony Clark

Interviews with key players in the London FinTech Scene. It really is a Golden Age of Innovation in Financial Services. Perhaps even larger than the last wave of innovation starting around Big Bang time in the 1980s. It is a once in a lifetime epochal shift. Who will be the Financial Services equivalents of amazon, google, facebook? Whoever they will be they will have captured a huge territory and will become the new, difficult to dislodge incumbents. How will this affect banking, insurance and the rest of Financial Services? Who are the people raiding the citadel? What are their stories?

  1. 2d ago

    Where Is the VC money going? The UK startup funding landscape

    Where is the VC money going in the UK, and what does it take for a startup to become investment-ready in today’s funding market? In this episode of the London Fintech Podcast, Tony Clark speaks with Thomas Easterby from HSBC Innovation Banking about the state of the UK innovation economy, the latest venture capital trends, the surge in AI investment, and what founders need to know when raising capital. The conversation explores a rapidly changing funding landscape, where AI investment has reached record levels, but investors are becoming increasingly thoughtful and diligent about where they deploy capital.Thomas shares his perspective on the companies and sectors attracting funding, what counts as frontier AI, why fintech and healthcare remain important parts of the innovation economy, and how the relationship between traditional finance and decentralised finance is evolving. They also discuss why London continues to lead the UK VC market, the emerging "hourglass" shape of startup funding, and the growing importance of regional innovation hubs outside the capital. For founders, the conversation gets practical: what makes a company investment-ready? Thomas shares insights into what investors are looking for, the different types of VC and corporate venture capital, and why demonstrating how AI is genuinely changing your business can help a company stand out. The discussion also looks at an often-overlooked part of scaling a business: choosing the right banking partner. As companies move from startup to growth stage, their banking needs evolve — making specialist support increasingly important. Whether you're a founder preparing to raise, an investor tracking the UK innovation economy, or simply interested in where the next generation of high-growth companies is coming from, this episode offers a grounded look at the opportunities and challenges ahead. Topics covered • UK startup funding and the current VC landscape • Record AI investment and the rise of frontier AI • Which sectors are attracting investment • FinTech, healthcare and the convergence of TradFi and DeFi • Why London continues to lead UK venture capital • The "hourglass" shape of today's funding market • Who today's founders are and what investors want to see • How founders can become investment-ready • Different VC models and corporate venture capital • Why the right banking partner matters as companies scale • The outlook for the UK innovation economy • Advice for founders and investors Learn more: Tony Clark: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tclark100/ Thomas Easterby: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-easterby-3189709b/NextWave Consulting: https://www.nxwave.com HSBC Innovation Banking: https://www.hsbcinnovationbanking.com/

  2. Jul 29

    The stablecoin revolution is here — are banks ready?

    Crypto is no longer operating at the edges of finance. It’s becoming part of the core infrastructure powering global payments, treasury operations, and digital asset innovation.In this episode of the London Fintech Podcast, Tony Clark sits down with Ran Goldi, SVP Payments & Network at Fireblocks, to explore the rapid rise of stablecoins, institutional crypto adoption, and the technologies reshaping the future of financial services.Broadcast live from Money20/20 Europe in Amsterdam, the conversation examines how traditional financial institutions are increasingly embracing blockchain-based financial rails. Ran shares insights from Fireblocks’ unique vantage point, with the platform now supporting approximately $15 trillion in annual stablecoin transaction volume and serving thousands of organisations across banking, payments, fintech, and digital assets.The discussion explores the evolution of the crypto industry through three major waves: trading, payments, and tokenisation. Ran explains why stablecoins have become one of the fastest-growing areas of financial infrastructure, how regulatory clarity is accelerating adoption, and why the “hottest thing in DeFi is TradFi.”They also dive into the emerging role of tokenised deposits, the future of digital asset infrastructure, and how AI-powered agents could transform the way businesses and consumers interact with money.Whether you're a fintech founder, banker, payments executive, or digital asset investor, this episode offers practical insight into where financial infrastructure is heading next.📌 Topics covered• Fireblocks’ role in digital asset infrastructure• Institutional adoption of crypto and stablecoins• Why stablecoin transaction volumes are accelerating• The evolution from crypto trading to payments and tokenisation• Tokenised deposits vs stablecoins• The impact of regulation on institutional adoption• Blockchain infrastructure for banks and payment providers• AI, automation, and agent-based financial services• What the next decade of digital finance could look like• Advice for founders building in emerging technology markets🔗 Learn more:Tony Clark: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tclark100/Ran Goldie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rangoldi/NextWave Consulting: https://www.nxwave.comFireblocks: https://www.fireblocks.com#Crypto #Stablecoins #Fireblocks #DigitalAssets #Blockchain #Tokenization #InstitutionalCrypto #Payments #Fintech #DeFi #TokenizedDeposits #AI #FutureOfFinance #Money2020 #LondonFintechPodcastcrypto, stablecoins, fireblocks, ran goldie, digital assets, institutional crypto, blockchain infrastructure, tokenization, tokenised assets, tokenized deposits, defi, traditional finance, tradfi, crypto payments, stablecoin payments, digital asset custody, fintech podcast, london fintech podcast, money2020, blockchain adoption, web3, crypto regulation, financial infrastructure, ai in finance, payments innovation, cross border payments, fireblocks network, digital asset platform, crypto rails, future of finance, fintech innovation, institutional adoption of crypto, stablecoin infrastructure, blockchain payments, tokenized finance, crypto banking, treasury management, digital finance, fintech leadership, financial services innovation

  3. Jul 15

    The future of embedded banking: What comes next?

    Embedded banking is moving from concept to reality. According to Andrew Ellis, CEO of NatWest Boxed, the future of financial services will be shaped by organisations that can seamlessly integrate banking products into the experiences customers already use every day.In this episode of the London Fintech Podcast, Tony Clark speaks with Andrew Ellis, CEO of NatWest Boxed, about the evolution of Banking-as-a-Service, embedded finance, and how major brands are creating new opportunities through financial products.Andrew shares the journey behind NatWest Boxed, from building a modern banking platform to powering partnerships with organisations including Sainsbury's, Saga, and the AA. The conversation explores how embedded banking is changing customer expectations, creating new revenue opportunities, and enabling brands to deepen customer relationships.They also discuss the realities of AI adoption in financial services, the importance of governance and trust, and why many firms are focusing on practical business outcomes rather than simply chasing the latest technology trends.At the heart of the conversation is a bigger question: what happens when banking becomes an invisible, integrated part of the customer experience?📌 Topics covered• The growth of embedded banking and Banking-as-a-Service• The story behind NatWest Boxed• Building partnerships with brands including Sainsbury's, Saga, and the AA• How customer expectations are changing in financial services• The role of trust, governance, and resilience in modern banking• Practical AI adoption in financial services• Why firms struggle to move from AI pilots to production• Trends shaping banking, fintech, and customer experience over the next 12–18 months🔗 Learn more:Tony Clark: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tclark100/Andrew Ellis: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-a-ellis/NatWest Boxed: https://www.nwboxed.com/NextWave Consulting: https://www.nxwave.com/#EmbeddedFinance #BankingAsAService #NatWestBoxed #Banking #FinancialServices #FinTech #AI #DigitalTransformation #Innovation #CustomerExperience #OpenBanking #LondonFintechPodcast

  4. Jul 1

    380 million workflows & counting: How Alteryx is powering enterprise AI

    Most AI projects don't fail because of the model. They fail because organisations don't trust the data.In this special live edition of the London Fintech Podcast, recorded from Money20/20 Europe in Amsterdam, Tony Clark sits down with Remco den Heijer, Vice President APJ & EMEA Channels at Alteryx, to explore why data readiness has become the defining challenge in enterprise AI adoption.As organisations move from AI experimentation to real-world deployment, the conversation is shifting away from models and prompts towards trust, governance, and operational execution. Remco explains why AI success depends not on having the latest model, but on having data that is visible, understandable, repeatable, and auditable.Drawing on experience working with some of the world's largest enterprises, Remco shares how organisations are modernising legacy processes, replacing spreadsheet-driven workflows, and creating the foundations required for AI to deliver measurable business outcomes.The discussion explores agentic AI, enterprise automation, regulatory expectations, and the infrastructure needed to support AI at scale. They also examine how businesses are using governed workflows to bridge the gap between raw data and trusted decision-making.Beyond technology, the conversation covers leadership, ecosystem partnerships, global perspectives on AI adoption, and why organisations that treat data as a strategic asset are emerging as the winners in the AI era.Whether you're a data leader, fintech operator, AI practitioner, or executive responsible for transformation, this episode offers practical insight into what it really takes to become AI-ready.📌 Topics covered:• Why most AI projects fail despite advances in AI models• What "AI-ready data" actually means• The VURA framework: Visible, Understandable, Repeatable, Auditable• Data governance, trust, and the EU AI Act• Agentic AI and governed workflows• How Alteryx powers enterprise-scale automation• The role of data infrastructure in AI adoption• Why businesses run on workflows, not prompts• AI readiness across Europe, Asia, and North America• Lessons from investing in startups and scaling technology businesses🔗 Learn more:Tony Clark: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tclark100/Remco den Heijer: https://nl.linkedin.com/in/remcodenheijerAlteryx: https://www.alteryx.com/platformNextWave Consulting: https://www.nxwave.com/NextWave Alteryx Knowledge Hub: https://resources.nxwave.com/hub/nxw-alteryx-hubFree Alteryx License: https://www.alteryx.com/trial/workflow-automation?prid=0033n00002qVAafAAG&crp=0033n00002qVAafAAG&apid=0012R00002DwbwTQARAlteryx Training Courses: https://www.nxwave.com/alteryx-trainingGo Beyond the Podcast: https://resources.nxwave.com/hub/london-fintech-podcast

  5. Jun 17

    Banking transformation special: The agentic AI panel

    Recorded live at the Banking Transformation Summit, this special London Fintech Podcast panel brings together senior leaders from banking and technology to explore one of the biggest strategic questions facing financial services today: what happens when AI moves from assistant to autonomous teammate? Host Tony Clark is joined by Stuart McIntyre, Executive Director, Digital Strategy & Operations – AI & Change Enablement at Standard Chartered, Marc Barnard-Naulls, Head of Enterprise Platforms and Services at Close Brothers, and James Georgiou, Principal Solution Engineer at Salesforce. Together, they unpack the strategic fork in the road facing banks as Agentic AI accelerates from experimentation to implementation. The discussion explores where banks need to commit versus hedge, which capabilities will separate winners from laggards by 2027, and the challenges leaders are still avoiding. From intelligent infrastructure and AI-powered operations to governance, trust, and the future of human-machine collaboration, the panel provides a practical view of what transformation looks like beyond the hype. A recurring theme emerges throughout the conversation: technology is no longer the primary constraint. Success will depend on how effectively banks align people, processes, data, and governance to unlock value from AI at scale. Whether you're a banking executive, fintech founder, technology leader, or investor, this episode offers valuable insight into the decisions financial institutions can no longer afford to postpone. 📌 Topics covered: • The rise of Agentic AI in banking • Where banks should commit versus hedge their AI strategy • The capabilities that will define winners by 2027 • Human + machine leadership and workforce transformation• Intelligent infrastructure and operational resilience • Trust, governance, and AI risk management • What leaders are still avoiding when it comes to AI adoption • The cost of inaction in financial services • How banks can move from experimentation to execution 🔗 Learn more: Tony Clark: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tclark100/ NextWave Consulting: www.nxwave.com Banking Transformation Summit: https://bankingtransformationsummit.com/ James Georgiou: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesgeorgiou/ Salesforce: https://www.salesforce.com/uk/ Marc Barnard-Naulls: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markbarnard/ Close Brothers: https://www.closebrothers.com/ Stuart McIntyre: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mcintyre/ Standard Chartered: https://www.sc.com/en/ Go Beyond the Podcast: https://resources.nxwave.com/hub/london-fintech-podcast?c=cG9zdDo5OTI5NzY%3D&nav=aHViX3BhZ2U6MTA%3D&s=null #AgenticAI #BankingTransformation #ArtificialIntelligence #Banking #FinancialServices #Fintech #BankingTransformationSummit #MoneyNext #AIinBanking #DigitalTransformation #Salesforce #StandardChartered #CloseBrothers #Innovation #EnterpriseAI #AIGovernance #FutureOfBanking #FinancialInnovation #Leadership #LondonFintechPodcast

  6. Jun 3

    Seeker and the rise of crypto-native smartphones

    Smartphones are evolving. According to Emmett Hollyer of Solana Mobile, the next generation of devices will be the foundation of how we own, trade, and manage digital assets.In this episode of the London Fintech Podcast, Tony Clark speaks with Emmett Hollyer from Solana Mobile about the rise of crypto-native hardware, the launch of the Seeker device, and why mobile phones could become the primary gateway to decentralised finance and digital ownership.Emmett shares the story behind building one of the world’s first crypto-native smartphones, from early experimentation and hardware challenges to shipping more than 150,000 devices across 50+ countries. The conversation explores how Solana’s high-speed blockchain infrastructure enables seamless mobile trading, payments, and digital asset interaction directly from your pocket.They also discuss why crypto adoption is moving beyond niche communities, how embedded security and ownership models are reshaping mobile technology, and why major manufacturers are beginning to pay attention to crypto-native infrastructure.At the heart of the conversation is a bigger question: what happens when financial services become native to the device itself?📌 Topics covered• The story behind Solana Mobile and the Seeker device• Why crypto-native smartphones are gaining traction globally• How Solana enables fast, seamless mobile transactions• The future of mobile DeFi and digital asset ownership• Hardware security, self-custody, and crypto usability• Why major tech companies are paying attention to crypto hardware• The shift from crypto niche to mainstream consumer adoption• How mobile devices could become the foundation of digital finance🔗 Learn more:Tony Clark: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tclark100/Emmett Hollyer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmett-hollyer/NextWave Consulting: www.nxwave.comSeeker: https://solanamobile.com/Solana: https://solana.com/Range by David Epstein: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Range-Generalists-Triumph-Specialized-World/dp/1509843493London Falling by Patrick Radden Keefe: https://amzn.eu/d/03Ipm9m8Go Beyond the Podcast: https://resources.nxwave.com/hub/london-fintech-podcast?c=cG9zdDo5OTI5NzY%3D&nav=aHViX3BhZ2U6MTA%3D&s=null#Solana #Crypto #Web3 #Blockchain #DigitalAssets #DeFi #MobileTech #FinTech #CryptoWallet #SelfCustody #AI #Web3Gaming #Smartphones #FinancialServices #Innovation #LondonFintechPodcast

  7. May 20

    From trading to infrastructure: Crypto’s real future

    Crypto is moving from the margins to the core of global financial infrastructure — but the real question is how fast that transformation will happen, and who will lead it. In this episode of the London Fintech Podcast, Tony Clark speaks with Keith Grose, UK CEO at Coinbase, to explore the evolution of crypto, institutional adoption, and the technologies shaping the next decade of finance. The conversation traces Coinbase’s journey from early conviction in digital assets to becoming one of the world’s largest regulated crypto exchanges. Keith explains how a compliance-first mindset, product innovation, and long-term strategic thinking have been central to building trust in an emerging asset class. As the discussion turns to market evolution, a key theme emerges: institutional adoption. From stablecoins to tokenised assets, Keith shares how traditional financial institutions are increasingly embracing crypto as new financial rails — unlocking faster, more efficient global transactions and entirely new business models. A major focus of the episode is scalability. Keith dives into Layer 2 solutions, including Base, and explains how these technologies are addressing blockchain limitations — enabling high-performance, low-cost infrastructure for developers, businesses, and the next generation of “crypto-native” applications. They also explore the UK market and regulatory landscape, highlighting the importance of trust, compliance, and collaboration with policymakers in scaling crypto responsibly. From embedded finance to AI integration and the convergence of crypto with traditional equities, the discussion offers a forward-looking view of financial services. Whether you’re a fintech founder, investor, or operator, this episode provides practical insight into how crypto is reshaping financial infrastructure — and what it takes to build at scale in a rapidly evolving ecosystem. 📌 Topics covered: • Coinbase’s growth and key success factors • Institutional adoption of crypto and stablecoins • Layer 2 solutions and blockchain scalability (Base) • The UK regulatory landscape and building trust • Embedded finance and infrastructure growth • AI and digital currency integration • Future trends in finance and crypto markets • Advice for fintech founders building at scale 🔗 Learn more: Tony Clark: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tclark100/ Keith Grose: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keithgrose/ & https://x.com/kmgrose NextWave Consulting: www.nxwave.com Coinbase: https://www.coinbase.com/ The Beginning of Infinity by David Deutsch: https://amzn.eu/d/04tOEa62 There Are Rivers in the Sky by Elif Shafak: https://amzn.eu/d/0hGlwUGf The Knowledge Project Podcast by Shane Parrish: https://www.youtube.com/@UCLtTf_uKt0Itd0NG7txrwXA Acquired Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/7Fj0XEuUQLUqoMZQdsLXqp Go Beyond the Podcast: https://resources.nxwave.com/hub/london-fintech-podcast?c=cG9zdDo5OTI5NzY%3D&nav=aHViX3BhZ2U6MTA%3D&s=null #Crypto #Coinbase #Stablecoins #Layer2 #Fintech #InstitutionalAdoption #Blockchain #UKFintech #DigitalCurrency #financialinfrastructure #Web3 #Base #CryptoRegulation #AI #FutureOfFinance #LondonFintechPodcast

  8. May 6

    Banking Transformation Summit 2026: How banks are turning AI into ROI

    Banking is changing fast, but what does real transformation actually look like inside today’s financial institutions? In this episode of the London Fintech Podcast, Tony Clark sits down with Mark Johnstone, Chief Strategy Officer at MoneyNext and Managing Director of the Banking Transformation Summit, to unpack how banks are navigating AI, modernisation, and the evolving competitive landscape. Mark shares insights from curating one of the most practitioner-led banking events in Europe, where the focus isn’t hype, but what’s actually working inside banks today. With 175+ institutions represented and a highly curated audience, the summit offers a unique lens into how senior leaders are tackling transformation at scale. The conversation explores how the industry has shifted from digital transformation to AI-driven execution, and why the real challenge is no longer technology, but adoption, governance, and human integration. They also dive into the biggest themes shaping banking right now: agentic AI, AI risk and regulation, embedded finance, and the surprising return of the human touch in financial services. Whether you’re a banker, fintech operator, or simply tracking the future of financial services, this episode offers a grounded, insider view of where the industry is heading next. 📌 Topics covered• What makes Banking Transformation Summit different from other fintech events • Why banks are shifting from AI hype to real delivery and ROI • The rise of agentic AI and what it means for banking operations • AI governance, regulation, and the impact of the EU AI Act • Embedded finance and the battle for customer ownership • Why human interaction is making a comeback in digital banking • The real blockers to transformation: adoption vs technology • How banks are competing with AI-native fintech startups • Why smaller, curated events outperform large conferences🔗 Learn more: Tony Clark: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tclark100/ Mark Johnstone: https://www.linkedin.com/in/majohnstone/ NextWave Consulting: www.nxwave.comBanking Transformation Summit: https://bankingtransformationsummit.com/ MoneyNext: https://uk.linkedin.com/company/moneynexttv Go Beyond the Podcast: https://resources.nxwave.com/hub/london-fintech-podcast?c=cG9zdDo5OTI5NzY%3D&nav=aHViX3BhZ2U6MTA%3D&s=null#FinTech #Banking #AI #AgenticAI #DigitalTransformation #EmbeddedFinance #BankingTransformation #FinancialServices #Innovation #AIRegulation #OpenBanking #FintechEvents #LondonFintechPodcast

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4.6
out of 5
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About

Interviews with key players in the London FinTech Scene. It really is a Golden Age of Innovation in Financial Services. Perhaps even larger than the last wave of innovation starting around Big Bang time in the 1980s. It is a once in a lifetime epochal shift. Who will be the Financial Services equivalents of amazon, google, facebook? Whoever they will be they will have captured a huge territory and will become the new, difficult to dislodge incumbents. How will this affect banking, insurance and the rest of Financial Services? Who are the people raiding the citadel? What are their stories?

Information

  • Creator
    Tony Clark
  • Years Active
    2014 - 2026
  • Episodes
    292
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Tony Clark
  • Show Website
    London Fintech Podcast

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