The SHIFT with Danny Levy

Danny Levy
  • 5.0 (6)
  • Management
  • Twice monthly

THE SHIFT is a deep dive into the ideas, technologies, and bold decisions reshaping the future of business - presented by Danny Levy. In each episode, Danny sits down with leaders, innovators, and contrarians who are building what comes next. From the executives driving transformation inside the world’s biggest companies to the founders reinventing entire industries, THE SHIFT goes beyond headlines and hype to uncover the real stories behind meaningful change. This is not a podcast about trends - it’s about the inflection points, breakthroughs and the hard choices. This is THE SHIFT.

  1. 8 Jun

    The Future of Money Movement: Can Web3 Finally Replace the World’s Payment Rails? With XDC Network

    In Episode Six of THE SHIFT, Danny Levy explores one of the biggest questions facing financial services today: What if the future of global payments isn’t built on new apps… but entirely new rails? For decades, the infrastructure powering cross-border money movement has remained largely unchanged—reliable, trusted, but often slow, expensive, and fragmented. At the same time, a new generation of technologies is emerging. Blockchain networks, stablecoins, tokenised assets, and programmable settlement layers are promising a radically different way for money to move around the world. But how much of this is real innovation—and how much is still hype? Joining Danny is Santosh Vishwasrao, Head of Payments at XDC Network, where he works at the intersection of traditional financial infrastructure, blockchain technology, and next-generation payment systems. Recorded onsite at Money20/20 Asia, this conversation explores what happens when Web3 moves beyond speculation and starts solving real-world payment challenges. The conversation explores: Why the current global payments system still relies on decades-old infrastructureWhether blockchain is replacing traditional rails—or enhancing themWhere XDC Network fits alongside established networks like SWIFTReal-world examples of cross-border payments already happening on-chain todayWhy stablecoins, tokenisation, and blockchain settlement are gaining momentumThe biggest barriers to adoption, from regulation to risk and market readinessHow cards, crypto, and traditional banking rails are beginning to convergeWhy emerging markets may adopt these technologies faster than developed economiesThe role of CBDCs in the future financial ecosystemWho stands to win—and lose—as the next generation of payment infrastructure emergesDrawing on Santosh’s experience across payments, digital assets, and financial innovation, the discussion cuts through the noise surrounding Web3 and focuses on what is actually happening today—and what could change over the next 3–5 years. Grounded, practical, and highly relevant for leaders across banking, fintech, payments, and digital assets, this episode examines the infrastructure layer quietly reshaping the future of money movement. Because this isn’t just about blockchain. It’s about who controls the rails that move money around the world. That’s THE SHIFT.

    39 min

  2. 28 May

    Global by Design: Why Payments Expansion Fails Without Local Mastery with EBANX

    In Episode Five of THE SHIFT, Danny Levy sits down with Eduardo de Abreu, CPO and CEO Singapore at EBANX, to unpack one of the most misunderstood challenges in global fintech: Why scaling payments across high-growth markets isn’t about expansion - it’s about precision. Recorded live at Money20/20 Asia, this conversation moves beyond the surface-level narrative of “emerging market growth” and into the operational reality of building a truly global payments company across Latin America, APAC, Africa, and India. Because while many companies enter new markets, very few actually understand them. And in payments, that gap is where strategies break. Eduardo shares a rare, inside look at EBANX’s decade-long journey - from its early days in Latin America to its latest expansion into APAC, anchored by a new regional HQ in Singapore. Together, they explore what it takes to navigate fragmented payment rails, regulatory complexity, and deeply local consumer behaviours — all while maintaining a scalable global model. The discussion dives into: The real decision-making behind entering complex, high-growth marketsWhy APAC is fundamentally different from Latin America — and what that means for product and strategyThe biggest mistakes companies make when trying to “copy-paste” expansion modelsHow EBANX balances local adaptation with global scaleThe role of AI and product design in managing systemic complexityWhere the next wave of opportunity lies beyond the obvious marketsWhat the future of cross-border payments will demand over the next 3–5 yearsLeadership lessons from building and scaling teams across multiple regionsGrounded in real-world execution and hard-earned lessons, this episode challenges the idea that global scale comes from standardisation - and instead makes the case for localisation as a competitive advantage. Because in the next era of payments, the winners won’t just be global. They’ll be locally fluent, everywhere they operate. And that’s THE SHIFT.

    40 min

  3. 18 May

    Agentic Finance & The Trust Paradox: When AI Agents Handle the Money with Ant Digital Technologies

    In Episode Four of THE SHIFT, Danny Levy explores one of the biggest questions emerging in financial services today: What happens when AI doesn’t just assist humans… but starts acting on their behalf? Joining him is Garry Sien - a fintech and AI leader and Chief Innovation and Solutions Officer, International at Ant Digital Technologies. He is working at the intersection of financial infrastructure, digital trust, and next-generation platform innovation. Recorded onsite at Money20/20 Asia, this conversation dives deep into the rise of agentic finance: a world where AI agents can execute trades, approve loans, move money across borders, and make decisions in real time with minimal human intervention. Together, they unpack the shift from the super-app era to what comes next: intelligent, autonomous financial ecosystems built around AI agents capable of acting — not just advising. But with that shift comes a far bigger challenge: How do you build trust into systems where humans are no longer directly in the loop? The conversation explores: Why the super-app model was only the beginningWhat “agentic platforms” actually look like in practiceThe accountability debate surrounding AI-driven financial decisionsWhether regulators may eventually treat AI agents more like digital employees than software infrastructureWhy trust, auditability, and reversibility could become foundational requirements for financial AI systemsThe balance between innovation speed and systemic riskHow banks and fintechs can compete in a world moving beyond closed big-tech ecosystemsWhat’s real today versus what’s still hype in agentic financeWhich institutions are best positioned to win over the next 3–5 yearsDrawing on Garry’s experience across fintech, cloud, cybersecurity, and AI strategy, the discussion moves beyond surface-level AI hype and into the practical realities of building financial systems that are autonomous, scalable, and trusted. Grounded, thought-provoking, and highly relevant for leaders across banking, fintech, payments, and policy, this episode examines the infrastructure, governance, and trust models that could define the next era of financial services. Because this isn’t just about technology shifting. It’s about how decisions get made… and who we trust to make them. That’s THE SHIFT.

    40 min

  4. 8 Apr

    Scaling Trust: Fighting Fraud and Building Fintech in APAC with SEON

    In this episode of THE SHIFT, Danny Levy explores one of the most critical forces shaping digital business today: trust. Joining him is Troy Nyi Nyi, SVP & GM APAC at SEON, a leader operating at the intersection of fraud prevention, digital transformation, and one of the fastest-moving fintech regions in the world. Together, they unpack what it really takes to scale fintech in APAC, where rapid growth, real-time payments, and cross-border commerce are creating both opportunity and risk at unprecedented speed. From fraud detection and risk management to customer experience and platform design, this conversation goes beyond theory into the realities of building and operating in complex, high-growth markets. Troy shares perspectives from across the region, revealing how businesses are navigating emerging fraud challenges, balancing security with seamless user journeys, and adapting to an environment where threats evolve as quickly as innovation. The conversation also looks ahead: Why fraud prevention is becoming a core part of digital transformation, not just a compliance layerHow businesses can scale without introducing frictionWhat new risks are emerging across payments, ecommerce, banking, and Web3How leaders can build agile, high-performing teams across diverse APAC marketsGrounded, practical, and regionally relevant, this episode is a must-listen for anyone building, investing in, or operating in fintech today. Because in a world moving this fast, growth doesn’t come from speed alone. It comes from trust. This is fintech at scale. This is the next SHIFT.

    34 min

  5. 18 Mar

    Becoming an Agentic Enterprise: AI in Action with Salesforce

    In Episode Two of THE SHIFT, Danny Levy goes deep into one of the most important transformations unfolding in business today: the rise of the Agentic Enterprise. Joining him is Gavin Barfield, VP & CTO for Solutions in ASEAN at Salesforce - a technologist, strategist, and trusted advisor to some of the region’s most ambitious organisations. With decades of experience at the forefront of enterprise innovation, Gavin brings clarity, realism, and practical insight to a topic often clouded by hype. Together, they explore what it actually means to operationalise AI at scale. From autonomous agents that can sell, service, and support customers, to the organisational shifts required to unlock human creativity, this conversation moves beyond theory into tangible, real‑world impact. Gavin shares examples from across Singapore and ASEAN - including Salesforce’s own role as “customer zero” - revealing how AI agents are already handling millions of interactions, automating routine work, and redefining productivity, while still keeping humans firmly in the loop. The conversation also looks ahead: How AI will reshape jobs, skills, and leadershipWhy accessibility and localisation are critical to AI adoptionHow businesses of every size - from global enterprises to SMEs - can participate in the AI economyWhy the Agentic Enterprise may prove as foundational as electricity itselfGrounded, thoughtful, and forward‑looking, this episode is a must‑listen for leaders navigating the next era of business - where intelligence is embedded, work is reimagined, and technology truly works alongside people. This is AI in action. This is the next SHIFT.

    54 min

  6. 23 Feb

    THE SHIFT — Why Analytics Will Define the Next Decade: Jen Taylor on Leading Mixpanel

    THE SHIFT marks the evolution of Danny Levy’s long‑running exploration into digital transformation and leadership — expanding the conversation into the forces, decisions, and technologies redefining the future of business. In this debut episode of the next chapter, Danny sits down with Jen Taylor, CEO of Mixpanel and one of the most influential product and data leaders of her generation. With a career spanning pivotal roles at Salesforce, Cloudflare, and now Mixpanel, Jen brings a rare combination of product intuition, operational discipline, and transformational leadership. Together, they explore the shifting landscape of modern business: what it means to lead through uncertainty, how data and analytics are accelerating organisational change, and the mindset required to navigate — and shape — the next wave of innovation. Jen opens up about her journey, her leadership philosophy, and the future she sees unfolding across industries. For listeners who have followed Danny’s previous conversations on transformation and leadership, this episode represents the natural progression: a deeper, more inquisitive look into the ideas and people building what comes next. Welcome to the evolution. Welcome to THE SHIFT.

    54 min

  7. 10/11/2025

    AI in Action: Building Transparent, Scalable Impact w/ Meta’s Rafael Frankel

    What does it take to make AI truly work for people — not just profits? In this episode, Rafael Frankel, Director of Public Policy for Asia-Pacific at Meta, joins Danny Levy to share how one of the world’s most influential technology companies is driving responsible, transparent, and scalable AI adoption across the region. A former journalist turned policy leader, Rafael brings a rare blend of storytelling, diplomacy, and innovation insight from over a decade shaping tech policy and trust frameworks across APAC. You’ll learn: How Meta defines its role in the AI ecosystem — and how it’s applying AI to create real-world impact for businesses and communitiesThe truth behind Generative, Predictive, and General AI — what’s hype, what’s here, and what’s nextHow partnerships with Deloitte SEA, AiSee, and Meta’s Llama program are accelerating accessible AI innovation in AsiaThe biggest barriers to AI adoption in APAC — and what forward-thinking leaders can do to overcome themRafael’s personal lessons in leadership, resilience, and purpose from his journey across media, policy, and technology If you want to cut through the noise around AI, understand where the next decade is heading, and learn how to lead with clarity in an uncertain world — this is an episode you won’t want to miss. Are you getting every episode of Digital Transformation & Leadership in your favourite podcast player? You can find us Apple Podcasts and Spotify to subscribe.

    1hr 3min

  8. 26/09/2025

    Noise vs. Leadership, Quantum-Safe Cryptography, and Why the Right Conversation Changes Everything w/ Camilla Bullock

    This week, Camilla Bullock, CEO of the Emerging Payments Association Asia (EPAA), joins Danny for a wide-ranging, no-BS conversation that cuts through the noise. The Emerging Payments Association Asia (EPAA) is the peak industry body representing and supporting the APAC payments ecosystem. Danny and Camilla get into: Why true leadership isn’t about being a “thought leader” (and why Camilla refuses the label).The hidden superpower that drives change: spotting the right people and sparking the right discussions.Quantum-safe cryptography—why it’s not just a “future problem” and why starting now could be the smartest move you’ll ever make.The storytelling gap in cybersecurity—and how to make resilience resonate across an industry that usually drowns in jargon.Why recognising excellence through initiatives like the Money Awards creates real momentum.And much more...! If you care about the future of payments, fintech, or just want to know how the right idea at the right time can reshape an industry - this is your episode. It’s 45 minutes packed with sharp insights, no fluff, and lessons you can actually use. Are you getting every episode of Digital Transformation & Leadership in your favourite podcast player? You can find us Apple Podcasts and Spotify to subscribe.

    47 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

THE SHIFT is a deep dive into the ideas, technologies, and bold decisions reshaping the future of business - presented by Danny Levy. In each episode, Danny sits down with leaders, innovators, and contrarians who are building what comes next. From the executives driving transformation inside the world’s biggest companies to the founders reinventing entire industries, THE SHIFT goes beyond headlines and hype to uncover the real stories behind meaningful change. This is not a podcast about trends - it’s about the inflection points, breakthroughs and the hard choices. This is THE SHIFT.

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