Waves in the Finoverse

Finoverse
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From innovators to investors, dive deep into the minds of top leaders shaping the future of AI, FinTech, Web3, and Crypto. Discover how artificial intelligence is transforming industries and driving the next wave of innovation. This is Waves in the Finoverse – The Podcast. Subscribe and follow Waves in the Finoverse now to get the latest episodes delivered straight to your device. See you in the Finoverse!  www.finoverse.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. The real reason behind every AI layoff | Maxim Afanasyev, FSI Head for APAC and Japan, Google Cloud

    2d ago

    The real reason behind every AI layoff | Maxim Afanasyev, FSI Head for APAC and Japan, Google Cloud

    Maxim Afanasyev has been coding large language models for over 20 years, long before the AI boom. He's an applied AI expert who's worked at McKinsey building AI transformations and now leads AI strategy at Alphabet. Maxim and Anthony discuss why 95% of AI applications don't deliver bottom-line impact, the global shortage of applied AI experts (only 200 mature professionals worldwide), and why banks are solving yesterday's problems instead of tomorrow's value propositions. They cover why LLMs became persuasion machines by learning human biases, how customers are now smarter than banks because of AI agents, and why agentic payments will force financial institutions to rethink their entire business model. Maxim also explains why cutting 20% of your workforce signals that your CEO failed at transformation. Timestamps00:00 Intro 01:08 Coding LLMs 20 Years Ago in a Soviet-Era AI Lab 06:02 How RLHF Turned Neural Networks into Machines for Persuasion 10:48 From AI Winter to AI Hype: What Actually Changed 13:40 Why 95% of AI Applications Fail to Deliver Bottom-Line Impact 20:22 The 200 Applied AI Experts Problem 25:27 How to Nurture Applied AI Talent Through Experimentation 32:52 Why Bank Chatbots Create Dead Weight Loss 42:48 How AI-Smart Customers Are Breaking Legacy Banking Models 52:08 Asia's Lead in AI Adoption & Why Banks Must Rethink Value 01:04:14 Agentic Payments, Trust & the Renaissance of Physical Experience 01:16:25 Agents, Regulation & the Future of Human-AI Interaction 01:25:00 AI Deepfakes, Recruitment Fraud & the URL-to-IRL Shift 01:35:04 Why CEOs Who Cut Jobs for AI Are Really Admitting Failure Follow Maxim AfanasyevFollow Anthony Sar Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 44m
  2. Where the Smartest AI Investors Are Putting Their Money

    12/16/2025

    Where the Smartest AI Investors Are Putting Their Money

    As this year sets a $200B record for AI funding, Esther Wong and Antoine Blondeau debate over the future of AI investing at Hong Kong FinTech Week x StartmeupHK Festival 2025. Wong is a former SenseTime executive and one of Asia’s leading AI infrastructure investors, and Blondeau is an early OpenAI investor and a pioneer behind the foundational technology that became Siri. The two investors sit down with Anthony Sar and tackle the biggest question shaping AI investing today: will the real returns come from AI infrastructure or AI applications? It’s a rare, unfiltered look at how the smartest people in AI are thinking today. Connect with us here:  Esther Wong: https://www.linkedin.com/in/esther-wong-76a6a410a/ Antoine Blondeau: https://www.linkedin.com/in/antoineblondeau/ Anthony Sar: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonysar/ Finoverse: https://www.linkedin.com/company/finnovasia/ Timestamps 00:00 Trailer 00:55 Introduction 02:14 Current State of AI Investment 04:19 Infrastructure vs. Application Layer 06:38 Future of AI and Investment Strategies 19:03 Advice for New AI Investors 24:13 Final Thoughts and Advice for Founders Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    26 min
  3. Why the US Is Suddenly Racing for Crypto Power | Richard Teng, CEO of Binance

    11/25/2025

    Why the US Is Suddenly Racing for Crypto Power | Richard Teng, CEO of Binance

    From Jamie Dimon and Larry Fink to even President Trump, everyone is moving toward crypto. In this conversation, Richard Teng, CEO of Binance, one of the world’s largest digital asset ecosystems with 300 million users, explains why this shift is happening now. Recorded live at Hong Kong FinTech Week, Richard shares what he is seeing behind the scenes as crypto begins to outpace traditional finance and as governments around the world approach him to rethink their digital asset strategies. Connect with us here: Richard Teng: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-teng-3497b527/  Binance: https://www.linkedin.com/company/binance/  Anthony Sar: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonysar/  Finoverse: https://www.linkedin.com/company/finnovasia/  00:00 Trailer 00:59 Transformation in the Financial Sector 02:11 Institutional Adoption and Market Maturity 08:28 Compliance and Regulatory Challenges 12:22 Global Crypto Adoption and Strategic Moves 20:09 AI and Blockchain Convergence 23:01 Personal Insights and Advice for the Future Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    24 min
  4. How Not to Lose 50% of Your Startup | Edith Yeung

    09/30/2025

    How Not to Lose 50% of Your Startup | Edith Yeung

    Edith Yeung is an early-stage investor, General Partner at Race Capital, and was among the first investors in Solana, a public blockchain platform celebrated as one of the “best venture investments of all time.” Born and raised in Hong Kong, Edith connects founders with capital and mentorship across Hong Kong and San Francisco through initiatives like FoundersHK, and regularly writes and speaks on venture capital and women in leadership. Join Anthony Sar, CEO and Co-Founder of Finoverse, for a conversation with Edith Yeung on the common pitfalls international founders face when raising in the US, and how to strategically grow and validate markets before entering Silicon Valley. Connect with us here: 1. Edith Yeung- https://www.linkedin.com/in/edithyeung/ 2. Anthony Sar- https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonysar/ 3. Finoverse- https://www.linkedin.com/company/finnovasia/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 13m
  5. I Raised $21M to Put Data Centers in Space | Philip Johnston

    09/10/2025

    I Raised $21M to Put Data Centers in Space | Philip Johnston

    Philip Johnston is shaping the next frontier of digital infrastructure with Starcloud, building space-based data centers to meet AI’s surging energy needs. The company raised $21M in seed funding before launching a single satellite, a “record number,” according to Philip, and has been recognized as a World Economic Forum Technology Pioneer. Before Starcloud, Philip founded Opontia, raising over $50M to acquire and grow digital-first brands. Earlier, he worked at McKinsey & Company on projects with national space agencies, and he holds an MPA from Harvard amongst many more degrees. Join Anthony Sar, CEO and Co-Founder of Finoverse, for a conversation with Philip Johnston on the race to build orbital data centers, why AI’s growth threatens to overheat the planet, and why space may be the only place left to grow. Connect with us here: 1. Philip Johnston- https://www.linkedin.com/in/philipjohnst0n/ 2. Anthony Sar- https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonysar/ 3. Finoverse- https://www.linkedin.com/company/finnovasia/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    35 min
  6. The $1 Trillion Question: Can Living Chips Replace Silicon? | Dr. Hon Weng Chong & Cortical Labs

    09/05/2025

    The $1 Trillion Question: Can Living Chips Replace Silicon? | Dr. Hon Weng Chong & Cortical Labs

    Dr. Hon Weng Chong is the CEO and Founder of Cortical Labs, the company pioneering computers powered by living neurons. A physician turned technologist, Dr. Hon’s path began with projects like bringing Xbox consoles to children’s hospitals and creating diagnostic tools for childhood pneumonia. Today, Cortical Labs has raised over $10M to build the CL1, a bio-computer powered by 200,000 human brain cells that can learn to play Pong in minutes. Researchers can rent access for about $300 a week, a glimpse into a future where biological machines may outlearn silicon by adapting in real time with far less data. Join Anthony Sar, CEO and Co-Founder of Finoverse, for a conversation with Dr. Hon Weng Chong on the science, ethics, and implications of building neuron-powered machines, and why the next frontier of AI might not be silicon at all. Connect with us here: 1. Dr. Hon Weng Chong- https://www.linkedin.com/in/hochong/ 2. Anthony Sar- https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonysar/ 3. Finoverse- https://www.linkedin.com/company/finnovasia/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    54 min
  7. Why Corporates Fail at AI | Steve Monaghan, Executive Chairman, Human AI

    08/28/2025

    Why Corporates Fail at AI | Steve Monaghan, Executive Chairman, Human AI

    Steve Monaghan, a pioneering leader in digital transformation and AI innovation in financial services, shares his insights on the evolving role of technology in banking. With a background spanning aviation, banking, and entrepreneurship, Steve has developed groundbreaking solutions, including the world’s first AI underwriting platform for life and health insurance. A former senior executive at AIA and DBS, he has been at the forefront of leveraging technology to drive growth and redefine industries. Join Steve and Anthony Sar, CEO and Co-Founder of Finoverse, as they discuss the challenges and opportunities of adopting AI in large institutions, the role of startups in driving innovation, and how to build trust and foster a culture of curiosity in the age of advanced technologies. 00:00 Setting Realistic AI Expectations in Banking 05:35 Balancing Risk Management and Innovation 10:34 Building Trust in FinTech and AI 23:08 The Future of Trust in Technology 33:53 Embracing AI to Amplify Human Potential 43:59 The CEO’s Role in Driving Innovation 50:55 Overcoming Fear and Balancing Expertise 01:00:25 Newton’s Laws of Organizational Change 01:03:58 Building a Rebel Alliance for Change 01:16:38 Curiosity and Continuous Learning in Innovation Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 35m
  8. What Is Life After AGI? | Esther Wong, Founder, 3C AGI Partners

    08/20/2025

    What Is Life After AGI? | Esther Wong, Founder, 3C AGI Partners

    Esther Wong, the CEO and Co-Founder of 3C AGI Partners, one of the leading AI venture funds out of Hong Kong. A former founding leader at SenseTime, she steered strategic investments and raised over $5 billion to fuel Asia’s AI powerhouse. With 20+ years in high-level roles at institutions like J.P. Morgan, Barclays, and CICC, Esther blends financial acumen with tech insight. Join Esther Wong and Anthony Sar, CEO and Co-Founder of Finoverse, for an engaging discussion on the future of AI.  00:00 Introduction and Esther Wong’s Expertise 04:25 Innovation in AI Infrastructure vs. Applications 06:10 Commoditization of LLMs and the Evolution of AI Giants 10:55 Risks and Biases with Intelligence Technologies 15:37 The Future of AGI and Society 23:08 Bioengineering and Neurocomputing 30:30 Metaverse and Augmented Reality 44:07  Esther’s Investment Philosophy and Predictions 58:07 Space Technology and AI Development 1:03:53 Challenges in AI Applications and Infrastructure Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 29m
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About

From innovators to investors, dive deep into the minds of top leaders shaping the future of AI, FinTech, Web3, and Crypto. Discover how artificial intelligence is transforming industries and driving the next wave of innovation. This is Waves in the Finoverse – The Podcast. Subscribe and follow Waves in the Finoverse now to get the latest episodes delivered straight to your device. See you in the Finoverse!  www.finoverse.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Information

  • Creator
    Finoverse
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    57
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Finoverse
  • Show Website
    Waves in the Finoverse