Payments Between Us

Roger Abouantoun
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  • Business

Payments Between Us is where payments meet people. Through open, person-to-person conversations, we explore the careers, experiences and perspectives of people working across payments and the industries shaping its future. From fintech and financial services to cybersecurity, compliance, digital assets, regulation and emerging technology, each conversation goes beyond job titles and industry headlines to discover the people, decisions and experiences behind them. Payments happen between people. And so do great conversations.

Episodes

  1. 4d ago

    Inside the Architecture of Modern Payments | Lucian Lauritz

    What does it take to build payment infrastructure that is reliable, secure, and capable of scaling across countries and markets? In this episode of Payments Between Us, I sit down with Lucian Lauritz, a payments architect responsible for acquiring solutions across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, to explore the complexity behind modern payment systems. Lucian shares his journey from computer science into payments and explains why designing payment infrastructure requires understanding much more than individual technologies. We discuss why payments are mission-critical, how solution architects approach complex systems, and why good architecture must support both today's business needs and tomorrow's opportunities. Lucian also shares his perspective on collaboration between product managers, architects, engineers, and business teams, and why communication is essential when designing payment solutions that need to operate across different countries, regulations, and technical environments. We explore the role of Nexo standards in improving payment interoperability, the challenges of balancing common standards with local requirements, and why standardization matters for the future of payment infrastructure. We also discuss how artificial intelligence is changing payment architecture, from accelerating technical research to supporting complex decisions, and why human judgment and expertise remain essential. In this episode: • Lucian's journey into payments and acquiring architecture • Why payments are mission-critical infrastructure • The role of a solutions architect in designing payment systems • Building scalable systems without limiting future opportunities • Collaboration between product, architecture, and engineering • Security, fraud, regulation, and regional payment complexity • Nexo standards and payment interoperability • AI in payment architecture and technical decision-making • The importance of human expertise in an increasingly automated industry 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 Lucian: ■ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucian-lauritz-84495230/ 𝐏𝐚𝐲𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐁𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐔𝐬: ■ Watch, listen & follow: https://cedarium.com/podcast Payments happen between people. And so do great conversations.

    Inside the Architecture of Modern Payments | Lucian Lauritz

  2. Oct 26

    Why Modernizing Payments Is More Than Technology | Jose Esteban Plaza

    What does it really take to modernize a banking or payment system, and is replacing legacy technology always the right answer? In this episode of Payments Between Us, I sit down with Jose Esteban Plaza to explore the challenges of payment transformation, the importance of bridging business and technology, and the lessons he's learned throughout his international career. Jose shares how he entered the payments industry after moving from Venezuela to Panama, starting as a junior analyst with no practical banking or payments experience. Faced with a nine-month deadline to certify debit and credit cards with Mastercard, he had to learn quickly, relying on experienced colleagues, technical documentation, and plenty of determination. We discuss how banking and payments have evolved, how the pandemic accelerated the shift toward digital transactions, and why modernizing payment platforms doesn't always mean replacing existing systems. Jose also shares his experience working across different markets, building international consulting teams, and helping organizations translate business requirements into practical technical solutions. But our conversation goes beyond technology. We explore the importance of communication, cultural understanding, and soft skills in complex transformation projects, and why every organization needs an approach that reflects its specific challenges rather than a one-size-fits-all solution. We also discuss differences in payment habits, regulations, and merchant fees across Latin America and Europe, including some surprising experiences from Venezuela. In this episode: • Jose's journey from Venezuela into the payments industry • Learning payments from scratch and the importance of mentorship • How the pandemic changed banking and payment priorities • Modernizing legacy systems without replacing everything • The complexity behind authorization, settlement, and banking infrastructure • Bridging business requirements and technical implementation • Building international consulting teams and working across cultures • Choosing between specialist and large consulting firms • Payment fees, regulation, and regional payment habits • Career lessons from working across Latin America and Europe As Jose puts it: "Everything is about your commitment and the people who surround you." 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 Jose: ■ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/estebanplaza/ 𝐏𝐚𝐲𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐁𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐔𝐬: ■ Watch, listen & follow: https://cedarium.com/podcast Payments happen between people. And so do great conversations.

    Why Modernizing Payments Is More Than Technology | Jose Esteban Plaza

  3. Oct 19

    Inside Brazil's Payments Revolution | Gisela Delamain

    What can Europe learn from Brazil's approach to payment innovation? In this episode of Payments Between Us, I sit down with Gisela Delamain to explore Brazil's rapidly evolving fintech ecosystem, the success of PIX, and the future of instant and cross-border payments. With experience across traditional banking, fintech, and international business development, Gisela shares her journey through the financial services industry and her perspective on what makes Brazil such an interesting market for payment innovation. We discuss how PIX has transformed the way consumers and businesses make payments, the factors behind its widespread adoption, and what European markets could learn from Brazil's experience. Gisela also shares her insights into the growth of digital banks and fintechs, the role of regulation in supporting innovation, and the opportunities for real-time cross-border payments. But our conversation goes beyond technology. We explore the importance of cultural understanding, local representation, and trusted relationships when expanding into international markets, particularly between Brazil and Europe. We also discuss how open finance could reshape access to financial services, credit assessment, and risk management.  In this episode: • Gisela's journey from banking to fintech • The success of PIX and its impact on Brazilian payments • What Europe can learn from Brazil's instant payment system • Digital banking and the growth of Brazil's fintech ecosystem • Regulation, innovation, and trust in financial services • The future of real-time cross-border payments • Open finance and its impact on credit and risk assessment • Cultural adaptation and international market expansion • Building connections between Brazilian and European fintech ecosystems A conversation about how payments are evolving, what different markets can learn from each other, and why people and relationships remain essential to financial innovation. 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 Gisela: ■ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gisela-delamain-aaa87b41/ 𝐏𝐚𝐲𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐁𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐔𝐬: ■ Watch, listen & follow: https://cedarium.com/podcast Payments happen between people. And so do great conversations.

    Inside Brazil's Payments Revolution | Gisela Delamain

  4. Oct 12

    Why Every Business Needs a Payment Strategy | Viktoria Soltesz

    What does it really mean to have a payment strategy, and why do so many businesses operate without one?  In this episode of Payments Between Us, I sit down with Viktoria Soltesz, payments and banking expert, author, educator, and founder of the Soltesz Institute, to explore why payments should be treated as a strategic business function rather than simply an operational necessity.  With extensive experience across banking, accounting, fintech, and payment consulting, Viktoria brings a unique perspective on how money moves through businesses and why understanding the bigger picture is essential for making better financial decisions.  We discuss what a payment strategy actually looks like, how businesses can evaluate and negotiate with payment providers, and why relying too heavily on a single provider can create significant financial and operational risks.  Viktoria also shares her insights into the complexities of the global banking system, the impact of regulation and sanctions, and why understanding financial flows is becoming increasingly important for businesses operating internationally.  But our conversation goes beyond payment technology and business strategy.  We explore the growing need for independent education, professional standards, and certifications in the payments industry. Viktoria shares the vision behind the Soltesz Institute and the EU MBA in Payments and Banking, and why she believes education and industry collaboration are essential for the future of financial services.  In this episode: • Why every business needs a payment strategy • How to assess, select, and negotiate with payment providers • Hidden payment costs and opportunities for savings • Understanding financial flows and managing payment risks • The risks of depending on a single payment provider • The impact of global regulations, compliance, and sanctions • Why the payments industry needs professional standards and education • The vision behind the Soltesz Institute and EU MBA in Payments and Banking • The future of payments, banking, and financial education  As Viktoria puts it: “The cash flow is like the bloodline of your business.” A conversation about understanding how money moves, making smarter payment decisions, and building the knowledge and skills our industry needs for the future. 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐕𝐢𝐤𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐚: ■ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/viktoria-soltesz/ ■ Viktoria Soltesz Website: https://www.viktoriasoltesz.com/ ■ PSP Angels: https://www.pspangels.com/ ■ The Soltesz Institute: https://www.solteszinstitute.com/ 𝐏𝐚𝐲𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐁𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐔𝐬: ■ Watch, listen & follow: https://cedarium.com/podcast Payments happen between people. And so do great conversations.

    Why Every Business Needs a Payment Strategy | Viktoria Soltesz

  5. Oct 2

    The Future of Money: Stablecoins, CBDCs, Tokenization & Payments | Michael Boevink

    What does the future of money look like, and how close are we to it? In this episode of Payments Between Us, I sit down with Michael Boevink to explore how payments are evolving and what stablecoins, tokenization and Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) could mean for the way we move money in the future. We discuss the evolution of payments over the past 50 years, the role blockchain could play in reducing friction, and how tokenization could change the way assets are created, transferred and accessed. Michael also shares his perspective on the growing role of stablecoins, the potential, snd concerns around CBDCs, and whether these technologies can really deliver faster and more efficient cross-border payments. But technology is only one part of the equation. We also explore the importance of trust, regulation and compliance, and the challenge of creating frameworks that work across countries and markets. In this episode: • The evolution of payment systems • Blockchain and reducing friction in payments • Tokenization and its impact on liquidity • Stablecoins and instant global transactions • The opportunities and concerns around CBDCs • Regulation, compliance and trust • The future of cross-border payments • International treasury management 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐌𝐢𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐞𝐥: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-boevink/ Payments Between Us: Watch, listen & follow: https://cedarium.com/pbu/ Payments happen between people. And so do great conversations.

    The Future of Money: Stablecoins, CBDCs, Tokenization & Payments | Michael Boevink

  6. Sep 24

    What Really Makes Payments Work? | Daniela Moellers

    What really makes payments work: technology, regulation, or the people behind it? And what does it take to navigate tough negotiations in such a complex industry? In this episode of Payments Between Us, I sit down with Daniela Moellers, a digital payments specialist with extensive experience in negotiations, card schemes and the European payments landscape. We explore Daniela's journey through the industry, how payments have evolved in Germany and across Europe, and the emergence of initiatives such as Wero. We also look at the challenges of operating in a highly regulated industry: how regulation affects innovation and market entry, why understanding the market should come before building the product, and where European payments could be heading next. But this conversation goes beyond payment technology. Daniela shares her perspective on negotiation, trust, leadership and working across different cultures, including why human connection continues to play such an important role in business. And, as Daniela puts it: are we all living in a “payments bubble”? In this conversation, we explore: ■ Daniela's journey through the payments industry ■ The evolution of payments in Germany and Europe ■ Wero and European payment initiatives ■ Regulation, innovation and market entry ■ Building products that solve real market needs ■ Negotiation, trust and human connection ■ Cultural differences in international business ■ The future of the payments landscape Connect with Daniela: LinkedIn: Daniela Moellers Payments Between Us: Watch, listen & follow: https://cedarium.com/pbu/ Payments happen between people. And so do great conversations.

    What Really Makes Payments Work? | Daniela Moellers
  • 6 Episodes

About

Payments Between Us is where payments meet people. Through open, person-to-person conversations, we explore the careers, experiences and perspectives of people working across payments and the industries shaping its future. From fintech and financial services to cybersecurity, compliance, digital assets, regulation and emerging technology, each conversation goes beyond job titles and industry headlines to discover the people, decisions and experiences behind them. Payments happen between people. And so do great conversations.

Information

  • Creator
    Roger Abouantoun
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    6
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Roger Abouantoun
  • Show Website
    Payments Between Us