Welcome to the TMT podcast series, 'FinTech Bytes'.
FinTech Bytes by CMS is a podcast which gives listeners a ‘bite-sized’ overview of topics affecting the FinTech market and provides insights into some of the latest tech, regulatory, market trends and issues affecting innovation in financial services and how they are relevant to FinTechs.
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Episode #22 - Are Fintechs prepared for DORA?
In this episode of FinTech Bytes, operational resilience experts Joy Davey and Caoimhe Crowley delve into the significance of the Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA). They discuss how DORA aims to enhance resilience against digital threats and operational disruptions, and explore the implementation challenges Fintechs face as the January 17 2025 compliance deadline approaches.
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- Listen via web browser: Episode #22 - Are Fintechs prepared for DORA? | FinTech Bytes
Episode #21 - £3 million in pre-seed funding: revolutionising investment with Belong
In this 21st episode, Gemma Hall, Corporate Senior Associate at CMS, sits down with Samantha Rosenberg, Co-founder and COO of Belong, a wealth management platform that is revolutionising the world of investment for millennials and has caused a real stir by raising £2.95 million in pre-seed funding—the largest amount ever secured by female founders in Europe.
Through Belong’s inspiring story and Sam’s experience, they delve into how they overcame significant fundraising challenges, leveraged the power of mentoring, and demonstrated resilience in leadership to achieve their success.
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- Listen via web browser: Episode #21 - £3 million in pre-seed funding: revolutionising investment with Belong
Episode #20 - How to leverage FinTechs through digitalisation
In this episode, Tony Clark, CEO and Founder of NextWave, and our FinTech expert, Reeve Boyd, delve into the significance of digitalisation in driving strategic competitive advantage for fintech companies. They also provide a detailed guide on the steps to take to succeed in a constantly evolving digital landscape.
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- Listen via web browser: Episode #20 - How to leverage fintechs through digitalisation
Episode #19 - How are FinTechs innovating in financial services?
In this episode, Adam Israel, COO & Co-Founder of Mesh Connect, along with Charles Kerrigan and Christina Fraziero discuss digital asset transfers.
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- Listen via web browser: Episode #19 - How are FinTechs innovating in financial services? | FinTech Bytes.
Explore how Mesh addresses the lack of innovation in traditional finance, the management of assets and the crucial role of stable coins in the crypto ecosystem.
Episode #18 - How is the Consumer Duty shaping the Fintech sector? From market implementation to opportunities and risks
In our 18th episode, Senior Associate Jamie Marshall and Associate Reeve Boyd discuss the impact of the latest regulatory developments on the Consumer Duty on Fintech and crypto asset firms.
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- Listen via web browser: Episode #18 - How is the Consumer Duty shaping the Fintech sector? From market implementation to opportunities and risks.
To find out more about Consumer Duty, click here or visit our Consumer Duty hub. Additionally, explore our previous podcast for insights into the Financial Services Regime.
Episode #17 - New rules for Marketing Crypto Assets: What to expect?
FCA’s new rules for promoting financial products and services in the crypto asset industry will take effect from 8 October. In our podcast, partner Sam Robinson and associate Yasmin Johal from our financial regulatory team, discuss the nature of the changes, who they affect, and provide guidance/advice for compliance.
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- Listen via web browser: Episode #17 - New rules for Marketing Crypto Assets: What to expect?
A written and downloadable guide covering the main points of this new legislation can be found here.
Episode #16 - Data Revolution: Unleashing the Power of Synthetic Data
Wondering how synthetic data can revolutionize data handling in the FinTech industry or how it is created?
In this episode, Harry Keen, CEO and Co-Founder of Hazy, alongside our FinTech experts, Daniel Gallagher and Will Holder delve into the world of synthetic data, exploring its benefits, as well as the challenges and opportunities its usage presents in today's data-driven landscape.
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- Listen via web browser: Episode #16 - Data Revolution: Unleashing the Power of Synthetic Data
Episode #15 - Unlocking the Future: Generative AI's Unprecedented Impact on FinTech & Litigation
Curious about the transformative role of generative AI in the FinTech industry? Eager to discover how this technology has the potential to revolutionize the legal profession? Join us for episode 15, where our Financial Services Disputes experts Reeve Boyd and Rebecca Byczok, explore how generative AI is currently being harnessed in the FinTech landscape and delve into its profound impact on the future of the legal profession, with a particular focus on the litigation realm.
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- Listen via web browser: Episode #15 - Unlocking the Future: Generative AI's Unprecedented Impact on FinTech & Litigation
Episode #14 - Women in FinTech with Alexis Alexander, General Counsel at Liberis
In episode 14, we will explore Women's role in Fintech, coinciding with International Women’s Day. Alexis Alexander, General Counsel at Liberis, together with associates Yasmin Johal and Fiona Henderson, will discuss:
- Lex’s personal experiences as a female lawyer in Fintech.
- what fintech companies are and should be doing to increase and retain a diverse workforce; and
- predictions for the UK fintech industry in 2023
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- Listen via web browser: Episode #14 - Women in FinTech with Alexis Alexander, General Counsel at Liberis
Episode #13 - What are the key FinTech trends for 2023?
In this episode, Yasmin Johal and Reeve Boyd, both associates in the Financial Services team, will discuss the 5 key trends we expect to see within the UK Fintech Market in 2023 and what FinTechs should be aware of.
In particular, the group examines what changes there will be concerning:
- Regulation
- Litigation
- Embedded finance
- Funding
- ESG
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- Listen via web browser: Episode #13 - What are the key FinTech trends for 2023?
Episode #12 - Diversity and Inclusion in FinTech – With Nadia Edwards-Dashti, co-founder of the Harrington Starr Group
In this podcast, Yasmin Johal, Associate and member of the Financial Services team at CMS, talks to Nadia Edwards Dashti, who co-founded the Harrington Starr Group in 2010, which has grown into the leading FinTech recruiter based in London (and also has offices in New York). We explore the Diversity in FinTech, how this has evolved over the years, what FinTechs should consider going forward and how the ever changing FinTech Landscape will adapt in the next 12 months.
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- Listen via web browser: Episode #12 - Diversity and Inclusion in FinTech – With Nadia Edwards-Dashti, co-founder of the Harrington Starr Group
Episode #11 - Marketing Cryptoassets in the UK
In this podcast, Yasmin Johal, Associate and member of the Financial Services team and Bhavesh Panchal, Associate and member of the Financial Services team at CMS, explore the recent developments relating to the marketing of cryptocurrencies. We discuss the new rules which will bring qualifying cryptoassets within the scope of the financial promotions regime and explore the impact of these developments.
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- Listen via web browser: Episode #11 - Marketing Cryptoassets in the UK | FinTech Bytes
Episode #10 - How is FinTech disrupting Islamic Finance? - With Areeb Siddiqui, Founder and CEO of Kesrtl
In this episode, Shakeel Adli, Partner and Head of Islamic Finance at CMS, and Yasmin Johal, Associate and member of the Financial Services team at CMS, talk to Areeb Siddiqui, founder and CEO of CMS equIP members Kestrl - which is an award-winning finance app that makes it easy for Muslims to Budget, Save and Invest in line with their values. We explore the role that FinTech plays in Islamic finance, learn more out a bit more about Kestrl and how it is innovating this space and what we can expect in the future for the Islamic finance market and wider ESG markets.
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- Listen via web browser: Episode #10 - How is FinTech disrupting Islamic Finance? | FinTech Bytes
Episode #9 - Cryptoassets - MLR Registration
In this episode, Yasmin Johal, associate in our Finance Regulatory team and Matthew Nyman, Of Counsel in our Financial Services and FinTech team discuss registering a cryptoasset firm under the money laundering regulations in the UK – the process, what you need, and some top tips for an application, as well as developments in the next 12 months which you need to be aware of.
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- Listen via web browser: Episode #9 - Cryptoassets - MLR Registration | FinTech Bytes
Episode #8 - DeFi
In this episode, Dil-Veer Kang, associate in our Finance Regulatory team, Yasmin Johal, associate in our Finance Regulatory team and Erika Federis, associate in our Corporate & Leveraged Finance team discuss DeFi, why its important and how it is likely to change in the next 12 months.
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- Listen via web browser: Episode #8 - DeFi | FinTech Bytes
Episode #7 - Akoni
In this episode, Mumuksha Singh, a senior associate in our Corporate team, interviews Felicia Meyerowitz-Singh, Founder and CEO of Akoni.
Akoni helps users manage personal or client accounts and earn increased interest across an array of highly-rated banks via their award-winning, data driven platform. We discuss Open Finance, how FinTech is challenging the future of finance for consumers and the impact Covid-19 has had on investments in this space.
At the time of recording Akoni were predicted to become one of the jumbo software providers to global banks and investment platforms – Akoni has since been acquired by Stubben Edge.
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- Listen via web browser: Episode #7 - Akoni | FinTech Bytes
Episode #6 - CBDC
In this episode, Dil-Veer Kang, associate in our Finance Regulatory team, Yasmin Johal, associate in our Finance Regulatory team and Susann Altkemper, Of Counsel in our Finance Regulatory team discuss Central Bank Digital Currencies which are booming across the world, and the UK is at the forefront. This podcast looks at what they are, what they can bring and how the world is developing CBDC innovation.
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- Listen via web browser: Episode #6 - CBDC | FinTech Bytes
Episode #5 - Interview with Liliana from Suprafin
In this episode, Vanessa Whitman, a partner & solicitor advocate in our Finance Disputes team, interviews Liliana Reasor, CEO and Founder of Suprafin. We discuss how decentralised finance is impacting the future of financial services, how the digital assets space has changed during the pandemic and what the long-term impacts of these developments will be for the FinTech ecosystem.
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- Listen via web browser: Episode #5 - Interview with Liliana from Suprafin | FinTech Bytes
Episode #4 - Interview with Alan Ainsworth from the OBIE (Part 2)
In the fourth episode, Dil-Veer Kang, associate in our Finance Regulatory team, and Yasmin Johal, associate in our Finance Regulatory team, interview Alan Ainsworth, Head of Policy at the Open Banking Implementation Entity (OBIE), to explore the benefits of open banking and what the OBIE have been doing in this space. This is the second of a two part series exploring open banking.
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- Listen via web browser: Episode #4 - Interview with Alan Ainsworth from the OBIE (Part 2) | FinTech Bytes
Episode #3 - Disputes
In this episode, Vanessa Whitman, a partner & solicitor advocate in our Finance Disputes team, and Rachel Harrison, a senior associate & solicitor advocate in our Finance Disputes team, discuss key lessons they have learned from working on Fintech disputes and focus on the factors that a FinTech should consider when faced with a dispute.
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- Listen via web browser: Episode #3 - Disputes | FinTech Bytes
Episode #2 - Interview with Alan Ainsworth from the OBIE (Part 1)
In this episode, Dil-Veer Kang, associate in our Finance Regulatory team, and Yasmin Johal, associate in our Finance Regulatory team, interview Alan Ainsworth, Head of Policy at the Open Banking Implementation Entity (OBIE), to explore the benefits of open banking and what the OBIE have been doing in this space. It is the first of two parts exploring open banking.
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- Listen via web browser: Episode #2 - Interview with Alan Ainsworth from the OBIE (Part 1) | FinTech Bytes
Episode #1 - Operational Resilience
In this episode, we discuss ‘Operational Resilience’. Your hosts, Yasmin Johal, an associate in our Finance Regulatory team, and Daniel Gallagher, a senior associate in our Technology team look at key practical tips for maintaining operational resilience and these differs between FinTech and banks.
