The Payment Expert Podcast

Binance's $6.3BN Hack: Is Your Crypto Safe? | Ep. 34

Hackers have stolen approximately $6.36 billion from Binance in the largest cryptocurrency theft on record. Days later, Brazil's Mercado Bitcoin was hit by another major attack. So just how safe are the world's biggest crypto exchanges? In this episode of the Payment Expert Podcast, host and News Editor Lewis Thompson is joined by senior business journalist Kieran to examine two major crypto security incidents and what they could mean for the future of digital asset protection. On 29 October 2026, approximately $6.36 billion was stolen from Binance wallets across multiple blockchains, with much of the theft taking place in around 20 minutes. Blockchain intelligence firm TRM Labs has attributed the attack to TraderTraitor, a North Korea-linked hacking group. Just days later, Mercado Bitcoin suffered a separate breach, with blockchain investigators estimating tens of millions of dollars in stolen assets. The incidents have raised major questions about exchange security, hot wallets, customer funds and the growing concentration of cryptocurrency assets within large centralised platforms. Lewis and Kieran discuss how the attacks unfolded, why online-connected wallets present security challenges, and whether customers can rely on crypto exchanges to reimburse their losses. They also explore the role of stablecoin issuers such as Tether and Circle in freezing stolen funds, the differences between crypto exchange protections and traditional banking safeguards, and whether cryptocurrency is moving further away from its original promise of decentralisation. In this episode: How the record $6.36 billion Binance hack unfolded Why investigators have linked the attack to North Korea's TraderTraitor group What happened during the Mercado Bitcoin security breach The risks associated with crypto hot wallets Whether customers can recover stolen cryptocurrency How stablecoin issuers can freeze assets Binance's emergency customer protection fund Centralised exchanges versus self-custody The future of cryptocurrency security and regulation For more payments industry news, insight and analysis, visit: https://paymentexpert.com/ Subscribe to the Payment Expert Podcast for conversations about payments, fintech, cryptocurrency, digital assets and financial technology. #Binance #CryptoHack #PaymentExpert #Cryptocurrency #Cybersecurity

CMA vs Apple on NFC Access | Ep. 033

This episode breaks down the UK Competition and Markets Authority's proposals to force Apple to open the iPhone’s contactless NFC chip to rival wallets, and what that means for banks, fintechs, and consumers. Key Topics The CMA's core demands: Requiring Apple to offer both Host Card Emulation (HCE) and Secure Element (SE) access, Express Mode functionality, and alternative default wallet selection. Why the 2024 opening failed: How Apple's existing commercial fees and restrictive SE-only platform kept rival wallets from launching in the UK. The security vs. open-access debate: Examining Apple’s security concerns against the fact that Android and the EU already operate safely on free HCE models. Global regulatory precedents: Comparing the UK's approach to the EU's binding free-access settlement, Brazil’s ongoing fight over contactless Pix, and earlier attempts in Germany and Australia. Wider industry impact: How open NFC could enable in-store "Pay by Bank" options, unlock transit and digital ID services, and whether UK consumers will actually see third-party wallets by late 2027. Host: Louis Thompsett Guest: Kieran O'Connor Producer: Anaya McDonald Editor: Anaya McDonald Learn more about the latest payments insights: https://paymentexpert.com

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The Agentic Regulator: Who Rules the AI Financial Frontier? | Ep. 032

In this episode, we explore the latest developments in AI regulation within the financial industry, including the FSB's final AI guidance, the EU AI Act, and the FCA's plans to become an agentic regulator. We discuss the implications for payment firms, fraud prevention, and the need for standardised AI practices. Key Topics FSB's 12 AI practices for financial firms The role of human oversight in AI deployment Risks of AI agents in payments and commerce Regulatory approaches: FCA, EU AI Act, and others The importance of standardized AI practices Implications for fraud detection and prevention The concept of agentic AI and its regulation Future challenges in AI regulation and compliance Host: Louis Thompsett Guests: Kieran O'Connor & Callum Williams Producer: Anaya McDonald Editor: Anaya McDonald Learn more about the latest payments insights: https://paymentexpert.com

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Payments in Motion: AI, Tokenization, and Financial Infrastructure with Sulabh Agarwal | Ep. 031

In this episode, Sulabh Agarwal from Accenture shares insights from Sibos on AI, risk resilience, tokenisation, and the future of money movement, highlighting how these trends are shaping the payments industry. Key Topics AI-driven finance and risk management Risk and resilience in financial infrastructure AI applications in banking and payments Transaction foundation models and semantic layers Tokenization, stablecoins, and digital currencies Cross-border payments and stablecoin traction Tokenized deposits and future money movement Liability and legal considerations in agent-based payments Host: Louis Thompsett Guest: Sulabh Agarwal Producer: Anaya McDonald Editor: Anaya McDonald Learn more about the latest payments insights: https://paymentexpert.com

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Beyond the Hype: Stablecoins, Real-World Payments, and AI Risk | Ep. 030

In this episode, Erica Stanford discusses the evolving landscape of stablecoins, crypto payments, and the impact of AI on fraud and cybersecurity. She shares insights on regulatory challenges, ethical AI use, and practical steps for payment firms to stay ahead in a rapidly changing environment. Key Topics Stablecoin transaction volumes and use cases Crypto's role in real-world payments and remittances Perceptions of crypto and money laundering risks AI's impact on fraud and scam techniques Ethical considerations in AI deployment in finance Host: Louis Thompsett Guest: Erica Stanford Producer: Anaya McDonald Editor: Anaya McDonald Learn more about the latest payments insights: https://paymentexpert.com

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Transforming Cross-Border Money Movement with Claire Gates | Ep. 029

In this episode, Claire Gates, Global Head of Payments and Solutions at Crown Agents Bank, shares insights on cross-border payments in Africa, the role of stablecoins, and the future of AI in payments. Discover how innovative solutions are transforming money movement and the importance of regulation and diversity in the industry. Key Topics Challenges in African cross-border payments Role of stablecoins in emerging markets AI applications in payments and compliance Crown Agents Bank's role in facilitating trade finance Diversity and women in the payments industry Host: Louis Thompsett Guest: Claire Gates Producer: Anaya McDonald Editor: Anaya McDonald Learn more about the latest payments insights: https://paymentexpert.com

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Data, AI, and 'No Ticket, No Release': Payment IQ’s Next-Gen Cashier | Ep. 028

In this episode, Kaivalya Paluskar from Payment IQ discusses innovations in cashier management, including the introduction of Cashier Plus, and how these tools streamline the onboarding and deposit process for operators. Learn how data-driven decisions and AI are shaping the future of payment experiences in iGaming. Key Topics Cashier management challenges in iGaming Introduction of Cashier Plus by Payment IQ The importance of the final deposit step in user acquisition Reducing development time with Cashier Plus Using data and AI to improve payment experiences The 'No Ticket, No Release' philosophy in product updates Future trends: AI integration and smarter payment solutions Host: Louis Thompsett Guest: Kaivalya Paluskar Producer: Anaya McDonald Editor: Anaya McDonald Learn more about the latest payments insights: https://paymentexpert.com

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Crypto’s Dark Side: Scams, Sanctions and State-Backed Crime | Ep. 27

From sophisticated investment scams to sanctions evasion and state-backed cybercrime, crypto has become an increasingly important part of the global financial crime conversation. In this episode of the Payment Expert Podcast, Louis Thompsett is joined by Senior Business Journalist Kieran O’Connor to examine some of the darkest corners of the digital asset economy. The pair look at how so-called scam farms build relationships with victims over weeks or months before stealing their money, why stablecoins such as USDT have become so useful to criminal networks, and how stolen funds can be dispersed across multiple wallets and exchanges within minutes. They also examine the human cost behind these operations, including forced scam compounds in Southeast Asia where victims of trafficking are coerced into carrying out fraud. The conversation then moves from organised crime to geopolitics, exploring how sanctioned states including Russia, Iran and North Korea have used digital assets to move money, bypass traditional financial rails and support state-linked activity. But is crypto actually better for criminals than cash? The episode ends by asking whether the permanent, public nature of blockchain transactions could ultimately make crypto one of the most traceable forms of financial crime. Subscribe to the Payment Expert Podcast for more news, insight and analysis from across the global payments industry. For the latest payments news, visit Payment Expert. #Crypto #Cryptocurrency #FinancialCrime #Stablecoins #Payments

Industrialised Financial Crime: AI's Impact on Fraud Sophistication| Ep. 026

In this episode, Benjamin David from the Payments Association discusses the rapid evolution of financial crime, especially with AI's role in increasing fraud sophistication. We explore how firms can respond effectively through collaboration, better intelligence sharing, and responsible AI governance. Key Topics The impact of AI on fraud tempo and sophistication The importance of collaboration and intelligence sharing in financial crime prevention Challenges in AI governance and regulatory frameworks The distributed and industrialised nature of modern financial crime Strategies for effective threat prioritisation and resource allocation Host: Louis Thompsett Guest: Benjamin David Producer: Anaya McDonald Editor: Anaya McDonald Learn more about the latest payments insights: https://paymentexpert.com

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Digital Cash Unleashed: Regulation, Innovation, and Interoperability | Ep. 025

In this episode, Vikram Bharwani, CTO banking at NTT Data for UK and Ireland, discusses the future of digital money, interoperability, and the impact of new payment rails on the industry. He shares insights on CBDCs, stablecoins, tokenised deposits, and the strategic role of the UK in digital currency development. Key Topics Digital money forms and their coexistence Customer behaviour and invisible payment layers CBDCs, stablecoins, and tokenised deposits Interoperability challenges and solutions Regulatory landscape and strategic positioning of the UK Future payment volume trends and market shifts Failures and risks in digital payment systems The role of AI and automation in payments Host: Louis Thompsett Guest: Vikram Bharwani Producer: Anaya McDonald Editor: Anaya McDonald Learn more about the latest payments insights: https://paymentexpert.com

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Proactive Compliance in AI Payments | Ep. 024

In this episode, Ignas Dovidonis, Chief AML and CTF Compliance Officer at myTU, discusses the current state and future of agentic payments, AI's role in automating transactions, regulatory challenges, and the importance of compliance and infrastructure modernisation. Key Topics Agentic payments and AI capabilities Regulatory and compliance challenges Trust and verification in AI systems Regulation differences across markets Infrastructure modernization in finance Host: Louis Thompsett Guest: Ignas Dovidonis Producer: Anaya McDonald Editor: Anaya McDonald Learn more about the latest payments insights: https://paymentexpert.com

Is the UK Ready for the Digital Pound?| Ep. 023

In this episode, we explore the UK's digital pound lab phase two, focusing on the integration of stablecoins and CBDCs, and what it means for the future of digital payments and regulation. Key topics Digital pound and stablecoin integration Regulatory environment for digital currencies Interoperability between CBDCs and stablecoins Blockchain and payment infrastructure Ownership and control of digital profiles Atomic settlement and trust in digital payments Host: Louis Thompsett Guest: Callum Williams Producer: Anaya McDonald Editor: Anaya McDonald Learn more about the latest payments insights: https://paymentexpert.com

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The Future of UK BNPL | Ep. 022

In this episode, we explore the recent UK regulations on buy now pay later (BNPL), their impact on the market, and how major players like Klarna are adapting. We discuss market timing, regulatory challenges, and future trends in BNPL and banking integration. Key Topics UK BNPL regulation implementation and market impact Klarna's strategic move towards banking licenses The timing of BNPL regulation and market maturity Affordability checks and their implications for consumers and providers US market differences and regulatory approaches The future of standalone BNPL providers versus integrated financial services Host: Louis Thompsett Guest: Kieran O'Connor Producer: Anaya McDonald Editor: Anaya McDonald Learn more about the latest payments insights: https://paymentexpert.com

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X Money: Elon Musk’s Next Disruptor or Fleeting Gimmick? | Ep. 021

In this episode, we explore the launch of X Money by Elon Musk, its potential as a US super app, and the challenges it faces including security, regulation, and market competition. Our experts analyse whether X Money will succeed or just be a fleeting gimmick. Key Topics Launch of X Money and its features Potential as a US super app and market strategy Security concerns and recent hacks Regulatory challenges and oversight issues Market competition with existing fintechs and challenger banks User trust and adoption hurdles X Money's revenue streams and business model Impact of regional licensing and coverage gaps Future prospects and potential for success Host: Louis Thompsett Guests:Kieran O'Connor & Callum Williams Producer: Anaya McDonald Editor: Anaya McDonald Learn more about the latest payments insights: https://paymentexpert.com

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BNY On The Future Of Global Payments | Ep. 20

Payments are changing faster than ever. New payment rails, tokenisation, AI and always-on banking are reshaping how money moves around the world, but can the financial system keep up? In this episode of the Payment Expert Podcast, Louis Thompsett is joined by Bana Akkad Azhari, Head of EMEA Global Payments & Trade at BNY, to discuss the biggest trends shaping global payments and financial infrastructure. The conversation explores interoperability, cross-border payments, tokenisation, liquidity management, 24/7 payment rails and the growing role of AI in financial decision-making. In this episode: ✅ Why interoperability is becoming more important than ever ✅ The challenge of connecting new payment rails ✅ How 24/7 payments are changing treasury and liquidity management ✅ Why real-time visibility matters for financial institutions ✅ How tokenisation could transform settlement and collateral management ✅ The future of cross-border payments ✅ Why AI agents need governance before they can make payment decisions ✅ The importance of explainability and trust in financial AI ✅ How better connectivity can improve client experiences ✅ What the next generation of banking infrastructure looks like BNY also shares why the future of payments is about much more than speed. Success will depend on better interoperability, trusted infrastructure, stronger data and intelligent automation working together. #PaymentExpert #Payments #Fintech #Banking #BNY #Tokenisation #CrossBorderPayments #AI #RealTimePayments #Treasury

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Overhyped vs. Underrated: Elixirr’s Keith Bear Breaks Down the Future of Digital Wallets | Ep. 019

In this episode, Keith Bear discusses the evolving landscape of digital payments, stablecoins, tokenised deposits, and the regulatory environment across the US and UK. Gain insights into how these innovations are shaping the future of digital finance and what banks and fintechs are doing to adapt. Key Topics Digital payments evolution Stablecoin regulation in US and UK Tokenised deposits and their applications Impact of regulation on banking strategies Future of A2A payments and digital wallets Host: Callum Williams Guest: Keith Bear Producer: Anaya McDonald Editor: Anaya McDonald Learn more about the latest payments insights: https://paymentexpert.com

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How NVIDIA's Payment Foundation Models Are Reshaping Finance| Ep. 018

In this episode, Pahal Patangia from NVIDIA discusses the transformative impact of payment foundation models, AI, and data sharing in financial services. We explore how these innovations are shaping the future of autonomous finance, agentic commerce, and personalized customer experiences. Key Topics Payment foundation models and their capabilities The impact of transformer architecture on financial data Building a 360-degree customer view Agentic commerce and autonomous transactions The importance of data sharing and open source models Liability and regulation in AI-driven payments The convergence of AI, data, and infrastructure in finance Host: Louis Thompsett Guest: Pahal Patangia Producer: Anaya McDonald Editor: Anaya McDonald Learn more about the latest payments insights: https://paymentexpert.com

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The Future of Secure Agentic Transactions | Ep. 017

In this episode, David Birch discusses the security and trust challenges of agentic transactions as they move from concepts to pilots, exploring digital identity infrastructure, standardisation, and fraud mitigation in the evolving payments landscape. Key Topics Digital identity infrastructure and its importance Security challenges with agentic transactions Standardisation needs for agentic frameworks Fraud risks and mitigation strategies The role of digital signatures and certificates Layered approach to transaction trust and discovery Potential of hardware security modules (HSMs) Liability and legal considerations in agent-based payments Host: Louis Thompsett Guest: David Birch Producer: Anaya McDonald Editor: Anaya McDonald Learn more about the latest payments insights: https://paymentexpert.com

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UK Stablecoin Regulation: Industry-Friendly or Cautious Approach? | Ep. 016

In this episode, we explore the latest developments in UK stablecoin regulation, comparing it with US and European models. We discuss the implications for industry growth, regulatory collaboration, and future prospects for digital currencies. Key Topics UK stablecoin regulation and its industry impact Comparison of US, EU, and UK stablecoin reserve requirements Regulatory collaboration between FCA and Bank of England Implications of high reserve caps and market viability Future outlook for stablecoin innovation and interoperability Host: Louis Thompsett Guest: Kieran O'Connor Producer: Anaya McDonald Editor: Anaya McDonald Learn more about the latest payments insights: https://paymentexpert.com

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Open Banking's Biggest Problem: The FCA Has a Plan | Ep. 15

Open banking has a problem and the FCA finally has the statutory powers to fix it. We sit down with Andrew Self, Head of Open Banking & Finance at the Financial Conduct Authority, to find out what the new regulatory framework actually means for the UK's open finance future. From variable recurring payments to the 2028–2030 Open Finance roadmap, Andrew breaks down the real obstacles, commercial models, consumer trust, data access and how the FCA plans to solve them. 🎙️ IN THIS EPISODE: Intro: Why open banking is at a crossroads The FCA's new statutory powers explained Why the commercial model has failed so far Variable recurring payments (VRP) — the game changer? Reliability & error messaging: the industry's weak spot Open Finance vision: mortgages, SMEs, and pensions The PRISM framework: how the FCA prioritises use cases What needs to happen before 2028 🔔 Subscribe for weekly payments, fintech, and financial services news. #OpenBanking #OpenFinance #FCA #Fintech #UKPayments