Converge

In this episode, Alex Lawrence, Alanna Frost and Akash Patel sit down with Geetha Panchapakesan, Founder and CEO of Tesser and Dana Weinstein, Head of Product and Operations at Tesser to unpack why cross-border payments are still so broken, how stablecoins can make money movement faster and more predictable, and why banks and PSPs don’t need to become crypto startups to get on chain. They also explore the hidden costs of pre-funding, the pressure on financial institutions to modernize, and what it takes to build compliant infrastructure for the future of payments.Disclaimer: Converge is Convera’s podcast that discusses a range of financial services topics. We want to remind our listeners that the information shared on this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Please note that the opinions expressed on Converge are solely the opinions of the host and the guests, not Convera’s.

In this Market Update, host Alex Lawrence sits down with Kevin Ford to break down a volatile Q1 2026 shaped by geopolitical shocks, uneven market performance, and rising uncertainty around inflation and growth. They discuss how the US‑Iran conflict, higher oil prices, and tightening financial conditions are affecting markets—alongside pressure from large‑scale AI spending and growing concerns in private credit.Looking ahead, the conversation explores what could come next if tensions persist into Q2, including the potential impact on inflation, central bank policy, currencies, and risk appetite.Topics covered include:• Geopolitics as the dominant driver of markets• Equity performance across regions and major tech names• AI investment, private credit stress, and investor concern• Oil prices, inflation risks, and central bank positioning• What markets may be pricing in as Q2 beginsFollow Converge for regular market updates and insights into the forces shaping global finance.Disclaimer: Converge is Convera’s podcast that discusses a range of financial services topics. We want to remind our listeners that the information shared on this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Please note that the opinions expressed on Converge are solely the opinions of the host and the guests, not Convera’s.

This week, we sat down with Stefan Deiss, CEO of The Hashgraph Group, to discuss the transformative potential of Hedera Hashgraph in cross-border payments, digital identity, ESG markets, and enterprise solutions. Stefan reveals how trust, transparency, and innovative projects are shaping the future of digital infrastructure, with highlights of impactful financial services projects built for the Hedera Hashgraph ecosystem, one of the most promising public blockchains for enterprise use cases.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Hashgraph and DLT02:58 The Role of Hashgraph in Cross-Border Payments06:08 Hashgraph Group's Mission and Enterprise Solutions09:09 Venture Fund and Investment Thesis11:59 Web3 Development and Hackathons in Africa14:50 Innovative Projects for Financial Inclusion18:06 Partnerships with Consultancy Firms20:58 Regulatory Compliance and Product Launches24:08 Conversations from Davos and Industry InsightsDisclaimer: Converge is Convera’s podcast that discusses a range of financial services topics. We want to remind our listeners that the information shared on this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Please note that the opinions expressed on Converge are solely the opinions of the host and the guests, not Convera’s.

This week, host Alex Lawrence sat down with FX and Macro Analyst Antonio Ruggiero to analyze the impact of the escalating Middle East conflict on global markets, central bank policies, and the US dollar. They explore how geopolitical tensions influence energy prices, inflation expectations, and currency dynamics, providing insights for investors navigating uncertain times.Disclaimer: Converge is Convera’s podcast that discusses a range of financial services topics. We want to remind our listeners that the information shared on this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Please note that the opinions expressed on Converge are solely the opinions of the host and the guests, not Convera’s.

This week, host Alex Lawrence sat down with Meaghan Riley, newly appointed Chief Commercial Officer at Convera, to dive into her journey as a female leader in tech and finance in celebration of International Women's Day. Meaghan shares her views on the importance of diversity and inclusion, and explores the future of cross-border payments and AI in financial services where the signal is going beyond the noise. Meaghan also shares her practical advice for women in fintech, the impact of global culture on leadership, and how Convera is specifically innovating in the payments industry as it enters a transformative year for cross border commerce and global money movement.Disclaimer: Converge is Convera’s podcast that discusses a range of financial services topics. We want to remind our listeners that the information shared on this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Please note that the opinions expressed on Converge are solely the opinions of the host and the guests, not Convera’s.

In this episode, Steven Dooley, head of market insights at Convera, discusses the recent geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, their impact on global markets, oil prices, safe havens, and implications for risk management and macroeconomic outlooks.Disclaimer: Converge is Convera’s podcast that discusses a range of financial services topics. We want to remind our listeners that the information shared on this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Please note that the opinions expressed on Converge are solely the opinions of the host and the guests, not Convera’s.

On this episode of Converge, host Alex Lawrence sits down with market strategist George Vessey to unpack the chaos shaping today’s global economy. From the shockwaves of AI disruption to mounting trade friction and escalating geopolitical tensions, George breaks down what’s driving the turbulence — and what it all means for investors trying to navigate an increasingly unpredictable world.Disclaimer: Converge is Convera’s podcast that discusses a range of financial services topics. We want to remind our listeners that the information shared on this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Please note that the opinions expressed on Converge are solely the opinions of the host and the guests, not Convera’s.

Join host Alex Lawrence, Akash Patel and Alanna Frost of Convera as they sit down with Damian Dugauquier, co-founder and CEO of IPID (International Payment Identity). With experience at SWIFT, Damian and his team are building the "seat belts" for the global financial highway. In this episode, we dive into:The Power of the "Green Tick": How real-time account verification is revolutionizing user experience and building ironclad trust.Beyond Speed and Cost: Damian shares three "unsexy" but transformative shifts in cross-border payments, from the explosion of rail optionality to the power of inbound tracking.The Mission for Universal Validation: Why the end goal is a world where every payment—domestic or cross-border—is pre-verified before a single cent moves.They also discuss the challenges and improvements in the payment landscape, the role of partnerships in enhancing payment verification, and the future of stablecoins in the financial ecosystem. The conversation emphasizes the need for trust, user experience, and global coverage in payment verification solutions.Disclaimer: Converge is Convera’s podcast that discusses a range of financial services topics. We want to remind our listeners that the information shared on this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Please note that the opinions expressed on Converge are solely the opinions of the host and the guests, not Convera’s.

In this episode, Alex Lawrence and Kevin Ford break down the latest US job numbers and what they reveal about the current state of the economy. Their conversation examines the fragility of the labor market, the unexpected job growth seen in January, and the growing disconnect between economic expansion and job creation. They also discuss how AI is influencing productivity and employment trends, as well as the uneven pace of economic recovery across different income groups. Together, these insights offer a snapshot of today’s evolving economic environment, marked by a “jobless boom” and the complexities introduced by rapid technological change.Disclaimer: Converge is Convera’s podcast that discusses a range of financial services topics. We want to remind our listeners that the information shared on this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Please note that the opinions expressed on Converge are solely the opinions of the host and the guests, not Convera’s.

This week, Alex Lawrence speaks with Adva Lewitte from ShareForce about modernizing global reward programs. They discuss the challenges of traditional incentive management, the importance of automation and integration, and how technology can enhance employee engagement. Adva shares insights on navigating complexities in multi-country share plans and the impact of remote work on employee ownership. The conversation also touches on real-world success stories of automation and the future of incentive technology.Disclaimer: Converge is Convera’s podcast that discusses a range of financial services topics. We want to remind our listeners that the information shared on this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Please note that the opinions expressed on Converge are solely the opinions of the host and the guests, not Convera’s.