A sneak peek at the keynote speakers of 24 Fintech 2024

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The GCC region is gearing up for the inaugural edition of the ‘24 Fintech Summit in Riyadh, where government entities, industry leaders, and corporates will share a wealth of insights on the extremely dynamic and ever-evolving fintech industry.

The event, scheduled from September 3-5 in Riyadh, will see global leaders such as heads of central banks, startup founders, and CEOs of international fintech platforms address critical trends and challenges that will define the fintech landscape in 2024 and beyond.

Keynote speakers at ’24 Fintech

Leading the charge is Wise, the pioneering fintech firm known for revolutionising cross-border payments. Since its inception in 2011, Wise has connected over 12 million customers, saving them more than $2bn annually. Their keynote, titled “Breaking barriers: Direct access to payment systems for fintechs and banks,” will explore the significance of direct access to payment systems. The discussion will highlight Wise’s role in reducing the costs of international transactions and its alignment with G20 goals to promote faster, cheaper payments globally. Expect a deep dive into how collaboration with regulators and industry players is fostering innovation and enhancing competition, ultimately expanding access while reducing systemic risks in the financial system.

Another exciting keynote comes from Linas Beliūnas, a fintech executive at Flutterwave, who will explore the future of value transfer systems through, “The value transfer 2.0: Stable, swift, and borderless.” As the fintech world moves beyond traditional solutions, Beliūnas will discuss the emergence of a new paradigm that seamlessly connects fiat and digital assets. This is poised to reshape the global financial landscape, offering consumers unprecedented empowerment.

Ronit Ghose, global head of the Future of Finance at Citi, will bring a forward-looking perspective with his immersive session on the future of finance. His keynote, “Beyond imagination,” will push the boundaries of what we expect from financial services, challenging attendees to envision the possibilities of an evolving industry driven by technological innovation.

It is critical that regulation is in lock step with innovation to safeguard all stakeholder interests, and to shine a light on Turkey’s policy and regulation, Fatih Karahan, Governor of the Central Bank of Turkey, will provide a regional perspective with his talk on “MENAT regional focus – Expansion opportunities & the future of fintech.” 

Karahan is expected to shed light on the factors driving fintech growth in the MENAT region and its potential to influence global trends, offering attendees valuable insights into the region’s unique opportunities and challenges.

Furthermore, Philip Bahoshy, the founder and CEO of MAGNiTT, will shift the conversation to investment with his keynote on “Data-driven insights into the GCC investment landscape for fintech.” Bahoshy will present an in-depth analysis of the evolving investment landscape in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), highlighting key trends, opportunities, and challenges that fintech firms need to navigate to succeed in this dynamic market.

Finally, Ghela Boskovich, regional director and head of Europe at the Financial Data and Technology Association, will address the transformative power of open data in her keynote, “The Future of fintech is not finance.” Boskovich will explore the next wave of growth driven by open banking and open finance, examining the intersectionality of data and its implications for innovation and the future of fintech.

With such a diverse and influential lineup, 24 Fintech Summit promises to be a landmark event for Saudi Arabia as well as the GCC region, offering attendees a comprehensive view of the trends, challenges, and opportunities that will shape the industry in the coming years. 

The keynote speakers are set to provide a roadmap for navigating this rapidly evolving landscape, making this summit a must-attend for anyone invested in the future of finance.

Read: Inaugural ’24 Fintech’ edition to host global finance industry leaders