Dave and Dharm DeMystify

A unique perspective of Fintech formed through decades of designing and delivering online financial services.

Dave and Dharm DeMystify is a business podcast hosted by Dave and Dharm DeMystify Fintech, with 166 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Dave and Dharm DeMystify Fintech hosts Dave and Dharm DeMystify, a business show with 166 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Dave and Dharm DeMystify

  EP 165: Demystifying Programmable Banking with Rob Rooney and Paul Rolles

  Aug 18, 202635 min

  In this week's episode, Dharm is joined by Rob Rooney, Co-founder and CEO of Hyperlayer, and **Paul Rolles, Co-founder and Chief Architect, to explore why banking innovation has stalled, and how a new approach to programmable banking could unlock the next generation of financial products. Drawing on decades of experience at Morgan Stanley and building financial technology businesses, Rob and Paul explain why legacy banking infrastructure continues to limit innovation, and why the future may lie not in replacing core banking systems, but in building an intelligent programmability layer above them. The conversation begins with the founders' journey from Morgan Stanley to launching Hyperlayer. Having experienced first-hand the complexity of managing multiple core banking systems, they explain why traditional "rip-and-replace" projects are often unrealistic, and why banks need a faster, more flexible way to modernise existing infrastructure. A major theme throughout the episode is programmable banking. Rather than embedding innovation directly into core banking systems, Hyperlayer introduces a core-agnostic layer that allows banks to rapidly build configurable financial products without disrupting existing ledgers. The discussion explores how this enables banks to innovate faster while avoiding the cost, risk and complexity of replacing legacy technology. The episode also examines why banking product innovation has lagged behind improvements in customer experience. While digital banking has become more intuitive, many financial products have changed very little. Rob and Paul discuss how programmable accounts, smart wallets and configurable financial services could unlock new lending models, family banking solutions, loyalty programmes and personalised customer experiences. Another key focus is personalisation. The speakers argue that banking should evolve beyond offering identical experiences to every customer, instead allowing individuals, families and businesses to configure how their accounts, payments and financial products operate. The conversation also explores the relationship between programmability and AI. Rather than viewing conversational AI simply as a better interface, Rob and Paul explain how agentic AI could dramatically increase demand for more flexible banking products. As software agents begin acting on behalf of customers, banks will need infrastructure capable of supporting highly configurable financial services and automated decision-making. The role of blockchain is also discussed. While acknowledging the potential of tokenisation and digital assets, the speakers argue that programmable banking should not depend on blockchain alone. Instead, they advocate a technology-agnostic approach that enables banks to deliver programmable financial services across existing infrastructure while remaining prepared for future payment technologies. Finally, the discussion looks ahead to the future of banking. As AI, programmability and financial services continue to converge, Rob and Paul share their vision for intelligent, configurable financial ecosystems that adapt to each customer's needs while dramatically reducing the time required to launch new services. For anyone interested in banking technology, AI, programmable finance and the future of financial services, this episode offers a fascinating insight into how banks can modernise without replacing their core systems, and why programmability could become one of banking's most important innovations.

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  Dave and Dharm DeMystify

  EP 164: Demystifying Interoperability & Open Payments with Briana Marbury

  Aug 11, 202632 min

  In this week's episode, Dharm is joined by Briana Marbury, CEO of the Interledger Foundation, to explore one of the biggest challenges in global finance today: creating truly interoperable payments that work seamlessly across banks, payment networks, and borders. Drawing on her background in finance and her work leading the Interledger Foundation, Briana explains why moving money across different payment systems remains far more complicated than most people realise, and how open payment protocols could transform financial inclusion, cross-border payments, and the future of digital commerce. The conversation begins with an introduction to the Interledger Foundation and the Interledger Protocol, an open, currency-agnostic payments network designed to connect financial ledgers in much the same way the internet connects information. Rather than replacing existing payment systems, Interledger enables banks, wallets and payment providers to transfer value more efficiently across different payment rails. A major theme throughout the episode is interoperability. Briana explains why many banks and payment providers still operate in isolated ecosystems, making it difficult to move money quickly and affordably between institutions. The discussion explores how open payment protocols could remove many of these barriers while allowing financial institutions to maintain the flexibility to choose their own infrastructure. The episode also examines why smaller community banks often struggle to access modern payment capabilities. Briana discusses how the Interledger Foundation is working with financial institutions, regulators and technology partners to help modernise infrastructure, improve financial inclusion, and expand access to digital financial services for underserved communities around the world. Another key focus is the future of cross-border payments. The speakers explore why international transfers remain expensive, particularly for migrant workers sending remittances home, and how interoperable payment networks could significantly reduce costs while increasing speed and accessibility. The conversation also highlights projects underway in countries including Mexico, Colombia and South Africa to improve connectivity between banks and payment systems. The discussion also explores how open-source technology is driving innovation across the payments industry. Briana explains how developers, universities and financial institutions are collaborating to build new payment capabilities on top of the Interledger Protocol, creating an ecosystem that encourages innovation while remaining accessible to organisations of all sizes. The episode also looks at the rise of streaming payments and programmable money, exploring how continuous, real-time payments could enable entirely new business models, from paying for digital content by the second to more flexible payroll systems and online services. Finally, Briana shares her vision for a more connected financial system where interoperability becomes the foundation for faster, more inclusive and more accessible global payments. For anyone interested in payments, financial inclusion, open banking and the future of digital finance, this episode offers a fascinating look at how interoperable payment networks could reshape the way money moves around the world.

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  Dave and Dharm DeMystify

  EP 163: Demystifying Core Banking Modernisation, AI, and the Future of Payments

  Aug 4, 202633 min

  In this week's episode, Dharm is joined by Leonardo Collado, Global General Manager of Pismo at Visa, to explore how modern core banking infrastructure is becoming the foundation for the next generation of financial services. Drawing on more than 30 years of experience in payments, Leonardo explains why legacy banking systems are holding financial institutions back and how real-time, cloud-native platforms are enabling banks to innovate faster, personalise customer experiences, and prepare for emerging technologies such as AI, tokenised assets, and agentic commerce. The conversation begins with an introduction to Pismo and its role within Visa. Leonardo explains how Pismo was built as a real-time, API-native banking and payments platform, allowing financial institutions to modernise incrementally rather than replacing entire legacy systems. Combined with Visa's global reach and infrastructure, the platform helps banks evolve without disrupting existing operations. A major theme throughout the episode is the shift towards real-time banking. Leonardo explains why customers increasingly expect instant, personalised experiences and how real-time data allows banks to understand customer behaviour as it happens, delivering contextual offers, AI-driven loyalty programmes, and more relevant customer experiences. The discussion also explores why many banks continue to struggle with fragmented technology estates. Leonardo explains how consolidating core banking, payments and card processing onto a single platform gives financial institutions a unified customer view, reduces operational complexity, and enables faster innovation across every product and payment channel. Another key focus is balancing global consistency with local flexibility. As banks expand internationally, they must navigate different regulations and payment schemes. Leonardo explains how Pismo maintains a single global platform while supporting local compliance requirements, enabling banks to scale more efficiently across multiple markets. The episode also examines how modern banking platforms are preparing institutions for the next wave of innovation. Topics including tokenised assets, stablecoins, programmable money and real-time settlement highlight why core banking and payments infrastructure are becoming increasingly interconnected, with the potential to transform cross-border payments and enable entirely new financial products. Another fascinating discussion centres on agentic AI and autonomous commerce. As AI agents begin researching, booking and paying for goods and services on behalf of consumers, banks will need modern infrastructure capable of supporting new authentication methods, enhanced security, and AI-driven payment experiences. Looking ahead, Leonardo shares his vision for how AI, tokenisation, quantum computing and modern payment orchestration could reshape banking over the coming decade. He argues that institutions treating modernisation as a strategic business priority, rather than simply a technology project, will be best positioned to adapt to changing customer expectations and an increasingly digital financial landscape. For anyone interested in core banking, payment innovation, AI and the future of financial services, this episode offers an insightful look at why modernisation has become one of banking's most important strategic priorities.

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  Dave and Dharm DeMystify

  Demystifying Tokenisation, Digital Currencies, and the Future of Payments with Arjeh van Oijen

  Jul 3, 202633 min

  In this week's episode, Dave and Dharm are joined by Arjeh van Oijen, Product Strategy Lead at Icon Solutions, to explore one of the most talked-about topics in financial services today: tokenisation and the future of digital payments. Drawing on more than 35 years of experience in payments and over a decade working with blockchain and distributed ledger technology, Arjeh explains why tokenisation is generating so much interest across banking, and how digital currencies could fundamentally reshape the way money moves around the world. The conversation begins with an introduction to Icon Solutions and its approach to modernising payment infrastructure. Arjeh explains how many banks still rely on multiple disconnected payment systems, creating unnecessary complexity, cost, and operational challenges. Rather than forcing banks into rigid vendor-controlled platforms, Icon enables financial institutions to customise and evolve their payment infrastructure themselves, allowing them to innovate faster and better serve customers. A major theme throughout the episode is understanding the different forms of digital assets. Arjeh breaks down the distinctions between cryptocurrencies, stablecoins, central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), tokenised deposits, and tokenised real-world assets, explaining how each serves a different purpose within the evolving financial ecosystem. The discussion also explores how tokenised deposits could transform domestic payments. Rather than replacing traditional money, tokenised deposits represent existing commercial bank money on distributed ledger networks, enabling faster settlement, greater flexibility, and the potential to operate independently of today's centralised payment infrastructure. The episode examines how this could support 24/7 settlement, reduce friction, and create entirely new payment models. Another key focus is the future of cross-border payments. The speakers discuss why international transfers remain slow, expensive, and reliant on complex correspondent banking networks, despite advances in financial technology. Arjeh explains how tokenisation, new payment rails, and blockchain-based settlement could dramatically simplify international payments by removing intermediaries, reducing costs, and enabling transactions to settle in seconds rather than days. The conversation also examines how these technological changes could reshape the wider payments industry. As new account-to-account payment networks emerge around the world, traditional card schemes and correspondent banking models may face increasing competition. The discussion explores how banks, payment providers, and financial institutions will need to adapt as new infrastructure becomes more efficient, flexible, and globally connected. Another fascinating theme is the growing intersection between payments and geopolitics. The episode considers why governments and central banks are paying close attention to payment infrastructure, digital currencies, and financial sovereignty. Topics such as the Digital Euro, stablecoins, reserve currencies, and Europe's desire to reduce dependence on global payment networks all highlight how technology and international politics are becoming increasingly intertwined. Finally, the discussion looks ahead to the long-term future of money. While tokenisation promises faster payments, lower costs, and greater financial innovation, it also raises important questions about the future role of central banks, commercial banks, national currencies, and the global financial system itself.

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  Dave and Dharm DeMystify

  Demystifying Asset Finance, Building Societies, and the Future of Banking Technology

  Jun 26, 202628 min

  In this episode, Dharm sits down with Eric Bierry, CEO of SBS, to explore two often-overlooked areas of financial services: asset finance and the future of building societies. Drawing on decades of experience in banking technology, Eric shares his insights into how these sectors are adapting to artificial intelligence, tokenisation, and changing customer expectations. The conversation begins with Eric’s journey in financial software and the growth of SBS into a global provider of technology solutions for banks, lenders, and financial institutions. He explains how the company has evolved and why innovation remains critical in an increasingly competitive market. A major focus of the discussion is asset finance and the role it plays behind the scenes of industries such as automotive, agriculture, aviation, and heavy equipment. Eric explains how asset finance differs from traditional lending because the value of the underlying asset remains central to the financing decision. He also provides an overview of wholesale finance, where dealerships and distributors secure funding to finance inventory before assets reach consumers. Technology’s growing impact on asset finance is another key theme. Eric highlights how automation, AI, machine learning, and digital auditing are helping lenders make faster decisions, improve risk management, reduce fraud, and create more efficient financing processes. The pair also discuss tokenisation and how digital representations of assets could simplify cross-border financing and fleet management in the future. The conversation then turns to building societies and the challenges they face in keeping pace with large banks and fintechs. Eric argues that while smaller institutions may struggle to fund major technology investments alone, collaboration and shared infrastructure could help them remain competitive. He believes their long-term strength lies in combining modern digital capabilities with deep local knowledge and trusted customer relationships. Artificial intelligence features heavily throughout the discussion, with Eric explaining why generative AI is likely to deliver more immediate value than agentic AI for building societies. Rather than replacing people, he sees AI as a tool to enhance decision-making, improve customer service, and help institutions focus on their core mission of supporting members and helping people access property ownership. The episode also explores tokenised money, digital payments, and the future of financial infrastructure. While Eric believes tokenisation will eventually transform the movement of value and reduce friction in financial services, he expects adoption to be led by large-scale providers, with smaller institutions benefiting through participation in the wider ecosystem. Looking ahead, the discussion finishes with the future of core banking. Having worked through multiple generations of banking technology, Eric argues that regardless of whether systems are cloud-native or AI-powered, banks will always require trusted platforms capable of delivering accurate, explainable, and deterministic outcomes. For anyone interested in banking technology, asset finance, artificial intelligence, tokenisation, or the future of financial services, this episode offers a practical and insightful look at how traditional institutions are preparing for the next wave of innovation.

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