Money 20/20: Highlights from Powerhouse Speakers and Stellar Sessions!

Set against the backdrop of Amsterdam, Money20/20 Europe - held from the 6^th – 9^th of June - captured the essence of connected commerce at the intersection of mobile, retail, marketing services, data, and technology. It united a diverse community of global leaders, daring challengers, tech giants, and startups, defining the very future of Europe and beyond.

The extravaganza commenced on an electrifying note as Tracey Davies, President of Money20/20, and Scarlett Sieber, Chief Strategy & Growth Officer, took the stage. Welcoming the attendees, they unveiled a glimpse of what this year's show had in store.

On day one, Lily Cole, a renowned author, supermodel, activist, and entrepreneur, joined Tracey Davies to speak to the audience. Lily, celebrated for her podcast and book ‘Who Cares Wins,’ passionately emphasized the significance of care-led strategic approaches in a world grappling with accelerating climate risks, financial inequality, and the ever-increasing complexity of money.

The event's dynamism escalated further with Uri Levine, Co-Founder of Waze and author of the inspiring book ‘Fall in Love with the Problem, Not the Solution – A Handbook for Entrepreneurs.’ Uri, who successfully navigated the creation and acquisition of Waze and Moovit by Google and Intel respectively, bestowed invaluable advice upon aspiring startups and entrepreneurs eager to make their mark.

"When building a successful startup, the key lies in achieving product-market fit, which is always the initial step on your journey. Creating value for customers is imperative, and if that value exists, customers will keep coming back. Begin with product-market fit, then identify your business model and focus on growth. Retention or renewals are excellent metrics to gauge your progress. If you have a firm grasp on these, you're on the path to success. Otherwise, well, your company may face an unfortunate demise," Uri shared with a twinkle in his eye.

The partneship between Go Cardless, led by CEO Hiroki Takeuchi, and NatWest, spearheaded by Chief Payments Officer Mark Brant, showcased a groundbreaking evolution within their industry. Their collaboration revolutionized the open banking journey, empowering businesses and consumers alike by making Variable Recurring Payments (VRP) readily accessible.

"In the world of payments, someone once told me that competition doesn't exist - onlycooperation. And that has certainly held true for us and the banks," affirmed Hiroki Takeuchi during his session.

The urgency of addressing climate change took center stage as Nan Ransohoff, Head of Climate at Stripe, unveiled Frontier - a remarkable $925 million advanced market commitment to accelerate carbon removal.

Founded by Stripe, Alphabet, Shopify, Meta, and McKinsey, Frontier opened a gateway for fintech startups to engage with the challenges and opportunities in carbon removal. Nan, in a captivating discussion with Mayowa Kuyoro, Leader of Africa Fintech at McKinsey, shed light on the transformative potential of the fintech sector.

Reflecting on the critical situation unfolding in Ukraine last year, a panel of emotive speakers reconvened to share their experiences amidst unprecedented challenges and market expansions. Don Ginsel, CEO of Holland Fintech, Jess Turner, EVP, Global Open Banking & API at Mastercard, Misha Rogalskiy, Co-founder at monobank, and CEO and Co-Founder at Neofin, provided invaluable insights into their journeys.

The final day of Money20/20 Europe commenced with a thought-provoking session that explored the key trends disrupting banks, fintechs, and regulators. Fabian Khoshbakht from BNY Mellon, Nico Strauss from Rabobank, and Khun Budsakorn Teerapunyachai from the Bank of Thailand took the stage at the Fusion Stage, igniting a discussion on how market players are evolving to meet the demands of the ever-changing landscape.

As businesses navigate a challenging economic outlook, they seek strategies to adapt and overcome obstacles. Partnerships with banks, consultants, and trade bodies become essential in carving a compliant path to success. Daniel Szmukler from Euro Banking Association, Ludovic Houri from J.P. Morgan, Adam Gagen from Revolut, and Valeriya Minaeva from 1 inch Network united on stage to evaluate the shifting regulatory landscape and the industry's potential to shape upcoming changes.

Money20/20 Europe surpassed all expectations this year, leaving an indelible mark on the financial services landscape. The event showcased the boundless potential of innovation, collaboration, and vision in driving the future of commerce.

Mark your calendars for Money20/20 USA from the 23^rd – 26^th of October, in the vibrant city of Las Vegas, where the stage will once again come alive with groundbreaking ideas, influential speakers, and transformative discussions!

Photos courtesy of: Money 20/20

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