Is traditional banking losing its grip on the future of money?

In this episode of the Payments Experts Podcast, Christopher Dryden, Managing Partner of Global Legal Law Firm, sits down with Ariel Blum, (https://www.nowreceive.com/) fintech entrepreneur and founder of Receive, to explore the rapid evolution of financial technology, digital payments, lending, and the growing influence of fintech startups.

From his early days as a DJ struggling to get paid to working at American Express and Green Dot, Ariel shares his unconventional journey into financial technology and what inspired him to become an entrepreneur.

The conversation explores how American Express helped pioneer digital checkout experiences, the unique economics of card networks, and why fintech companies are increasingly challenging traditional banking models.

Christopher and Ariel also discuss the globalization of payments, the evolution of digital wallets, contactless payments, Banking-as-a-Service, and how technology is making financial products more accessible to businesses and consumers.

As fintech innovation accelerates, the barriers to launching financial technology companies continue to fall. What once required enormous capital, infrastructure, and institutional relationships can increasingly be accomplished by smaller, more agile teams.

Topics discussed include:

• Ariel Blum's journey from DJ to fintech entrepreneur
• His experience at American Express and Green Dot
• The evolution of digital payments and checkout technology
• American Express vs. Visa, Mastercard, and PayPal
• Why traditional banking models are being challenged
• The growth of Banking-as-a-Service (BaaS)
• Digital wallets, contactless payments, and consumer adoption
• How fintech is expanding access to financial services
• The differences between U.S. and international payments markets
• Israel's growing fintech and technology ecosystem
• Entrepreneurship, innovation, and the future of lending
• How AI and emerging technology are lowering barriers to entry

For payments professionals, fintech founders, ISOs, financial institutions, entrepreneurs, and anyone interested in the future of money, this episode offers a fascinating look at an industry being transformed by technology and competition.

The future of payments isn't standing still. The question is, who's going to lead it?


**Matters discussed are all opinions and do not constitute legal advice. All events or likeness to real people and events is a coincidence.**

PEP Links:
https://www.globallegallawfirm.com/podcasts/
https://www.buzzsprout.com/2176695

A payments podcast of Global Legal Law Firm