What can Europe learn from Brazil's approach to payment innovation?

In this episode of Payments Between Us, I sit down with Gisela Delamain to explore Brazil's rapidly evolving fintech ecosystem, the success of PIX, and the future of instant and cross-border payments.

With experience across traditional banking, fintech, and international business development, Gisela shares her journey through the financial services industry and her perspective on what makes Brazil such an interesting market for payment innovation.

We discuss how PIX has transformed the way consumers and businesses make payments, the factors behind its widespread adoption, and what European markets could learn from Brazil's experience.

Gisela also shares her insights into the growth of digital banks and fintechs, the role of regulation in supporting innovation, and the opportunities for real-time cross-border payments.

But our conversation goes beyond technology.

We explore the importance of cultural understanding, local representation, and trusted relationships when expanding into international markets, particularly between Brazil and Europe.

We also discuss how open finance could reshape access to financial services, credit assessment, and risk management.

In this episode:
• Gisela's journey from banking to fintech
• The success of PIX and its impact on Brazilian payments
• What Europe can learn from Brazil's instant payment system
• Digital banking and the growth of Brazil's fintech ecosystem
• Regulation, innovation, and trust in financial services
• The future of real-time cross-border payments
• Open finance and its impact on credit and risk assessment
• Cultural adaptation and international market expansion
• Building connections between Brazilian and European fintech ecosystems

A conversation about how payments are evolving, what different markets can learn from each other, and why people and relationships remain essential to financial innovation.

𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐕𝐢𝐤𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐚:
■ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gisela-delamain-aaa87b41/

𝐏𝐚𝐲𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐁𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐔𝐬:
■ Watch, listen & follow: https://cedarium.com/podcast

Payments happen between people.
And so do great conversations.

What does it really mean to have a payment strategy, and why do so many businesses operate without one?

In this episode of Payments Between Us, I sit down with Viktoria Soltesz, payments and banking expert, author, educator, and founder of the Soltesz Institute, to explore why payments should be treated as a strategic business function rather than simply an operational necessity.

With extensive experience across banking, accounting, fintech, and payment consulting, Viktoria brings a unique perspective on how money moves through businesses and why understanding the bigger picture is essential for making better financial decisions.

We discuss what a payment strategy actually looks like, how businesses can evaluate and negotiate with payment providers, and why relying too heavily on a single provider can create significant financial and operational risks.

Viktoria also shares her insights into the complexities of the global banking system, the impact of regulation and sanctions, and why understanding financial flows is becoming increasingly important for businesses operating internationally.

But our conversation goes beyond payment technology and business strategy.

We explore the growing need for independent education, professional standards, and certifications in the payments industry. Viktoria shares the vision behind the Soltesz Institute and the EU MBA in Payments and Banking, and why she believes education and industry collaboration are essential for the future of financial services.

In this episode:
• Why every business needs a payment strategy
• How to assess, select, and negotiate with payment providers
• Hidden payment costs and opportunities for savings
• Understanding financial flows and managing payment risks
• The risks of depending on a single payment provider
• The impact of global regulations, compliance, and sanctions
• Why the payments industry needs professional standards and education
• The vision behind the Soltesz Institute and EU MBA in Payments and Banking
• The future of payments, banking, and financial education

As Viktoria puts it:
“The cash flow is like the bloodline of your business.”

A conversation about understanding how money moves, making smarter payment decisions, and building the knowledge and skills our industry needs for the future.

𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐕𝐢𝐤𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐚:
■ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/viktoria-soltesz/
■ Viktoria Soltesz Website: https://www.viktoriasoltesz.com/
■ PSP Angels: https://www.pspangels.com/
■ The Soltesz Institute: https://www.solteszinstitute.com/

𝐏𝐚𝐲𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐁𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐔𝐬:
■ Watch, listen & follow: https://cedarium.com/podcast

Payments happen between people.
And so do great conversations.

What does the future of money look like, and how close are we to it?

In this episode of Payments Between Us, I sit down with Michael Boevink to explore how payments are evolving and what stablecoins, tokenization and Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) could mean for the way we move money in the future.

We discuss the evolution of payments over the past 50 years, the role blockchain could play in reducing friction, and how tokenization could change the way assets are created, transferred and accessed.

Michael also shares his perspective on the growing role of stablecoins, the potential, snd concerns around CBDCs, and whether these technologies can really deliver faster and more efficient cross-border payments.

But technology is only one part of the equation. We also explore the importance of trust, regulation and compliance, and the challenge of creating frameworks that work across countries and markets.

In this episode:
• The evolution of payment systems
• Blockchain and reducing friction in payments
• Tokenization and its impact on liquidity
• Stablecoins and instant global transactions
• The opportunities and concerns around CBDCs
• Regulation, compliance and trust
• The future of cross-border payments
• International treasury management

𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐌𝐢𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐞𝐥:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-boevink/

Payments Between Us:
Watch, listen & follow: https://cedarium.com/pbu/

Payments happen between people.
And so do great conversations.

What really makes payments work: technology, regulation, or the people behind it? And what does it take to navigate tough negotiations in such a complex industry?

In this episode of Payments Between Us, I sit down with Daniela Moellers, a digital payments specialist with extensive experience in negotiations, card schemes and the European payments landscape.

We explore Daniela's journey through the industry, how payments have evolved in Germany and across Europe, and the emergence of initiatives such as Wero.

We also look at the challenges of operating in a highly regulated industry: how regulation affects innovation and market entry, why understanding the market should come before building the product, and where European payments could be heading next.

But this conversation goes beyond payment technology. Daniela shares her perspective on negotiation, trust, leadership and working across different cultures, including why human connection continues to play such an important role in business.

And, as Daniela puts it: are we all living in a “payments bubble”?

In this conversation, we explore:

■ Daniela's journey through the payments industry
■ The evolution of payments in Germany and Europe
■ Wero and European payment initiatives
■ Regulation, innovation and market entry
■ Building products that solve real market needs
■ Negotiation, trust and human connection
■ Cultural differences in international business
■ The future of the payments landscape

Connect with Daniela:
LinkedIn: Daniela Moellers

Payments Between Us:
Watch, listen & follow: cedarium.com/podcast

Payments happen between people.
And so do great conversations.