Converge

Hosted by Convera

BusinessInterviews guests

Website RSS feed

Episodes

143

Latest episode

Aug 2026

Language

About the show

Converge explores the growing intersection of traditional finance (TradFi), Decentralized Finance (DeFi), and financial technology (Fintech) in a time of unprecedented technological advancement and change in financial services. As the world moves fast towards an internet-native financial system, the sharpest minds in finance and technology come together to share the latest innovations in blockchain, AI, and more. The Market Update is sub-series of global market news covering the latest news and macroeconomic events impacting trade, payments and FX, with forward-guidance for businesses.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

August 25, 2026Episode 14419 min

Is this 2025 Déjà Vu? Debt, Yields and Dollar Doubt

A relatively small Treasury intervention has sent a much larger signal across global markets. After the US announced plans to double its long-end buybacks, yields briefly retreated and the dollar came under pressure, bringing debt sustainability and policy credibility back into focus. In this Converge Market Update, Kevin Ford, Steve Dooley and Antonio Ruggiero discuss whether this is 2025 déjà vu and assess the outlook for the dollar, euro, sterling and APAC currencies heading into September. Converge is Convera’s podcast that discusses a range of financial services topics. We want to remind our listeners that the information shared on this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Please note that the opinions expressed on Converge are solely the opinions of the host and the guests, not Convera’s.

August 11, 2026Episode 14324 min

Markets looking through the risks

Markets continue to look through a growing list of risks. Despite ongoing uncertainty in the Middle East, elevated oil prices, sticky inflation and the prospect of further central bank tightening, equities remain near record highs and volatility sits close to yearly lows. In this week's episode, George Vessey is joined by Steven Dooley and Kevin Ford to discuss whether investors have become comfortably complacent. The team explores the global macro backdrop, the implications of a surprisingly weak US payrolls report, what next week's US CPI means for the Federal Reserve, and the outlook for the USD, EUR, JPY, AUD and CAD. Converge is Convera’s podcast that discusses a range of financial services topics. We want to remind our listeners that the information shared on this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Please note that the opinions expressed on Converge are solely the opinions of the host and the guests, not Convera’s.

July 28, 2026Episode 14218 min

Managing currency risk in an uncertain world

How should businesses manage currency risk when volatility strikes? Convera's Rob Goldberg shares practical insights on hedging, USD exposure, geopolitical uncertainty and market sell-offs, explaining how CFOs and business leaders can manage margins, improve certainty and make better decisions in unpredictable markets. Converge is Convera’s podcast that discusses a range of financial services topics. We want to remind our listeners that the information shared on this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Please note that the opinions expressed on Converge are solely the opinions of the host and the guests, not Convera’s.

July 14, 2026Episode 14117 min

Geopolitics back in the spotlight

Markets have spent much of 2026 shrugging off geopolitical flare-ups and refocusing on fundamentals: inflation, labour markets, growth and interest rates. But with tensions between the US and Iran escalating again, energy prices jumping higher, and bond yields marching higher, investors are beginning to pay closer attention to geopolitical risks. In this week's podcast, George Vessey is joined by Steven Dooley to discuss whether recent developments in the Middle East are changing the market narrative, or simply adding another layer of complexity to an environment still dominated by monetary policy. Converge is Convera’s podcast that discusses a range of financial services topics. We want to remind our listeners that the information shared on this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Please note that the opinions expressed on Converge are solely the opinions of the host and the guests, not Convera’s.

June 30, 2026Episode 14018 min

A decade after Brexit

Ten years on from the Brexit referendum, the shock might be over but its effects on sterling remain. Steven Dooley speaks to George Vessey and Antonio Ruggiero about how Brexit redefined the pound’s trading level and risk dynamics, and what that means for businesses managing FX exposure today. Converge is Convera’s podcast that discusses a range of financial services topics. We want to remind our listeners that the information shared on this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Please note that the opinions expressed on Converge are solely the opinions of the host and the guests, not Convera’s.

June 16, 2026Episode 13916 min

Iran peace deal and the future of payments

What does this week's US–Iran peace deal mean for APAC FX? Shier Lee Lim breaks it down, while Ingmar Apinis dives into Payments 2026+: Liquidity in Motion — Convera’s latest report on how cross-border payments are evolving. Converge is Convera’s podcast that discusses a range of financial services topics. We want to remind our listeners that the information shared on this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Please note that the opinions expressed on Converge are solely the opinions of the host and the guests, not Convera’s.

June 2, 2026Episode 13814 min

Headline markets and a paralyzed FX tape

This week’s FX Weekly podcast unpacks a market that looks stable on the surface but lacks real conviction underneath. George Vessey is joined by Steven Dooley and Antonio Ruggiero to explore how unresolved geopolitics, sticky inflation, and shifting central bank dynamics are shaping FX. The team dives into softer yet still inflationary US data, the Fed’s constrained outlook, and the RBNZ’s hawkish pivot. They also assess why currencies like GBP are drifting without a clear catalyst. The discussion concludes with what could finally break the current range - from Middle East developments to key US data - and what it means for the dollar and broader FX markets. Converge is Convera’s podcast that discusses a range of financial services topics. We want to remind our listeners that the information shared on this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Please note that the opinions expressed on Converge are solely the opinions of the host and the guests, not Convera’s.

May 19, 202616 min

Markets Under Pressure: Yields, Tension, and the Dollar Surge

George Vessey and Antonio Ruggiero join from London with host Steven Dooley. In this episode, the team unpacks a volatile moment for global markets, with rising bond yields, persistent geopolitical tension, and a stronger US dollar shaping the macro narrative. They explore what’s driving the latest market moves, how shifting rate expectations are impacting currencies, and why the dollar continues to assert its dominance. The conversation also touches on what this means for businesses navigating cross-border risk, and the key signals to watch in the weeks ahead. Disclaimer: Converge is Convera’s podcast that discusses a range of financial services topics. We want to remind our listeners that the information shared on this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Please note that the opinions expressed on Converge are solely the opinions of the host and the guests, not Convera’s.

April 8, 202641 min

How to build onchain rails banks actually want to run, with Tesser

In this episode, Alex Lawrence, Alanna Frost and Akash Patel sit down with Geetha Panchapakesan, Founder and CEO of Tesser and Dana Weinstein, Head of Product and Operations at Tesser to unpack why cross-border payments are still so broken, how stablecoins can make money movement faster and more predictable, and why banks and PSPs don’t need to become crypto startups to get on chain. They also explore the hidden costs of pre-funding, the pressure on financial institutions to modernize, and what it takes to build compliant infrastructure for the future of payments. Disclaimer: Converge is Convera’s podcast that discusses a range of financial services topics. We want to remind our listeners that the information shared on this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Please note that the opinions expressed on Converge are solely the opinions of the host and the guests, not Convera’s.

April 1, 2026Episode 13512 min

Market update: Q1 2026 market review - Volatile geopolitics, AI, and market uncertainty

In this Market Update, host Alex Lawrence sits down with Kevin Ford to break down a volatile Q1 2026 shaped by geopolitical shocks, uneven market performance, and rising uncertainty around inflation and growth. They discuss how the US‑Iran conflict, higher oil prices, and tightening financial conditions are affecting markets—alongside pressure from large‑scale AI spending and growing concerns in private credit. Looking ahead, the conversation explores what could come next if tensions persist into Q2, including the potential impact on inflation, central bank policy, currencies, and risk appetite. Topics covered include: • Geopolitics as the dominant driver of markets• Equity performance across regions and major tech names• AI investment, private credit stress, and investor concern• Oil prices, inflation risks, and central bank positioning• What markets may be pricing in as Q2 begins Follow Converge for regular market updates and insights into the forces shaping global finance. Disclaimer: Converge is Convera’s podcast that discusses a range of financial services topics. We want to remind our listeners that the information shared on this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Please note that the opinions expressed on Converge are solely the opinions of the host and the guests, not Convera’s.