Welcome to The Finanser by Chris Skinner. The Finanser discusses all things fintech, finance, banking, technology and, most importantly, the future. Chris Skinner has been voted the most influential technologist in Britain and received a lifetime achievement award for his visionary approach to the future of money from the Payments Association. He has advised the…
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After my blog yesterday about mortgage by machines, I left out one key component: humans. You have to remember that machines don’t think, they only appear to think because we develop them that way. Sure, there may be sentient machines at some point in the future when we get to the great Singularity but, until…
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When I was a lad, to get a mortgage was a complex process. You would go to the bank for a meeting with the branch manager. The branch manager would assess you, your job security, work status and salary and, if all boxes were ticked, you could get a mortgage up to four times your…
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I have blogged often about change and how people avoid it (who moved my cheese?), but it cropped up again the other day when I was reading Harvard’s Rosabeth Moss Kanter* thoughts on business. She has six key principles for business: Show up. Speak up. Look up. Team up. Never give up. Lift others up. Many…
Read More
My presentations these days are focused upon the challenge of change. Every day, something is in the headlines to challenge your thinking from AI to quantum to digital currencies to digital identities. The only constant is change. Whenever I talk, I come back to the wrongly attributed quotation of Charles Darwin that it does not…
Read More
After my blog yesterday about mortgage by machines, I left out one key component: humans. You have to remember that machines don’t think, they only appear to think because we develop them that way. Sure, there may be sentient machines at some point in the future when we get to the great Singularity but, until…
Read MoreI’m about to have a week in Kuala Lumpur, if anyone wants to meet-up, with a focus on Islamic Finance. I remember twenty years ago talking with Mike Hanlon who was founding the Islamic Bank of Britain (IBB), and he was telling me how UK Gov really did not understand the concept. What is the…
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It was interesting that the Labour Party Annual Conference in Liverpool last week did not talk about digital identity schemes. This is the party in government who, days before the conference started, announced that all people who wanted to work in Britain would need a digital ID in their government app. Like the National Insurance…
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Watching Sibos from afar – I haven’t been invited for a while due to being too provocative – I was not surprised to see that Quantum computing, AI, CBDCs, stablecoins, tokenization and blockchain are all making the headlines, as these are all the themes I spend my time presenting about around the world. Cybersecurity, AI…
Read More
I’ve just created a platform to tokenize idols. Any idol and even bits and pieces related to them. You can tokenize Taylor Swift’s underwear; tokenize Rory McIlroy’s golfing glove; tokenize Ryan Reynolds Wrexham shirt; or even tokenize Harry Kane’s big toe. After all, any part of an idol is worth something to a fan, so…
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I was having a chat the other day. It was behind closed doors, under Chatham House Rule but, nevertheless, will share my thoughts here as the big question was: who are you marketing to? Several major football teams have bank brands all over them. Many websites are associated with financial brands. On television, there are…
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Building on the last two blogs all companies, not just in finance, have been transformed through the connected, network economy. That was the last decade’s worth of digital transformation and has led analogue companies hoping that they are now digital natives, although many are digital immigrants, still with a log of their old analogue systems…
Read More
I was thinking more about this third revolution of financial technologies. The first was very much focused upon automation administration using mainframe computing; the second moved from pure cost reduction to the changing dynamics of how to leverage productivity and cost using the network effects of connectivity, and driven by cloud and mobile; the third…
Read More
We are in a third generation of change in finance. When I wrote Digital Bank over a decade ago, the focus was all about reinventing banking from being physical at the core to being digital at the core. Now we have to do it all again and reach the next level where the bank is intelligent…
Read MoreAfter my blog yesterday about mortgage by machines, I left out one key component: humans. You have to remember that machines don’t think, they only appear to think because we develop them that way. Sure, there may be sentient machines at some point in the future when we get to the great Singularity but, until…
Read MoreWhen I was a lad, to get a mortgage was a complex process. You would go to the bank for a meeting with the branch manager. The branch manager would assess you, your job security, work status and salary and, if all boxes were ticked, you could get a mortgage up to four times your…
Read MoreI have blogged often about change and how people avoid it (who moved my cheese?), but it cropped up again the other day when I was reading Harvard’s Rosabeth Moss Kanter* thoughts on business. She has six key principles for business: Show up. Speak up. Look up. Team up. Never give up. Lift others up. Many…
Read MoreMy presentations these days are focused upon the challenge of change. Every day, something is in the headlines to challenge your thinking from AI to quantum to digital currencies to digital identities. The only constant is change. Whenever I talk, I come back to the wrongly attributed quotation of Charles Darwin that it does not…
Read MoreI was really interested that Barclays Private Bank published an interview about AI the other day. Why? Because it’s the private bank and it’s from a bank. The interview is with Professor Michael Wooldridge, one of Oxford University’s leading AI academics with more than 450 research papers to his name. He knows his stuff. What…
Read MoreI’m about to have a week in Kuala Lumpur, if anyone wants to meet-up, with a focus on Islamic Finance. I remember twenty years ago talking with Mike Hanlon who was founding the Islamic Bank of Britain (IBB), and he was telling me how UK Gov really did not understand the concept. What is the…
Read More
My friend Paolo Sironi of the IBM Institute of Business Value has been touting his latest research: the 94% core banking problem. What’s it all that about? Well, it’s about how digital transformation or, as IBM calls it modernization, hasn’t delivered. In research conducted with a global survey of over 500 CIO’s and almost 200…
Read MoreIt was interesting that the Labour Party Annual Conference in Liverpool last week did not talk about digital identity schemes. This is the party in government who, days before the conference started, announced that all people who wanted to work in Britain would need a digital ID in their government app. Like the National Insurance…
Read MoreWatching Sibos from afar – I haven’t been invited for a while due to being too provocative – I was not surprised to see that Quantum computing, AI, CBDCs, stablecoins, tokenization and blockchain are all making the headlines, as these are all the themes I spend my time presenting about around the world. Cybersecurity, AI…
Read MorePaying with crypto is traceable but favoured by fraudsters. Is it the solution or the problem? Fraudsters never know how their action impacts their victim, until confronted by the person they’ve defrauded. Is crypto the solution? After all, unlike fiat currencies, all blockchain-based transactions can be traced for history. So, is crypto the solution to…
Read MoreWatching Sibos from afar – I haven’t been invited for a while due to being too provocative – I was not surprised to see that Quantum computing, AI, CBDCs, stablecoins, tokenization and blockchain are all making the headlines, as these are all the themes I spend my time presenting about around the world. Cybersecurity, AI…
Read MoreI’ve just created a platform to tokenize idols. Any idol and even bits and pieces related to them. You can tokenize Taylor Swift’s underwear; tokenize Rory McIlroy’s golfing glove; tokenize Ryan Reynolds Wrexham shirt; or even tokenize Harry Kane’s big toe. After all, any part of an idol is worth something to a fan, so…
Read More
It’s been really interesting watching the moves of Donald Trump to Make America Great Again by doubling down on the dollar being the reserve currency of the world forever more through the GENIUS Act. Well, that’s my take anyway. Add on to this that the Trump family made billions by launching World Liberty Financial, their very…
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As blogged yesterday, the GENIUS Act can open the doors for closed-loop networks using stablecoins that circumvent the traditional four-pillar model of issuer, acquirer, merchant and processor. Yes, it could save billions in interchange fees, but there’s another movement in stablecoins trying to change the world. This one is trying to get rid of SWIFT,…
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Short answer: possibly. Long answer: the GENIUS Act (the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins Act) gives a massive stamp on cryptocurrency tokens, stablecoins and protecting the US dollar as the reserve currency of the world. Oh, and it also creates a major opportunity for non-banks to become players in payment processing. For…
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In recent days, I’ve discovered a lot of theorems and ideas in digital areas where, when you integrate finance and technology, you realise that you are living in a world of rocket science thinking. For example, I am spending a lot of time talking with experts about digital identity and trust, as that’s the theme…
Read MoreAn awful lot of what I read these days is about stablecoins. By way of example, my things worth reading daily update is filled with news about them. Just this morning: Some big US banks plan to launch stablecoins, expecting crypto-friendly regulations Central banks face dilemma over rise of dollar-backed stablecoins Could Britain be about…
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I went to a conference the other day where the organiser left a load of beer mats with questions about fintech. I picked them up and decided to write my thoughts. Trust you enjoy this … What was your ‘aha’ moment that led you into fintech? I never really had a moment, as I’ve been…
Read MoreI was really interested that Barclays Private Bank published an interview about AI the other day. Why? Because it’s the private bank and it’s from a bank. The interview is with Professor Michael Wooldridge, one of Oxford University’s leading AI academics with more than 450 research papers to his name. He knows his stuff. What…
Read More
There are people who run the world and those who watch it. I’m in the latter group, but constantly watch Elon Musk, Peter Thiel, Reid Hoffman (the PayPal Mafia), Mark Zuckerberg, Larry Ellison, Larry Page, Sergey Brin, Bill Gates and more for their thoughts and actions. Also Warren Buffet, Charlie Munger and others. But one…
Read MoreWatching Sibos from afar – I haven’t been invited for a while due to being too provocative – I was not surprised to see that Quantum computing, AI, CBDCs, stablecoins, tokenization and blockchain are all making the headlines, as these are all the themes I spend my time presenting about around the world. Cybersecurity, AI…
Read MoreI’ve just created a platform to tokenize idols. Any idol and even bits and pieces related to them. You can tokenize Taylor Swift’s underwear; tokenize Rory McIlroy’s golfing glove; tokenize Ryan Reynolds Wrexham shirt; or even tokenize Harry Kane’s big toe. After all, any part of an idol is worth something to a fan, so…
Read MoreBuilding on the last two blogs all companies, not just in finance, have been transformed through the connected, network economy. That was the last decade’s worth of digital transformation and has led analogue companies hoping that they are now digital natives, although many are digital immigrants, still with a log of their old analogue systems…
Read MoreI was thinking more about this third revolution of financial technologies. The first was very much focused upon automation administration using mainframe computing; the second moved from pure cost reduction to the changing dynamics of how to leverage productivity and cost using the network effects of connectivity, and driven by cloud and mobile; the third…
Read MoreWe are in a third generation of change in finance. When I wrote Digital Bank over a decade ago, the focus was all about reinventing banking from being physical at the core to being digital at the core. Now we have to do it all again and reach the next level where the bank is intelligent…
Read More
A few years ago I was running a book launch in a basement. On this occasion, people had to buy the books and so the promoter gave me a Square terminal to take card payments. So far, so good … except there was no signal in the basement. No Wi-Fi, no 5G, no nothing, no…
Read MoreIt’s been really interesting watching the moves of Donald Trump to Make America Great Again by doubling down on the dollar being the reserve currency of the world forever more through the GENIUS Act. Well, that’s my take anyway. Add on to this that the Trump family made billions by launching World Liberty Financial, their very…
Read MoreThis week’s main discussions include … Is crypto the solution or the problem? Paying with crypto is traceable but favoured by fraudsters. Is it the solution or the problem? Fraudsters never know how their action impacts their victim, until confronted by the person they’ve defrauded. Is crypto the solution? After all, unlike fiat currencies, all…
Read MoreThings we’re reading today include … Central Banks Seen Holding Bitcoin, Gold as Key Reserves by 2030: Deutsche Bank Fears rise over $3trillion shadow banking crisis Gold bubble should prompt central banks to sell the metal Google taps Yapily to power bank account verification in Europe United Kingdom your no. 1 partner for finance, fintech:…
Read MoreThings we’re reading today include … Bank of England warns AI stock bubble rivals 2000 dotcom peak – Ars Technica Revolut’s Billionaire Cofounder Nik Storonsky Relocates To Dubai High street bank is offering £900 FREE cash for customers who switch – and you can get paid in time for Christmas | The Sun Why the…
Read MoreThings we’re reading today include: Dirty tricks claims by BBVA mar end of Spanish banking’s takeover battle Coinbase applies for federal trust banking license, says ‘we have no ambitions to be a bank’ Citigroup, Goldman, MUFG Among Banks Burned in $2.6 Billion Trade Monzo Weighs New Attempt at Landing US Banking License Russian Central Bank…
Read MoreThis week’s main discussions include … Key take-away from #SIBOS 2025: it’s no longer banking and payments Watching Sibos from afar – I haven’t been invited for a while due to being too provocative – I was not surprised to see that Quantum computing, AI, CBDCs, stablecoins, tokenization and blockchain are all making the headlines,…
Read MoreThings we’re reading today include … Some of UK’s biggest banks ‘investing ever larger sums into fossil fuels’ | The Standard Are you bankrolling the climate crisis? – Which? Which bank is now the UK’s most valuable brand? | Mortgage Introducer Revolut receives more fraud complaints than any other bank for third year running…
Read MoreThings we’re reading today include … BritCard backlash: Fintech leaders warn against government monopoly on digital identity Ripple Integration SWIFT Signals a New Era for Cryptocurrency Crypto ‘goddess’ convicted in world’s largest seizure Bank of England Governor suggests stablecoins need insurance Shawbrook prepares to launch initial public offering This Nigerian immigrant’s remittance struggles inspired a…
Read MoreThings we’re reading today include: Disgraced fintech start-up fraudster Charlie Javice sentenced to 7 years Top Banks Say They Are ‘Drowning’ In Payment Changes European banks are developing a stablecoin — the UK should take note Board of Spain’s Sabadell bank rejects improved BBVA takeover bid BBVA, the first bank to enable AI-powered card personalization…
Read MoreThis week’s main discussions include … Is crypto the solution or the problem? Paying with crypto is traceable but favoured by fraudsters. Is it the solution or the problem? Fraudsters never know how their action impacts their victim, until confronted by the person they’ve defrauded. Is crypto the solution? After all, unlike fiat currencies, all…
Read MoreThis week’s main discussions include … Key take-away from #SIBOS 2025: it’s no longer banking and payments Watching Sibos from afar – I haven’t been invited for a while due to being too provocative – I was not surprised to see that Quantum computing, AI, CBDCs, stablecoins, tokenization and blockchain are all making the headlines,…
Read More
This week’s main blog discussions include … Revolut opens its new HQ and takes over the world? I asked my friend Max, an early investor in Revolut, to provide an insight into the new headquarters the company opened this week in Canary Wharf, London. Revolut bought the building that was previosly the HQ of Thomson…
Read MoreThis week’s main discussions include … It is time to level up We are in a third generation of change in finance. When I wrote Digital Bank over a decade ago, the focus was all about reinventing banking from being physical at the core to being digital at the core. Now we have to do it…
Read MoreThis week’s main discussions include … Everything is a scam and why principles matter I clicked the other morning on Nicoo, the robot puppy, after seeing an ad on YouTube. I was going to order it for my wife’s birthday but thought, just before clicking, is this real? So, I go and Google Is Nicoo…
Read MoreThis week’s main discussions include … Will the upstarts replace the incumbents? Is it just me or has the whole digital currency space become hot, hot, hot? Every five minutes, I see stuff about CBDCs – who needs them?; cryptocurrencies – who’s using them?; and stablecoins – what’s that all about? The last one is…
Read MoreThis week’s main discussions include … Last century processes in the digital age I’ve just had two requests for notarised ID documents: one from my accountant and another from a bank. So, I went to the notary to get notarised and they said no. It reminds me of an Amy Winehouse song: I tried to…
Read MoreThis week’s / month’s main discussions include … AI is bigger than the smartphone Twenty years ago, four critical things happened: cloud computing became mainstream; the smartphone was launched; Satoshi Nakamoto released the bitcoin whitepaper; and the global financial crisis killed all trust in traditional financial institutions. All of these things pretty much happened at…
Read MoreThis week’s main blog discussions include … What is an acceptable level of fraud? Sam Altman, the founder of OpenAI and creator of ChatGPT and more – along with the PayPal Mafia – was speaking about bank capital rules this week and made an interesting comment that: “There are some FIs that will accept a…
Read MoreThis week’s main blog discussions include … How to find the launderers … or not Someone asked me this week: why isn’t digital identity working? After all, there have been numerous attempts at tackling the issue. Specifically, in finance, we have onboarding, compliance, AML, KYC, PEP and more … and yet none of it is…
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