Episode 272: News From The Fintech Front (December 2025)

In this episode of Breaking Banks Europe, host Don Ginsel is joined by fintech thought leader Alessandro Hatami, co-founder of Pacemakers.io , to explore the most important trends shaping the future of financial services. The conversation covers financial inclusion and well-being, the cultural and legacy challenges holding traditional banks back, and why inclusion is as much an economic opportunity as a social one. They discuss the growing role of AI in banking – separating hype from real impact – along with its surprising effect on human interaction, hiring, and education. The episode also dives into digital resilience, cybersecurity risks, cash versus digital payments, and Europe’s opportunity around CBDCs, stablecoins, and digital identity. A wide-ranging, forward-looking discussion to kick off the new year in fintech.

Follow the guest:

https://www.alessandrohatami.net

https://www.linkedin.com/in/aehatami

About the Author
Don has a strong drive to make an impact. The conversation often starts with technology, but generally evolves around how people adapt to change. He is a strategic digital leader, active as a strategic advisor, a board member at FS companies, a coach to several startups and SME’s and volunteering to support women’s football at the local football club. Being a civil engineer who spent his professional life in banking and fintech, he has a unique view on the constant transition of the financial industry. Whether we are talking about the rise of the internet, fintech, blockchain, or artificial intelligence, he recognizes the same patterns. He uses his vision to help people and organizations cope with change and adapt to the future. Everybody should have access to the power of technology, so let’s break the status quo. Linkedln: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donginsel Provoke: https://provoke.fm/author/don/
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