Mahi Sall, Advisor, Fintech-Bank Partnerships, Payments and Financial Inclusivity
January 25th, 2023
Digital Identity | Nov 28, 2023
Image by pressfoto on Freepik
Syngrafii's strategic integration helps secure electronic signatures, addressing the evolving needs of regulatory bodies and combating financial crimes like mortgage and auto loan fraud. The integration not only streamlines the identity verification process but also fortifies compliance with KYC, KYB, and AML protocols, setting a new standard in the digital signing realm.
By ensuring higher levels of security and compliance, Syngrafii and Trulioo are not only enhancing the trustworthiness of digital signatures but are also paving the way for safer, more reliable online transactions across various sectors. This is a noteworthy milestone along the journey towards a safer digital future.
The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association (NCFA Canada) is a financial innovation ecosystem that provides education, market intelligence, industry stewardship, networking and funding opportunities and services to thousands of community members and works closely with industry, government, partners and affiliates to create a vibrant and innovative fintech and funding industry in Canada. Decentralized and distributed, NCFA is engaged with global stakeholders and helps incubate projects and investment in fintech, alternative finance, crowdfunding, peer-to-peer finance, payments, digital assets and tokens, artificial intelligence, blockchain, cryptocurrency, regtech, and insurtech sectors. Join Canada's Fintech & Funding Community today FREE! Or become a contributing member and get perks. For more information, please visit: www.ncfacanada.org
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AI and Payment Innovation | Oct 10, 2023
Image: Unsplash/Deividas Toleikis
"The more invisible a payment is, the smarter it is," a notion that encapsulates the essence of the evolving payment grid. Largely unseen and innovating at an unprecedented speed, crafting a smart grid that intertwines with our digital interactions. The invisibility here is not an absence but a subtle, intelligent presence that facilitates, secures, and enhances every transaction.
A pivotal focus for the future of payments is the emphasis on proving identity. The shift from credential-based payments, such as card information, to identity-based validations, underscores a transition towards a more secure and personalized financial ecosystem. The digital ID doesn’t merely serve as a verification tool; it becomes an integral part of the user’s digital persona, ensuring transactions are not just secure but also inherently tied to the individual, not just the credentials.
The potential incorporation of blockchain technology could revolutionize the way financial institutions interact and share data securely amongst each other. Imagine a grid where banks and financial entities could validate details in a payment before it’s sent, ensuring absolute accuracy and significantly speeding up the process. This shift is a redefinition of trust and reliability in the digital finance domain.
Imagine payment data that doesn’t just validate but “talks back” through virtual assistants, providing real-time insights, suggestions, and even predictive analyses of spending patterns. This isn’t just smart; it’s intuitive, crafting a financial interaction that’s tailored, insightful, and inherently secure.
The irony isn’t lost when we consider AI being utilized to combat fraud, which is being perpetuated at an “industrial pace” by AI itself. It’s a synthetic battle, where AI systems are locked in a perpetual chess match, one trying to outwit the other, crafting a scenario where the technology becomes both the shield and the sword in the financial realm.
In the convergence of the smart grid and smart money, the future of finance is not just about transactions but about intelligent, secure, and personalized interactions. It’s a future where your identity is not just a validator but a two-way communicator, where AI facilitates, protects, and advises in your financial journey.
The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association (NCFA Canada) is a financial innovation ecosystem that provides education, market intelligence, industry stewardship, networking and funding opportunities and services to thousands of community members and works closely with industry, government, partners and affiliates to create a vibrant and innovative fintech and funding industry in Canada. Decentralized and distributed, NCFA is engaged with global stakeholders and helps incubate projects and investment in fintech, alternative finance, crowdfunding, peer-to-peer finance, payments, digital assets and tokens, artificial intelligence, blockchain, cryptocurrency, regtech, and insurtech sectors. Join Canada's Fintech & Funding Community today FREE! Or become a contributing member and get perks. For more information, please visit: www.ncfacanada.org
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Digital Public Infrastructure | Sep 11, 2023
The G20's philosophy, "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam," which translates to "One Earth, One Family, One Future," underscores a commitment to equitable growth and a shared destiny for all.
Despite the growth of digital financial services (DFS), approximately 1.4 billion adults worldwide still lack financial inclusion. A significant portion of this number resides in seven emerging markets and developing economies. Furthermore, there exists a vast financing gap for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). This gap is especially prominent for women-owned MSMEs, which account for an estimated $1.9 trillion of the unmet financing needs.
DPIs are essentially technological infrastructures that offer interoperable, open, and accessible digital platforms for public and private services. Examples include digital identification systems, payment platforms, and data exchange systems.
These infrastructures play a critical role in enhancing financial inclusion, spurring private and public innovation, and driving productivity gains.
These systems provide critical public and private services that can drive significant societal impact. From Brazil's Open Finance framework, which aids in data sharing and product offerings, to India's Account Aggregator Framework that strengthens data infrastructure through electronic consent, DPIs are redefining the way financial services operate. Other countries like the Philippines and the UAE have also initiated strategies to integrate open finance systems and collaborate on data-driven innovations.
DPIs can accelerate the DFS landscape, bridging existing financial inclusion gaps. By fostering innovation, lowering transaction costs, and enhancing user experiences, DPIs can catalyze rapid advancements in financial inclusion and productivity. The report highlights use cases in areas like account opening, government-to-person payments, international remittances, and MSME finance to demonstrate DPI's potential.
However, while DPIs hold transformative power, they also introduce new challenges and risks, such as operational, regulatory, and financial consumer protection risks. Effective governance and management are vital to ensure that DPIs bring about the intended benefits without exacerbating these potential risks.
The G20's policy recommendations revolve around five key dimensions:
These guidelines provide a roadmap for authorities worldwide, urging them to leverage DPIs to achieve broader financial inclusion tailored to their unique national contexts.
The transformative potential of DPIs in reshaping the financial sector is undeniable. They can bridge gaps, enhance efficiency, and pave the way for a more inclusive financial future. Yet, careful consideration and mitigation of associated risks are crucial to harness their full benefits.
The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association (NCFA Canada) is a financial innovation ecosystem that provides education, market intelligence, industry stewardship, networking and funding opportunities and services to thousands of community members and works closely with industry, government, partners and affiliates to create a vibrant and innovative fintech and funding industry in Canada. Decentralized and distributed, NCFA is engaged with global stakeholders and helps incubate projects and investment in fintech, alternative finance, crowdfunding, peer-to-peer finance, payments, digital assets and tokens, artificial intelligence, blockchain, cryptocurrency, regtech, and insurtech sectors. Join Canada's Fintech & Funding Community today FREE! Or become a contributing member and get perks. For more information, please visit: www.ncfacanada.org
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Security | Sep 7, 2023
Image: Unsplash/Christiann Koepke
Mobile payments are not just a fleeting trend; they're here to stay. Recent survey results by Interac indicates a staggering 53% increase in debit mobile transactions in just one year. Furthermore, predictions suggest that in the near future, two-thirds of Canadians will find it commonplace to leave their homes without a physical wallet.
Crypto wallets and payments are on the rise too. There are a plethora of choices to suit varied needs from Trustwallet to MetaMask (Ethereum), or Coinbase Wallet (good for beginners) to crypto.com's wallet for connecting to the decentralized finance ecosystem.
Here's a breakdown of the top 5 ways hackers can access your data and how you can shield yourself:
In closing, never forget the mantra 'Not your keys, not your crypto'. While the shift towards mobile transactions offers unparalleled convenience, it also brings forth new security challenges. By staying informed and adopting best practices, both fintech innovators and users can ensure that their transactions remain secure in this digital age.
The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association (NCFA Canada) is a financial innovation ecosystem that provides education, market intelligence, industry stewardship, networking and funding opportunities and services to thousands of community members and works closely with industry, government, partners and affiliates to create a vibrant and innovative fintech and funding industry in Canada. Decentralized and distributed, NCFA is engaged with global stakeholders and helps incubate projects and investment in fintech, alternative finance, crowdfunding, peer-to-peer finance, payments, digital assets and tokens, artificial intelligence, blockchain, cryptocurrency, regtech, and insurtech sectors. Join Canada's Fintech & Funding Community today FREE! Or become a contributing member and get perks. For more information, please visit: www.ncfacanada.org
Support NCFA by Following us on Twitter!Follow @NCFACanada |