Live from Stockholm Fintech Week | Fintech Daydreaming S11E04
P?l Krogdahl
Executive Banking Consultant & Director of Advisory Services @ Samlink | Co-host @ Fintech Daydreaming Podcast | Keynote Speaker and Author (All views expressed are my own and do not represent those of my employer)
Stockholm Fintech Week is always an experience, but this year, we decided to do something special, pack up the mics, grab some strong coffee, and bring Fintech Daydreaming on the road. The result? A jam-packed episode featuring fintech thought leaders, hot takes, and enough networking to make even the most seasoned industry veteran’s head spin.
?From insightful discussions on digital wallets and embedded finance to a panel debate that, let’s just say, didn’t exactly stick to the topic, Stockholm Fintech Week had it all. Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at what went down.
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A Family Reunion (With 3,500 Minutes of Fintech Content)
?Walking into the venue felt like stepping into a fintech family gathering. So many familiar faces, old friends, and past guests of the podcast were in attendance. And of course, as is now tradition, random people walked up, shook my hand, said “Fintech Daydreaming!”, and ran off.
The event itself was a fintech buffet, featuring:
? 130+ speakers from 47 countries bringing fresh global perspectives
? Startup pitches that showcased just how much innovation is brewing in the Nordics
? Big debates on crypto, stablecoins, and embedded finance (with varying degrees of accuracy, as Ville will explain…)
From the main stage to the networking areas (and yes, the occasional afterparty), fintech was buzzing in every corner of Stockholm.
The Guests Who Stole the Show
?As always, we grabbed some of the sharpest minds in fintech for quick-fire interviews. Here’s who joined us:
Christie joined us fresh from the stage, where she tackled a big question: Are banks and fintechs actually friends, or are they just playing nice? She shared her perspective on premium APIs, embedded finance, and how banks need to step up their partnerships to stay relevant.
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Chris Skinner (Author, Speaker, Fintech Legend)
It wouldn’t be a proper fintech gathering without Chris dropping some wisdom. He gave us the latest on digital trust, AI, and why the only constant in fintech is change. Oh, and if you’re still clinging to the idea of Banking as a Service, he has some strong words for you—it’s time to move on.
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Baard made the case for why regional digital wallets like VippsMobilePay are more important than ever, and what their next steps are for cross-border payments. Global domination? Maybe not. Global reach? Definitely.
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Solving cross-border payments is no easy feat, but Sofi and her team at Centiglobe are tackling it head-on. They’re aiming to replace outdated infrastructures with something faster, more cost-effective, and actually usable.
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Chris is one of the brains behind Stockholm Fintech Week, and he took us behind the scenes on what it takes to organize an event of this scale. Spoiler: It involves a lot of problem-solving, last-minute changes, and probably not much sleep.
The Panel Debate That Got… Interesting
Ville took part in a panel discussion that was supposed to be about stablecoins vs. central bank digital currencies (CBDCs). Supposed to be.
What actually happened?
? The topic got hijacked by certain panelists who just had to make it about crypto
? Wild claims were thrown around with little factual backing
? Ville had to bite his tongue (I have photographic evidence)
As he put it:
It was like watching the US administration’s media strategy in real-time—flooding the conversation with so many misleading statements that you can’t possibly refute them all.
Still, it was an entertaining watch. And for the record: No, stablecoins are not about to replace central bank money overnight.
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Final Thoughts: The Good, The Exhausting, and What’s Next
Stockholm Fintech Week was a whirlwind of ideas, conversations, and caffeine-fueled debates. The big themes?
? Embedded finance is evolving beyond just banking-as-a-service
? Crypto is still stirring up strong opinions (and questionable business cases)
? Digital wallets are getting serious about cross-border interoperability
? Fintech funding is down, but the best are still thriving
For me, the real highlight was simply seeing how engaged and connected the fintech community has become. Whether it was running into longtime friends, meeting new faces, or being ambushed by podcast fans (always fun), this event proved just how alive and kicking Nordic fintech is.
Go-To-Market, Partnerships, Growth Marketing, Board Member, Speaker and Mentor | Ex Mastercard, Aiia, WorldFirst
3 天前Thank you so much for having me! ??