Latest opinions that Laurent Descout has shared on Finextra

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Laurent Descout

CEO

NEO Capital Markets

Member since

07 Mar 2019

Location

Barcelona

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Laurent's opinions

Volatility bubbling shows why FX risk management remains a priority

In recent weeks, volatility has started bubbling up again with currency rates fluctuating bringing FX risk management back to the fore for many businesses. In April, Bloomberg’s gauge for hedging swings jumped to its highest since January, influenced by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and speculation that the Fed will have to hold monetar...

20 June 2024 /startups /markets Fintech

Why treasurers should prepare for stablecoins

Digital assets and crypto have become increasingly mainstream and have made many headlines, but not always for the right reasons. Aside from governance concerns, the biggest criticisms levelled at crypto from a B2B payments standpoint are volatility and the lack of an underlying asset. Bitcoin, the most prominent crypto coin, has fluctuated in val...

10 May 2024 /payments /crypto Treasury Management

The European Parliament votes for instant payments, what does this mean for corporates?

Earlier this month, members of the European Parliament (MEPs) voted to adopt a new set of rules that will ensure transferred funds arrive immediately in the bank accounts of retail customers and businesses across the EU. This follows the landmark provisional agreement reached by the Parliament and Council late last year and requires all payment s...

20 February 2024 /payments /startups The future of Payments in Europe

The top three cross-border payment pain points faced by SMEs

B2B cross-border payments are vital for facilitating trade between businesses in different countries. In 2022 B2B transactions exceeded $150 trillion and accounted for more than 96% of the overall cross-border payment volume. Thanks to digitalisation and the growth of eCommerce, three-fifths (58%) of SMEs say they are sending and receiving more c...

07 November 2023

Money 20/20 USA: What to expect at this year’s event

Money 20/20 is the world’s biggest, most influential gathering of the global money ecosystem, where visionaries, innovators, and leaders come together to discuss and explore the latest trends and developments in the financial world. This year’s event promises to be a special one and we’re looking forward to meeting fellow industry experts in Las Ve...

18 October 2023

Why real-time data remains a top priority for treasurers

Treasurers recognise the value of the vast quantities of data at their disposal, no more so when markets are more volatile. When data is appropriately used it enables better, smarter decisions and faster reactions to crises. A recent survey found that foreign exchange (FX), commodity prices and liquidity risk were all top risk management prioritie...

06 July 2023 /startups /markets Banking Strategy, Digital and Transformation

Big tech’s layoffs present an opportunity for startups

So far in 2023, big tech layoffs have amounted to 308,699. That's 1,966 people losing their job per day. In 2019, big tech went on a recruiting spree, hoovering up a significant portion of the talent in the market. Startups struggled to attract and retain the right talent as workers succumbed to the bright lights of big tech firms, which were off...

06 June 2023

Cybersecurity Is a Major Risk for SMEs

Cybersecurity is a very real threat to the UK’s 5.5 million small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The often-limited cybersecurity tools many SMEs use to protect their operations mean they are the weakest link, making them an easy target for cyber criminals. Attacks can be devastating, resulting in anything from destroying vital systems and leaking ...

09 May 2023

How CFOs can simplify their tech stack

The CFO role has evolved significantly in recent years, from being the financial gatekeeper who balances the books, to a key adviser and strategic decision maker for the business. As a result, they have become crucial decision-makers on what technology their business should invest in. There is a vast array of old legacy platforms and new technolog...

13 February 2023 Treasury Management

Tackling businesses’ cross-border payments challenge

When the Committee on Payments and Market Infrastructures (CPMI) published its work programme for 2021–22, it highlighted shaping the future of payments as one of its key priorities. This includes cross-border payments – a market that the Bank of England predicts to be worth more than $250 trillion by 2027. The reality is there are significant imp...

22 March 2022 /startups Treasury Management