Ep. 77 - Enabling Access to Banking Infrastructure for Complex Sectors: The Hidden Challenges Behind Embedded Finance - Recorded LIVE from the Equals stand @ Money 20/20 Europe

Recorded live from the Equals stand at Money20/20 Amsterdam, Grant Evans is joined by Mariano Diaz, Chief Banking Officer at XACE, for a conversation exploring one of the most overlooked challenges in embedded finance — distribution.Mariano shares why building great payments technology is rarely enough on its own, and why the companies creating the most value are often those that solve distribution, onboarding, and go-to-market challenges at scale. The discussion explores the evolution of PayFac models, the realities of embedded payments adoption, and why many platforms still underestimate the operational complexity that sits behind launching financial products.They also discuss the growing convergence of software and financial services, what makes embedded finance programs successful in practice, and how platforms can avoid common mistakes as they expand their payments strategy. Plus, Mariano takes his turn on The Payments Shed’s legendary Shelf of Shame, calling out one thing in fintech he would happily banish forever.***The Payments Shed Podcast is headline sponsored by Damisa.Damisa is a regulated cross-border payments and treasury infrastructure provider. Using a blend of traditional banking rails and stablecoin technology, Damisa helps businesses move money faster, cheaper, and more transparently across global markets. Its platform supports collections, settlements, disbursements, and liquidity management, while maintaining a strong compliance-first approach. Damisa is building the next generation of global payment infrastructure.Learn more at: https://www.damisa.xyz/***The Payments Shed Podcast is supported by PCN.PCN is a boutique recruitment agency rooted in Amsterdam, driven by a singular mission: connecting top talent with industry leaders. PCN specialises in five core pillars — Fintech, Cybersecurity, SaaS, E-Commerce, and Salesforce — backed by a global network across borders.Learn more at: https://teampcn.com/***Disclaimer: Any views or opinions referenced in this podcast episode are our own, or those of our respective guests, and they do not represent any views, opinions, or statements from our respective employers, or those of our guests. Additionally, any views expressed here are not intended as investment, legal, tax, or financial advice.