iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Efi Pylarinou @efiglobal.bsky.social · 06/05/2026

OpenAI: $10B JV with TPG, Brookfield, Bain, SoftBank. Anthropic: $1.5B JV with Blackstone, Goldman, Hellman & Friedman. Same day. Same bet. AI's bottleneck isn't the model. It's distribution. And no consulting firm made either cap table.

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Efi Pylarinou @efiglobal.bsky.social · 20/04/2026

Ant Group Releases Ling-2.5-1T and Ring-2.5-1T Open-Source Models Ling-2.5-1T focuses on general purpose reasoning tasks, while Ring- 2.5-1T incorporates a hybrid linear architecture optimized for mathematical reasoning and structured problem solving.

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Efi Pylarinou @efiglobal.bsky.social · 10/02/2026

South Korea is the 3rd nation in AI! Europe has only one LLM - Mistral - with a 23 ranking by @artificialanlys (based on 10 criteria) compared to Opus 4.6 (top one) ranking of 53. Even UAE has two LLMs.

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Efi Pylarinou @efiglobal.bsky.social · 24/12/2025

Merry Xmas to all! Enjoy this holiday season, rest, connect and reflect.

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Efi Pylarinou @efiglobal.bsky.social · 23/12/2025

X Money was promised for 2024. Then early 2025. Then "later this year." Now it's late 2025, and they're still hiring the tech lead to "build from the ground up." The "everything app" vision stays perpetually on the horizon.

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Efi Pylarinou @efiglobal.bsky.social · 17/12/2025

Reality check: Bitcoin ETF fees are climbing back UP. 0% promos → now 0.20-0.25% is the new normal. Land-grab phase complete. Year 2-3 competition is infrastructure depth: - Options availability - Custody integration - Tax optimization tools - Derivatives liquidity Compete on features, not fees.

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Efi Pylarinou @efiglobal.bsky.social · 16/12/2025

PayPal files for bank charter in lending push PayPal's ILC ≠ Stripe's MALPB PayPal: Deposits & lending Stripe/Checkout.com: Card network access Fintechs going vertical—different paths to control 🏦 buff.ly/8ymplpz

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Efi Pylarinou @efiglobal.bsky.social · 24/11/2025

From Boardroom to Code: How AI and Standards Are Collapsing Banking Transformation Timelines My reflections from the BIAN Summit 2025, Chicago www.linkedin.com/pulse/from-b...

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Efi Pylarinou @efiglobal.bsky.social · 09/11/2025

Top AI Books to Read in 2025 www.ai-supremacy.com/p/top-ai-boo...

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Efi Pylarinou @efiglobal.bsky.social · 02/11/2025

Yes it is early for Embedded finance in an Agentic world. But hey, we need to future-proof businesses! `𝐄𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐝𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐀𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐀𝐈` on the FS i-Hub led by @ShaulDavidUK in conversation w/ @griffinbank CEO David Jarvis. Bring your questions. Join the conversation. RSVP 👉 buff.ly/56Oul1O

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Efi Pylarinou @efiglobal.bsky.social · 30/10/2025

`𝐄𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐝𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐀𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐀𝐈` on the FS i-Hub led by @ShaulDavidUK in conversation w/ @griffinbank CEO David Jarvis. 📅 November 3rd, 2025 | 5:00pm CET | 12:00pm EST Bring your questions. Join the conversation. RSVP 👉 lnkd.in/daTBYMRR

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Efi Pylarinou @efiglobal.bsky.social · 21/10/2025

Check out my latest AI Uncovers Africa's Hidden Data Revolution: From 'Thin Files' to Rich Insights www.linkedin.com/pulse/ai-unc...

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Efi Pylarinou @efiglobal.bsky.social · 05/10/2025

The Battle for Agent Payments: Who Can Challenge Google's AP2? sifintechpulse.substack.com/p/the-battle...

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Efi Pylarinou @efiglobal.bsky.social · 28/09/2025

BANK & FINTECH PARTNERSHIPS - AN INSIDER’S VIEW futures-financial-forum.mn.co/events/bank-...

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Efi Pylarinou @efiglobal.bsky.social · 25/09/2025

🔥 October's just getting started at FS i-Hub 🔹 Bank-Fintech Partnerships (Oct 1) 🔹 Variable Recurring Payments (Oct 7) 🔹 AI in Banking Reality (Oct 8) Real experts. Real problems. Real solutions. 👇 Details & RSVP www.linkedin.com/pulse/beyond... #FinTech #OpenBanking

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Efi Pylarinou @efiglobal.bsky.social · 23/09/2025

🔵 Join us - The Fintech Book Club- on Linkedin live as we discuss Theo Lau`s new book ``Banking on (Artificial) Intelligence. w/ @mi_jim @stessacohen RSVP 👉 www.linkedin.com/events/finte...

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Efi Pylarinou @efiglobal.bsky.social · 18/09/2025

🔴 The global "Peak Branch" phenomenon is reshaping banking worldwide – 𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐡 𝐓𝐨𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐰 is the ONLY Book documenting this. @brettking launched it at #Money2020ME as a Kindle bestseller! 🚀 Honored to contribute w/ @richardturrin @thepsironi @JimMarous @brunoevdiniz Order now 📖 BranchTomorrow.com

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Efi Pylarinou @efiglobal.bsky.social · 14/09/2025

🏦➡️🧠The "single brain" concept could transform banking forever Fascinating discussion with @DharmeshMistry about breaking down barriers between AI natives and traditional banking thinking. Full video: "𝐀𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠: 𝐔𝐧𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 '𝐒𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐞 𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧'" youtu.be/U2bHxPAvTW8?... #fintech #Banking #AI

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Efi Pylarinou @efiglobal.bsky.social · 30/08/2025

🔵 My Analysis of Digital Black Markets! Stablecoin Access Premiums up to 30% & How Digital Technology Caps Government Control open.substack.com/pub/sifintec...

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Efi Pylarinou @efiglobal.bsky.social · 28/06/2025

This week's AI in FinServ curation: Infrastructure meets reality 🏦🤖 The shift from AI-as-a-tool to AI-native financial infrastructure is accelerating. Full analysis below (Subscribe for weeklies) ⬇️ www.linkedin.com/pulse/infras...

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Efi Pylarinou @efiglobal.bsky.social · 30/05/2025

I just published The most insightful EU AI Act intro medium.com/p/the-most-i...

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Efi Pylarinou @efiglobal.bsky.social · 30/05/2025

Mobile Money continues to make a difference in people`s lives! c. 50% increase yoy! The State of the Industry Report on Mobile Money 2025, GSMA

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Efi Pylarinou @efiglobal.bsky.social · 23/05/2025

Marketing Giant or Banking Innovator? The Polarizing Chime IPO Debate buff.ly/ZXfBiwN

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Efi Pylarinou @efiglobal.bsky.social · 22/05/2025

🔵 @CDixon just led the seed round for Catena Labs focused on payment rails for AI agents. We know that our payment infrastructure is stuck in the human era. 📍3 infrastructure items that need attention: 🔐 Verifying Trusted Agents 🏛️ Built-in Compliance ⚡ Fraud Detection

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Efi Pylarinou @efiglobal.bsky.social · 23/04/2025

🟣 Happy World Book Day! The chapter I`ve contributed on `𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐚𝐧 𝐀𝐈-𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞` is a must-read for any professional! It will guide you no matter what stage you are at in the implementation of the advancements in AI in your business. The Fast Futre Blur: lnkd.in/ep5zZpec #worldbookday

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Efi Pylarinou @efiglobal.bsky.social · 17/04/2025

🔵 My latest: 40% of European Businesses have Crypto: The Adoption Gap Financial Institutions must Bridge www.linkedin.com/pulse/40-eur... I`ve curated for you the takeaways, the paradoxes, and the opportunities #crypto #Bitpanda #banking #Saas #fintech

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Efi Pylarinou @efiglobal.bsky.social · 16/04/2025

#Bunq, a neobank for 'digital nomads,' accelerates U.S. expansion effort as profit jumps 65% www.cnbc.com/2025/04/15/d...

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Efi Pylarinou @efiglobal.bsky.social · 15/04/2025

🔵 Join today at 6pm CET! How Generative AI is Revolutionizing Risk Management in Banking-as-a-Service! Discover 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐫 𝐛𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐥𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐀𝐈 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦 𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐤 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬. Register buff.ly/PoLUkw0 #GenAI #Baas #banking

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Efi Pylarinou @efiglobal.bsky.social · 12/04/2025

Home | Substack buff.ly/JuKYd69

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Efi Pylarinou @efiglobal.bsky.social · 10/04/2025

Bridging the Gap: How the Financial Services Innovation Hub is Tackling Implementation Challenges buff.ly/DHG9KaA Join us. It is free and valuable.

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Efi Pylarinou @efiglobal.bsky.social · 08/04/2025

🚀 Exciting news! Join the AI in Finserv event series at the Finserv #Innovation Hub: 📅 APR 8: AI's Full Potential w/ Simon Axon 📅 APR 15: GenAI in Banking-as-a-Service w/ Guillaume Colley 📅 APR 23: GenAI Patterns in Banking w/ Martin Moeller Register now. Scam the QR code! #FinTech #AI

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Efi Pylarinou @efiglobal.bsky.social · 07/04/2025

🟣 MY ANALYSIS: #Stripe’s Banking License: A Strategic Move with Unique Cost Dynamics buff.ly/7YuSvCW #payments #stripe #banking

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Efi Pylarinou @efiglobal.bsky.social · 02/04/2025

🔵 The 3 Fintech companies that have filed S-1 forms and have reserved tickers. #IPO #fintech

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Efi Pylarinou @efiglobal.bsky.social · 01/04/2025

From Meme Stocks to Full-Service Financial Provider: A Due Diligence Analysis of Robinhood buff.ly/Ntncep8

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Efi Pylarinou @efiglobal.bsky.social · 31/03/2025

🚀 Universal Basic Income, Elon Musk, and $MODE: The Smartphone Disruptor Eyeing Nasdaq More details on this private #UBI fintech solution 👉 buff.ly/Lwcmcz5

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Efi Pylarinou @efiglobal.bsky.social · 29/03/2025

Leading generative AI companies (The leading generative AI companies) buff.ly/HJAHCPg

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Efi Pylarinou @efiglobal.bsky.social · 27/03/2025

Brazil is leading in A2A payments. TY PIX v/ buff.ly/K6Phct4

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Efi Pylarinou @efiglobal.bsky.social · 25/03/2025

🔵 Was Sam Altman secretly jealous when X inked its Visa Direct deal? Is the Visa/World Network rumored deal a significantly worse version of the LIBRA idea? My insights 👉 buff.ly/KqvWfcN

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Efi Pylarinou @efiglobal.bsky.social · 21/03/2025

#Stablecoin Wars: Infrastructure Competition & Their Rise as Major U.S. Treasury Holders buff.ly/pB2Pb7o The 3 top USD stablecoin issuers which account of 80%, hold $178 billion in UST If the projections materialize they could become the 4th largest UST holder

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Efi Pylarinou @efiglobal.bsky.social · 07/03/2025

📌 Klarna as a Bank! My anaylsis 👉 buff.ly/KESQ0bT As #Klarna targets $15bn valuation with upcoming US #IPO buff.ly/NBcv2bg

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Efi Pylarinou @efiglobal.bsky.social · 06/03/2025

📌 This week`s 𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨 & 𝙄𝙣𝙨𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 is with @cortneyharding , AI & Spatial Computing Leader: ` 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐈 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐆𝐚𝐩: 𝐂𝐚𝐧 𝐀𝐈 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐝𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬?` Full video 👉 buff.ly/IImzqlI #IWD #AI

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Efi Pylarinou @efiglobal.bsky.social · 25/02/2025

📌 Check out my comparison of #Nubank vs. #Revolut based on the @tabinsights Top Rankings. Using a balanced scorecard of customers, market coverage, profitability, balance sheet strength, and funding efficiency (not just size). buff.ly/3XhJhvB #neobanking #fintech

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Efi Pylarinou @efiglobal.bsky.social · 18/02/2025

📌 A comparison of AI Readiness versus Quantum Readiness Rankings in financial services! I had to ask myself the question: How do the top 10 Financial services companies in the #Quantum Readiness index, fair in terms of their maturity in #AI❓ Details of my analysis 👉 buff.ly/4b476g0

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Efi Pylarinou @efiglobal.bsky.social · 14/02/2025

📌 The post-election rally effect: Coinbase Reports $2.3B In Q4 Revenue, Up 88%!! EPS $4.68 vs Est. $2.11 Trading Volume: $439B up 185% y/y ✍️ Trading was 68% of total revenues. Trading remains a significant part of Coinbase's revenue model. #crypto #trading

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Efi Pylarinou @efiglobal.bsky.social · 08/02/2025

📌 At every step in history, we called new tools lazy. We made fun of them. Resisted them. Claimed they would make us worse. And then?

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Efi Pylarinou @efiglobal.bsky.social · 05/02/2025

📌 Good read: Will every travel company turn into an embedded finance business? by Embedded Finance Review buff.ly/4gwXvzj

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Efi Pylarinou @efiglobal.bsky.social · 03/02/2025

🔵 Who Would Have Predicted This? The Surprising Speedy Integration of #DeepSeek R1 by BigTech! Innovation is unstoppable. Is the future Distillation, smaller industry-specific models?

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Efi Pylarinou @efiglobal.bsky.social · 02/02/2025

📌 Deutsche Bank has published a bunch of memes about DeepSeek buff.ly/3WHCwTs Which is your favorite? (more included in the FT article) Mine is the US economy balcony 😂

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Efi Pylarinou @efiglobal.bsky.social · 31/01/2025

📌 I just published My annual post-Davos reflections during the WEF link.medium.com/4LodUOyIBQb

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