✦ The only Substack bringing Asia's FinTech to the West—Start here!
Welcome to my newsletter. I’m Rich, and I'm delighted that you dropped by!
I write about Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC), Fintech, and AI from a uniquely Asian and China-centric perspective.
Reading Cashless will help you better understand how Asia’s mastery of digital finance will shape the West’s future and better equip you to face “The Asian Century.”
You’re so, so wise to be here.
Most people don’t understand that Asia is a leader in fintech, CBDC, and AI applications.
Asia’s love of technology is astounding, and its willingness to adopt new technology in pursuit of GDP growth is unparalleled.
Understanding how Asia leverages technology is akin to having a crystal ball to the future, as it provides insights into what the West will adopt tomorrow.
You’re in Good Hands
I’ve lived in China and Asia for 16 years and lived the incredible journey of fintech innovation with the rest of the region. My ephiphany was that much of the West didn’t understand the amazing transformation that I was witnessing first-hand.
My goal in this newsletter and my books is to share amazing stories about financial technology and AI with an emphasis on Asia and China so that readers can better understand the innovations shaping our future.
As I always say, China and Asia are showing us the future.
The need to share the breakneck speed of innovation in Asia motivated me to write two bestsellers and shows my commitment to putting these stories in your hands!
Cashless now has over 350 reviews and scores 4.5 stars on Amazon! Cashless lays out how China and Asia are using digital payments in ways unimagined in the West and explains China’s new central bank digital currency. Read more: HERE
Innovation Lab Excellence also scores 4.5 stars with over 100 reviews and is timeless as it explains how to use a shared team to deliver innovation. Everything in ILE works for deploying AI! Read more: HERE
If you aren’t yet a Premium or Founding subscriber, here are your subscription options:
Free
One weekly email with expert insight on our shared “cashless” future, focusing on Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDC), China, Payments, and Financial Inclusion.
A unique point of view directly from Asia focuses on how the region is “leapfrogging” the West in payments, AI, and digital services. It’s a message that’s often controversial and does not conform with mainstream outlets.
All of the latest “digital dollar” and “digital euro” developments are analyzed in detail. CBDCs are no longer theoretical but are coming soon.
In-depth analysis of how our AI revolution impacts finance and will change how we interact with financial services.
Original fintech analysis direct from Shanghai, all with an emphasis on using top PDFs as a learning tool;
Perspective on how the world of finance is bifurcating into US and Chinese systems right before our eyes and what this means;
Trusted by over 50,000 executives, innovators, investors, policymakers, journalists, academics & open-minded crypto-holders daily!
Free vs Premium: What’s the difference?
Premium
Everything in the “free” subscription above plus:
Instant access to 589 rigorously researched articles to keep you ahead of the pack ($1,178 value)
Unlock "The Knowledge Vault" containing 2550+ pages of focused best-in-class ebooks. ($2,120 value)
Topical hand-curated reports with granular coverage of headline news subjects like the GENIUS Act. ($ priceless)
Access to the exclusive “Hot Topics” section with hard-to-find insights —all in PDF format with my brief expert commentary.
These reports are based on my extensive research or provided by trusted sources and often limited distribution.
All reports are downloadable with no corporate email needed, and there is no searching or linking to other sites involved.
With a paid subscription, these high-quality insights are all just a click away.
If that interests you and you want to support independent news sources like mine, do us both a favor and opt for a premium subscription.
Premium subscribers get access to the weekly Hot Topics and Chart of the Day sections:
Founding Member
Everything in the “free” and Premium subscriptions above plus:
A 45-minute one-on-one call with me, the global thought leader on CBDC and Asia's digital payment scene, ($600 standard rate for a partner at a big 4 consultant)
Direct access to me when the stories break. You’ll know the real story behind the hottest breaking news in China and Asia from a local.
A trusted partner and advisor for your deeper interests in fintech and AI in Asia and China.
Why trust me?
Your time is the most precious commodity of all, and if you’re going to read “Cashless,” you need to understand the person writing it:
I became an expert on fintech and Asia the hard way, with no shortcuts! I spent 18 years as an investment banker, five years at IBM working on AI and financial software, and fifteen years living in Shanghai.
I’m proud to be the No. 4 fintech influencer in the world on Onalytica’s ranking and have over 55,000 daily readers on LinkedIn and Twitter who enjoy my Asia-focused point of view.
I wrote two best-sellers that capture how innovation is changing our world and how the world is going cashless. I’m proud of these books and the warm reception they received.
My opinions are sought after because they are practical, gritty, and real-world, just as they are here in this substack newsletter.
I no longer work for big companies; my take on fintech is often irreverent and provocative.
On top of the charts
While I never told my mother that I would grow up to become an “influencer,” I take pride in the accolades I’ve received over the years. The term “influencer” still bothers me a bit, but the awards listed below all correspond with people clicking on and engaging with quality writing.
What they say
You can’t find another newsletter that’s focused on Asia that will better prepare you for “The Asian Century’s” impact on the West.
Great issue!