Rahul Bhargava

Rahul Bhargava is a globally recognized leader with over 21 years of experience driving innovation and transformation in the financial services and payments industry. His expertise lies in successfully helping organisations globally navigate the complex landscape of innovation in payments, evolution of digital money, assets and money movement, application of emerging technologies like AI responsibly, and successfully delivering complex multi-market, public-private strategic initiatives. As a global strategy leader, business owner and community lead, Rahul has spearheaded key initiatives at SWIFT, the World Bank Group, WEF, Accenture, FIS, RBS, ICICI Bank, AI 2030, EPAA and other prominent organizations with global impact.

Rahul is a passionate leader driving impactful change in global financial services, retaining a deep understanding of the industry's key challenges and opportunities. He has been instrumental in developing and launching next-generation payment systems, fostering interoperability between traditional and emerging financial market infrastructures, and responsibly integrating cutting-edge technologies. His strategic relationship engagement with both public and private sectors is evident in his work on G20 initiatives, CBDC interoperability, regional payments integration, and driving evolution of domestic and cross-border payments.

Rahul is a recognized global thought leader and mentor, actively shaping the future of finance through leading public-private dialogue, publishing thought leadership, driving collaboration and public policy advocacy via global think tanks. He has recently completed a “Responsible AI Leader” certification, and was awarded "Ambassador of the Year" for 2024 by two leading think tanks - AI 2030 and the Emerging Payments Association Asia (EPAA).

He is a regular speaker and moderator across global industry forums, including Sibos, Money 2020, Central Bank Payments Conference, Global Payment Summit, World Bank Global Payments Week, Stablecoin Summit, Global Fintech Festival (India) and the Singapore Fintech Festival.

He currently leads a multifaceted global consulting practice, advising international organizations, financial institutions, and technology companies on the evolving landscape of payments and financial services. Highlights include providing subject matter expertise to the World Bank Group's technical assistance programs, closely aligned with the G20's agenda for global payments. Through Avivate, his consultancy firm, Rahul is engaging with other public sector entities, market infrastructures, banks, fintechs, and paytechs, offering strategic direction as they navigate the complexities of digital transformation in payments, wider financial services and technology.