Sofien Sidhoum - Conduit - Money 20/20 Europe

Why It Matters

By delivering high‑yield, risk‑mitigated escrow and instant trade‑finance tools, Conduit could lower costs and accelerate cash flow for global supply chains, challenging legacy banking models.

Key Takeaways

• Conduit offers cross‑border fintech transfers with reduced risk
• Provides interest‑bearing escrow accounts up to 5% annually
• Instant, compliant letters of credit replace traditional paperwork
• Targets supplier payments and broader digital‑asset accessibility
• Aims to democratize financial services worldwide

Pulse Analysis

Money 20/20 Europe has become a showcase for fintech innovators seeking to solve the friction that still plagues cross‑border transactions. Traditional correspondent banking networks often impose high fees, long settlement times, and opaque risk assessments, especially for small‑to‑medium enterprises expanding overseas. In this environment, Conduit’s EMEA lead, Sofien Sidhoum, highlighted the platform’s ambition to streamline money movement by offering a single‑pane solution that reduces settlement risk while remaining compliant with global standards. The company’s focus on real‑world use cases, such as supplier payments, reflects a broader industry shift toward operational efficiency and transparency.

At the core of Conduit’s offering is an escrow‑based account that not only safeguards funds but also generates up to 5 % annual yield, a rate that rivals many short‑term investment products while remaining triple‑A compliant. By converting the traditionally cumbersome letter of credit into an instant, interest‑bearing escrow transaction, Conduit eliminates paperwork, accelerates cash flow, and lowers the cost of trade finance for both fintechs and their corporate clients. This hybrid of payment processing and asset‑backed earning capability positions the platform as a differentiated player in a market dominated by pure‑play payment rails.

The ability to democratize high‑value trade instruments could reshape global supply chains, particularly for emerging‑market firms that lack access to conventional banking services. As regulators increasingly endorse sandbox environments for innovative finance, Conduit’s compliance framework may accelerate adoption across Europe and beyond. Competitors will likely respond with similar interest‑bearing escrow products, but Conduit’s early mover advantage and focus on seamless integration give it a strategic edge. Investors and fintech partners should watch the platform’s rollout closely, as it may set new benchmarks for risk‑adjusted returns in cross‑border payments.

Original Description

At the RAI in Amsterdam for Money 20/20 Europe, FF News met with Sofien Sidhoum, EMEA Lead at Conduit, to learn more about the company’s core activities.

Conduit is a financial platform which allows fintechs to seamlessly transfer money cross-border, reducing the risk when doing so. Conduit's objective is to simplify the process of accessing digital assets within financial platforms, enabling scalable solutions that enhance accessibility to superior financial products for a broader audience.

“We are really about real life use cases … We help you pay your supplier, we safeguard your money and we give you interest on it. If you keep your dollars with us, you can get up to 5% annually, in a triple A compliant way.”

“Letter of credit right now is a big hassle. We do that instantly because it’s just an escrow account, but with interest. It’s unheard of, we do that. We want to democratise that everywhere in the world where it’s needed.”