#43 Interview with Syed Muntasir — Innovation Strategy at Oxford & Director General, Bangladesh Foreign Affairs Ministry

In this episode, Dr. Syed Muntasir returns to the Cryptocurrencyteens podcast to reflect on the current political and economic landscape, specifically from his perspective as Director General at the Bangladesh Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He discusses his high level thoughts on the macro level economic issues faced by the global business community and Bangladesh, explaining the ways in which Bangladesh was affected by many of the global economic issues of recent times. He touches on ways that global supply chains have been impacted by what is going on in China and how blockchain can be utilized to improve global supply chains.

Another area that holds potential promise for cryptocurrencies to improve financial inclusion and the financial systems is in the area of Central Bank Digital Currencies, also known as CBDCs. China, Bahamas and Nigeria have launched high profile CBDC pilots, and many other countries are seriously studying the potential for CBDCs and considering pilots. Dr. Muntasir elaborates on Bangladesh’s stance on CBDCs and shares his own ideas regarding the potential for CBDCs.

In our discussion of the global economy in the face of COVID-19, the Crypto Winter, and the current US recession, he shares his thoughts on whether or not he believes that cryptocurrencies are correlated with interest rates and the stock market. In addition, we get to hear his thoughts on the rebound of Bitcoin and other altcoins, and how the potential rebound of the cryptocurrency market could help the overall American or global economy to recover. This episode also examines the impact of blockchain and cryptocurrencies on innovation and entrepreneurship, exploring the roles blockchain and cryptocurrencies can play in spurring economic growth and mitigating challenges in the global market.

Other illuminating areas of discussion include the metaverse and its potential, the role of cryptocurrencies in providing a payment infrastructure for the metaverse, and his response to its critics of the metaverse.

Dr. Muntasir last joined our podcast in April, over a year ago, to discuss his role as the Director General for International Trade, Investment & Technology at the Bangladesh Ministry of Foreign Affairs and his work with Innovation Strategy at Oxford University, his book “BLOCKCHAINS: Gaming and Collusion: A Reading in Political Economy (Political Economy of AI),” his insightful advice for teenagers, and more. Check out that podcast episode here.

Dr. Syed Muntasir is a financial analyst-turned-diplomat. Holds a Ph.D. in Regional Economic Integration and is an alumnus of the Saïd Business School, University of Oxford. He comes from St. Hugh's College and is professionally qualified in peacekeeping, peace-building, maritime security, international humanitarian law, and laws of armed conflict. He has worked with the University of Oxford for designing innovative models for connecting markets and easing payments. As a career Foreign Service Officer, Dr. Muntasir is the Director General for International Trade, Investment and Technology and also the ICT for the Government of Bangladesh.

A native of Bengali, he speaks French, Russian and Arabic and has held policy positions on India, China, East Asia, and the Pacific theatres. His academic interest lies in Blockchains, FinTech and AI. 

Dr. Muntasir has written extensively on strategy and innovation - particularly in reference to the political economies of South, East and Southeast Asia. Remedying institutional voids in the emerging markets and in Bottom of Pyramid (BOP) markets with the innovative use of information, communication and digital technologies is a forté. Inclusivity and justice in the design space are objectives.

Learn more:

Syed Muntasir (guest): https://www.linkedin.com/in/syed11muntasir

Link to past interview with Dr. Muntasir: https://www.cryptocurrencyteens.com/podcast/syed-muntasir

Abigail Li (host): https://www.linkedin.com/in/cryptocurrencyteens

About Cryptocurrencyteens: https://www.cryptocurrencyteens.com/