Business

Mayur Patankar’s Journey from a Small Town in India to the Cinematic World of Los Angeles

Published

2 years ago

April 5, 2023

Mayur Patankar’s story is one of passion, courage, and a relentless drive to succeed in an industry far removed from his roots. Hailing from Bramhapuri, a rural town in Maharashtra, India, Mayur took a leap of faith seven years ago, moving across the world to Los Angeles to pursue a Master’s in Cinematography at the prestigious New York Film Academy. It was a decision that would change his life, opening doors to working with some of the biggest names in entertainment and advertising. “It was the scariest and most unconventional decision I’ve ever made,” Mayur recalls, but one that turned out to be the best for his career.

Mayur’s journey didn’t follow the typical path of someone born with a camera in hand. In fact, he began his career with a degree in forensic science, unsure of his true calling. “I didn’t have one of those ‘I wanted to be a cinematographer since I was a kid’ stories,” he explains. His interest in photography developed gradually as he started working at a sports broadcast company in Delhi, where he began covering sporting events and after-parties. His love for shooting videos led to travel blogs and, eventually, the realization that filmmaking was his true passion. With YouTube as his initial teacher, he dived into learning the basics of photography and cinematography, leading him to the New York Film Academy.

Mayur’s work ethic and willingness to adapt and learn quickly gained him a foothold in the competitive world of filmmaking. His resume now boasts collaborations with renowned artists and companies, including Billie Eilish, Nike, Netflix, and more. “My most humbling experience was working on Space Jam 2 with LeBron James,” Mayur says, recalling his early days on set after graduating film school. “I thought I knew it all, but quickly realized it was only the beginning. That project taught me to empty my cup, be open to learning, and constantly improve my craft.”

Mayur also highlights his work on The Guilty with Jake Gyllenhaal and lighting Billie Eilish for her music videos as some of his most memorable projects. “Every project is different, whether I’m the cinematographer, gaffer, or playing any other role. I push my creative boundaries and give my best every time,” he says, adding that his best keeps getting better with each new challenge.

Despite his success, the road to becoming a prominent cinematographer wasn’t always easy. Growing up in a small town where filmmaking is an unconventional career choice, Mayur faced initial skepticism from his family. “My dad thought it was a prank when I said I wanted to go to America for a diploma,” he laughs. However, his family’s support never wavered, and once they saw his determination, they did everything they could to help him pursue his dreams.

Navigating the cultural and professional differences between India and Los Angeles also posed significant challenges. From dealing with stereotypes to building trust in a competitive industry, Mayur learned to adapt and thrive. “I realized the importance of being open-minded and respecting different cultures,” he says. “It’s about standing out with your unique creative vision, but also being someone people want to work with.”

Mayur’s story is proof that hard work, resilience, and following your passion can lead to extraordinary success. With his unique blend of technical expertise, creativity, and the cultural richness of his Indian roots, Mayur Patankar continues to make a mark in the world of cinematography, inspiring others to take risks and pursue their dreams.

Business

How Black Banx Has Sped Digital Payments Into Its Global Phase

Published

11 hours ago

March 13, 2025

Matthew Wiles

The payments industry has grown substantially in the last decade, with digital transactions now practically a given in most parts of the world. A key contributor to this globalization of payments has been Black Banx, a Toronto-based global digital bank founded by German billionaire Michael Gastauer.

Through innovative fintech solutions, a commitment to financial inclusion, and strategic investments in blockchain and artificial intelligence, the company continues to make transactions quicker and easier no matter where the sender or receiver is in the world.

The Cross-Border Payment Boom

Global transactions have never been more essential to the world economy. From businesses engaging in international trade to individuals sending remittances back home, the demand for fast and cost-effective cross-border payments has skyrocketed. In fact, FXCintelligence projects that the cross-border payments market will hit an astonishing US$290 trillion by 2030, driven by the rise of e-commerce and digital trade.

Historically, moving money across borders wasn’t simple. Traditional banking relied on a complex web of intermediaries, leading to slow processing times, high fees, and inefficiencies. But fintech has changed the game. Companies like Black Banx have introduced digital-first solutions that eliminate unnecessary middlemen, enabling instant, affordable transactions.

Black Banx’s Rapid Growth: A Testament to Demand

Black Banx has experienced explosive growth, reflecting the increasing demand for seamless global payments. By the end of 2024, the company’s customer base had expanded to 69 million users across 180+ countries—a staggering 76% growth from 39 million in 2023.

This growth wasn’t accidental. Black Banx’s success stems from its ability to offer frictionless cross-border banking, catering to individuals and businesses worldwide. It’s offerings include:

Instant Multi-Currency Accounts – Customers can open accounts online within minutes, eliminating the need for physical bank visits.
Cryptocurrency Integration – Black Banx has accepted Bitcoin and Ethereum since 2016 and expanded its crypto services in 2024 by integrating Solana and the Lightning Network, allowing for ultra-fast, low-cost cross-border transfers.
Zero-Intermediary Transfers – By leveraging blockchain technology, the company bypasses traditional banking infrastructure, significantly reducing fees and processing times.

AI-Powered Payments: Enhancing Speed and Security

If there’s one technology that has reshaped digital payments in 2024, it’s artificial intelligence. AI is now at the heart of fraud detection, customer service, and transaction optimization, making global payments more secure and efficient.

Black Banx has fully embraced AI, using predictive analytics and automated systems to streamline operations. AI-driven chatbots handle customer inquiries, reducing response times and improving service efficiency. Meanwhile, real-time fraud detection algorithms flag suspicious transactions, preventing financial losses and building customer trust.

The results? Black Banx achieved a cost/income ratio of just 68% in 2024—one of the best in the industry—demonstrating how AI-powered automation can drive profitability while maintaining top-tier service.

Financial Inclusion: Breaking Down Barriers

Despite living in a digital age, over 1.4 billion people worldwide remain unbanked, according to the World Bank. Traditional banks have long failed to serve these individuals due to bureaucratic hurdles, geographic limitations, and high fees. Black Banx has made financial inclusion one of its core missions, particularly in underbanked regions like Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Asia-Pacific.

In 2024, the company’s impact on financial inclusion was profound:

32% year-over-year increase in SME clients in Africa and the Middle East – Black Banx empowered businesses in these regions with seamless digital banking services, reducing reliance on inefficient traditional banking channels.
Instant digital accounts with minimal documentation – Unlike traditional banks, which require extensive paperwork, Black Banx allows users to open accounts quickly, enabling greater access to financial services.
Affordable cross-border transactions – By eliminating intermediaries, the company ensures that even those in remote regions can send and receive payments without excessive fees.

The Future of Cross-Border Payments: Crypto and Blockchain

Cryptocurrency is no longer a niche asset—it’s gradually become a key cog in the global payments machine. Recognizing this early on, Black Banx became one of the first digital banks to integrate Bitcoin and Ethereum into its platform back in 2016.

In 2024, the company doubled down on its crypto-first strategy, incorporating Solana and the Lightning Network. These technologies allow users to complete cross-border transactions in seconds while avoiding the high fees and delays associated with traditional banking infrastructure.

Black Banx is also exploring crypto-based lending services, a move that could disrupt traditional financial models even further. If successful, decentralized finance (DeFi) solutions could provide businesses and individuals with access to capital without the constraints of conventional banking regulations.

A Year of Record-Breaking Financial Success

While many tech companies faced financial turbulence in 2024, Black Banx defied expectations, posting record-breaking numbers:

Annual revenue: US$11.1 billion (exceeding the forecasted US$10.8 billion)
Pre-tax profit: US$3.6 billion (far surpassing the original US$2.4 billion projection)
Customer base: 69 million users worldwide
Cost/income ratio: 68% – demonstrating operational efficiency
Capital distributions: US$2.90 per share

Black Banx’s financial success highlights the immense demand for efficient digital banking services, proving that fintech is not just a disruptor but the future of global finance.

What’s Next for Black Banx in 2025?

Given its past success, Black Banx is setting ambitious goals to build on its 2024 momentum. The company aims to:

Expand its customer base to 100 million users – By reaching more individuals in emerging markets, Black Banx hopes to further its mission of financial inclusion.
Strengthen its presence in digital asset banking – With growing demand for cryptocurrency-based financial services, the company will continue integrating blockchain solutions.
Enhance global payments infrastructure – By entering new markets and refining its AI-driven systems, Black Banx plans to make transactions even faster and more accessible.
Lower its cost/income ratio – Through further automation and AI optimization, the company aims to improve operational efficiency.

By embracing AI, blockchain, and a relentless commitment to financial inclusion, Black Banx has clearly been key in accelerating the transition of the world to a truly global payments system.