World Bank appoints CBA for first bond deal on blockchain
The World Bank has turned to Commonwealth Bank of Australia to issue a bond using blockchain technology, in a deal that suggests a more transparent and lower-cost process for debt capital issuance is just around the corner. Reflecting its antipodean roots, the innovative security is being referred to as a ‘bond-i’ (blockchain offered new debt instrument). The World Bank says it is a world first for using blockchain to create, allocate, transfer ownership and manage a live bond deal. Commonwealth Bank has been appointed sole lead arranger for the ‘Kangaroo bond’ offer, which will launch on Friday and could raise around $50 million, part of the World Bank’s global funding […]
Australia buzzes again with 1st solar-powered bitcoin mining setup
The investment in the Australian FinTech sector has risen remarkably as the Australian FinTech ecosystem is becoming increasingly diverse. We already stated in our recent post that Fred Schebesta, the co-founder of one of Australia’s largest tech stories (Finder) has publicized their upcoming “multibillion-dollar” project plans to establish the “first crypto bank of Australia”. Now, the latest edition is that Australian Ben Tan, the co-founder of Hadouken Pty Ltd, intends to set up 1st 20-Megawatt Solar Farm in Collie which is geographically located in Western Australia to power a Bitcoin mining operation. Reports indicated that the submission has been approved and granted states authorities. The new facility is being developed by data […]
UNSW team launching the ‘Spotify of the fintech world’
Investors daunted by the stockmarket will soon be able to choose investment options in the same way as songlists, says a UNSW team of entrepreneurs. It could be music to many young investors’ ears to hear that two UNSW students have co-founded ‘the Spotify of the fintech world’ – making the stock market accessible to aspiring investors.’ Recent UNSW graduate Hayden Smith (B. Computer Science) and current final year student Kurt Walkom, along with Nick Nicolaides, are the brains behind Pearler Investments. The investing platform is essentially an app that suggests investment opportunities in ready-made portfolios, in the same way that Spotify playlists suggest music. The trio at the company […]
ETFs could be the ticket to portfolio diversification
One of the major advantages of an exchange traded fund is the ability for investors to gain instant diversified exposure, writes State Street Global Advisors’ Meaghan Victor. With one trade, ETFs can provide investors with the easiest way to achieve instant access to a broad base of companies and stock markets across different industries and even countries. The hunt for diversification Without a doubt, diversification has been a driving force behind the massive adoption of ETFs both in Australia and abroad. In fact, it could be said that in the age of the ETF, well-informed investors are learning what institutional investors have known all along. Asset allocation, not security selecting, […]
ASIC wants stake in global regtech sandbox
Australia’s financial regulator has joined 11 other watchdogs from around the world in proposing a new Global Financial Innovation Network (GIFN) to help regulators cope with the rapid rate of technological change in the sector. The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) says the new collaborative body would create a “global sandbox” for regtech, fintech and suptech solutions to be tested across international markets so that regulators and firms can stay on the pace emerging trends. The bold push comes as regulators around the world struggle to stay on top of the increasing speed of developments ranging from coin offerings to real time payments and settlement. Of particular concern is […]
What is the future of the digital currency in the money market?
Cryptocurrency or digital currency is the currency in which the encryption technique is used to form the currency unit. Physical Calls Having the same properties as a digital call is physically unavailable. Digital currency trading is done with the same encryption technology. The first decentralized decryption is known as bitcoin. Some other characteristics are physical presence, decentralization, reduced transaction costs, and global acceptance. Key factors driving growth in the global digital currency market are decentralized and free of government interference. With the power of immediate trading and borderless movement of ownership, digital currencies are gaining acceptance in the real estate sector, which is expected to be a major driving force […]
Keeping up with the customer in the digital age
Demanding customers, increasing regulation and clunky IT systems are proving serious speed bumps for Australian companies who want to grow in the digital age. Lending is facing a particularly sensitive atmosphere because of the banking royal commission, with many disruptors investing heavily in “regtech” – technology that simplifies compliance. These were some of the views aired by participants at a recent business roundtable event hosted by Fairfax Media and KPMG Enterprise which discussed Australia’s digital transformation. Anthony Baum, the CEO of Tic:Toc, which provides home loans that can be fully approved within 22 minutes, says technology is “way better” than traditional manual loan approval methods. “40 per cent of people […]
Zip targeting $1b of sales and 1m customers
More than half a billion dollars of sales went through credit card disrupter Zip Co’s payment system over the latest financial year, more than twice the volume of the previous year but only a quarter of that spent on competitor Afterpay. But as the popularity of “buy now, pay later” offerings continues to surge among Millennial shoppers, Zip – of which Westpac Banking Corp owns 17 per cent – is targeting $1 billion of sales over the coming year. “We are only just beginning and are well positioned for a bumper 2019 financial year,” said CEO Larry Diamond. Zip announced a $1.2 million loss at the cash earnings level for […]
