Insiders say they think ethereum is a better investment than bitcoin
When it comes to cryptocurrency investments, there’s plenty of room for debate over which digital currency is the best bet. But for one group of investors, the choice is clear: According to new data from New York-based law firm Foley and Lardner, a group of insiders say that among cryptocurrencies like bitcoin, Dash, and Monero, they believe ethereum to be the best bet. Foley and Lardner surveyed a mix of investors and business executives about trends relating to cryptocurrencies. Among the questions they asked was which digital currency they believed to be the best investment opportunity. The most popular pick? Ethereum, the three-year-old blockchain technology that’s been largely used as […]
Credit cards on the decline as Visa says we have passed ‘peak plastic’
Australia has reached “peak plastic” and credit card transactions will now start to decline, as people increasingly adopt mobile and wearable payment technologies, according to the new country manager of Visa. In his first interview since becoming the head of Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific at Visa in January, former local head of Citibank’s consumer banking operations Julian Potter told The Australian Financial Review the tipping point for change in consumer payments preferences would come when things like Myki or Opal cards could be stored on your phone in a digital wallet. “I use my phone and it just took a few goes and then the habit set […]
Should The Reserve Bank of Australia Issue a Digital Currency?
During a recent Australian Business Economists forum, the Head of Payments Policy Department for the Reserve Bank of Australia, Tony Richards, had a lot to share on cryptocurrencies and distributed ledger technology in the Reserve Bank’s perspective. Of particular interest was whether the bank might consider issuing a digital version of the Australian Dollar. According to Richards, Bitcoin and many other cryptocurrencies were largely impressive and admirable, but flaws in their design coupled with limited usage within Australia made them unnecessary and hence there was no need for the bank to issue a new digital version of the Australian Dollar. The Bank’s Approach To Cryptocurrencies Australia can boast of having […]
Open banking rules fuel financial planning shake-up
The financial planning industry is poised for a shake-up as the government’s plan to make it easier for customers to access banking data drives new technology that will allow advisers to respond in real-time to the changing financial circumstances of their clients. Open banking will also change the financial advice industry by allowing advisers to tailor their offering to individuals. Grow Super, part owned by IOOF, and Basiq, part owned by Westpac Banking Corp and National Australia Bank, have worked together to build the software that provides alerts to advisers about when to call their clients. The product will be white-labelled for advisory groups to enhance the quality of customer […]
AFL’s Ted Richards and the human side of robo-investing
There is a lot of talk about the entry of ‘robo advisers’ into the financial advice market. Revelations by the banking royal commission have accelerated calls for technology to provide the answer to the broadening trust deficit and intractable problem of advice being too expensive for the average investor. However, despite these tailwinds, the take up of digital advice in Australia has been relatively modest. This compares to the United States where a significant proportion of investors are embracing technology-enabled advice solutions, such as Betterment and Wealthfront. Home-grown Australian providers, such as Clover and Stockspot, have made inroads with their low cost, automated investment offerings. The challenge remains for consumers […]
More jobs for Australians as Silicon Valley Fintech opens APAC headquarters in Victoria
An announcement made by the Victoria Government focused on Melbourne being the new Asia-Pacific Headquarters of a Silicon Valley fintech innovator. Victoria’s growing fintech sector will be boosted as Nomis Solutions, a Silicon Valley fintech innovator, has announced that Melbourne will be the location of their Asia-Pacific Headquarters. This move will be creating 50 jobs in over five years. Nomis Solutions’ cutting-edge approach to big data as well as its personalised customer solutions and market analysis are being used by more than 10,000 bankers worldwide. The support of the Andrews Labor Government has secured Nomis Solutions’ base of operations in Melbourne. The Victoria Government is growing the state’s reputation as […]
How to invest in Artificial Intelligence
What is Artificial Intelligence? Artificial Intelligence or “AI” generally refers to the ability of machines to exhibit human-like intelligence using computer systems that can learn, reason, discover meaning, perceive their environment, learn from experience, and interact – ultimately solving problems without the use of hand-coded software containing detailed instructions Impact of Artificial Intelligence AI promises to have an enormous impact on the global economy. PwC estimates that artificial intelligence could add some US$15.7 trillion to global GDP by 2030. Revenues generated by AI is estimated to have a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 54.4% over the next 5 years, which is more than twice the growth rate of other […]
EML Payments acquires Irish fintech to corner EU market
EML Payments has acquired 74.9 per cent of Irish fintech Perfectcard DAC (Perfectcard) for AUD$9.5 million. Perfectcard is an authorised eMoney institution providing incentive and corporate expense solutions regulated by the Irish Central Bank. Australian listed payments solutions provider EML expects Perfectcard to generate earnings of $400,000-600,000 in FY19 after integration costs. The Irish regulator first needs to approve EML as a majority shareholder before the acquisition can go through, but EML expects the approval to be granted in the coming months. Notwithstanding the approval process, EML says it will consolidate Perfectcard into its financial results from 4 July 2018. EML says the acquisition of Perfectcard will allow the listed […]
