Blockchain technology – why all the hype?
As one of the most talked about emerging technologies, some say blockchain technology could revolutionize everything from stock exchange settlements and transport logistics to voting or welfare payments. So what is it and why is it relevant to financial advisers? Internationally, the benefits and wide range of possible uses for blockchain technology have been touted for a couple of years now. Within Australia, it’s gained some ground after a recent Australian Securities Exchange decision to examine its use for a new clearing and settlement system that’s faster and cheaper than the existing CHESS system. To enable this effort, the ASX bought a five per cent stake ($14.9 million) in Blythe […]
Australia pushes ISO for blockchain standards
Australia’s peak standard-setting body, Standards Australia, is calling on the International Standards Organisation to begin work on global standards for blockchain. The organisation has asked the Geneva-based ISO to begin working on standards for blockchain, the technology behind digital currency bitcoin, offering the assistance of Australian expertise. The ASX has recently taken a stake in New York-based Digital Asset Holdings, which is working on the potential to use its blockchain technology to help replace its CHESS sharemarket clearing system, while the Australian banks are also reviewing the potential uses of the distributed ledger technology. “We have had sufficient stakeholder support to put this proposal to the ISO,” Standards Australia’s acting […]
Shares in fintech Mint Payments are soaring on a Singapore deal
Shares in Mint Payments jumped when the fintech came out of a trading halt to announce a deal with Singapore’s NETS (Network for Electronic Transfers). A short time ago, the shares were up 9% to $0.12. The company went into a trading halt on Friday after being queried by the ASX on the reason for a sharp rise in the company’s share price. NETS is an electronic payments started in 1985 and owned by Singapore banks, DBS Bank, OCBC Bank and UOB. One in three Singaporeans use NETS everyday to make payments. Mint now has a five year-agreement with NETS covering Mint’s payment solutions.Under the deal, Mint will work on […]
DigitalX Ltd tests blockchain based app to send money overseas
DigitalX Ltd (ASX:DCC), a blockchain software solutions company is gaining positive feedback from the expanded phase 2 beta-test of its AirPocket money transfer app that was conducted in the U.S. and Dominican Republic. The Phase 2 trial allowed users to transfer money from nine selected states in the U.S. to the Dominican Republic. AirPocket utilises the Bitcoin blockchain technology to transfer money. The majority of the respondents in the beta-test voted that AirPocket was efficient in sending money, and it was easier to receive money using the app than through traditional money transfer channels. The respondents also found the money transfer fees associated with the AirPocket app to be competitive […]
Fintech start-up Afterpay plans ASX listing
Fintech start-up Afterpay — backed by legendary corporate raider Ron Brierley and a host of alumni from his former Guinness Peat Group — plans to list on the Australian Securities Exchange to supercharge growth plans after signing up more than 100 retailers to its online e-commerce product in the past nine months. Afterpay, whose backers include Mr Brierley’s ASX-listed Mercantile Investment Company, LinkedIn Southeast Asia managing director Cliff Rosenberg and Melbourne IVF founder John McBain, plans to raise $25 million in a float that will value the company at about $150m. Mr Brierley’s Mercantile last year bankrolled an $8m capital raising by the company. Mercantile is expected to emerge with […]
Blockchain and how it will change everything
In May, British billionaire Richard Branson invited a select posse of entrepreneurs, venture capitalists and technology advisers to his Caribbean residence for an exclusive pow wow on an issue occupying some of the top markets minds in the world. The topic for discussion on the picturesque Necker Island was the “blockchain”. “Every now and then, something comes along that might just change everything. And this is one of those moments,” ASX chief executive Elmer Funke Kupper. In case you’re one of the many yet to wrap your head around the promising technology, blockchain, on a simple level, uses computer code to engender trust in digital-economy transactions. One of the attendees […]
