Blog

Nov
22

Peppermint to offer micro-enterprise program for Bizmoto agent network

Peppermint Innovation Ltd (ASX: PIL) announced it is launching a micro-enterprise program that will significantly benefit its growing Bizmoto agent network. Under a pilot program to be rolled out across the Philippines, Peppermint will facilitate and offer Bizmoto agents a finance and insurance package that helps them to buy a suitable motorcycle to be supplied by TVS Global Automobile Traders FZCO (“TVS”) via a locally registered wholesale dealer in the Philippines. Agents will be able to use their motorcycle to visit more customers in a timely manner, thereby increasing the number of transactions they are able to facilitate using Bizmoto’s technology platform, powered by Peppermint. The range of services available […]

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Nov
22

Will Australians trust startups with their money as the cashless economy takes hold?

F5 Networks today announced new research showcasing that while Australians are moving towards a cashless economy, they remain divided when it comes to the future of payments. The study, The Changing Face of Payments & The Rise of the Cashless Economy, revealed over a third (34%) of Australians wouldn’t trust a startup with their money despite 58% of people using digital banking apps today. The F5 research explores the intersection between traditional and digital transactions with 60% of Australians indicating their behaviour will be guided by security. This builds on F5’s earlier Curve of Convenience survey, where 63% of Australian respondents emphasised valuing security over convenience. Jason Baden, Regional Vice President, AN/Z of F5 Networks commented, “With a major shift to […]

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Nov
22

Competition in SMSF market tipped to turn as robots enter

A panel of financial experts have staked their bets on robo-advice as the future of SMSF investment. The panel, which was hosted by the SMSF Association and included representatives from the Australian Taxation Office, ASIC, Investment Trends, SuperConcepts and OpenInvest, emphasised the need for SMSF members to keep up with technological advancements in order to continue investing wisely and maximising their assets. In the aftermath of the royal commission’s findings, trust in advisers in Australia is at an all-time low. As a result of such sentiment and the current advancements in technology and AI (artificial intelligence), the expert panel suggested the way forward for SMSF investors will likely be engagement with […]

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Nov
22

What are bitcoin forks and how do they work?

With the increased interest in bitcoin, it’s important to understand the technology behind this cryptocurrency and the factors that can influence its price. Discover everything you need to know about bitcoin forks, including the difference between soft and hard forks and what they mean for traders. Bitcoin forks explained The term ‘bitcoin fork’ can be used to describe two types of events. The first is a change to its underlying software – a ‘software fork’. The second is a divergence in the cryptocurrency’s blockchain – a ‘blockchain fork’. The reason each of these events is called a ‘fork’ is because they present two or more potential routes for bitcoin to […]

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Nov
21

Bank gets on board with more digital wallets

A non-major bank has announced that its customers will be able to make payments using Garmin Pay. MyState Bank has added the ability for customers to use Garmin Pay, which functions as a digital wallet and fitness monitor, to make contactless payments. The non-major bank said that it expects a 200 per cent increase in customers using digital wallets by 2020, and that it already allows customers to use Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay. “These services could easily overtake the use of credit cards by 2022,” MyState CEO Melos Sulicich said. The non-major bank said that it recognises that security concerns are the “biggest obstacle” hindering mass adoption […]

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Nov
21

Cabcharge now integrates with Google Pay for Digital Passes

Ever since we’ve had taxis, we’ve needed to get someone else to pay for our rides. Whether it’s a gift to help and loved one get somewhere or a business expense to ferry someone from point A to point B, figuring out how that payment will work has presented some challenges over the years. Australia’s Cabcharge system has been helping Australian businesses to manage travel and expenses for a long time now, and is committed to keeping pace with technology to help businesses manage these more easily and efficiently. They’ve recently launched Cabcharge Digital Pass alongside a brand refresh, bringing their payment system into Google Pay on your phone to […]

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Nov
21

Banks should watch out – the fintech era has barely begun

There’s an endless stream of news about open banking and challenger banks, while the traditional finance sector watches on with a mixture of admiration and suspicion. Banks have come under attack, not only from the hype-machine, but more meaningfully from startups. Traditional finance providers that assumed they could weather the technology storm on reputation alone are quickly being proved wrong. None of the old guard is safe, because the fintech revolution is not a revolution at all. It never has been. “Fintech” is not a moment of traumatic change that will pass; it is an evolution that will sweep away the companies that do not evolve. And if you think […]

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Nov
21

Heritage Bank offers new payment service

Heritage Bank customers now have more payment options at their disposal, following the introduction of a popular service. The bank has introduced Samsung Pay, which means customers can use a compatible Samsung device to make secure purchases in-store in Australia and across the world. Heritage Bank CEO Peter Lock said the bank was thrilled to introduce another contactless payment option for its customers. “We’re delighted to build on our expertise in the digital payments space by launching Samsung Pay at Heritage,” Mr Lock said. “Our customers are looking for quick, convenient and secure payment options, particularly those that allow them to use devices they already own. “When making purchases using […]

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