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, […]
Xplora invests US$1m into BLOCKLOAN
Xplora Capital has announced the purchase of USD $1 million (AUD $1.35 million) worth of tokens from BLOCKLOAN – a new blockchain peer-to-peer lending marketplace. Blockchain and crypto are triggering a societal and economic shift before our eyes. Financial institutions are failing to address the market needs. It’s time for a new solution to old problems. Mark Finch, Managing Director of Xplora Capital stated, “As an early investor into BLOCKLOAN and working in the Financial Services space for 20 years we believe in Co Founder’s Michael and Bill’s vision and roadmap for providing the ability for people to access credit on a global scale and better rates than the banks. […]
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 […]
Fintech start-up QPay gets $1M in funding from Angels and Sharks
Student marketplace and payments app, QPay, has secured a $1 million cash injection after funding from the Sydney Angels Sidecar Fund 2 was supplemented by a $380,000 combined investment by Steve Baxter and Naomi Simson in exchange for 8.4 per cent of the firm’s equity during last night’s episode of Shark Tank. Funds were also received from American Express, and from the Chairman of the Australian British FinTech Cyber Catalyst, Andrew Chick, to make up the total $1 million. The funds will primarily be used to extend the reach of QPay’s recently launched student-targeted MasterCard to the 4,000-plus students on its waiting list, as well as to build a sales […]
Stake drops minimum funding to $50, giving every Australian direct access to $31 trillion US share market
Australia’s fastest growing stock broker Stake has today made it even easier for Aussies to invest directly in the $31 trillion US share market, lowering its minimum investment amount from $500 to $50. The lower entry point gives even more Aussies direct access to more than 3,000 game-changing companies and shares listed in the US, including Apple, Tesla, Google, Disney, and Amazon. The move to lower its minimum investment to AU$50 is part of Stake’s dedication to remove barriers to global trading, adding to the work it’s already done offering $0 brokerage, fractional investments, and same day money transfers. The announcement follows the launch of Stake’s iOS app on 4 July, which […]
