CFA exam to include blockchain and cryptocurrency parts from 2019
With cryptocurrencies here to stay, education needs to start meeting student and employer demand. Blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies will be making an appearance in the level I and II Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) exams from 2019 onwards as part of a broader new reading called Fintech in Investment Management. The material will be released in August this year, giving exam-goers time to start logging their recommended 300 hours of study time on the topic. Like crypto uptake elsewhere, it’s being largely driven by popular demand from participants, with surveys and focus groups showing strong interest from future analysts and employers. The organisers might be equally onboard. “We saw the field […]
Australian cryptocurrency exchange Cointree enters the SMSF space with new partnership
Cointree, one of Australia’s leading cryptocurrency exchanges, has identified a growing interest from customers wanting the ability to purchase cryptocurrency with their superannuation. Due to this increased demand, Cointree is partnering up with New Brighton Capital, who offer accredited SMSF accounting services and focus on helping Australians own crypto in their super. “I am very excited about this partnership, this is the first step of the education process for our members, shedding some light around the opportunities of having an SMSF and investing into cryptocurrency,” says Shane Stevenson, CEO of Cointree. “We want to provide platform and channel where partners like NBC can educate our members on the different cryptocurrency […]
Square and BOQ team up to help more Australian small businesses get started
Global payments company Square, founded and run by Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey, has announced it is teaming up with Bank of Queensland (BOQ) for a first-of-a-kind partnership that will give more Australian small businesses a simple way to access great banking services and more flexible payment options. From today, new BOQ small business customers signing up for business banking services will also receive a free Square Reader for contactless and chip, and fee-free processing for their first $1,000 of sales. The partnership is designed as a ‘one-stop-shop’ solution enabling time-poor business owners to walk into any of BOQ’s 180 national branches, and walk out ready to start working instantly. “We’re […]
Fintechs promise to make tax returns easier
With the deadline for those lodging their own tax return of October 31 this year, preparations should be made now for staying on the right side of the Tax Office. Filling out our tax returns is a chore that many of us put off for as long as possible; though most of us receive money back from the Tax Office. About one in four lodge their tax returns by themselves with the Tax Office on the myGov website. Those lodging with a registered tax agent can file later than October 31, as late as May next year, unless the taxpayer is in dispute with the Tax Office. This year sees […]
$2bn of broker commissions in fintech’s crosshairs
An Australian fintech has set its sights on disrupting the dominance of the mortgage broking industry by appealing to the banks who it claims are keen to reduce the $2 billion they spend on broker commissions. Adelaide-based online home loan platform Joust has distanced itself from its competitors in the fintech space, which has seen a flurry of mortgage disruptors in recent years. “Joust is not a comparison site with a myriad of static rates. It is also not an online broker or aggregator. We are a revolutionary marketplace model for home loan customers and lenders,” Joust co-founder and CEO Mark Bevan said. Joust is leveraging the negative press that […]
3rd Annual FinTech Awards – Last Week For Entries!
Entries for the 3rd Annual Australian FinTech Awards 2018 are open for one more week, closing on Monday 23rd July. Glen Frost, Founder of the FinTech Awards, called for Australian fintechs to submit their entries for the 2018 awards this week “to ensure Founders, teams and fintech businesses get the recognition they deserve!” “The entry process is easy – tell us in 400 words why you should win an award. Give us details on outcomes and success; tell us about your innovation and advocacy. Plus entry is free,” added Frost. “The FinTech Awards cover the whole eco-system, from Lenders to InsureTech, and recognize businesses as well as individuals, with Awards […]
Decentralised forms nation’s first crypto vault, says bitcoin not a bubble
Stephen Moss-led Decentralised Capital has formed a partnership to capitalise on growing interest in digital currencies and new-age vaults, reflecting his view that bitcoin is not a bubble waiting to burst. The blockchain assets and investments firm has teamed with safety deposit box group Custodian Vaults to set up what they claim is Australasia’s first insured cryptocurrency vault. Custodian Vaults is part of precious metals firm Pallion Group. “This is a solution for the next phase of the industry and it gives real security,” Mr Moss, the son of former Macquarie Group veteran Bill Moss, said in an interview. “You can’t hack your way into the safe.” “In my opinion […]
CashDeck releases API, integrates with Ezidox
CashDeck, one of the leading platform providers that helps borrowers quickly and securely provide their bank statements and at the same time, generate a detailed income and expense analysis based on the borrowers’ actual transactions, today announced they have opened up their platform capability with an API. As part of this move, CashDeck is aligning the platform with Ezidox, Lakeba’s well known software solution for document collection and management. The CashDeck app is currently used by more than 700 broking firms and boasts a high satisfaction rate with both brokers and their clients. It helps lenders, aggregators, brokers and software developers simplify the process of accurately analysing living expenses. Wayne […]
