This Australian fintech leader says cryptos won’t replace traditional currencies in ‘another three lifetimes’
The value of bitcoin lies in its use as a finite commodity protected by rock-solid cryptography, rather than a currency used to buy goods and services, according to Loretta Joseph, chair of the Australian Digital Commerce Association (ADCA). Joseph spoke to Business Insider following reports that Australian crypto trading exchanges must now comply with standards set out by financial intelligence agency AUSTRAC. The announcement followed an 18-month consultation period between AUSTRAC and the ADCA.“We have defined crypto as a commodity,” Joseph said. “It’s not a currency for use as a means of exchange.” “There was recently a key legal case in New York which defined bitcoin as a commodity. So […]
Aussie cryptocurrency exchange to trial BPAY’s Osko
Cryptocurrency exchange BTC Markets is trialling BPAY’s Osko service as a way to speed up conventional fiat deposits from customers. The company said it would support Osko, which runs as an overlay on Australia’s new payments platform (NPP), which went live in mid-February. The billion-dollar NPP allows banks to send payment messages in real time to each other via the Reserve Bank. In a brief statement, BTC Markets said it would trial Osko for deposits only, but that it expected the service to also support withdrawals within a few months. Osko presents an opportunity for cryptocurrency exchanges to support much faster deposits of fiat currency into their ecosystems, which can […]
Coinspot receives approval to become Australian-based crypto exchange
CoinSpot has announced they have been successful in their application to be registered by AUSTRAC to provide exchange services for crypto.
Moneycatcha appoints industry veteran John Heaton as Chief Technology Officer
Moneycatcha, one of Australia’s leading fintech startups, has appointed technology veteran John Heaton to the newly created role of Chief Technology Officer. Mr Heaton joins the multiple award-winning company from Queensland’s Heritage Bank where he oversaw strategy and technology architecture. He has more than 20 years’ experience in the IT, resources and banking sectors, having served in various senior positions at Oracle Corp and Xstrata Copper. Moneycatcha CEO and founder, Ruth Hatherley, said: “We’re absolutely thrilled and privileged to have John join our fast-growing team. “His experience in technology, coupled with insights in banking and finance, is second to none. “John is instrumental in ensuring our products are compatible across […]
BPAY Group develops BPAY BatchMaker and partners with QuickBooks
BPAY Group, Australia’s leading payments provider, has announced its latest innovation, BPAY BatchMaker, a product helping small businesses to pay multiple suppliers at the same time. As part of BPAY Group’s growing portfolio of developing innovative products for the Australian market that solve customer pain points, BPAY BatchMaker helps makes it easier for small businesses to pay multiple bills and create efficiencies by reducing manual processing. BPAY BatchMaker’s first partner is QuickBooks, the global leader in cloud accounting, with 2.8 million subscribers worldwide. The BPAY BatchMaker app is now available to QuickBooks customers, free of charge*, via the QuickBooks app store. The new application is an easy and convenient way […]
New Pelikin app fits the bill for globetrotting millennials
Digital banking start-up Pelikin aims to reshape the way people save, send and spend their money in Australia and while travelling abroad. The company’s slogan is “spend like a local”. It will be targeting “digital natives” with its app and debit card. It hopes to launch by mid-2018 and is currently seeking expressions of interest for investment on Birchal, an Australian equity crowdfunding platform. “Acting as a transactional base for funds, Pelikin wants to create a seamless digital experience between everyday banking and travel banking; an important element for a younger market who are known for their tech-savvy and globetrotting lifestyle,” the company explains. It is currently beta testing features […]
Link4 fast tracks invoice delivery to win Fintech Business Start-Up of the Year
Link4 Australia has been named Fintech Business Start-Up of the Year for its cloud eInvoicing innovation, which has so far helped 1,000 Australian businesses improve their cash flow, with invoice payments being 22 days faster than the Australian average. The awards, presented by Fintech Business with principal partner Thomson Reuters, recognise outstanding innovation and entrepreneurship in the Australian financial technology sector. Link4’s cloud service reduces suppliers’ invoicing costs by up to 44 percent by delivering their invoices directly to their customers’ accounting systems. Cash flow is increased as invoices are paid faster – an average 9.6 days before the due date for those paying early. Customers send and receive invoices […]
First Australian digital currency exchange regulated: Independent Reserve
Independent Reserve, the Australian digital currency exchange, yesterday became the first Australian exchange of its kind to be regulated. Independent Reserve is the first exchange to be regulated by the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC). Set up in 1989, AUSTRAC ensures Australian institutions conform to the required standards around Counter-Terrorism Financing and Know Your Customer rules. CEO Adrian Przelozny said the regulation represented a huge leap forward for the local digital currency industry. “We have been lobbying for increased regulation since we opened for business in 2014,” he said. “We passionately believe that the digital currency economy will – and should – become just another part of the mainstream […]
