HSBC used blockchain to settle $250B worth of trades
HSBC has settled $250 billion worth of forex trades using blockchain in the last year, it said on Monday, suggesting the heavily hyped technology is gaining traction in a sector until now hesitant to embrace it. The bank has settled over three million forex trades and made over 150,000 payments since February using blockchain, it said in a statement. HSBC would not give data on forex trades settled by traditional processes, saying only that those settled by blockchain represented a “small” proportion. Still, the data marks a significant milestone in the use of blockchain by mainstream finance, which has until now been reluctant to start using the technology at any […]
ASX says shock departure of blockchain guru won’t affect its rollout
The Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) said its plans to switch over to blockchain technology are on track despite the surprise departure of high profile chief executive Blythe Masters from its tech partner Digital Asset Holdings (DA). Ms Masters, the high-flying JPMorgan Chase executive who was part of the team credited with the creation of credit default swaps (CDS), has played a crucial role introducing the blockchain startup’s technology to the financial sector. Digital Asset said Ms Masters had stepped down for personal reasons but added she will remain involved with the company. DA chairman AG Gangadhar will act as interim CEO until a replacement is found. “Working as part of […]
How businesses will pivot AI strategies to align with human-centric goals
Trends like Digital Transformation, Internet of Things, Blockchain and Artificial Intelligence have beset the tech and finance industries for some time now. But what was now yesterday’s buzzwords will be tomorrow’s reality. The question is, how will these buzzwords evolve into real solutions in 2019? Jayajyoti (JJ) Sengupta, Head of APAC, Cognizant shared his thoughts on the above topics and how they will change in 2019. 1. Businesses will pivot AI strategies to align with human-centric goals: The majority (92%) of executives see AI playing an important role in their business within the next three years, according to a recent Cognizant study. But in 2019, the implementation of AI will […]
SA govt launches blockchain challenge to spur industry
Offers $100,000 prize pool to entrepreneurs. The South Australian government is hoping to forge its position as Australia’s “blockchain capital” through a new $100,000 challenge for entrepreneurs. On Wednesday it launched the blockchain innovation challenge, inviting South Australian residents (or those willing to relocate) to pitch ideas that solve problems using blockchain. The government hopes to use the competition as a means to attract blockchain enterprises and make the state as Australia’s “blockchain capital”. “The South Australian Government recognises this potential and is working to create the right environment for blockchain enterprises to thrive,” it said. It is calling for “well-thought out projects” that hold the promise of benefiting the state […]
Australia punches above its weight with Blockchain Innovation
ACS, the professional association for Australia’s ICT sector, today announced the publication of Blockchain Innovation: A Patent Analytics Report at Barangaroo, Sydney. Through providing insight into innovators in blockchain technology – based on patents filed – the report will assist both businesses and governments in understanding the technology and the degree to which it is a critical enabler for continued economic growth. ACS President Yohan Ramasundara said, “Blockchain has been hyped as one of the most transformative and disruptive technologies on the immediate horizon. With the global market forecast to grow to US$60 billion by 2024, Australian businesses and governments alike have ample opportunity to leverage the technology as it matures.” The […]
Startup sanctuary: WA first blockchain centre opens in West Perth
Perth’s who’s who of blockchain were at the opening of the world’s ninth Blockchain centre in West Perth on Monday night. The centre is a WA-first and will allow startups with products that revolve around blockchain technology to share resources and ideas with like-minded entrepreneurs. Blockchain is the underlying technology behind cryptocurrency like Bitcoin. It is a digital transaction record that cannot be tampered with, making it attractive to a range of industries. Sam Lee is the brainchild of the Blockchain centre concept and said the idea helped keep startups in the city they were born in. “Access to capital has been a major pain point for a lot of […]
How game theory and Blockchain can help support a better banking network
Banking today is far from what it used to be. Increasingly, in order to power the services that consumers demand, banks need to have access to wider arrays of tech as well as new methods of interaction and transaction. While this may seem like it would only lead to further inefficiencies in banking, it can actually streamline the industry thanks to new innovations in blockchain tech, all taking inspiration from game theory. Modern banking, the type that you access on your phone when you deposit a check with a photo or when you send money using Venmo, often functions according to a Banking as a Service (BaaS) model. This lets […]
Australia’s first accredited blockchain courses have arrived
Australia now has a formal, accredited and nationally recognised way of identifying blockchain people. The Advanced Diploma of Applied Blockchain (10747NAT) consists of eight modules, including six core modules and two electives. Developed by Blockchain Collective, it’s the first blockchain course to be accredited by the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA), making it Australia’s first formal, nationally recognised, accredited blockchain course. What you’ll find The course is a deep dive into the technology and is intended to prepare students for experiences such as transitioning an operation to a blockchain network, assessing the performance of a business model deployed on blockchain and more. The course is delivered through registered training organisations, […]
