DIY smart contracts and customisable crypto derivatives on demand
If everything’s going on the blockchain, the blockchain needs a derivatives market. Blockchain development is tough. Unlike other systems, someone who wants to build an entire platform of their own has to get their heads around the multi-faceted nature of decentralisation, and balancing technical foundations and economic theory. Even building on an existing platform is tough work and experienced blockchain developers can now pull seven figure signing bonuses from prominent companies. Ethereum in particular poses a unique challenge. Thanks to the complexities of its own unique Solidity programming language, thousands of Ethereum contracts end up being flawed or even outright broken when they go live. Projects around the cryptosphere are […]
World’s largest blockchain loyalty program launches in Australia
Blockchain company EZToken has announced the launch of its global cryptocurrency loyalty program (EZToken Rewards) in Australia. EZToken Rewards is the world’s biggest blockchain loyalty program (by size of retailer network). Members are rewarded with EZToken cryptocurrency rather than loyalty points for transacting with over 80 participating retailers. Unlike loyalty points, the value of EZToken constantly changes as EZToken is actively traded on digital exchanges around the world. With real potential to become one of the most popular loyalty currencies in the world, members who have earned EZToken can hold and see if the value rises, trade at participating retailers or transfer to other EZToken Rewards members. Best of all, […]
Piper Alderman to help shape Australia’s blockchain future
Piper Alderman is doubling down on opportunities brought about by blockchain technology. The firm has partnered with Australian technology innovator, Lakeba Group, to tackle the adoption and commercialisation of blockchain technology both in Australia and around the world. Under the partnership, Lakeba will work with the national firm’s lawyers to handle the legal implications of implementing blockchain and cryptocurrency solutions for clients and prospects. Lakeba is one of the first Australian companies to have live commercial blockchain pilots in a range of sectors. The alliance will not only facilitate reciprocal introductions, but ultimately boost the Australian market’s reputation in innovation, Piper Alderman said. “Lakeba is one of the first to […]
Moss junior fires up blockchain, crypto investment firm
It’s been a wild year for digital currencies but that hasn’t deterred Stephen Moss from setting up blockchain assets and investments firm, Decentralised Capital. Street Talk understands Moss, the son of former Macquarie Group stalwart Bill Moss, plans to offer over the counter trading and asset management services for high volume customers interested in digital assets and cryptocurrencies. Decentralised Capital has the backing of boutique financial services firm Aura Group, proprietary trading group Tibra Capital co-founder Kinsey Cotton and Vicknesh Pillay, founding partner at TNB Ventures Singapore. The new group is said to have already engaged with the corporate regulator, Australian Tax Office and has signed up with the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC). Prior to founding Decentralised […]
Fintech forcing major shifts in banking strategies
The banking sector is undergoing many changes currently, as technology is becoming increasingly important to keep up with fintech competition. It has become apparent that the space is evolving in a way that will see new technologies have an outsized impact in the next few years, according to a report from Temenos and The Economist Intelligence Unit. Additionally, the report examined the impact of open banking and how banks are shifting their business models, among other things. Here are some of the key takeaways from the report: Tech and digitization will have a bigger impact than regulation. Forty-eight percent of banking executives think new technologies, such as blockchain and AI, will have the […]
Think you’ve innovated? Enter the finder Awards 2018 to show ‘em what you’ve got
We’ve seen our fair share of fintech innovations over the past few years. From robo-advice to peer-to-peer (P2P) lending to Blockchain, innovation has been offered in spades within the Australian marketplace. The finder Awards 2018 celebrates excellence in local business innovation by recognising creativity and impact across key industries including banking, property, retail, travel and of course, fintech. Comparison site, finder.com.au, invites the nation’s most forward-thinking businesses, both big and small, to step forward and showcase their best innovation. From Best Tech Innovation to Best Personal Finance App, there are seven innovation categories now open for submission. These include; Best Tech Innovation Best Online Shopping Innovation Most Innovative Team/Person Best […]
Artificial intelligence to become commonplace at instos
About 60% of Northern Trust’s Australian-based institutional investment clients believe meaningful adoption of artificial intelligence will occur within the respective businesses over the next two years. Local instos are more bullish on AI than Singapore and Hong Kong-based clients, the global custodian notes, saying the Asia Pacific counterparts anticipate adoption happening in two to five years. Half of Australian clients surveyed also noted high-level stakeholder engagement and counter-party co-operation as vital to financial services’ adoption of blockchain. The findings come from surveys conducted at Northern Trust client events in the first quarter of 2018. Northern Trust head of market advocacy and innovation research, Asia Pacific, Danielle Henderson said as the […]
These Aussies are flying the flag at the US’s biggest crypto and blockchain conference
Blockchain companies and cryptocurrency traders are in overdrive this week as the industry’s most hyped conference gets underway in New York. The CoinDesk Consensus 2018 conference has tripled in size from last year with 250 speakers. And it’s even sparked a boon for bitcoin holders — with the digital token’s price climbing up from a three-week low as soon as the lambos rolled in. At about $2000 a ticket, the conference brings together the industry’s best and brightest — including a contingent of Aussie companies on an Austrade tour. Austrade senior investment specialist Kevin Cryan points to major blockchain projects in Australia by the ASX, Australia Post and CommBank. “There […]
