Australian National Blockchain will bring opportunities for disruptive startups, says Data61 senior research scientist
CSIRO’s Data61 data innovation group is collaborating with law firm Herbert Smith Freehills and technology giant IBM to build the Australian National Blockchain (ABN), a large-scale cross-industry platform for smart contracts. The ABN is intended to serve as a national infrastructure, allowing companies to join the network to share digitised contracts. Work is currently underway on a pilot, with the platform expected to be able to host live transactions by mid to late 2019. The decentralised nature of blockchain technology means, once the platform is available, there will be one version of a contract accessible to each involved party. Permission-based access is intended to allow data to be exchanged securely, […]
Opportunities for Australian Fintech
Supportive nongovernmental entities. Outside of government support, a number of organisations are working to promote the fintech industry in Australia. One of the latest is Australian FinTech Jobs, a website dedicated to helping fintech companies find talent and aiding people seeking jobs in the sector. Australia also has several successful fintech hubs, like Stone & Chalk, that provide work spaces for fintechs and guidance when needed. Stone & Chalk claims to have already worked with 13 startups that scaled globally, and fintechs continue to take advantage of its services. Additionally, the hub has both local and international partners, which could help Australia become more attractive to overseas fintechs. By ensuring […]
How pocket money has adapted to the digital age
This generation could be the last to know the thrill and discipline of waiting for the weekly pocket money in the form of a bundle of crumpled notes and warm coins. In a world of apps, e-books and online games, more children than ever are asking for their weekly allowance digitally to fuel modern-day spending. For many parents, pocket money has become a source of mild anxiety with the added complexity of the digital age: when should it start? How much to pay? Should it be in return for doing chores, or handed over with no strings attached? According to the survey of more than 1000 parents for the Financial […]
Micro-investing app Raiz – how it works
Raiz, which until recently was known as Acorns, is a micro-investing platform aimed at Australians aged 18 to 35. Raiz allows people to invest small amounts in the stock market using a smartphone app. Over 500,000 people have signed up to Raiz since it launched in February 2016, though only 164,000 of those are active users. Raiz now has $214 million under management and the average customer has a balance of $1234. Raiz Managing Director George Lucas says Raiz is a user-friendly, automated savings and investment tool which doesn’t seek to generate market-leading returns, though “the average Raiz customer has made 11% per annum since launch and 10.1% per annum […]
Grant Thornton support of Lakeba’s Future Hub consortium to help accelerate Blockchain Growth
Australian technology innovator Lakeba Group, and leading global independent assurance, tax and advisory firm Grant Thornton, have announced a new alignment that will see Grant Thornton’s technology industry team, support Lakeba’s Future Hub. Recognised for being one of the first technology companies in Australia to have live commercial blockchain implementations across a range of sectors, the vision of Lakeba’s Future Hub is to provide a one stop shop solution for Australian businesses looking to adopt blockchain solutions from conception, to development all the way through to tax, legal and regulatory compliance. “With the support of Grant Thornton’s technology industry team, the Future Hub will be greatly strengthened with the proven […]
Netwealth profit up in 2017-18 financial year
Platform provider Netwealth saw its net profit after tax grow 72.7 per cent in the past financial year, the company has reported. The company, which listed on the ASX on 20 November 2017, reported a statutory net profit after tax (NPAT) of $20.8 million, which included IPO transaction costs of $8.7 million. Additionally, Netwealth reported its pro forma NPAT to be $29 million, 6.3 per cent above the company’s prospectus forecast. Commenting on the results, Netwealth joint managing director Michael Heine said the company was “pleased” with its performance. “We are experiencing significant structural changes in the wealth management industry in Australia,” he said. “Many of these changes are benefiting […]
Debtor finance group profits grow
A business finance group has reported its financial results with a profit increase of 14.1% from last year. Scottish Pacific had a profit before interest and tax of $47.6m. Its net profit after tax grew 17.4% to $29.7m, which it puts down to growing customers, operating efficiencies and solid cost controls. According to the group, strong growth from its core Debtor Finance facility was supported by growing customers expanding their facilities with Scottish Pacific. Average exposure over the year is up 15% to $998m and turnover is up 13.2% to $17.5b. Commenting on the results, CEO, Peter Langham said, “We are pleased to have delivered a strong result for FY18, […]
Samsung Pay’s Australian success also now available in six continents
ITWire recently spoke to Mark Hodgson, head of Samsung Pay in Australia, who shared his thoughts on the convenience of mobile wallets; in the meantime, Samsung has announced 1.3 billion Samsung Pay transactions. Billed as being “simple, secure and almost anywhere”, Samsung Pay has reached that milestone globally in 24 markets – which has included Australia since June 2015, and which secured Australia’s four major banks by March 2018, for a total of 45 financial institutions in Australia at that time. Now comes Samsung Pay’s third anniversary, having originally launched in South Korea on 20 August 2015. Since then, Samsung reports its payment service having “experienced significant global growth and […]
