Prospa appoints Rebecca James as Chief Marketing and Enterprise Officer
Prospa, Australia’s leading online lender for small businesses, continues to build on its growth with the appointment of Rebecca James as its new Chief Marketing and Enterprise Officer. Rebecca joins Prospa from ME Bank, where as CMO she led the transformation of the ME brand, simplifying the product offering and step-changing customer experience, which saw the bank increase its customer base by 40% as a result. She drove the establishment of a business-wide customer centric culture to transform the bank into a digitally led business. Rebecca has a wealth of experience in marketing and advertising, having held key marketing and leadership roles with challenger brands and strategic enterprise channels. Prior […]
Bitcoin: What China’s crackdown means for Digital Currency
It’s been another rollercoaster ride for bitcoin. After breaking the $5,000 mark this weekend, the digital currency has dropped around 15%—in large part because China brought a screeching halt to the novel form of fund-raising known as “initial coin offerings.” According to one expert, China’s ban on these ICOs—which have allowed companies to raise over $1 billion this year by selling digital “tokens”—will have both short and long term effects for bitcoin and other digital currencies. “Chinese investors have played a crucial role in the growth of the ICO market and the recent rise in valuations,” says Robert Crea, an attorney with the law firm K&L Gates, who specializes in […]
Centrepoint signs deal with Moneysoft
Centrepoint Alliance has announced a partnership with fintech Moneysoft as part of the company’s goal to deliver a full-service money management and cash flow platform. Centrepoint’s new platform is expected to give advisers a deeper understanding of the financial situation of their clients while enhancing adviser-client relationships. According to Eoin McDonnell, head of technology delivery and architecture for Centrepoint, advisers will be able to use these cash flow tools either by incorporating them into their existing advice offering or provided as an additional service. “It allows both clients and advisers to understand how their everyday cash flow affects their long term planning and funding requirements,” he added. Moneysoft’s head of […]
FlashFX first off the block to use blockchain for international money transfers and launch into Asia
Foreign exchange digital currency provider, FlashFX, announces it is the first Australian company to receive an Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL) from Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) to transfer money internationally using blockchain technology. The FlashFX infrastructure is built on the Ripple distributed ledger technology using their real time currency settlement and payment network. “FlashFX is designed to revolutionise the way everyone makes international money transfers,” says Chief Enabling Officer, Nicolas Steiger. “We purpose built the platform to move money overseas securely, quickly, cheaply and with more control for consumers. “Blockchain offers a cryptographically secure end-to-end payment flow and records all transacted information. Being regulated by ASIC adds that […]
Peppermint secures strategic investment at a premium
Peppermint Innovation Ltd (ASX: PIL) announce a strategic placement agreement has been executed, for the investment of $1,000,000 at 2 cents per share via a placement of 50,000,000 shares in the Company, with an option to place a further $1,000,000 at a 25% premium to 5 day VWAP within 60 days from the first placement. The placement agreement has been executed between the Company and Smidge Digital Unit Trust, an Australian special purpose investment vehicle that subscribes for minority positions in innovative fintech and enterprise data analytics companies. Chris Kain, Managing Director & CEO comments: “This is a significant relationship with a strategic investor who has an intrinsic […]
Picking your peer-to-peer platform provider to invest
Disruption is not just happening to retail, hospitality and taxis. It’s also happening in financial services, especially banks, where borrowers and lenders are finding ways to engage, cutting traditional players out of the picture. At best, in this scenario, both investors and borrowers can end up winning, with better lending rates and higher returns. This sector is worth investigating for investors comfortable with debt, but be prepared to do your homework. The sector is expanding rapidly with a range of new businesses, offering differing features. But for most investors the field can be split into peer-to-peer lenders and corporate bonds. The lenders Funds are available for personal commitments such as […]
Three thousand Bitcoin ATMs to launch across Australia
Almost 3000 Bitcoin automatic teller machines will launch across Australia as part of a venture between an ATM operator and a blockchain service provider. The joint venture between StarGroup and DigitalX will see 2900 existing ATMs across Australia equipped with technology that will allow Bitcoin enthusiasts to buy and sell the digital currency. StarGroup has 500 ATMs and a further 2400 through its StarLink subsidiary nationally. The machines will be “two-way” ATMs, meaning users can acquire Bitcoin as well as convert their holdings to AUD cash instantly. The companies say this will solve a pain point for Bitcoin enthusiasts, who generally need to wait days using existing digital currency exchanges […]
Fintech future lies in a winning ecosystem: Reinventure
The Australian fintech sector must hone its focus to developing a specific ecosystem or risk losing out to a highly competitive global marketplace, according to Reinventure Group. Speaking at the Australia’s Asian Future Summit on Friday, Reinventure Group managing director Simon Cant spoke to the need for Australia to find its own fintech niche to attract global customers. He cited the success of Israel’s rapidly-expanding and globally dominant cyber security ecosystem, referred to by many as the ‘epicentre’ for security innovation. “Israel has developed a very strong reputation globally in relation to cyber security, and now people if they’ve got cyber security ventures it’s all about I need to get […]
