Investing

Apr
15

P2P borrowing up 45% year on year

Recent surveys conducted by ASIC have made it clear that the peer-to-peer (P2P) lending marketplace is continuing to grow in conjunction with the increasing demand for alternative funding sources. During the 2017-18 financial year, new P2P borrowing increased 45% to $433m, and outstanding loans were up 59% to $518m. While these numbers have “increased significantly” from the 2016-17 figures, the data did indicate a slight slowing in the rate of investor and borrower growth, according to ASIC. Respondents reported a total of 13,446 investors and 31,421 borrowers in the P2P space as of June 2018. In 2017-18, a total of $352m was invested in the platforms surveyed.   To read […]
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Apr
12

Bravura circles competitor

The wealth management software firm has made a proposal to acquire another ASX-listed fintech that could value the latter at up to $170 million. Bravura Solutions submitted a non-binding indicative proposal to acquire all shares of GBST Holdings for a $2.50 per share in cash minus a special dividend of 0.35 per share subject to approval. GBST provides administration services to life insurers, stock brokers, wealth management businesses and institutions. Its clients include the big four banks, Baillieu Holst, Bell Porter and Morgans. The $1.1 billion Bravura is more than eight times GBST's market cap. Bravura's offer of $2.50 per share represents a 30% premium to GBST's 30-day volume-weighted average […]
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Apr
12

HashChing outlines new funding plans

The COO of digital mortgage marketplace HashChing has revealed the company is repeating last year’s fundraising exercise after failing to achieve its $5m target. Last May, HashChing attempted to use equity crowdfunding space Equitise to raise $5m in a month and a half. Interested investors could back the fintech for as little as $250. However, according to COO and board advisor Siobhan Hayden, the funding round was not successful. “We believe it was a demographic issue,” she said, explaining that the younger crowds that inhabit online crowdfunding spaces are drawn to more glamorous investing opportunities than those in the mortgage industry. The funds were intended to be used for new […]
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Apr
11

Bitcoin isn’t a boy’s club, women just aren’t getting involved

by Chantelle de la Rey, Amber co-founder, product owner and lead designer. A common question I get asked is ‘why is Bitcoin a boys’ club’? And ‘how do you cope with being a female in three male-dominated spaces?’ Well, let me ask you some questions. Why do you think it is a boy’ club? Why haven’t you as a female entered the Bitcoin or digital-currency space? Why haven’t you bought Bitcoin? Please comment below or send me a message via social media telling me your ‘why’. Here are some common responses. ‘I don’t know enough about the space.’ ‘It doesn’t interest me.’ ‘Way too volatile.’ ‘OMG the news says Bitcoin […]

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Apr
10

London threatening San Francisco’s fintech unicorn dominance, research says

London could soon overtake San Francisco as the fintech (financial technology) unicorn capital of the world, according to a new study. Of the world’s 29 fintech unicorns – private companies valued at more than $1 billion – nine are based in San Francisco, while seven are headquartered in London, the research published Tuesday said. The report, by London-based recruitment firm Robert Walters and research group Vacancy Soft, said London was “showing signs of potential to threaten San Francisco’s historic dominance of the market.” It noted that London’s fintech sector received more venture capital (VC) funding than any other EU city in 2018, securing 39% of all European fintech funding. Berlin’s […]

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Apr
07

Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong: Cryptocurrency needs 3 things for mass adoption

Brian Armstrong, CEO of popular cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase and long-time Bitcoin proponent, has issued a list of what he believes cryptocurrency needs to accomplish in order to reach mass adoption. Speaking in 45-minute Ask Me Anything (AMA) session published to YouTube on April 2nd, the CEO outlined three things that are paramount to both crypto and Bitcoin growth: volatility, scalability and usability. While Armstrong answered a number of community-submitted questions, the first and most pressing appeared to be what the industry needed to achieve mass adoption–a breakthrough that many believe to be the most sustainable route for digital asset growth. According to Armstrong, adoption for the industry is largely being […]

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Apr
05

Bitcoin enthusiasts see end to bear market

After a brutal bear market that’s stretched 16 long months, Bitcoin enthusiasts are ready to declare that the dreaded “crypto winter” is finally at an end.

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Apr
03

SocietyOne targets $50M through launch of Personal Loans Unit Trust

Australia’s leading marketplace lender, SocietyOne, is targeting $50 million through the launch of a Personal Loans Unit Trust designed to increase simplicity, liquidity, diversification, and access for its wholesale investors. The Trust will provide investors with a consistent monthly income stream and enhanced liquidity, with an expected return of 6 per cent per annum. It will invest in a diversified portfolio of SocietyOne’s fixed rate unsecured personal loans, and includes a reserving mechanism that smooths earnings across the portfolio. “We believe this new Unit Trust model will help to significantly simplify the experience of investing in our portfolio of personal loans, and provide investors with greater access to this asset […]

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