Data revolution to transform four pillars model
You’re browsing through Facebook when a message pops up, asking if you’d like to check whether you’re getting a decent interest rate on your savings. Curious, you tap the screen to find out more. It asks you to provide a bit more information about your financial goals – you’re saving for a deposit on a house and hope to buy in about two years. You are then asked to give consent to securely share some key bits of financial information online: your income over the last six months, and your spending over this period. Within seconds, the app has a recommendation: it’s found a bank account and term deposit that […]
Equity crowdfunding a slow burn, advisers say
The legalisation of equity crowdfunding has met with enthusiasm from those hoping to raise money with it, but financial planners say it will be years before it is taken seriously by investors. Leading advisers contacted by The Australian Financial Review said no clients had approached them in relation to the new crowdsourced equity funding legislation, which was introduced by Treasurer Scott Morrison on Thursday. With Industry Minister Arthur Sinodinos set to open The Australian Financial Review Innovation Summit in Sydney on Tuesday, the government is hoping equity crowdfunding will help bring start-ups and innovation closer to the average Australian, and boost support for the “ideas boom” agenda blamed for nearly […]
Exchange traded fund opportunities and risks
Australia is a long way from having “biblical” exchange traded funds (ETFs), as the US does, that exclude companies that support lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender rights. But a rush of new ETFs in this market is creating controversy. Local issuers expect a massive conversion of investors into ETFs in the next five years, tripling the market’s size and disrupting the wealth-management industry. If product promoters are right, ETFs will revolutionise how hundreds of thousands of people invest. iShares Australia director Jon Howie believes Australia’s ETF market could hit $100 billion in assets by 2023, from $29 billion in May 2017. “There’s no reason why ETFs cannot account for around […]
OnDeck launches ‘Turn That No Around’ campaign
Small business loan specialist OnDeck Australia has kicked off a campaign, #turnthatNOaround, targeted at small business owners who are looking to seize growth opportunities, but are unable to do so due to lack of funding from traditional sources. The campaign, which is already running on radio, is scheduled to run across outdoor, social (LinkedIn and Facebook) and digital media to encapsulate an integrated multi-channel outreach. With the #turnthatNOaround campaign, OnDeck aims to reach small business owners who have experienced a “no” from their banks, giving them an opportunity to secure a loan that is much faster than the banks – it takes just one business day. “Small business owners, which […]
One country dominates the global bitcoin market
Almost all bitcoin trading is done in China. The share of the cryptocurrency that’s traded via China’s mainland currency escalated over the past few years, overtaking the US dollar as the dominant currency. From less than a 10% share in January 2012, the yuan now makes up nearly 100% of all bitcoin trading. Bitcoin surged 120% last year, outperforming every other currency in the world. It kicked off 2017 by rising above $1,000 for the first time since 2013.Those moves were made possible largely because of China. Volumes of bitcoin trading increased as China’s foreign reserves shrank, by about 8% to $3.05 trillion in 2016. Meanwhile, the yuan weakened against […]
China is behind the latest Bitcoin craze
Bitcoin had a great 2016. The cryptocurrency rallied 120% to $952, and is threatening to break the $1,000 mark for the first time. While Bitcoin has seen a consistent bid throughout the year, its 57% gain (in US dollar terms) over the past three months has been particularly impressive. So what’s behind the move? China. In his latest edition of “Greed & Fear,” CLSA’s Christopher Wood notes, “Daily turnover in Shanghai-based BTC China, the world’s largest bitcoin exchange by volume, has risen from around Rmb1bn in late September to a peak of Rmb27.8bn on 22 December and Rmb16.4bn on Wednesday (see Figure 11) while the Bitcoin price has risen by […]
Gelato Messina launches world leading mobile payment app
Gelato Messina, pioneers of weird and wonderful gelato creations and one of Australia’s most popular brands, are ditching their cash-only policy and moving towards mobile payments to the joy of cashless customers nationwide. On 4th October 2016 Messina launched a mobile payment and loyalty app that allows customers to pay with their phone and be rewarded with points. Points are redeemable for gelato, merchandise and unique Messina experiences — including the chance for one loyal customer to take seven friends on a seven course gelato experience at the Messina Creative Department. Powered by LOKE, a Melbourne fintech startup, customers will be able to add their preferred payment type, including their Paypal account, […]
Blockchain prototype gives ASX confidence
Market operator ASX says its successful blockchain prototype has given it the confidence that it can develop a system that could eventually replace the trading platform that underpins the $2 trillion Australian market. While chief executive Dominic Stevens cautioned that he could only give a “two week view” having been appointed on August 1, the trials run on the prototype suggested that it could eventually handle the required volumes and make the market more efficient for regulators, ASX customers and other stakeholders. Further development will occur over the next 18 months with Digital Asset Holdings, the blockchain start-up run by former JPMorgan executive Blythe Masters. ASX owns 8.5 per cent […]
