Grounds, Paradice dive into blockchain software float Identitii
The big end of town is piling into a small payments security firm’s initial public offering in the expectation they may have unearthed the next big thing. Street Talk understands UBS Australia chief executive Matthew Grounds, veteran fund manager David Paradice and Sydney-based institutional investors KIS Capital, Terra Capital and KTM Ventures are among the names lining up for a piece of ASX-hopeful Identitii. Identitii is a blockchain software company founded by Australians Nick Armstrong and Eric Knight. Its software is aimed at helping banks and other international payments providers comply with anti money laundering policies by attaching messages to each transfer saying exactly who is making the payment and why. Identitii is an add-on to the SWIFT payments […]
Capgemini backs Startupbootcamp Australia fintech programme
Capgemini has joined forces with Startupbootcamp (SBC) Australia as the first corporate partner for SBC’s upcoming FinTech Accelerator Program in collaboration with the Victorian Government and YBF Ventures. The program, focused on Open Banking and Customer Experience, will bring leading edge and innovative technologies for the Banking, Insurance and Superannuation sectors to Australia from around the world. “With the fast-evolving financial services landscape fuelled by dynamically changing customer expectations, disruptive technologies and tightening regulatory compliance, it is time for the financial services industry in Australia to leverage an ecosystem-led innovation. Our association with Startupbootcamp Australia will provide access to a global ecosystem of startups and with the leverage of our […]
Australia’s first index-style cryptocurrency fund launched
Fintech start up CoinJar, has launched Australia’s first index-style cryptocurrency fund, allowing wholesale investors to gain exposure to digital currencies without holding and trading the assets themselves. Investing in cryptocurrency to date has been notoriously difficult with limited investment options for wholesale investors. The CoinJar Digital Currency Fund (The Fund)1 takes on the management and security of the assets on behalf of the investor. The underlying cryptocurrency assets will be secured safely in multi-signature digital wallets which provide an additional layer of security for investors. The Fund has two classes; Bitcoin Class, which provides exposure to Bitcoin (BTC) only; and Mixed Class, which aims to track the performance of four […]
Stripe launches Partner Program in response to demand from millions-strong user base
Stripe, the technology company that builds economic infrastructure for the internet, has today announced the launch of its first-ever Partner Program to help its global user base—now numbering in the millions—discover new, reliable partners to work with. Stripe’s ecosystem is already comprised of thousands of informal tech partners, drawn to Stripe by its world-class technology and APIs, and access to its rapidly growing user base. Today, for every $1 Stripe makes, partners can expect to make $1.26. Stripe’s Partner Program formalises this ecosystem, giving partners access to new benefits, such as: A new partner portal with educational materials and best practices for building secure, reliable integrations to Stripe. A […]
Alipay brings QR code or tap-n-go ‘digital payments’ to Melbourne’s buskers
Chinese visitors to Melbourne can give licensed buskers the digital equivalent of a few coins via QR code, while locals can use “tap-n-go” cards in Australia’s first digital payment busker solution. Remember that viral video from a few years ago of an Indian man seeking cash donations from the side of the road from Indian drivers, and when told they had no cash on them, he brought out a mobile payment credit card terminal? Well, what if he could accept payments via QR code instead? This kind of payment system is all the rage in China, making us in the West rather behind our Chinese counterparts, but finally, Chinese payment […]
How Bankwest Halo payment ring lets you leave the wallet at home
Bankwest customers across Australia are now able to tap and go using the Bankwest Halo, Australia’s first payment ring. The award-winning contactless payment ring, which is waterproof to 50m, has been produced as part of Bankwest’s focus on empowering customers with new and innovative ways to pay. Launched in January of this year, the device has been named the Most Innovative Card Product and the Most Innovative Retail Banking Product at the Australian Retail Banking Awards. Bankwest Managing Director Rowan Munchenberg said the ring had been developed in response to the changing needs of customers. “’Customers’ needs are always changing and in today’s digital world they increasingly expect smooth transactions […]
Sharesight data now available in myprosperity
Leading wealth portal myprosperity today announced a partnership with premier share portfolio tracker, Sharesight. Clients who use Sharesight to track their investments will now be able to view them from within their myprosperity wealth portal. The direct integration of Sharesight portfolio data within myprosperity is the latest milestone in the company’s ambitious journey to create a comprehensive shared data platform for accountants, advisers, and consumers. Chris Ridd, CEO of myprosperity, said “Sharesight tracks over AUD $10Bn worth of investments and are one of the leading share portfolio trackers in Australia. myprosperity clients have more than $80M in shares which they’ve entered into their wealth portals. This partnership with Sharesight is another step towards giving Australians a full view of their wealth portfolio and empowering their accountants and advisers to provide […]
Half of Aussies prefer platforms: Stripe
The use of businesses such as Uber, Deliveroo and Vinomofo has reached a tipping point, with a new study revealing 50 per cent of Australians already prefer to use these online marketplaces versus traditional businesses like taxis, restaurants or retailers. The study conducted by Nielsen across nine countries, which was commissioned by payments technology business Stripe, revealed that Australia was significantly ahead of markets such as the US and the UK when it comes to the uptake of marketplaces, but trailed Singapore, where 73 per cent of respondents said they preferred using marketplaces. The Stripe head of growth of Australia and New Zealand, Mac Wang, told The Australian Financial Review […]
