Fintech

ANZ’s crypto stablecoin, minted for a billionaire and rich investors, is a reminder that de-banking remains a threat to smaller fintechs

- March 29, 2022 3 MIN READ

ANZ bank has minted its own stablecoin, A$DC, becoming the first Australian bank to create its own cryptocurrency with a value pegged to the Australian dollar. The ANZ stablecoin was created for the billionaire Smorgon family’s investment firm Victor Smorgon Group, which was issued with the 30 million A$DC in February. Unlike other popular stablecoins, A$DC… Read more »

piggy bank
Fintech

The Australian government wants feedback on the next steps in open finance from the Consumer Data Right

- March 15, 2022 2 MIN READ

Consultation on expansion of the Consumer Data Right (CDR) to open finance has been kicked off by the Australian government.  A consultation paper released today calls for public input on datasets to be considered from non-bank lending providers, offering fintechs the chance to develop innovative consumer use cases.  Earlier this year, the federal government announced… Read more »

Fintech

The small detail in Zip’s results that spell out the longer term challenge for BNPLs

- March 1, 2022 3 MIN READ

Zip shares fell 7.7% following resumption of trade on Tuesday after the company announced a $491 million all-scrip takeover of US BNPL Sezzle. The merger, offering a 31.7% premium on Sezzle shares based on the 30-day volume weighted average price, is another sign of an expected consolidation of the crowded BNPL market following Square’s takeover… Read more »

small business, payment
Fintech

A BNPL just released one of fintech’s greatest innovations – it lets people pay for something when they buy it

- February 23, 2022 < 1 MIN READ

Buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) fintechs have built their brands over the last several years selling the convenience of “budgeting” your expenses. You can have your cake now, eat it too, then pay it off over 4 interest-free payments. But there’s been growing concerns about the sector, with nearly two-thirds of Australian financial counsellors supporting clients struggling with… Read more »

cyber hacking
Fintech

As the world shifts to instant payments, fintech should be a force for good in fighting financial crime

- February 9, 2022 3 MIN READ

In December, the Federal Treasurer, Josh Frydenberg announced “the most significant reforms” to Australia’s payments system in 25 years. Frydenberg said the policy package will “ensure Australia is at the front of the pack when it comes to harnessing the benefits of the digital economy.” Real-time payments are already proving very popular.  Sadly, this popularity… Read more »

Fintech

Entries for the 2022 Finnies Awards are now open

- February 9, 2022 < 1 MIN READ

There has been some truly remarkable progress in the fintech industry in the past year. We’ve seen records for funding rounds broken, women leaders in the industry excel and a number of companies make significant headway with new technologies and policies. Today, we’re calling on all companies in the sector to put their hand up… Read more »

Simone Joyce
Fintech

CBA takes minority stake in business payments fintech Paypa Plane ahead of PayTo roll out

- February 7, 2022 2 MIN READ

The Commonwealth Bank has taken a 20% stake in Brisbane fintech startup Paypa Plane for an undisclosed sum. Founded in 2018 by Simone Joyce and Jonathan Grant, Paypa Plane is a digital payments provider, building a bank-grade platform where traditional scheduled payments and payment initiation via the New Payments Platform (NPP) and PayTo, which is… Read more »

Fintech

The former boss of millennial super fund Spaceship handed 6-year ban

- January 21, 2022 2 MIN READ

The former CEO of fintech startup Spaceship has been banned from acting in the financial services sector for six years by the corporate regulator, ASIC. Paul Kevin Bennetts, of Elanora Heights on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, was found to have dishonestly obtained his Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) qualification following an investigation by the company… Read more »

Nazim Ali is CEO of airwallex
Fintech

Global fintech Airwallex launches in Singapore today

- January 13, 2022 2 MIN READ

Homegrown global fintech Airwallex has announced its official launch into Singapore today following its November grant of a Major Payment Institution (MPI) license by the Monetary Authority of Singapore. The approval will see Airwallex progressively introduce a suite of product and service offerings that will enable businesses in Singapore to operate and grow globally and… Read more »