Hong Kong’s banking regulators along with several banks to launch blockchain-based trading platform

In a landmark development that is aimed at streamlining, boosting efficiency and which introduces next-gen technology in the financial services sector, for the first time a government-led efforts along with players from the financial sector industry are collaborating to launch a blockchain-based trade and finance platform. The banking industry is known for its insistence on…

Facebook staring at potential class-action lawsuit in Australia

The likelihood of the class-action lawsuit will depend on the findings of the Australian Information Commissioner which is probing Facebook’s improper handling of 311,000 Australian users’ data. On Tuesday, IMF Bentham Ltd, a litigation funding provider, disclosed it was funding a representative who has complained against Facebook Inc’s alleged breaches of Australia’s Privacy Principles. IMF…

Utility-scale batteries set to be a multi-billion dollars market by 2022

The nenewable energy market in the Asia Pacific region is to boom with utility-scale batteries replacing expensive power grids. In a strategic move, Japan’s JERA, is set to collaborate with a U.S.-German joint venture along with an Australian firm in order to develop battery projects in the Asia-Pacific region. The move targets a market expected…

Australia moves to regulate bitcoins

As a first step, cryptocurrency providers in Australia will have to register themselves with AUSTRAC and comply with KYC norms. On Wednesday, in a move aimed minimizing the risks surrounding cryptocurrencies, Australia has brought the country’s cryptocurrency providers under the purview of its financial intelligence unit, so as to monitor and take necessary action against…

Australia welcomes Britain joining the TPP once it leaves the European Union

Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop made it lucidly clear that in any such deal, Australia would want to secure the rights for its citizens to work in Britain. On Monday, Julie Bishop, Australia’s Foreign Minister stated it would welcome Britain’s participation in the regional trade group, Trans-Pacific Partnership, after March 31, 2019. Earlier this year,…

A modular, cost-effective approach to LNG export terminals projected to place the U.S. as the second biggest exporter of LNG in the world

While legacy train designs have proven themselves in the past, smarter, newer LNG terminals are likely to change the market dynamics and bring in more elasticity and adaptability to contracts in changing market conditions in the near future. Terminals for liquefied natural gas that ship and receive the fuel are undergoing a technological revolution. The…

Ola to enter Australian ride-hailing market in early 2018

Holding a dominant market share in India’s fierce ride-hailing market, Ola plans on launching itself in Australia by inviting driving partners and private vehicle owners in the cities of Perth, Melbourne and Sydney. On Tuesday, Ola, an Indian ride-hailing company announced plans on entering the Australian market intensifying its effort to win market share embattled…

Australia ramps up efforts to tighten money-laundering laws midst a fresh scandal at the Commonwealth Bank of Australia

The Australian government seeks to empower its financial intelligence watchdog with investigative and enforcement powers. Australia has proposed enabling stronger money laundering laws, including bringing bitcoin providers under the jurisdiction of the its financial intelligence unit, following yet another fresh scandal at one of its biggest banks. The Australian has stated it would table a…

Computer worm leaves a trail of disruption in its wake across the globe

It is surprising how many world class businesses still use Microsoft’s Windows XP operating system, one that is totally outdated, in their core production facilities. The major cyberattack that left a wreck in its wake, including halting the operations of Cadbury’s chocolate plans in Australia, crippling the computers of port operator Maersk, is believed to…