IBM, Top Australian Banks Execute Country’s First Blockchain Bank Guarantee

Blockchain is changing how banks handle debt. One of Israel’s largest banks, Bank Hapoalim, has joined a blockchain-based platform recently released by IT firm Tata Consultancy Services, or TCS.TCS’ platform, dubbed Digital Bank Guarantee, is based on the Quartz blockchain and targets the digital banking industry in Israel. The new tool will supposedly help banks more effectively manage the lifecycle of bank guarantees including issuance, modification, termination and invocation.Bank guarantees are a financial safeguard offered by banks, in which a lender ensures the obligations of a....

Moreover, it is evident these Australian banks have no intention of supporting Apple Pay whatsoever, and collaborating in this regard seems the best possible outcome for all parties involved. Many people think the bigger banks are only opposing Bitcoin and cryptocurrency, but that is not entirely correct. Over in Australia, the banks are opposing Apple Pay as well. A new collaboration between the country’s three biggest banks will shake up things by quite a margin. If their approval is granted, the institutions will negotiate with Apple to install their own mobile payment solutions on....

Australia's largest banks have ended all financial support and abruptly closed down the bank accounts of at least 17 Australian Bitcoin companies, including the Australian Digital Currency Commerce Association Chairman Ron Tucker's Australian bitcoin exchange Bit Trade. "The banks had not advised any of our members. To the best of our knowledge all, or nearly all digital currency businesses have received letters from their bank, or in many cases banks, advising of the closure of their accounts. This includes at least 17, with 13 of these closed permanently," Tucker told Bitcoin Magazine.....

Australian banks have advised Australian bitcoin companies they are closing their accounts, according to The Australian Financial Review. The publication has seen the letters from Westpac Banking Corporation and Commonwealth Bank of Australia. Ron Tucker, chairman of The Australian Digital Currency Commerce Association, said all large Australian banks were shutting the door on bitcoin companies. The banks sent letters to Australian bitcoin exchanges, including Bit Trade and Buyabitcoin. The letters said the banks will close the exchanges' accounts and did not give any explanation. At least....

Australia’s so-called “Big Four” banks will be closely monitored for any attempts to purchase Fintech or blockchain-based startups by the country’s competition regulator. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) will scrutinize any dealings or attempts by Australia’s biggest banks to swallow Fintech companies developing technologies like blockchain solutions in the financial sector, revealed the body’s chairman Rod Sims. As has been the predominant narrative for well over a year now, the Fintech revolution is seen as the banking industry’s biggest disruptive threat.....