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Australia Banking Cryptocurrencies Investing

Commonwealth Bank Says It Intends to Heavily Invest in More Crypto-Related Services

A digital assets specialist at the Commonwealth Bank of Australia has confirmed the bank’s intentions to invest more into crypto facilities following the CBA’s highly successful launch of its in-app crypto trading service in November last year.

https://www.commbank.com.au/guidance/newsroom/Fitch-Ratings-affirms-CBA-rating-revises-outlook-201805.html
CommBank is looking to offer more crypto-related services.

Representatives from Visa, JPMorgan, Macquarie Bank and the CBA addressed this week’s Blockchain Australia Blockchain Week conference with reports of heightened consumer desire for cryptocurrency-related services. CBA’s Sophie Gilder in particular had some interesting updates to share on behalf of her bank:

According to Gilder, head of blockchain and digital assets at CommBank, her department is looking to offer additional products for both institutional and retail crypto investors. CBA’s goal is to offer enough crypto-related services to cater to the full spectrum of client needs and it is looking at ways to “double its blockchain size” in the coming months.

Aussie Banks Adapting to Crypto

In November, CBA became Australia’s first bank to support crypto purchases with its CommBank mobile app. Partnering with blockchain analytics firm Chainalysis and crypto exchange Gemini, CBA sought to provide customers with exchange and custody services, allowing users to buy, sell and hold digital assets.

Following the precedent set by CBA, ANZ acknowledged that “there is a weight of money you simply can’t ignore” in stating its belief that crypto was “here to stay” in Australia.

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Banking CBDCs Cryptocurrencies NFTs

Mastercard to Offer Crypto and NFT Consulting Services, May Help Develop CBDCs

Mastercard has announced plans to cater to open banking, ESGs, open data, and crypto and digital currencies, by expanding its payments-focused consulting service. It is believed the move may help it develop central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), which has been met with contempt from the industry.

https://www.mastercard.com/news/press/2022/february/mastercard-expands-consulting-with-practices-dedicated-to-crypto-open-banking-and-esg/
Mastercard Consulting Practices. Source: Mastercard

Mastercard Sets Eyes on the Future

In a February 15 press release, Mastercard announced new offerings, directed at banks and merchants, intended to cover crypto and NFT strategies, along with loyalty programs and crypto cards.

Mastercard is also exploring the possibility of developing CBDCs, having previously expressed interest in the potential of digital currencies by working on crypto cards for BitPay and Wirex.

Raj Seshadri, Mastercard’s president of data and services, has said that payments are only the beginning, and that the company will continue to help its clients “understand and navigate” the challenges and opportunities thrown their way.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/seshadriraj/

This evolution of consulting is in recognition of the changing world and of our changing business. It’s about helping customers navigate today’s challenges and anticipating what’s next.

Raj Seshadri, Mastercard’s president of data and services

While consulting efforts are set to cover topics from early-stage education to bank-wide crypto and NFT strategies, those within the industry are not so sold on the idea of CBDCs:

Securing its Place in the Industry

In mid-January, Mastercard solidified a partnership with crypto exchange giant Coinbase, which seeks to enable easier NFT purchases for users. And, in late 2021, the company secured a deal that enables consumers to buy, sell and hold assets through the crypto trading platform Bakkt.

By Lauren Claxton, Crypto News Guest Author