logo
Aussie bank delivers huge card makeover

Aussie bank delivers huge card makeover

Yahoo10-02-2025
AMP Bank is introducing numberless debit cards for its small business and personal banking customers in a radical makeover designed to combat fraud and scams.
The retail bank partnered with US payments giant Mastercard to deliver the striking new-look cards, which don't present any front-facing numbers like standard issue bank cards.
The back of the card presents a four-digit number.
The bank claims by removing visible card numbers, small businesses will be 'less susceptible' to fraud and scams.
The cards are linked to the bank's push for a new app-only service, meaning only customers operating through AMP's mobile app-based bank can access the cards.
AMP, unlike Commonwealth Bank or NAB, does not host any brick-and-mortar branches, and operates as a 'digital bank'.
Customers would access their 16-digit number online through the app, the bank said.
The app will include other security features such as advanced fraud and scam protection systems to protect customers and multimodal biometric authentication, the bank said.
Customers will be encouraged to use face ID and fingerprint ID to enter the app and then to record a video selfie when they first sign up to prevent identity theft.
Mastercard Australasia division president Richard Wormald said the numberless cards represented a 'significant step forward in payment security'.
'Numberless cards represent a significant step forward in payment security, offering cardholders additional protection against fraud and account compromise,' he said.
'Mastercard is proud to partner with AMP Bank to deliver these new safeguards to Australian entrepreneurs, empowering them to spend less time worrying about fraud and scams, and more time focusing on what they do best.'
The bank, part of ASX-listed AMP Limited, boasts more than one million customers across Australia and New Zealand.
Sean O'Malley, AMP Bank Group Executive Sean O'Malley said the innovation would be 'one of many firsts' for the digital first bank.
'We all know that banks simply have to do a better job of supporting the millions of small businesses operating across Australia,' he said.
'That's why we've developed a new mobile banking platform with leading tech that is proven to make it easier and safer for business owners to operate and administer their businesses.
'Mastercard's numberless bank cards are one of many firsts for micro and small businesses that we expect to deliver with the digital-first AMP Bank.'
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

BTCC Exchange Reports Remarkable Q2 2025 Performance with $957 Billion Trading Volume
BTCC Exchange Reports Remarkable Q2 2025 Performance with $957 Billion Trading Volume

Business Insider

time17 hours ago

  • Business Insider

BTCC Exchange Reports Remarkable Q2 2025 Performance with $957 Billion Trading Volume

BTCC, one of the world's longest-operating cryptocurrency exchanges, today announced exceptional Q2 results for 2025, with total trading volume surpassing $957 billion and user base expanding to over 9.1 million globally. The milestone quarter was highlighted by BTCC's 14th anniversary celebration in June. Q2 Trading Volumes Surge with Strategic Product Expansion BTCC's remarkable $957 billion total trading volume comprised $107 billion in spot trading and $850 billion in futures trading, representing substantial growth from Q1's $815 billion. The exchange strategically expanded its futures offerings by listing trending coins, including HUMA (Huma Finance), PLUME (Plume), and RESOLV (Resolv), while breaking new ground in tokenized assets by adding POPMART tokenized stock, a booming Hong Kong-listed company famous for its viral Labubu collectibles. "Q2 2025 showed the resilience and maturity of both our platform and the broader crypto ecosystem," said Alex Hung, Head of Operations at BTCC. "Even with market fluctuations, we achieved exceptional performance with over 9.1 million registered users now trusting our platform while staying committed to user protection." Beyond trading volume growth, BTCC reinforced its commitment to user safety by strengthening its Risk Reserve Fund with an additional $1.8 million, bringing the total to over $16.8 million. Enhanced Transparency with Monthly Proof of Reserves Reports In addition to strengthening security measures, BTCC took a major step forward in transparency by releasing monthly Proof of Reserves reports throughout Q2. The total reserve ratio across major currencies, including BTC, ETH, XRP, USDT, USDC, and ADA, consistently exceeded industry standards, with April reaching 161%, May maintaining 152%, and June achieving 135% — all significantly above the 100% industry benchmark. Upgraded Demo Feature and Anniversary Milestone Complementing its transparency efforts, BTCC enhanced its beginner-friendly platform with an upgraded demo trading feature that allows users to self-service top-ups of up to 500,000 USDT per week for expanded practice trading opportunities. Building on these user-focused improvements, June 2025 marked BTCC's 14th anniversary, a milestone celebrated with the launch of the platform's first-ever user badge program featuring the exclusive "14 Years of Momentum" badge. Badge holders can enjoy ongoing exclusive benefits, including airdrops, special campaigns, and community recognition. "Our 14th anniversary celebration was particularly meaningful as it honored users who have trusted us through various market cycles," said Alex Hung. "The badge program is our way of giving back to the community that has been with us on this incredible journey." Global Community Engagement Takes Center Stage Extending beyond the platform, BTCC brought the crypto community together offline with a major presence at TOKEN2049 Dubai as gold sponsor in April, hosting an exclusive desert safari tour and a VIP yacht party featuring top crypto influencers. The exchange also demonstrated its commitment to social responsibility by partnering with Red Eagle Foundation to facilitate Bitcoin donations at the Legends Golf Day charity event in April. Strategic Roadmap for Continued Excellence Building on Q2's achievements, BTCC plans to launch a comprehensive Trading Info Center in Q3, with the Quick Updates section going live in July. The exchange is also advancing its Futures Pro platform, currently in beta, with plans to roll out additional features and system optimizations. "Our upcoming Trading Info Center represents our commitment to user-centric services, providing users with the tools they need to navigate this dynamic market successfully," said Alex Hung. "As we enter the second half of 2025, BTCC remains committed to platform enhancement while maintaining the trust and security standards that have defined our 14-year journey." Looking ahead, BTCC is preparing for major community engagement initiatives, including an offline summer festival in Japan and a strategic athlete sponsorship scheduled for August 2025. As BTCC continues to evolve and adapt to the changing cryptocurrency landscape, the exchange remains steadfast in its mission to provide secure, reliable trading services that aim to empower users to succeed in their crypto trading journey. About BTCC Founded in 2011, BTCC is one of the world's longest-serving cryptocurrency exchanges, offering secure and user-friendly trading services to millions of users globally. With a commitment to security, innovation, and community building, BTCC continues to be a trusted platform in the evolving cryptocurrency landscape. Contact Aaryn Ling

What Destinations Get Wrong (and Right) About the Muslim Travel Market
What Destinations Get Wrong (and Right) About the Muslim Travel Market

Skift

timea day ago

  • Skift

What Destinations Get Wrong (and Right) About the Muslim Travel Market

Destinations investing early and comprehensively in halal-friendly travel are likely to gain long-term competitive advantage as this sector continues to grow. The global Muslim travel market is expected to reach $235 billion by 2030, up from $189 billion in 2024, according to the 2025 Mastercard-CrescentRating Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI), released last month. The Muslim, or halal, travel sector caters to the specific needs of Muslim travelers, including halal-certified food, access to prayer spaces, and accommodations that align with Islamic values. The Muslim travel index, a widely cited benchmark, tracks this segment and ranks 145 destinations worldwide using a four-point framework: Access, Communication, Environment, and Services. The report attributes the sector's projected growth to three key trends: a rising global Muslim population, from 2.12 billion in 2024 to a projected 2.47 billion by 2034, increasing disposable income, and better access to travel infrastructure. In 2024, international arrivals of Muslim travelers were 10% higher than pre-pandemic levels. Malaysia and Singapore On Top Southeast Asia continues to outperform other regions in attracting Muslim travelers. Malaysia once again ranked first among Muslim-majority destinations. Singapore leads all non-Muslim-majority countries, thanks to its extensive halal food offerings, inclusive tourism services, and traveler-friendly airport infrastructure. 'Thailand has been targeting the halal travel market for a long time, primarily to attract tourists from Malaysia and Indonesia,' said Fazal Bahardeen, CEO of CrescentRating. He noted that the Philippines is becoming a serious contender, 'They're (The Philippines) the first non-Muslim destination to offer a halal-friendly beach in Boracay for Muslim families.' The Philippines Department of Tourism created a halal travel portfolio, expanded halal food certifications, and launched awareness training for tourism operators. Speaking at the Skift Asia Forum, Christina Garcia Frasco, tourism secretary of the Philippines, discussed how there has been a very serious push towards expanding the Philippines' Muslim-friendly tourism portfolio. Other Asian destinations including Taiwan, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, and Cambodia are also investing in halal-friendly offerings. Hong Kong and Taiwan ranked third and fourth, respectively, among non-Muslim-majority destinations in the travel index. What Muslim Travelers Actually Want 'Many people have a misconception that halal travel is limited to the Middle East,' said Azwan Ariffin of Tripfez, a Malaysia-based online travel agency focused on Muslim-friendly travel. 'In reality, any destination can attract halal travelers by offering food and facilities which meet their religious requirements.' Bahardeen said that Muslim travelers want many of the same things other travelers do, such as seamless digital services, cashless transactions, and streamlined immigration, but with an added layer of faith-based considerations. 'The Muslim market is not a behemoth,' he said. 'It's segmented into three categories, depending on how strictly Muslim travelers observe their faith: 20% are 'strictly practicing,' 60% are 'practicing,' and 20% are 'less practicing.'' Destinations must understand that each of these groups has different expectations. 'Strictly practicing Muslims may require dedicated prayer facilities and halal-only dining and accommodation options,' Bahardeen said. 'Less practicing Muslims may need halal food available but can be more flexible on other options.' Muslim-majority countries are often well positioned to cater to all levels of practice. Others may be limited by cultural norms, infrastructure, or funding. 'For Muslims, there are some overall essential requirements for a destination, or 'need to have,'' Bahardeen said. 'For example, halal food, access to prayer spaces, water-friendly toilets, and no Islamophobia. Then there are qualities that are 'good to have,' such as fasting-friendly hotels and Muslim-friendly experiences.' The final tier, described as 'nice to have,' includes destinations with no non-halal food or alcohol and separate activities for men and women. Accessibility Still Overlooked Many Muslim travelers travel with extended family, including elderly or disabled relatives. According to United Nations Tourism, nearly 50% of people over age 60 have a disability, yet most global destinations are still not designed with their needs in mind. Muslim travelers in particular need hotels, prayer areas, and transportation options that accommodate wheelchairs and limited mobility. 'Accessibility is a neglected area that we are trying to push,' Bahardeen said. The travel index added accessibility as a standalone category in 2023, highlighting a major gap in tourism readiness. Gen Z and Millennials Reshaping the Market Younger Muslim travelers are driving much of the sector's growth. Millennials and Gen Z Muslims tend to be more mobile-first, experience-oriented, and digitally fluent. 'Younger Muslim travelers are more flexible, less strict than older generations,' said Ariffin. 'For example, requiring that a hotel be clean, but not necessarily halal.' They are also a powerful marketing force. 'Younger Muslims are willing to be more adventurous and independent and can have a big positive impact on travel markets through their social media,' he said. These travelers also help destinations smooth out seasonal peaks. Many plan trips around Islamic holidays, such as Ramadan and Eid, which fall at different times each year and can boost tourism during otherwise slower periods. 'Leveraging the Muslim travel market also gives a destination more economic stability in case other tourist sectors fall off,' Bahardeen said. CrescentRating CEO Fazal Bahardeen at the Skift Asia Forum

3 ASX Penny Stocks With Market Caps Over A$70M
3 ASX Penny Stocks With Market Caps Over A$70M

Yahoo

timea day ago

  • Yahoo

3 ASX Penny Stocks With Market Caps Over A$70M

As Australian shares anticipate a modest rise, the market is buzzing with activity, influenced by global indices like the S&P 500 reaching new heights. Amidst this backdrop, penny stocks continue to capture investor interest for their potential growth opportunities at accessible price points. While the term "penny stocks" might seem outdated, these smaller or newer companies can offer significant value when they possess strong financials and clear growth paths. Name Share Price Market Cap Financial Health Rating Alfabs Australia (ASX:AAL) A$0.37 A$106.04M ★★★★☆☆ EZZ Life Science Holdings (ASX:EZZ) A$2.23 A$105.2M ★★★★★★ GTN (ASX:GTN) A$0.62 A$118.24M ★★★★★★ IVE Group (ASX:IGL) A$2.82 A$434.79M ★★★★★☆ Southern Cross Electrical Engineering (ASX:SXE) A$1.80 A$475.94M ★★★★★★ Sugar Terminals (NSX:SUG) A$0.99 A$363.6M ★★★★★★ Navigator Global Investments (ASX:NGI) A$1.71 A$838.04M ★★★★★☆ Accent Group (ASX:AX1) A$1.41 A$847.67M ★★★★☆☆ Bisalloy Steel Group (ASX:BIS) A$3.75 A$177.94M ★★★★★★ CTI Logistics (ASX:CLX) A$1.80 A$144.98M ★★★★☆☆ Click here to see the full list of 474 stocks from our ASX Penny Stocks screener. Here's a peek at a few of the choices from the screener. Simply Wall St Financial Health Rating: ★★★★★☆ Overview: Amcil Limited is a publicly owned investment manager with a market cap of A$358.12 million. Operations: The company generates its revenue primarily from investments, amounting to A$9.74 million. Market Cap: A$358.12M Amcil Limited, with a market cap of A$358.12 million, primarily generates its revenue from investments totaling A$9.74 million. Despite negative earnings growth of -7.5% over the past year, Amcil's short-term assets (A$12.3M) comfortably exceed its short-term liabilities (A$2.9M). The company is debt-free and benefits from a seasoned management team with an average tenure of 9 years and an experienced board averaging 8.1 years in tenure. However, its dividend yield of 3.52% is not well covered by earnings or free cash flows, and long-term liabilities (A$49.8M) surpass short-term assets. Jump into the full analysis health report here for a deeper understanding of AMCIL. Assess AMCIL's previous results with our detailed historical performance reports. Simply Wall St Financial Health Rating: ★★★★☆☆ Overview: Accent Group Limited operates in the retail, distribution, and franchise sectors for lifestyle footwear, apparel, and accessories across Australia and New Zealand, with a market cap of A$847.67 million. Operations: Accent Group generates its revenue primarily from two segments: Retail, which accounts for A$1.30 billion, and Wholesale, contributing A$475.92 million. Market Cap: A$847.67M Accent Group Limited, with a market cap of A$847.67 million, operates in the retail sector with substantial revenue streams from its Retail (A$1.30 billion) and Wholesale (A$475.92 million) segments. Despite recent negative earnings growth, the company is trading at a significant discount to its estimated fair value and offers high-quality earnings with well-covered interest payments on debt. Recent strategic initiatives include a partnership with Frasers Group to launch Sports Direct in Australasia, providing access to global brands and potential expansion opportunities. However, challenges include increased debt levels and lower net profit margins compared to last year. Navigate through the intricacies of Accent Group with our comprehensive balance sheet health report here. Assess Accent Group's future earnings estimates with our detailed growth reports. Simply Wall St Financial Health Rating: ★★★★☆☆ Overview: ImpediMed Limited is a medical technology company that manufactures and sells bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS) technology medical devices in the United States and Europe, with a market cap of A$79.00 million. Operations: The company generates revenue of A$11.54 million from its medical segment. Market Cap: A$79M ImpediMed Limited, with a market cap of A$79 million, operates in the medical technology sector and generates A$11.54 million in revenue from its medical devices. The company is debt-free and has seen a reduction in losses over the past five years, although it remains unprofitable with no forecasted profitability within three years. Analysts expect significant stock price appreciation despite high volatility and limited cash runway under current conditions. The board and management are relatively new, indicating potential strategic shifts but also posing risks due to their lack of experience. Recent participation at an industry conference highlights ongoing engagement with key stakeholders. Click here and access our complete financial health analysis report to understand the dynamics of ImpediMed. Examine ImpediMed's earnings growth report to understand how analysts expect it to perform. Click this link to deep-dive into the 474 companies within our ASX Penny Stocks screener. Want To Explore Some Alternatives? We've found 16 US stocks that are forecast to pay a dividend yeild of over 6% next year. See the full list for free. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Companies discussed in this article include ASX:AMH ASX:AX1 and ASX:IPD. This article was originally published by Simply Wall St. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@ Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store