FinTech companies in Australia have been demanding that the central Australian bank issue the Digital Australian Dollar.
Several Australia-based FinTech startups have submitted proposals to the Australian central bank and Federal Treasury to create a state-sponsored Australian cryptocurrency, the Digital Australian Dollar.
According to the Australian Financial Review, three prominent FinTech startups, including FlashFX, AgriDigital, and Othera, have approached the bank via the industry advocacy group FinTech Australia, as well as the governmental FinTech Advisory Group. These startups have urged the bank to give due consideration to creating the Digital Australian Dollar (DAD). According to reports, the DAD will be linked to the current fiat Australian currency, and reportedly is set to confirm the country’s growing blockchain enthusiasm, according to FinTech Australia chief executive, Danielle Szetho.
According to Szetho, key stakeholders such as the RBA will ensure a relationship based on trust when Australian users are introduced to cryptocurrencies. While, being linked to fiat currency, the DAD will not be able to undermine the current stability of the current Australian currency.
So far Szetho proved a critical advocate for the cryptocurrency, while also being critical of the Australian government’s delay in delivering on their promise to end double taxation in the case of cryptocurrency transactions. The double taxation was finally ended this year.
FlashF, based in Sydney, was one of the pioneering startups which provided financial services to facilitate blockchain related activities. While all three startups have their own tokens, they argued that the DAD would be more powerful than any other digitized version of the Australian dollar, as well as create trust amongst Australian citizens.
According to FlashFX chief enabling officers, Nicolas Steiger, a DAD endorsed by the government would encourage increased trust and certainty amongst users. In addition, implementing the DAD would lead to immense growth in the marketplace. Lastly, it would discourage unofficial parties to release unendorsed digital Australian dollars.
Another advocate for state-backed cryptocurrency is the blockchain startup, AgriDigital, who facilitates transactions between farmers and buyers.
While AgriDigital uses blockchain to record, store, and facilitate transactions, payments are still in the fiat currency. This is mainly due to the volatility of cryptocurrency.
According to AgriDigital co-founder, Emma Weston, a state-sponsored DAD would make payments easier and more convenient.
The last startup, Othera, manages digital loan contracts that are based on blockchain technology. According to Othera’s chief executive, the company is currently pressed to work with existing legacy payment systems in the financial industry in order to process payments from loan borrowers before they can forward payments to the token holders of the contract.
John Pellew, CEO of Othera stated that the current system is a slow and painful process which does not sufficiently utilize the full scope of what blockchain technology has to offer. A DAD would enable all companies to unlock a significantly quicker and more convenient payment technology.
According to reports, the Australian central bank is currently engaged in reviewing the proposals and launching an investigation before they will reveal their decision.