Smart contracts stories

As analogue-era banking creaks under digital demand, DeFi is quietly rewiring the rails of global finance, not blowing them up.

Wisr joins fintech consortium to tokenise a AUD $250 million asset-backed security in the Reserve Bank of Australia's Project Acacia pilot.

Australia's peak retail season intensifies with US tariffs, as retailers leverage real-time payments, smart contracts, AI, and cross-border solutions to boost cash flow.

SingularityNET and partners unveil ASI:Chain and Hyperon AGI Framework to promote decentralised, open-source AI development beyond tech giants.

IBM launches Digital Asset Haven, a secure blockchain platform for institutions, combining advanced custody features across 40+ blockchains from late 2025.

ISDA and Tokenovate have launched a taskforce to develop open-source automation for post-trade processes, starting with interest rate reset workflows.

Ledger launches Nano Gen5, its first touchscreen crypto hardware wallet with Bluetooth, NFC, and updates to its app and enterprise offerings, priced at $179.

A North Korean group has used blockchain-based EtherHiding to secretly deploy malware, targeting developers in tech and cryptocurrency sectors worldwide.

Check Point secures a spot on Fast Company's Next Big Things in Tech 2025 for its real-time security solution safeguarding public blockchain platforms.

Finance, healthcare and MSSPs face significant cybersecurity skill gaps, urging urgent upskilling beyond compliance to tackle evolving cyber threats effectively.

Chainlink and 24 major banks collaborate to reduce $58 billion global corporate actions costs, using AI and blockchain for real-time data sharing and automation.

OVHcloud's new accelerator supports 16 blockchain startups with EUR €50,000 in cloud credits, mentoring and workshops from September to November 2025.

Gartner's 2025 Hype Cycle spotlights four automation trends-machine customers, AI agents, decision intelligence and programmable money-reshaping business.

A Binance Australia survey reveals 27.4% of local investors expect Bitcoin to surpass USD $150,000 within six months amid rising optimism.

SQiBLE and Falconlabs have launched AgriTrace, a blockchain-based platform to combat AUD $3 billion annual food fraud losses in Australian agriculture.

Stablecoins, digital currencies pegged to stable assets like the US dollar, are emerging as dependable players reshaping the crypto and global finance landscape.

A JP Morgan survey reveals 71% of institutional traders avoid crypto, citing readiness concerns despite growing momentum in blockchain adoption.

Rayls launches Enygma, a compliance-ready privacy framework for Ethereum, enabling confidential transactions with optional auditor oversight and seamless integration.

Fuse has teamed up with Check Point Software to create a real-time blockchain firewall, aiming to safeguard its network against rising cyber threats.

The Depository Trust has unveiled a digital collateral management platform, set for live demonstration on 23 April, to enhance institutional DeFi operations.