Breaking news

eToro Expands Its Global Reach with AUD 80 Million Acquisition of Australian Broker Spaceship

In a strategic move to strengthen its presence in the Australian financial market, eToro, a global trading and investment platform, has announced the acquisition of Australian broker Spaceship for AUD 80 million. The deal, which is subject to regulatory approval, marks another significant step in eToro’s ongoing expansion efforts, as it seeks to solidify its position in the competitive landscape of financial technology.

Spaceship, an Australian fintech firm that focuses on superannuation and investment products, has built a reputation for offering simple and accessible investment solutions to a younger demographic. Launched in 2016, the company has aimed to modernise Australia’s investment approach, particularly in the realm of superannuation. Its acquisition by eToro, which boasts a community of over 32 million users globally, reflects a growing trend of consolidation in the fintech sector as major players seek to diversify their portfolios and capture new customer segments.

Strengthening eToro’s Footprint in Australia

For eToro, this acquisition is not just about geographical expansion but also about gaining access to new markets and tapping into the unique superannuation market, which is estimated to be worth over AUD 3.5 trillion. By acquiring Spaceship, eToro is positioning itself to offer a broader range of financial services in a country where the demand for self-directed investment options is rapidly increasing.

Yoni Assia, CEO of eToro, remarked on the acquisition as a move that underscores the company’s commitment to providing diverse financial products and services to meet the evolving needs of investors worldwide. “This acquisition is aligned with our vision to empower people to grow their knowledge and wealth,” Assia stated, indicating that Spaceship’s integration would enable eToro to offer enhanced investment tools and products tailored to Australian investors.

The acquisition of Spaceship also signals a broader trend of consolidation within the fintech sector, where established firms are acquiring smaller players to scale their operations and capture market share. For eToro, this acquisition comes on the heels of other strategic moves aimed at broadening its global footprint, including previous partnerships and acquisitions in Europe and the United States.

Interest rates on housing loans up and down on deposits

Cypriot banks raised mortgage rates in August while cutting interest on one-year deposits for households, according to data released by the Central Bank of Cyprus (CBC).

Meanwhile, the total value of new loans dropped sharply in August, falling by 33 per cent compared to July.

The latest figures, published on Wednesday reveal that the interest rate for short-term deposits by households fell to 1.79 per cent, from 1.96 per cent in July. In contrast, the deposit rate for businesses (non-financial companies) travelled in the opposite direction up to 2.33 per cent in August from 2.28 per cent in the previous month.

Consumer loan rates also saw a small decline, dropping to 6.59 per cent from 6.67 per cent in the previous month. Mortgage rates rose marginally to 4.65 per cent, from 4.59 per cent.

Rates for businesses, on loans €1 million also fell to 5.36 per cent from 5.61 per cent. For loans

above €1 million the rate fell to 5.42 per cent from 5.64 per cent.

In terms of new loans, there was a marked drop across the board. Total new loans fell to €395.5 million, down from €596.3 million in July.

Consumer loans also fell with net new loans at €19m, compared to July’s €28m (€26.1m net).

Loans for house purchases also declined significantly, falling to €95.6m, of which €72.3m were net new loans, down from €134.3m (€100.7m net) in July.

New loans of under a million euro to businesses decreased to €52.8m (€34.1m net), down from €75.5m in July (€49.5m net).

Similarly, loans of over a million euros were halved to €179.3m (€78.3m net), compared to €345.2m (€211.8m net) in the previous month.

Become a Speaker

Become a Speaker

Become a Partner

Subscribe for our weekly newsletter