CoreData Group

2024 marked a landmark year for Bitcoin and cryptocurrency. Starting off the year with the approval of 11 spot bitcoin ETFs in the US, Bitcoin rose to new all-time highs in December, reaching $108,135 USD (AUD 170,619) on December 17th.     Recent investment has been spurred by US President Donald Trump's comments on using Bitcoin as a strategic reserve. Further contributing to market action, MicroStrategy, the largest corporate holder of Bitcoin, headed by vocal enthusiast Michael Saylor, secured a place in the Nasdaq 100 index.     Following Bitcoin's rise this year we have seen the open of altcoin season among thousands of other cryptocurrencies, with the total crypto market cap surging from $1.65T to $3.36T USD this year.     In CoreData's whitepaper released earlier this year, we looked into how Australians were responding to the crypto phenomenon, and the implications this has for the financial advice space as more investors seek exposure to digital currencies.     Results show crypto is slowly but steadily entering the mainstream, with 1 in 10 Australian adults holding it. With this comes increasing demand for financial advisers to be able to support clients who either already hold crypto or are looking to enter the market, whether it be through direct ownership or exposure via ETFs or stocks in companies like MicroStrategy.     Recently, CoreData's Investor Sentiment Index research found 34% of Australians with an investment portfolio now hold cryptocurrency. With crypto ownership among investors now on par with that of ETFs, it's clear we should be paying attention to this space in 2025.     To learn more about our work in this area visit: https://lnkd.in/g5VrdhVb 

Even the wealthiest investors aren’t immune to bias. High-net-worth investors—often seen as rational and well-informed—admit to letting biases impact their decisions, particularly during uncertain times or major life events like retirement or divorce. Common pitfalls include risk aversion, overreliance on intuition, and confirmation bias, with 23% acknowledging the latter.   Financial advisers play a key role in addressing these challenges. By using data-driven strategies and AI, they help investors make more objective decisions, reduce anxiety, and build trust-driven relationships for better outcomes.   Read our whitepaper here: https://lnkd.in/gaAN4GpB

Superannuation accounts dominate complaints about super products, making up 73% of issues reported to ASIC. Pensions rank a distant second, followed by disputes over death benefits. These complaints highlight significant challenges for members, such as service delays and unresolved issues, potentially eroding trust in superannuation providers to deliver on their promises.   To see more research like this visit CoreData Insights: coredatainsights.com

ASIC’s inaugural report on its Internal Dispute Resolution (IDR) framework sheds light on the growing concerns around superannuation complaints. Over 220,000 complaints were recorded in the 2023–24 financial year, with more than $15 million in monetary remedies provided to members. However, service issues, including delays in following instructions and technical problems, dominated as the leading causes of complaints.   ASIC’s findings underscore the importance of transparency and accountability, as it continues to drive improvements in dispute resolution across Australia’s financial services sector. To see more research like this visit CoreData Insights: coredatainsights.com

The trust gap between industry and retail super funds has halved over the past three years and keeps narrowing. Retail funds are closing this gap by delivering stronger service, which continues to challenge the trust advantage held by industry funds. This shift highlights how service quality is reshaping perceptions and influencing decisions about superannuation. As retail funds maintain their focus on service, the dynamic between trust and performance becomes increasingly important for Australians planning their retirement.   To see more research like this visit CoreData Insights: coredatainsights.com

We’re looking for a passionate market researcher to join CoreData and make an impact in the financial services industry.   Location: Sydney, NSW Apply Now: Send your resume to sydney@coredata.com.au   If this sounds like the perfect fit for you, we’d love to hear from you!

For Australia to succeed in delivering on the promise of a dignified retirement it's apparent we need new methods of accessing advice. The number of existing advisers can't possibly cope with the wave of retiring Australians, and the complexity that brings. Positively, the Albanese Government is making it abundantly clear that the superfunds who have implicitly promised a smooth transition to retirement will not be let off the hook.   To see more research like this visit CoreData Insights: coredatainsights.com

Investor confidence in the market has shown steady growth over the past three quarters, highlighting a positive trend. However, with the recent election of Donald Trump in the U.S., the impact on future confidence is yet to be fully seen.   Australian shares remain a top choice for High-Net-Worth (HNW) investors, reflecting their ongoing appeal. But it’s not just equities capturing attention—interest in Australian bonds and Alternative assets has also increased, with more HNW investors likely to invest in these areas compared to previous quarters.   As the market evolves, these shifts in asset preference underscore a broader diversification trend among HNW investors. To see more research like this visit CoreData Insight: https://lnkd.in/gG25HXrA

After the clean-out of financial planners in the wake of the Hayne Royal Commission, those who remain are facing surging demand as Australians start to navigate the complexities of retirement. The result is improved business conditions and growing confidence. Looking forward, the repricing of financial planning is evolving on the wave of increased demand. The reasons for this increased confidence is obvious as customer engagement, trust in financial planning and demand all rise simultaneously.    To see more research like this visit CoreData Insights: https://lnkd.in/gG25HXrA

High-Net-Worth (HNW) investors have already moved to a more defensive position, reshaping portfolios amid economic uncertainty. As part of this defensive strategy, which is in full swing, it’s not cash but private assets and other alternatives that are being chosen. Financial service providers should take heed, as allocation shifts are already in motion, and the industry must stay poised to pivot if key factors—such as potential interest rate cuts and U.S. election outcomes—come into play. This trend signals the importance of adaptive wealth management strategies to meet clients' changing needs.   To see more research like this visit our CoreData Insights page: https://lnkd.in/gG25HXrA