PA Consulting (PA) has published new global research. That is revealing an overwhelming majority of people expect sustainable financial services to become the norm (93%). According to the research, consumers are currently facing a critical knowledge gap. This should serve as a wake-up call to financial services providers.

PA surveyed 3,500 consumers globally. Also, consumers of all age groups and geographies are looking to live, shop, and bank more sustainably. Most consumers do not realise how much of an impact their financial decisions can have on sustainability. A lack of education (57%), the research revealed that pricing (62%); trust (57%); availability (56%) and accessibility (55%) are key barriers to adoption of sustainable finance products. Financial service firms must urgently address gaps in knowledge and consumer trust to drive adoption. Mark Lancelott, sustainability expert at PA Consulting, says that their survey reveals a worrying gap between consumers’ expectations of their financial services providers and their confidence in, and understanding of, the products currently available to them.

Consumers don’t realise how big an impact their financial choices can have on their ambitions. Jason Hill, financial services expert at PA Consulting, added that the pressures to meet the challenge of making sustainable finance mainstream by 2025 will come not just from consumer demand. There will be new non-financial reporting requirements and rules to prevent green-washing coming into force imminently.

Their research highlights the pent-up demand for financial products and services. Failing to meet expectations will compromise customer retention. There are three core initiatives, such as build credibility, educate, and innovate. It will take investment and ingenuity, but it is critical the industry pivots, now.

Eightcap, a multi-award-winning CFD broker, has announced the launch of over 250 Cryptocurrency derivatives, allowing its clients to diversify their crypto portfolio via the MT4 and MT5 platforms. This new launch positions the broker as the new home of crypto derivatives.

Not only has Eightcap’s latest crypto launch surpassed what other derivative providers are currently offering, but the broker has recently been recognised as the Best Crypto Broker at the AtoZ Markets annual awards 2021, beating the likes of Robinhood.

The launch has been a much-awaited solution to the current struggles crypto derivative traders face at exchanges and brokers. For example, the reduction of withdrawal limits due to regulatory issues has meant crypto derivative traders have struggled to access their funds. With Eightcap, clients will be able to buy or sell a wide range of Cryptocurrency CFDs, including crypto-crosses and crypto indices. Its clients will also have multiple funding options and be able to make swift withdrawals.

Opening an account with the broker is a seamless and straightforward process and can be done in three easy steps. Once the crypto derivatives trader has verified their account, they can fund their account via BTC, Tether, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, Credit/Debit Card, Bank Wire Transfer, and more.

“Our vision at Eightcap is to provide a new home for Crypto derivative traders by providing an unparalleled offering that includes the largest crypto derivative library paired with ultra-low spreads and fast withdrawal options,” said Joel Murphy, CEO, Eightcap. “The regulatory issues crypto exchanges such as Binance are facing means traders are left with unnecessary worries about their funds and if they can withdraw them. With us, Crypto derivative traders can have a seamless experience from the moment they open an account to when they want to withdraw their funds.”

What makes this offering even more attractive is the broker’s competitively low spreads on over 250+ crypto derivatives. For example, crypto derivative traders can start trading coins such as Bitcoin from 12 p/coin, Ether from 0.45 p/coin, Cardano from 0.004 p/coin and Dogecoin from 0.0002 p/coin.

Marcus Fetherston, Director of Operations at Eightcap, added, “The Eightcap offering focuses solely on creating regulated leveraged derivative trading opportunities for Cryptocurrency traders, that offers more security than traditional offshore exchange platforms. We are thrilled to provide a solution that meets the needs of crypto derivative traders so that they can gain the best possible trading experience.”

Crypto derivative traders currently with other Crypto exchanges and brokers have access to a limited range of Crypto derivatives with wide spreads. When switching to Eightcap, Crypto derivative traders will choose from the most extensive Cryptocurrency offering, experience tight spreads, and deposit and withdraw with ease, with a regulated broker.

Retail traders can rest assured that they are trading with a reputable broker. Eightcap has been operating since it was founded in Melbourne, Australia, in 2009. The broker offers its clients access to over 400 financial instruments across Forex, Indices, Commodities and Cryptocurrency CFDs. This year Eightcap has launched several new tools and products and, as a result, has been awarded Best Forex Educational Resources – Global and the Best Trading Support in Europe.

About Eightcap

Eightcap is an online financial trading company based in Melbourne, Australia. Eightcap is regulated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CYSEC) and the Securities Commission of The Bahamas (SCB). The rapidly growing broker provides online Forex and CFD trading solutions via the award-winning MT4 and MT5 trading platforms. Supported with competitive pricing, outstanding client support, and superior execution technology, Eightcap offers trading to retail and institutional clients across Forex, Indices, Commodities, and Shares markets.

Mastercard Inc launched a buy now, pay later service. This taps into a market that is threatening to chip away at the dominance of credit cards as a main source of payments. During this pandemic, the buy now, pay later sector got a boost. This is because of the ease of making part-payments for products they bought online or at stores. This led to a surge in business at some of the biggest players in the market. This includes Klarna, Affirm Holdings, Afterpay Ltd and PayPal Holdings Inc.

Square Inc, is the payments firm of Twitter Inc co-founder Jack Dorsey. This is bought Afterpay in a $29 billion deal. PayPal said that it would acquire Japanese BNPL firm Paidy in a $2.7 billion deal. Mastercard said that its Mastercard Installments program allows their consumers to pay for online and in-store purchases. Equal and interest-free installments are available for that. And also, it will be available in markets across the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia. The buy now, pay later option enables banks, lenders, fintech firms and wallets the ability to offer BNPL solutions. Customers have access to such offers digitally, pre-approved through the lender’s mobile banking app.

Companies offering buy now, pay later services typically charge merchants a fee, which is for offering small, point-of-sale loans to customers. This can be paid back in interest-free installments, bypassing credit checks in the process. Companies such as Apple Inc and Goldman Sachs are also reportedly working on a BNPL offering.