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Block Earner Wins Excellence in Consumer Lending at the 2026 FinTech Australia Awards
22 Jun 2026
Block Earner has won the Excellence in Consumer Lending award at the 2026 Finnies, FinTech Australia's national fintech awards. The win places Block Earner's crypto-backed lending products alongside Australia's leading mainstream consumer finance providers, and marks the company's third consecutive year taking home a Finnies award.
It's a milestone we're proud of, and one that says something bigger about where finance in Australia is heading.
Why this award matters
The Finnies are run by FinTech Australia, the not-for-profit peak body representing more than 400 fintech companies nationally. They're widely regarded across the sector as a peer-reviewed benchmark: winners are chosen from hundreds of entries through a two-round process judged by independent industry experts. The 2026 program drew 321 entries across 22 categories, with winners announced in Sydney in front of more than 500 founders, investors and industry leaders.
Being named the best in consumer lending, not a crypto or blockchain sub-category, is the part that matters most. Our fellow finalists in the category were established names in Australian consumer finance: Household Capital, Bridgit, OwnHome and Wisr. To be recognised alongside and ahead of traditional lenders is exactly the recognition we've been working towards.
The road here: three years, three wins
When we first attended the Finnies in 2023, we walked away with nothing. We made a promise to come back, and we've taken something home every year since:
2024 — Winner, Excellence in Blockchain/Distributed Ledger
2025 — Winner, Excellence in Web3 (Blockchain or Crypto)
2026 — Winner, Excellence in Consumer Lending
Each award tracks the same journey: moving from being recognised as a blockchain innovator to being recognised as a mainstream consumer lender. That progression is the whole point.
What is crypto-backed lending?
Crypto-backed lending lets you borrow Australian dollars against your cryptocurrency holdings without selling them. Instead of selling Bitcoin, Ethereum or XRP, you use those assets as security for an AUD crypto loan, keeping your crypto exposure while unlocking AUD today.
It's a model that has grown rapidly in Australia as investors look for ways to access the value in their crypto portfolios without giving up their position. Demand for these products has been rising, and digital assets are moving from a niche investment category into a broader part of the financial system.
Why crypto-backed lending is gaining ground in Australia
Several forces are driving adoption of crypto-backed loans across Australia:
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Liquidity without selling. Crypto holders can fund a purchase, a business need or a property deposit while staying exposed to their crypto assets.
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Maturing infrastructure. Licensing, security standards and institutional-grade processes have made these products more accessible and more trusted.
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Convergence of finance. Crypto finance and traditional finance are increasingly converging, and products that sit between digital-asset investing and traditional credit are becoming more mainstream.
Building responsibly: Australian Credit Licence
Building as a pioneer in an evolving regulatory environment was never going to be the easy path, and we've navigated a demanding few years to get here. We've come through that chapter laser focused on doing things the right way.
A defining moment this year was receiving our Australian Credit Licence, the same regulatory foundation that underpins mainstream consumer lenders in Australia. Credit through Block Earner is provided under an Australian Credit Licence, with a focus on security, compliance and consumer safeguards.
That's the foundation that lets us build crypto-backed lending products people can actually trust.
Where Block Earner goes from here
Crypto, blockchain and traditional finance are converging. We're building the infrastructure to deliver crypto-backed lending to every Australian, responsibly, transparently and at scale.
This award recognises the momentum behind the business and the role we believe digital-asset lending and payments can play in the future of finance. We're not slowing down, and there are big announcements coming soon.
A huge thank you to FinTech Australia for recognising the innovators in our industry, and to the entire Block Earner team who made this happen.
Explore crypto-backed lending with Block Earner
If you're holding crypto and want to unlock its value without selling, Block Earner offers fast, flexible crypto-backed AUD loans. Explore crypto-backed loans with Block Earner or book a call with our team to learn more.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this blog is general in nature and is provided for informational purposes only. It does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice, and should not be relied upon as such. Block Earner does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any information presented. You should consider your own personal circumstances and seek professional advice before making any financial or investment decisions. Past performance is not indicative of future results. All investments carry risk. *Approved applicants only. Terms, conditions, fees and charges apply. Credit provided by Web3 Loans Pty Ltd ACN 668 516 952 and managed by Web3 Ventures Pty Ltd trading as Block Earner (ACN 655 090 869) under Australian Credit License 542689.
