Fear & Greed Q+A

Self-managed super funds have hit a new record, with more than 680,000 SMSFs now holding over $1.1 trillion in assets. And it’s not just older Australians making the move: Gen X and Millennials accounted for almost 90 per cent of newly established funds.Recorded live at Class Ignite 2026, Sean Aylmer speaks with Class CEO Tim Steele, SMSF Association CEO Peter Burgess and Heffron Managing Director Meg Heffron about the findings of the Class 2026 Annual Benchmark Report. They discuss what’s driving the surge in new SMSFs, why billions of dollars are moving from industry funds into SMSFs, where that money goes when members leave, and what the data reveals about property borrowing and the changing profile of SMSF members.This episode was recorded at Class Ignite 2026. Class is a supporter of Fear & Greed.This is general information only, and you should seek advice tailored to your circumstances before making investment decisions.Find out more: https://fearandgreed.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The AI boom has triggered enormous investment in data centres and the infrastructure needed to train artificial intelligence. But the next opportunity could be what happens every time we actually use AI – a process known as inferencing.Sean Aylmer speaks with David Keane, co-founder and CEO of ASX-listed SCX.ai, about why he believes Australia needs its own AI inferencing capacity, the privacy implications of sending data offshore, and the possibility of Australia becoming an exporter of AI computing power.SCX.ai is a supporter of Fear & Greed.This is general information only, and you should seek advice tailored to your circumstances before making investment decisions.Find out more: https://fearandgreed.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia has a strong and resilient financial system. But the regulator responsible for keeping it that way is increasingly focused on what happens when several major risks hit at once — a scenario APRA describes as a “polycrisis”.Sean Aylmer speaks with APRA Chair John Lonsdale about the risks facing banks, insurers and super funds holding more than $10 trillion on behalf of Australians. They discuss AI and cyber threats, vulnerabilities created by shared technology providers, housing and household debt, and APRA’s push to reduce unnecessary regulation without compromising financial stability.Find out more: https://fearandgreed.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Population and migration are back in focus this week, with new figures set to shed light on one of the biggest economic and political debates in Australia - and the pressure on housing and living standards.Michael Thompson is joined by economist Stephen Koukoulas to look at the balance between migration, skills and housing, and what population growth means for the economy on a per-person basis.They also look ahead to the Reserve Bank’s appearance before a parliamentary committee, with another interest rate hike increasingly on the agenda, and explain why soaring global bond yields matter for governments, markets and investors.Join our free daily newsletter here.Find out more: https://fearandgreed.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The collapse of the Sydney property developer Bathla Group has put private credit - and its risks - firmly in the spotlight. But is the sector facing a crisis, or simply going through a normal investment cycle?Sean Aylmer speaks with Alan Greenstein, CEO and co-founder of Zagga, about his take on the current situation. They discuss what's changed in real estate private credit, why investors are becoming more focused on capital preservation than headline returns, and why global capital continues to see opportunity in Australia.Zagga is a supporter of Fear & Greed.This is general information only, and you should seek advice tailored to your circumstances before making investment decisions.Find out more: https://fearandgreed.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.