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Hong Kong Monetary Authority Launches Stablecoin Issuer Sandbox
14.3.2024
On March 12, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) launched what is known as the stablecoin issuer sandbox arrangement. The HKMA stated that applicants interested in establishing a stablecoin business in Hong Kong should have a sound business plan. The regulator also clarified that admission into...
Hong Kong Regulators Unveil Public Consultation Paper on Stablecoin Regulation
28.12.2023
Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) and Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau have released a public consultation paper to gather residents’ opinions on the proposed regulatory regime for stablecoin issuers. The HKMA also announced the introduction of a sandbox arrangement whose purpose will...
Ghanaian and Nigerian Central Bank Open Respective Regulatory Sandbox Application Processes
29.1.2023
The Ghanaian and Nigerian central banks have invited financial innovators that wish to be included in their respective regulatory sandboxes to submit applications. The Bank of Ghana said its sandbox will also support innovations that attempt to solve the financial exclusion challenge. Solving...
Crypto Payment Infrastructure Firm Opennode to Test Bitcoin Payments in Bahrain
18.9.2022
Opennode, a bitcoin payment infrastructure firm, recently said it will run trials of its bitcoin processing and payout solution through the Central Bank of Bahrain’s regulatory sandbox. According to Dalal Buhejji, an executive director with the Bahrain Economic Development Board, the central...
Ghana Central Bank Announces Launch of Regulatory Sandbox
24.8.2022
Ghana’s recently launched regulatory and innovation sandbox is the latest proof of the central bank’s commitment to a regulatory environment that promotes “innovation, financial inclusion and financial stability,” a statement released by the Bank of Ghana has said....
Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe ‘Developed a Roadmap for Adoption of CBDC,’ Says Governor
14.8.2022
The governor of the Zimbabwean central bank, John Mangudya, recently said his organization “has developed a roadmap for adoption of CBDC [central bank digital currency] in Zimbabwe.” Mangudya also revealed that two fintech startups had been admitted into the central bank’s...
Ugandan central bank U-turns on crypto welcoming firms to regulatory sandbox
6.6.2022
The bank advised the Blockchain Association of Uganda (BAU) to sharpen up its knowledge of the sandbox regulations, inviting its members along to further technical discussions
Uganda Central Bank Says It Is Open to Crypto Firms Participating in Regulatory Sandbox
6.6.2022
The Bank of Uganda (BOU) has hinted that it is open to the idea of crypto firms participating in the regulatory sandbox. The central bank’s position follows its deliberations with a team from the Blockchain Association of Uganda (BAU). BAU Members Asked to Acquaint Themselves Sandbox...
Qatar Central Bank Studying Digital Banks and CBDCs
18.3.2022
Qatar Central Bank is presently examining the possibility of issuing a digital currency as well as digital bank licensing, an official has said. The official adds this study will help the central bank get an understanding of what its area of focus should be. The Growing Significance of CBDC...
Zimbabwe’s Central Bank Exploring CBDC, Reiterates Opposition to Cryptocurrencies
8.2.2022
Zimbabwe’s central bank, which has expressed its opposition to cryptocurrencies in the past, announced yesterday it is presently exploring the feasibility of rolling out its own central bank digital currency (CBDC). The bank also said its regulatory sandbox continues to garner interest. CBDC...
Bancolombia to Offer Crypto Trading in Financial Regulator’s Pilot Program
7.12.2021
Bancolombia, Colombia’s largest bank, will be offering cryptocurrency trading to customers in a pilot program within a regulatory framework established by the country’s financial regulator, the Superintendencia Financiera de Colombia (SFC). Customers of the Colombian bank will be able...
Fintech Firm Centbee Graduates From South African Regulatory Sandbox
24.9.2021
Fintech firm Centbee recently announced it has successfully completed the testing of its cross-border remittance application, Minit Money. The testing of the application was carried out within the framework of the South African Intergovernmental Fintech Working Group (IFWG)’s regulatory...
Central Bank of Colombia Announces First Blockchain Bond Pilot Program
24.7.2021
The Central Bank of Colombia has announced its involvement in the first blockchain bond pilot program in the country, with the participation of the Interamerican Development Bank (IDB) and Davivienda, a private commercial bank. The proof of concept will use the Lacchain blockchain platform...
Zimbabwe’s Biggest Bank Looks at Methods to ‘Leverage Cryptocurrencies’
26.5.2021
One of Zimbabwe’s biggest financial institutions, CBZ Holdings says it is looking at ways it could “leverage cryptocurrencies and other emerging digital innovations.” According to the financial institution’s chairperson, Marc Holtzman, CBZ “is open-minded about...
Kenyan Regulator Commends Its Regulatory Sandbox— Says the Test Phase Enables It to Have Interactions With Innovators
21.5.2021
According to a new report published by the Capital Markets Authority (CMA) of Kenya, the country’s regulatory sandbox has now received 24 applications, queries, and proposals since March 2019. From this total, only seven firms have been admitted into the sandbox, and “a few more (are...
Bank of Russia Tests Services Related to Cryptocurrencies
9.5.2021
Russia’s central bank has examined three platforms offering crypto-related services. The projects have been tested in its regulatory sandbox in the course of 2020. Bank of Russia has received dozens of requests to pilot various financial services since it created the closed regulatory...
Canadian Regulated Cryptocurrency Exchange Wealthsimple Begins Trading
23.9.2020
Following the regulatory sandbox approval by Canadian regulators, Wealthsimple announced that it has launched “Canada’s first regulated crypto platform.” The new crypto exchange is regulated by the federal government as well as regulators in 13 provinces and territories in Canada....
12 Crypto Firms Authorized to Operate License-Free in Hawaii for Two Years
20.8.2020
The U.S. state of Hawaii has authorized 12 cryptocurrency companies to start operating in the state without needing a money transmission license. No action will be taken against them for conducting unlicensed money transmission activities for two years. Hawaii Green-Lights 12 Crypto Firms Several...