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From Smuggling Gold Out of Africa to Bridging Bitcoin and Cardano
26.10.2024
A longtime regular on the crypto scene, Sovryn and BitcoinOS founder Edan Yago learned the importance of financial sovereignty at an early age
South Africa Leverages AI to Track Down Tax-Dodging Crypto Traders
6.9.2024
The South African government is tightening its grip on cryptocurrency trading. Tax authorities (SARS) are issuing tax notices and clarifying regulations, likely using AI to identify non-compliant traders. The central bank meanwhile has clarified rules for crypto purchases, allowing individuals...
South Africa Approves 63 Crypto Asset Service Provider License Applications
4.7.2024
South Africa’s financial services industry regulator announced on July 2 that it had approved an additional 63 crypto asset service provider license applications. The Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) has received a total of 383 applications, with only five being declined. Notably,...
South African Retailer Accepting BTC Sees Significant Increase in Monthly Crypto Transactions
14.6.2024
The South African retail giant, Pick n Pay, has reported a significant increase in the value of monthly cryptocurrency payments, rising from approximately $1,350 to $54,000. The regions of Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, and the Western Cape in South Africa account for the lion’s share of Pick...
South African Police Nab Alleged Mastermind of Metaverse Ponzi Scheme
8.6.2024
Neil Leon De Waal, a key figure in the GS Partners metaverse fraud case, was reportedly arrested by South African law enforcement in late May. He was subsequently released on bail on June 3. Authorities began investigating De Waal following a complaint from one of his victims. The complainant,...
South African Regulator Licenses 75 Institutions as Crypto Asset Service Providers
24.4.2024
South Africa’s Financial Sector Conduct Authority said on April 22 that it has approved 75 institutions to be licensed as crypto asset service providers (CASPs). The regulator said the unveiling of licensed CASPs is intended to dispel misconceptions arising from the supposedly misleading...
South African Regulator Set to Issue Licenses to 60 Crypto Platforms by End of March
15.3.2024
A South African regulator has said it plans to issue licenses to 60 crypto platforms by the end of March. The Financial Sector Conduct Authority has said it is still processing the more than 300 applications it received late last year. South African regulators plan to oversee the activities...
South Africa Is Poised to License 60 Crypto Firms by Month End: Bloomberg
13.3.2024
Crypto companies that wanted to continue operating in the country had to apply for a license with the Financial Sector Conduct Authority from June 1
South Africa Regulators to Unveil Document Categorizing Stablecoins as a ‘Particular Type of Crypto Asset’
26.2.2024
In 2024, the Intergovernmental Fintech Working Group, a consortium of South African regulators that unveiled a position paper on crypto assets in 2021, is expected to “publish additions to include stablecoins as a particular type of crypto asset.” The consortium is also considering...
South African Regulator Expects to Determine Fate of 50 Crypto License Applications in ‘Coming Weeks’
26.1.2024
The head of enforcement at South Africa’s financial industry watchdog said on Jan. 24 that he expects the organization to decide the fate of 50 crypto firms’ license applicants in the coming weeks. The watchdog stated that from the more than 100 entities that applied for a license, 20 have since...
Report: South African Financial Institutions Will Soon Offer Services Related to Cryptocurrencies
13.12.2023
About 73 applicants who are seeking a license to offer crypto products in South Africa are already registered as accountable institutions with the Financial Intelligence Centre, an executive at the crypto exchange Luno has said. According to the Luno executive, this may be an indication that...
Jailed Mastermind of South African Bitcoin Scam Reportedly Getting Preferential Treatment in Brazilian Prison
12.12.2023
Johann Steynberg, the imprisoned CEO of Mirror Trading International, a South African Bitcoin scam entity, is allegedly receiving preferential treatment in a Brazilian prison. The General Directorate of Penitentiary Administration (DGAP) has confirmed receiving a complaint about Steynberg’s access...
South African Crypto Exchanges Revix and Bitfund Merge With Austrian Digital Asset Platform
3.12.2023
Two South African crypto platforms and an Austria-based digital asset platform have joined forces to launch a new alternative investment platform called Altify. The goal of the new outfit is to enable South African investors, particularly the younger ones, to harness the power of alternative...
Stitch Launches Payment Service Allowing Customers to Settle With Crypto in South Africa
23.11.2023
A new product offering recently launched by Stitch, a South African payment service provider, now enables customers to settle transactions with crypto. According to Stitch, this new functionality makes it possible for customers to pay with bitcoin (BTC) or ether (ETH). Local Businesses to Receive...
South African Financial Giant Says It Will Inject Capital Into ZARP Stablecoin Network
7.11.2023
South Africa’s Old Mutual Wealth and financial services provider Inves Capital recently revealed plans to inject liquidity into the ZARP stablecoin network. Inves Capital’s managing director said “crypto is entering a new phase” of growth and ZARP is set to “play...
South African Crypto Platform Pins Hope on ‘Phased Asset Recovery’ Proposal
30.10.2023
A South African crypto investment platform has expressed hopes that an asset recovery proposal will result in users regaining access to funds blocked after its custody partner froze withdrawals. The crypto platform said it has also engaged regulators whom it hopes will help expedite resolution...
Report: Valr Partnership With Visa to Expand the Reach of the South African Crypto Exchange
18.10.2023
The South African crypto exchange Valr said its partnership with the global card firm Visa is set to expand the former’s reach. The two companies said they would work on a solution that enables Valr customers to use the card firm’s network to make or receive payments. Harnessing Visa’s...
South African Crypto Exchange Valr Receives ‘Initial Approval’ From Dubai Virtual Assets Regulator
5.10.2023
Valr, the South Africa-based crypto exchange, recently said it had won initial approval from the Dubai virtual assets regulator. The crypto exchange’s Head of Growth, Blake Player, said Valr has been attracted by the Middle East region’s significant crypto flows and in particular Dubai’s growing...
Crypto Exchange Bybit Launches Derivatives Products in South Africa
4.10.2023
Bybit announced on Oct. 2 that it will be offering its crypto derivatives products in South Africa through Money Doc which acts as the crypto exchange’s “juristic representative.” The crypto exchange said its on-ramp service enables South African users to make deposits in local...
Report: Victims of South African BTC Scam Set to Receive Portion of Invested Funds
3.10.2023
Some investors who invested in the South African bitcoin pyramid scheme MTI are set to receive part of their money back once a court rules on how liquidators are supposed to handle claims. Liquidators expect to make more than one payout to affected investors while the process itself is expected...