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CBDCs threaten our future, so it’s time to take a stand
9.3.2023
Central bank digital currencies will give governments around the globe unprecedented power to surveil (and control) your financial activity
India-Russia Oil Deals Chip Away at Dollar Dominance in International Trade
8.3.2023
On Wednesday, Reuters reported that Western sanctions on Russia and oil trading between Moscow and India have started to erode the dollar’s decades-old dominance of international oil trade. The oil deals between India and Russia have been settled in other currencies, putting the U.S....
Kenyan Forex Crisis: Central Bank Orders Financial Institutions to Ration Dollars
6.3.2023
Growing shortages of foreign exchange on the interbank market have reportedly forced the Central Bank of Kenya to ask financial institutions to ration dollar purchases by Kenyan businesses. The shortages have forced Kenyan firms to seek greenbacks on alternative markets where the exchange rate...
Reports Indicate USDT Is Being Used in Venezuela to Facilitate Settlements and to Avoid Sanctions
27.2.2023
Some companies in Venezuela are using the stablecoin tether as a way of sidestepping sanctions and settling payments with foreign customers and providers. Local reports indicate that, while the most popular use case for the stablecoin involves its purchase for devaluation shielding purposes,...
South Africa Added to FATF ‘Grey List’ Despite Designation of Crypto as a Financial Product
26.2.2023
In a move seen as a major setback for South Africa, the international financial watchdog, the Financial Action Task Force, announced on Feb. 24 that it had added the country to its “grey list.” Getting grey-listed by the financial watchdog potentially makes it difficult for South Africa...
Moody’s Says Forex Shortages May Force Nigerian Central Bank to Delay Repaying Local Banks
17.2.2023
The persistent scarcity of foreign exchange may force the Nigerian central bank to delay repaying the $10.4 billion owed to local banks, analysts at Moody’s Investors Service have concluded. The central bank’s failure to pay its debts on time will likely force the affected financial...
Prosecutors Seek Restrictions on Former FTX CEO’s Electronic Devices Following VPN Use for Football Streaming
17.2.2023
Prosecutors in the financial fraud case against former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried (SBF) are attempting to persuade the judge to restrict his use of electronic devices. It has been revealed that SBF used a virtual private network (VPN) to watch the Super Bowl through a foreign subscription service...
Uzbekistan Allows Foreign Firms to Deposit Funds From Crypto Trading, Restricts Other Operations
16.2.2023
The Central Bank of Uzbekistan has permitted foreign-based businesses to open domestic bank accounts and deposit funds received from cryptocurrency trading. These companies will also be able to transfer the money abroad, but operations in the country will be restricted. Uzbekistan Updates Rules...
DPA Token (DPAT) and Blockchain Technology: The Key to Unlocking Africa’s Economic Potential
14.2.2023
PRESS RELEASE. For foreign investors who have always wanted to diversify their portfolio with African assets but have been held back by security and transparency, this might be a game-changer. Africa is a continent that is rich with potential and opportunity. However, due to prolonged periods...
OFAC-compliant blocks on Ethereum hits three-month low of 47%
14.2.2023
The fall to 47% comes nearly three months after the percentage of OFAC-compliant blocks reached its peak at 79% on Nov. 21
Report: Egyptian Lawmakers Hail Parliament’s Endorsement of Pact to Join BRICS Bank
3.2.2023
Egyptian lawmakers recently hailed the parliament’s endorsement of a pact that allows the country to join the New Development Bank, a report has said. According to the report, the lawmakers believe joining this BRICS-backed institution will help Egypt reduce its demand for dollars and enable...
Ghanaian Cedi Second Worst-Performing Asset Among Sub-Saharan Africa’s Top 15 Currencies
24.1.2023
In just the first 17 days of the new year, the Ghanaian currency reportedly depreciated by 12.7%, making it the second worst-performing among Sub-Saharan Africa’s top 15 currencies. While one U.S. dollar bought 13.10 units of the cedi on the parallel market, according to the latest Bank...
Crypto Will ‘Play a Major Role’ in UAE Trade Going Forward, Minister Says
24.1.2023
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) minister of state for foreign trade says that cryptocurrency “will play a major role for UAE trade going forward.” He stressed: “The most important thing is that we ensure global governance when it comes to cryptocurrencies and crypto...
China-backed Blockchain Project Proposes SWIFT Alternative for Stablecoins and CBDCs
23.1.2023
The company developing China’s blockchain network wants to create a system for international settlements with stablecoins and state-issued digital currencies. The plan is to establish a platform facilitating the use of these two fiat-based digital assets in foreign trade. Company Behind...
Vitalik Buterin divulges the 'largest remaining challenge' in Ethereum
23.1.2023
While the concept of stealth addresses appears complex in theory, Buterin previously described it as a “low-tech approach” compared to other Ethereum privacy solutions
All Eyes on the Next Fed Meeting: Market Trajectories Hinge on Decision
21.1.2023
Equities, precious metals, and cryptocurrencies have been on a tear during the last three weeks of 2023, and all eyes are now focused on the next Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting, which is 11 days away. On Friday, Federal Reserve governor Christopher Waller said that he favors...
Crypto to play 'major role' in UAE trade: foreign trade Minister
21.1.2023
UAE’s minister of state for foreign trade Thani Al-Zeyoudi noted that as the country has attracted a lot of talent from the crypto sector, the UAE now needs to roll out the correct regulation to support further growth
Ransom refusals hit attackers where it hurts: 40% revenue drop in 2022 — Chainalysis
20.1.2023
A number of industry pundits believe the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control’s threat to impose sanctions has victims thinking twice about paying up
Nearly $1 Billion Poured Into Egypt’s Forex Market — Local Currency Now World’s Worst Performing Currency in 2023
18.1.2023
The Egyptian central bank recently claimed that its decision to devalue the local currency has been vindicated by foreign investors’ return to the country’s foreign market where they reportedly poured in $925 million in just three days. The surge in the sales of Egyptian treasury bills...
Iran and Russia Consider Issuing Gold-Backed Stablecoin, Officials Unveil
18.1.2023
Tehran and Moscow are discussing the possible launch of a stablecoin for international settlements, the Russian press revealed. In order to mint the gold-backed currency, however, authorities would need to first regulate crypto assets, a lawmaker noted. Russian, Iranian Representatives Talk Using...