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Nigeria Invited, Then Detained Binance’s Compliance Head and Africa Manager for Two Weeks: Reports
12.3.2024
Two senior executives of Binance, Tigran Gambaryan and Nadeem Anjarwalla, have been held against their will for the past two weeks by Nigerian authorities
Blockchain Advocacy Group Says Nigerian Government’s Actions Could Drive Crypto Activities Underground
5.3.2024
Nigerian blockchain lobby group has said the government’s decision to block access to crypto trading like Binance, Kraken and Coinbase will not “help Nigeria build the much-needed trust and confidence in the financial system.” The advocacy group also said the Nigerian...
Nigerian Presidential Adviser Assails Binance, Calls for Measures Against the Crypto Exchange
2.3.2024
Bayo Onanuga, a special adviser to the Nigerian president, has leveled accusations against Binance, blaming it for exacerbating the local currency’s depreciation against major currencies. Onanuga called for immediate action against Binance, warning that its activities could potentially undermine...
Global BTC Trading App Strike Launches ‘First Fully-Featured Region Outside the US’
29.2.2024
The fiat and bitcoin payments app, Strike, has launched its “first fully-featured region outside the U.S.” According to Jack Mallers, the founder and CEO of Strike, the African continent presents “immense opportunities for financial innovation and economic freedom.” High...
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...
Licenced Stablecoin on/off Ramp Yellow Card to Introduce USDC on Stellar Network
16.2.2024
The African stablecoin on/off ramp, Yellow Card, is set to introduce the stablecoin USDC on the Stellar network. This partnership has the potential to transform global payments and accelerate the adoption of digital assets. Lightning Fast Transfer Speed Yellow Card, a major licensed stablecoin...
Ethiopia’s Affordable Hydropower and Adoption of Crypto Mining Attracts Chinese Bitcoin Miners
13.2.2024
The Ethiopian state electricity company has reportedly signed power supply agreements with 21 mainly Chinese bitcoin miners. The African country’s pursuit of foreign exchange has seemingly taken precedence over the concerns often raised by climate change advocates. Ethiopia Set to Become...
Expert Calls for Full Cryptocurrency Regulation in Nigeria to Mitigate Digital Asset-Related Financial Crimes
12.2.2024
Nigeria must fully regulate crypto activities if it wants to curb financial crimes associated with digital assets, a forensic expert has said. The co-founder of A&D Forensics also called on Nigeria to enact laws that would mandate banks to vet service providers before granting them account...
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...
Consortium of Nigerian Banks and Fintechs Cleared to Pilot Stablecoin
7.1.2024
The Nigerian central bank has given its go-ahead for the Africa Stablecoin Consortium (ASC) to pilot its cNGN stablecoin initiative in the financial regulator’s regulatory sandbox. The ASC asserts that the cNGN stablecoin can prove to be vital not only for the country’s payment rails but...
Prohibition of Cash Withdrawals From VASPs Operated Accounts May Contradict Central Bank’s Cashless Policy — Nigerian Lawyer
7.1.2024
Nigerian fintech lawyer Senator Ihenyen said the new central bank guidelines which bar the withdrawal of cash from accounts operated by virtual asset service providers (VASPs) seem “reasonable and understandable.” The lawyer however believes an “outright” prohibition of cash...
Bitcoin ETF Mania and Nigeria’s New Stance on Crypto to Drive the Industry’s Revival in Africa — Experts
30.12.2023
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s expected approval of bitcoin exchange-traded funds and Nigeria’s lifting of a directive which excluded the crypto industry from the banking ecosystem are expected to help revive African users’ interest in crypto. The Bitcoin halving...
Angolan National Assembly Approves Crypto Law to Safeguard ‘Monetary Sovereignty’
22.12.2023
The Angolan National Assembly recently approved legislation that seeks to address crypto mining’s impact on the environment as well as safeguarding the country’s “monetary sovereignty.” The objective of this legislation is to also curb illicit activities by preventing...
Ghana’s Securities Regulator Creates Taskforce to Build Capacity for Crypto Asset Oversight
20.12.2023
The Ghanaian securities regulator has established a task force which is expected to help it boost its capacity to regulate crypto assets. Ghanaian residents have continued to trade and invest in cryptocurrencies and this has forced the regulator to think of ways to protect crypto users. Gaining...
Nigerian Crypto Exchange Describes Deposit Suspension as ‘Industry-Standard Precautionary Measure’
19.12.2023
The Nigerian cryptocurrency exchange platform Bitmama recently said it has temporarily suspended deposits due to “ongoing third-party maintenance.” Bitmama said that while earlier media reports about its suspension of deposits are correct, they nevertheless “lack context,”...
Report: Worldcoin Set to Resume Kenyan Operations in Early 2024
18.12.2023
Worldcoin, the iris biometric crypto project, has reportedly reached an agreement with Kenyan authorities which allows it to resume operations in the African country. Worldcoin representatives are said to be “working directly with regulators to meet Kenya’s requirements.” Worldcoin...
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...
Report: 47% of Nigerians Engaged in Crypto-Related Activities
10.12.2023
A new study has found that as much as 47% of Nigerians are actively engaged in crypto trading which is now increasingly incorporated in their financial lives. The analysis also showed that crypto ownership in the country grew by 15% between 2020 and 2023. Cryptocurrencies No Longer Seen...
The Bulk of Crypto Trading Volumes in Africa Are Generated by Institutional Traders — Farzam Ehsani
9.12.2023
Farzam Ehsani, the founder and CEO of the South African crypto exchange Valr, has stated that institutional traders account for the bulk of the African continent’s crypto trading volumes. To support this point, Ehsani referred to Valr’s largest volumes which he said “are...
Nigerian Crypto Firm Bitmama to Pay $1 Million for Startup That Raised $3 Million in February
8.12.2023
The Nigerian crypto platform Bitmama is reportedly set to acquire the African remittances startup Payday for $1 million. Reports of Payday’s acquisition come almost a year after the startup raised $3 million in a funding round. Bitmama’s Pivot From Crypto The Nigerian crypto platform...