Search
Annual US Dollar Remittances to Nigeria Surge to $34 Billion but Forex Woes Persist
31.8.2021
According to a report, the value of annual dollar remittances by Nigerians working abroad has surged to $34 billion, a figure that easily surpasses the previous record-high of $25 billion. Still, a large portion of the funds doesn’t seem to be entering domestic forex markets. Target Attained...
Nigerian Central Bank Freezes Bank Accounts of Fintech Firms, Accuses Them of Violating Forex Regulations
19.8.2021
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) reportedly frozen bank accounts belonging to four fintech firms for up to 180 days after a Federal High Court in Abuja acceded to an “ex parte motion.” The ex parte motion, which is a form of temporary suspension, was granted after a Nigerian chief...
People’s Bank of China Targets Crypto Companies in Shenzhen Crackdown
18.8.2021
The Shenzhen office of the People’s Bank of China (PBOC) has reportedly set out to correct the business activities of about a dozen companies allegedly engaged in cryptocurrency transactions. According to Chinese media, the entities have been targeted in a crackdown on crypto trading in...
South Korea’s crypto regulation is now expanding to foreign businesses
13.8.2021
Any overseas activity outside Korea that has domestic effects or consequences shall be subject to the amended crypto regulation
Bank of America Sees Benefits in Adopting Bitcoin as Legal Tender in El Salvador
3.8.2021
Bank of America has outlined some benefits to be had from adopting bitcoin as legal tender in El Salvador. The opportunities include low-cost remittances, financial digitization, more choices, and greater investments from foreign companies. Bank of America Highlights Opportunities Bitcoin Brings...
Nigerian Central Bank Stops Forex Sales to Bureaus de Change — Operators Accused of Feeding Black Market
28.7.2021
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) recently announced the abrupt end to sales and outsourcing of foreign exchange to Bureau de Change (BDC) operators after accusing them of failing to stick to their core mandate. Instead of providing forex to retail users, BDCs are believed to be supplying...
South Korean Regulators Warn Dozens of Foreign Exchanges to Comply With New Rules
22.7.2021
Overseas crypto exchanges marketing to Koreans will be blocked if they fail to comply with new South Korean regulations. The country’s anti-money laundering body has sent a notice to a number of foreign trading platforms warning them a registration is mandatory in order to provide services...
Kenyan Remittances Surged by 20% in H1, North America and Europe-Based Diaspora Contribute Over 80%
22.7.2021
According to the latest data from the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK), diaspora remittances inflows to the country surged to $1.75 billion in the first six months of 2021. This figure represents a nearly 20% increase from the $1.46 billion recorded in the same period last year. 2021 Inflows Set...
Bithumb Terminates Trademark Agreements With 2 Foreign-Based Exchanges
18.7.2021
Leading Korean crypto exchange Bithumb is terminating its trademark agreements with two coin trading platforms operating abroad under its brand name. The move comes as digital asset exchanges in South Korea prepare to comply with the country’s stricter regulations for the industry that will...
US Government Offers Cryptocurrency in ‘Rewards for Justice’ Program
16.7.2021
The U.S. Department of State’s Rewards for Justice program is offering a reward of up to $10 million “for information on foreign malicious cyber activity against U.S. critical infrastructure.” The department further said that “Reward payments may include payments...
Smuggler Arrested With CPUs Strapped To His Body
14.7.2021
Last week customs officials working at the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge stopped a truck driver who they thought was looking “nervous”. With good reason; after searching him they found the dude was literally strapped with concealed...CPUs.Read more
Forex Shortages Force Nigerian Corporates to Turn to Parallel Market
13.7.2021
Nigeria’s ongoing shortage of foreign exchange is forcing corporates and businesses to source this resource on the parallel market, a former official with the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has said. According to Muda Yusuf, who is the previous director-general at LCCI, these...
AML compliance mandatory for foreign crypto exchanges, says Korean regulator
13.7.2021
South Korea’s strict crypto regulatory oversight is now extending to overseas exchanges that offer cryptocurrency trading services denominated in the country’s currency
Africa Will ‘One Day Have a Common Currency’ Says Secretary General of African Continental Free Trade Area
13.7.2021
The secretary-general of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AFCFTA) secretariat, Wamkele Mene, says Africa will “one day have a common currency” via a proposed “Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS).” He adds that such a currency will help “ease...
Proposed bill in Iran could ban all foreign-mined cryptocurrencies
2.7.2021
Lawmakers seem to be attempting to establish a legal framework behind a Central Bank of Iran decision for people to only use crypto from state-licensed mining operations for payments
HSBC becomes first foreign entity onboarded to Dubai’s KYC blockchain
30.6.2021
HSBC plans to improve the KYC process for local investors and corporate clients by leveraging blockchain technology
Foreign CBDCs and stablecoins unlikely to threaten US dollar, says Fed vice chair
28.6.2021
Though Randal Quarles said there was a "legitimate and strong regulatory interest in how stablecoins are constructed and managed," a U.S. dollar-pegged coin could help provide support for its fiat counterpart
US Regulators Have Imposed $2.5 Billion Penalties on Crypto Firms and Individuals
25.6.2021
A new report shows that U.S. regulators have imposed fines and penalties totaling $2.5 billion on crypto firms and individuals so far. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has imposed the most fines, followed by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). Meanwhile, the U.S....
South Africa Bank Blocks Clients From Buying Crypto on Binance, Exchange Rejects Allegations
23.6.2021
A South African bank, Absa, has reportedly blocked use of its credit cards for users buying cryptocurrencies on international exchanges, according to one media report. The claims come after clients of the financial institution reported receiving a text message informing them of the suspension...
New World Bank Report: Nigeria’s Exchange Rate Policies Fueling Inflation, Affecting Food Prices
21.6.2021
Nigeria’s use of multiple exchange rates regimes may have contributed to a rise in the country’s inflation rate, the latest World Bank report has said. In addition, the report says ongoing restrictions on the use and movement of foreign exchange are “further pushing up prices...