Search
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...
Bitcoin Beach Town in El Salvador Bustles With Growth After BTC Becomes Legal Tender
16.6.2021
Ever since El Salvador passed a bill that was approved by a supermajority in the Salvadoran Congress legalizing bitcoin as legal tender in the nation, the country has remained in the spotlight. Furthermore, there’s an area in El Salvador called “Bitcoin Beach” with a small group...
Russian Foreign Minister States Crypto Might Play a Significant Role in Settlements
15.6.2021
The Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov talked about the future importance of cryptocurrencies as an international settlements layer at the Primakov Readings Forum. Lavrov referred to these assets as having a “significant role” in the future. Russia has been striving to de-dollarize...
After Central Bank Devalues Naira by 5% Finance Minister Attributes Drop to ‘Market Forces’
14.6.2021
Nigerian Finance Minister Zainab Ahmed has denied widespread reports that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had sanctioned the devaluation of the local currency sometime in May 2021. Instead, she attributes the naira’s fall to the “volatility in the oil price.” Ahmed’s...
Cuba’s Central Bank Suspends US Dollar Deposits Nationwide – Officials Cite Embargo ‘Obstacles’
13.6.2021
The Republic of Cuba is suspending the use of U.S. dollars due to embargo restrictions with U.S. and foreign banks. The central bank of Cuba’s restrictions stems from the “obstacles that the U.S. embargo creates for the national bank system.” Cuba Bans USD Deposits, BCC Tells...
India Probes Cryptocurrency Exchange Wazirx in Chinese Money Laundering Case
12.6.2021
India’s Directorate of Enforcement (ED) has reportedly sent a notice to Wazirx, one of the largest cryptocurrency exchanges in India, under the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999, (FEMA). The investigation was initiated “on the basis of the ongoing money-laundering investigation into...
The CBN Says Nigeria Will Have a Digital Currency Before End of Year
12.6.2021
Nigeria is likely to have its own central bank digital currency (CBDC) by the end of the year, an official with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has said. In his remarks following the bankers’ committee meeting, Rakiya Mohammed, who is the director of information technology at CBN, also...
Russia’s Foreign Minister: Crypto Will Inevitably Play Role in Int’l Trade
12.6.2021
The Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has underlined Moscow’s intention to do away with the USD – and has suggested that crypto could play a part in ousting the greenback in trade deals.
Lavrov’s comments could give real hope to those hoping crypto will find use-cases in international...
Texas Senator Claims People Are Flocking to Bitcoin Because US Is on ‘the Verge of an Inflation Crisis’
11.6.2021
This week the United States senator from Texas, Ted Cruz, appeared on the Fox News television broadcast Hannity and discussed the leading crypto asset bitcoin. Cruz told Hannity he believes people are investing in bitcoin because they believe America is on the verge of an inflation crisis....
Nigerian Lawmakers Slam Naira Devaluation, Warn of Inflation Implications
11.6.2021
Nigeria’s House of Representatives has moved a motion calling on the country’s central bank to end the continuing devaluation of the naira. In his unanimously adopted motion, House Representative Bamidele Salam warned the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) of the negative “implications...
Government Cannot Stand in the Way of Crypto Technologies, Iran Minister Says
7.6.2021
New technologies, including blockchain and cryptocurrency mining, have helped Iran to increase budget receipts and withstand foreign sanctions, according to the country’s minister for economy and finance. The high-ranking official believes the government can’t interfere with their...
Official Remittances to Nigeria Plummet by Almost 40% in a Year When Crypto Use Surged
14.5.2021
According to the latest data from the World Bank, international money transfers into Nigeria dropped by nearly 40% from $23.8 billion recorded in 2019 to $17.2 billion in the past year. Yet despite this fall, remittances, which account for 4% of the country’s GDP, still remain an important...
Iran seems to be attempting to ban foreign-mined cryptocurrencies for payments
7.5.2021
A difficult-to-enforce ban may actually be part of a larger sanctions-avoidance strategy
Venture Capitalist Proposes a Single Decentralized Crypto as a Solution to Boost Africa’s Inter-Regional Trade
6.5.2021
South African venture capitalist, Michael Jordaan, recently suggested that a single decentralized cryptocurrency may be the solution that brings great benefits to inter-regional trade and investment in Africa. According to Jordaan, who is also the former CEO of one of South Africa’s leading...
US Dollar Share of Global Foreign Exchange Reserves Drops to 25-Year Low
6.5.2021
Serkan Arslanalp is Deputy Division Chief in the Balance of Payments Division of the International Monetary Fund (IMF)’s Statistics Department. Chima Simpson-Bell is an Economist in the same department.
____
The share of US dollar reserves held by central banks fell to 59%—its lowest level in...