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Nigerian Court Postpones Detained Binance Executive’s Tax Evasion Case to April 19
6.4.2024
A Nigerian court has postponed the tax evasion case of the detained Binance executive to April 19, while the hearing for the cryptocurrency exchange itself is scheduled for April 8. The court also ordered that the executive Tigran Gambaryan be held in the custody of the Economic and Financial...
Binance: Detained Executive Lacks Decision-Making Authority, Must Be Released
4.4.2024
Tigran Gambaryan, the Binance employee detained by Nigerian authorities, is a stringent law enforcement professional with no decision-making authority, according to the crypto exchange. Through his Financial Crime Compliance (FCC) team, Gambaryan has responded to more than 600 information requests...
Nigerian Central Bank Not in Charge of Crypto Regulation, Says Governor
28.3.2024
According to the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Securities and Exchange Commission is responsible for regulating cryptocurrencies. However, the governor said the central bank will collaborate with law enforcement agencies and regulators overseeing the Nigerian crypto sector....
Detained Binance Executive Escapes Custody in Nigeria, Government to Request Interpol Assistance
26.3.2024
A senior executive at Binance, who was detained by Nigerian authorities in late February, has since escaped from custody. The executive Nadeem Anjarwalla is believed to have left the country using a Kenyan passport. The Nigerian government confirmed Anjarwalla’s escape and said it would...
Group Urges US President Joe Biden to Secure Release of ‘Kidnapped’ Former Federal Agent
18.3.2024
The Chamber of Digital Commerce, a blockchain and crypto advocacy group, has urged U.S. President Joe Biden to assist in securing the release of a Binance executive “kidnapped” by the Nigerian government. The group warned that the Nigerian government’s arbitrary detention of Tigran...
Nigeria Proposes Rule Requiring Foreign Crypto Exchanges to Incorporate in the Country
17.3.2024
The Nigerian Securities Regulator has proposed a rule requiring virtual asset service providers to be incorporated and maintain an office within Nigeria. The regulator has also suggested a fivefold increase in the registration fee, which must be submitted alongside license applications from...
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...
Report: Nigerian Government Imposes $10 Billion Fine on Binance
2.3.2024
The Nigerian government has reportedly slapped the cryptocurrency exchange Binance with a $10 billion fine. According to a Nigerian government official, Binance is being punished for causing the local currency’s recent plunge against major currencies. Binance’s Alleged Influence on...
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...
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...
Coinbase CEO Says No Access Block in Nigeria, Platform Operating Normally
24.2.2024
Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong has dismissed reports of his cryptocurrency exchange being blocked by Nigerian authorities. He emphasized that Coinbase products are fully operational in Nigeria without any interruptions. “We have not received any outreach or communication from officials...
South Africa to Start Work on Stablecoin Regime, Will Start by Considering Use Cases
22.2.2024
The Intergovernmental Fintech Working Group is also considering the impact of tokenization on domestic markets
Former NFL Star Russell Okung’s Crypto Adoption Comments Ignite Bitcoin vs. Stablecoins Debate
21.2.2024
Comments on Lightning Network adoption, made by Russell Okung, a former NFL star who is among the first to receive part of his salary in crypto, sparked a discussion that highlighted the opposing opinions of the crypto community about the usage of bitcoin and stablecoins in emerging markets....
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...
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...
Kenya Advances Toward Digital Asset Hub Ambition With Virtual Assets Bill – Kenya Blockchain Association
9.2.2024
The Blockchain Association of Kenya (BAK) is reportedly on the verge of launching a community-led draft bill, a significant stride towards its objective of transforming Kenya into a hub for digital assets. BAK has expressed its intention to integrate feedback from stakeholders into a revised draft....
Crypto Fraud-Accused Denver Pastor Preaches Finance in Zambia Just Days After Skipping U.S. Court
4.2.2024
A Denver pastor, accused of crypto-fraud, has been spotted in the Zambian capital just days after he reportedly failed to appear in court. The pastor, Eligio Regalado, said about half of the misappropriated $1.3 million went to the IRS. Denver Pastor’s Assets Frozen The Denver pastor accused...
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...
Nigerian Crypto Startup Reveals Closure of $2.3 Million Strategic Funding Round
17.1.2024
The Nigerian crypto startup revealed on Jan. 16 that the firm had closed a $2.3 million strategic fund to finance the acquisition of operating licenses from different African regulators. Canza Finance said it hopes the new licenses and the defi platform will help it achieve its goal of lowering...
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...