Search
Giesecke+Devrient: Ghana CBDC Nullifies the Need for Multiple Intermediaries in Cross-Border Payments
25.7.2024
The recently completed proof of concept by the Bank of Ghana and the Monetary Authority of Singapore demonstrated that the latter’s central bank digital currency enables cross-border payments, excluding many intermediaries and associated costs. Giesecke+Devrient (G+D) stated that the proof...
Nigeria Acts to Defend Naira After Currency Hits New Record Low
21.7.2024
The Central Bank of Nigeria recently sold U.S. dollars to Bureaux de Change (BDC) at a flat rate of NGN1,450 per greenback. The central bank stated that eligible BDCs can sell the dollars to end-users at a margin of no more than 1.5% above the purchase exchange rate. The Nigerian apex bank...
2 Foreign Nationals Plead Guilty in Lockbit Ransomware Case
20.7.2024
Two foreign nationals pleaded guilty in Newark federal court regarding their participation in the Lockbit ransomware organization, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) revealed on Thursday. Russian citizen Ruslan Magomedovich Astamirov and Mikhail Vasiliev, a dual citizen of Canada and Russia, were...
IMF Warns Zambia Against Dedollarization, Calls Plan Counterproductive
20.7.2024
An International Monetary Fund representative has cautioned that Zambia’s proposed dedollarization initiative may inadvertently undermine efforts to contain inflation. The representative expressed concern that the prevailing economic conditions in Zambia are not conducive for the country to proceed...
Tanzania Seeks to Shore up Local Currency With Directive Mandating Tourists to Use Shillings
17.7.2024
Tanzania’s Ministry of Tourism and Natural Resources has mandated that all fees in the tourism sector must be paid in local currency, aligning with a government directive for local transactions to use the country’s shillings. This requirement applies to Tourism Business Licence fees, filming...
Zambia to Outlaw Use of Foreign Currency, Criminals Could Face Jail Time for up to 10 Years
6.7.2024
The Bank of Zambia has proposed a new series of guidelines that seek to outlaw the use of foreign currency, including the U.S. dollar, for local transactions. If finally approved, the document would establish harsh penalties for infringement, including jail time for up to ten years and hefty fines....
Nigerian Central Bank Warns Financial Institutions Against Rejecting Old or Lower Denomination US Dollars
3.7.2024
The Central Bank of Nigeria warned local financial institutions against rejecting older or lower-denomination U.S. dollar banknotes. The apex bank said it will take strong action against financial institutions that refuse to accept mutilated or overcirculated local currency banknotes. Older U.S....
Nigeria’s Naira Rated Worst-Performing Currency in H1 of 2024; Kenyan Shilling Named Best Performer
30.6.2024
In the first half of 2024, the Nigerian currency depreciated by nearly 40%, making it the worst-performing currency during that period. Meanwhile, the Kenyan shilling appreciated by 20.7%, ranking it as the best performer. The depreciation of the Nigerian naira was primarily driven by U.S. dollar...
UAE regulations may ban crypto payments, warns lawyer
26.6.2024
UAE lawyer Irina Heaver told Cointelegraph that the policy shift could signal a “less favorable environment” for crypto in the UAE
Brazil’s tax dept to summon info from foreign crypto exchanges: Report
19.6.2024
The Federal Revenue of Brazil is publishing an ordinance this week to look for any potential “illegality” and info on what Brazilians may be owing in tax
Foreign crypto exchanges eye India for business opportunities
14.6.2024
Following the re-entry of Binance and Kucoin on Indian soil, four more foreign exchanges are viewing the country as a lucrative place to run their operations. They have put out feelers and making the right sounds. In the case of Binance and Kucoin, they received consent from the financial...
Euro’s Reserve Currency Status Threatened as Its Share of Foreign Reserves Holdings Drops
13.6.2024
A report from the European Central Bank indicated that the euro’s share of foreign exchange reserves declined by one percentage point to 20% in 2023. According to the report, the continued diversification of global reserve portfolios into nontraditional currencies threatens to further erode...
Ghana’s Cedi Hits Record Low Against US Dollar Amid Cocoa Output Decline
12.6.2024
The Ghanaian cedi recently plunged to a record low, trading at GHS 14.9335 against the U.S. dollar, which led to its designation as the fourth-worst-performing currency globally. Additionally, a decline in cocoa production has further complicated matters for the cedi, a currency previously ranked...
Indian Authority Busts Cryptocurrency Fraud Ring Targeting Foreign National
9.6.2024
India’s Enforcement Directorate (ED) has cracked down on a cryptocurrency fraud ring targeting a foreign national. The accused persuaded the victim to transfer $400,000 to a cryptocurrency account set up using unauthorized remote access. The ED seized digital evidence, froze fixed deposits...
Nigeria Increases Capital Requirements for Currency Dealers Nearly Sixtyfold to $1.4 Million
25.5.2024
The Central Bank of Nigeria has increased the capital requirements for national bureau de change operators from approximately $24,000 to $1.4 million. The central bank has given operators a six-month period to comply and they must apply for new licenses. The bank’s director for risk management...
IMF Calls Zimbabwe’s Gold-Backed Currency an ‘Important Policy Action’
24.5.2024
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has stated that Zimbabwe’s recently introduced gold-backed fiat currency represents a significant policy step. This is the IMF’s first substantial comment on the currency since its inception. The global lender has reportedly announced plans to send a team...
Nigerian Currency Slides 5% After Central Bank Injects More Than $80 Million Into Forex Market
20.5.2024
The Nigerian naira continued with a downward which recently saw it being named the worst-performing currency when it slid by just over five per cent to erase the previous day’s gains. The naira’s depreciation is said to have occurred just a day after the central bank intervened...
Tether’s USDT Implicated in $2B Illegal Foreign Exchange Scheme in China – Regulation Coming?
15.5.2024
On May 15, a few people suspected in an underground banking operation were arrested by Chinese police in Sichuan province. They have been charged in facilitating illegal foreign currency transactions involving around $2 billion worth of Tether's USDT.
The post Tether’s USDT Implicated in...
Nigerian Currency Becomes Worst-Performing After Erasing All Early April Gains
12.5.2024
The Nigerian currency, which has been depreciating against the U.S. dollar in the past few weeks, has completely erased its gains from early April, making it the worst-performing currency in the world. The decline of the naira is attributed to Nigeria’s ongoing foreign exchange shortages....
Nigeria's foreign investment at risk due to Binance bribery allegations
12.5.2024
SBM Intelligence emphasized that detaining foreign business officials could make it challenging for the country to attract investors