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Study: MENA Crypto Volumes Grew Fastest Between July 2021 and June 2022 — Turkey Cements Position as Region’s Largest Market
8.10.2022
Of the $566 billion in cryptocurrency transaction volume for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region between July 2021 and June 2022, nearly 40% went to Turkey, which kept its place as the region’s biggest cryptocurrency market, according to the latest Chainalysis data....
Kenyan Central Bank Raises Key Rate by 75 Basis Points
2.10.2022
The monetary policy committee of the Kenyan central bank recently revealed it increased the central bank rate by 75 basis points from 7.5% to 8.25%. Justifying its decision to act, the committee cites growing inflationary pressures and increased global risks, as well as their likely impact on...
Binance Resumes Offering Futures Trading Products to South African Users
27.9.2022
One of the world’s biggest cryptocurrency exchanges by volumes traded, Binance, has said its futures products are now available to eligible South African users. In a message to its users, Binance suggested it has rectified issues with the regional regulator and that its activities in South...
Report: Financial Services Giant Old Mutual Appointed Manager of South African Stablecoin Project’s Cash Reserves
15.9.2022
One of South Africa’s largest financial services groups, Old Mutual, has reportedly been appointed manager of the ZARP stablecoin project’s cash reserves. Founders of the stablecoin are hopeful that the appointment of one of the country’s oldest financial services companies...
Emerging Markets Lead Global Crypto Adoption in Bear Market, Chainalysis Says
14.9.2022
The blockchain analytics firm's 2022 Global Crypto Adoption Index also shows China remains active despite a ban on crypto trading
Emerging markets lead global adoption index: Chainalysis report
14.9.2022
Lower-middle income countries hold a majority of the positions in the top 20 countries in terms of crypto adoption
Dubai Luxury Hotel Palazzo Versace Allows Guests to Pay in Crypto
13.9.2022
Guests staying at Palazzo Versace Dubai have, since September 7, had an option to settle payment for services rendered via cryptocurrency. The hotel also plans to add the crypto payment option to its e-commerce platforms to enable guests to pay for gift vouchers using digital currencies....
IMF Bailout Approval Helps Zambian Kwacha Take the Russian Ruble’s Position as World’s Best Performing Currency
3.9.2022
After the International Money Fund revealed it had approved a bailout package for Zambia, the Southern African country’s currency, the kwacha, rallied by 3.1%. Following this gain, the kwacha took the Russian ruble’s position as the world’s best-performing currency in 2022....
Bitfinex CTO Paolo Ardoino States Salvadoran Bitcoin Bonds to Be Further Delayed
1.9.2022
The launch of El Salvador’s bitcoin bonds, issued to finance part of the construction of the Bitcoin City in the country, will be delayed again. In a recent interview Paolo Ardoino, CTO at Bitfinex, the exchange in which these bonds will be offered, stated that the law framework needed...
Bitcoin Beach to Receive More Than $203 Million in Infrastructure Investments in El Salvador
31.8.2022
El Zonte, a beach in El Salvador rebaptized as “Bitcoin Beach” due to its adoption of the cryptocurrency, will receive infrastructure investments as part of a strategic plan of the government of El Salvador. Surf City, another beach location in the La Libertad region, will also...
Report: East African Single Currency Unlikely to Be Introduced by 2024
25.8.2022
There are growing doubts about the regional economic bloc known as the East African Community’s ability to successfully launch a single currency by 2024, a report has said. One of the reasons for this is member states’ delays in meeting targets as set out in the roadmap. Attainment...
Nigerian BTC Peer-to-Peer Volumes Nearly $400M in H1 of 2022 — Significant Growth in Kenya and Ghana Volumes
25.8.2022
Nigeria’s peer-to-peer bitcoin traded volumes of over $1.1 billion between January 2021 and June 2022 mean the West African nation is now Paxful’s largest market. Kenya, which saw traded volumes of over $325 million during the same period, now ranks as the crypto exchange’s...
Report: Nigerian Central Bank Targets Tenfold Increase in Number of CBDC Users, Governor Says Use of Cash Will ‘Dissipate to Zero’
23.8.2022
Despite the apparent slow embrace of the e-naira digital currency by Nigerians, the Central Bank of Nigeria governor has said his institution is targeting a tenfold increase in the number of users of the digital currency in the next twelve months. The governor predicted that the use of cash will...
Qatari National Blockchain Blueprint Spotlights Benefits of the Technology to Country’s Economy
19.8.2022
Qatar’s recently released “National Blockchain Blueprint” has suggested that the technology, combined with a “solid regulatory framework,” can help the country build an innovative information technology (IT) sector. However, for this to happen, Qatar must...
Web3 gives creators in emerging markets a shot, says Faro Company CEO
17.8.2022
Mehmet Eryılmaz said that Web3 opens up opportunities for creators to properly showcase their culture through films and music
Report: Nigerian Anti-Graft Body Identifies Individuals Fueling the Naira’s Rapid Depreciation
9.8.2022
Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) recently claimed it had identified individuals and organizations whose rapid accumulation of U.S. dollars recently accelerated the depreciation of the local currency, a report said. According to Abdulrasheed Bawa, the EFCC chairman...
Dollars on the Lightning Network: a boon for emerging markets?
3.8.2022
An innovation on the Bitcoin Lightning Network (LN) could shelter users from the price volatility of BTC by providing access to dollars
The Battle for the $2 Billion Venezuelan Gold Stash Continues, London Rules in Favor of Opposition Leader Guaido
31.7.2022
Her Majesty’s High Court of Justice in England has determined that the Venezuelan gold stored in the vaults of the Bank of England must be managed by officials of the Central bank of Venezuela designated by opposition leader Juan Guaido. The management of this gold stash, which is comprised...
Report: The Central African Republic Requests Regional Central Bank’s Assistance in Crafting Crypto Regulations
31.7.2022
A new report has claimed the Central African Republic, which became the first country in Africa to make bitcoin legal tender, recently requested the regional central bank’s assistance in developing a cryptocurrency regulatory framework. The report also said the CAR had expressed...
Report: IMF Warns Kenyan Central Bank Against Introducing a CBDC That Harms Fintechs and Banks
29.7.2022
The global lending institution, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has told the Kenyan central bank that its proposed digital shilling must “do no harm” to existing private sector digital money. The lender insisted the proposed central bank digital currency (CBDC) must “not...