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Brazil Central Bank CBDC Pilot Snubs Crypto Firms
9.5.2023
The Central Bank of Brazil has effectively blocked crypto firms from taking part in its central bank digital currency (CBDC) pilot.
The bank this month issued a call for interested firms to join the next phase of its pilot.
But while the bank did not explicitly rule out the participation...
Experts Say Nigeria’s Blockchain Adoption Strategy Likely to Add Clarity and Legitimacy to Ecosystem
9.5.2023
The recent approval of a blockchain adoption strategy by the Nigerian government has been described as a milestone that will “add clarity, trust and confidence in the [blockchain] ecosystem.” The unveiling of the adoption strategy document has also been hailed as a step that will lend...
XRP Price Prediction as Ripple Publishes New Report on The Future of Central Bank Digital Currency – What's Going On?
9.5.2023
The XRP price has dropped by 2.5% in the past 24 hours, falling to $0.425150 as the cryptocurrency market as a whole declines by 1%.
This dips means that XRP has fallen by 8.5% in the past week and by 16% in the last 30 days, although the altcoin remains up by 25% since the beginning of...
Central Bank Digital Currency sees a rise in its adoption
9.5.2023
The arrival of the Covid-19 pandemic has enhanced digital currency adoption across different corners of the world. Interactions, shopping, and education are all included. One segment in specific that has gained major attention is payments – these are done digitally by customers, no matter...
Canada's central bank asks citizens what they want in a digital dollar
9.5.2023
Canadians are being asked what features they wish to see in a digital Canadian dollar even though there are no plans yet to issue one
Latam Insights: Bolivia Sells Gold for Dollars, Argentina Bans Fintech Crypto, Fitch Upgrades El Salvador’s Credit Rating
8.5.2023
Welcome to Latam Insights, a compendium of the most relevant crypto and economic development news from Latin America during the last week. In this issue, Bolivia passes a law to sell gold for dollars, the Central Bank of Argentina bans fintech companies from using crypto, and Fitch improves...
Nigeria goes blockchain: Policy could impact digital identity
8.5.2023
Nigeria’s crypto community celebrates the approval of the National Blockchain Policy, set to impact governance, digital identity management and e-payments
Central Bank’s Gold Purchases Make ‘Record Breaking Start’ in Q1 2023; 228.4 Tonnes Added to World Reserves
8.5.2023
Central banks have continued to consistently purchase gold during the first quarter of 2023, according to the latest report of the World Gold Council (WGC), the global gold statistics organization. Central banks added nearly 230 tonnes of gold to their national reserves, representing a 176% rise...
Digital Assets for 1 Billion Rubles Issued in Russia in a Month
7.5.2023
Platforms authorized by the Russian government issued digital assets worth around a billion rubles in April, the local press reported. The spike in the volume has been attributed to Russian companies experimenting with new financial instruments amid limited access to traditional capital. Russia’s...
Argentina's central bank halts cryptocurrencies from payment apps
5.5.2023
The ban is intended to reduce Argentina's payment-system exposure to digital assets, said the monetary authority
The Need for Clarity in Washington – Not Just on Crypto
5.5.2023
The recent ambiguous messaging from the Federal Open Market Committee's meeting, which left markets struggling to interpret signals from the FOMC statement and Chair Jerome Powell's comments, is typical of the abstruse signals that can be found in central bank policy-setting. But new tools, such...
Nigeria Passes ‘National Blockchain Policy,’ Industry Player Says Central Bank Unlikely to Lift Crypto Ban
5.5.2023
The Nigerian Federal government said on May 3 it had passed what it called the “national blockchain policy.” The Nigerian minister of communications and digital economy, Isa Pantami, said the new policy is a product of consultations with 56 institutions and personalities. Lucky Uwakwe...
Zimbabwe Central Bank Wants Citizens to Subscribe to Its Gold-Backed Digital Currency
5.5.2023
The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe has said the tokens will be issued by May 8
ECB Raises Interest Rates by 25bps Amid ‘Too High’ Inflation, ‘No Pause,’ Lagarde Says
5.5.2023
The European Central Bank (ECB) raised its key interest rates by 25 basis points, slowing the pace from previous increases. However, as inflation in the euro area remains persistently high, future rate hikes may still be expected with the regulator insisting it will continue to seek a “timely...
Biden Aides Explore Minting $1 Trillion Platinum Coin as Solution to Impending Debt Default
4.5.2023
As the United States stares down the barrel of a potential debt default come June, a curious and intriguing solution has emerged: crafting a single $1 trillion platinum coin. This unusual tactic exploits a legal loophole that allows the Treasury Department to mint platinum coins of any value....
Florida Takes a Stand Against CBDCs: Anti-CBDC Bill Receives Overwhelming Support in House and Senate
4.5.2023
In the wake of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ remarks in Jacksonville on Tuesday, both the Florida House of Representatives and Senate have approved the state’s anti-central bank digital currency (CBDC) legislation, dubbed SB 7054. The bill explicitly states that should the U.S. central...
Central Bank Digital Currencies Are Unexpectedly Becoming a Presidential Election Issue
4.5.2023
The U.S. has no plans to issue a digital dollar. So why are so many politicians coming out against the idea?
Federal Reserve Raises Interest Rate by 25bps, Insists ‘US Banking System Is Sound and Resilient’
3.5.2023
The U.S. Federal Reserve, in conjunction with the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC), announced on Wednesday that the central bank would raise the federal funds rate by 25 basis points (bps), as was widely expected by the market. This marks the tenth consecutive occasion in which the Fed...
Iran Sets Up Platform to Facilitate Crypto Payments for Imports
3.5.2023
Authorities in Iran are taking steps to make crypto payments easier for companies importing goods in the sanctioned country. A dedicated platform has been established to allow local businesses to transfer cryptocurrency for the purpose of cross-border settlements. Iran to Use Cryptocurrencies...
Russian Banks Set for Record Profits This Year, Central Bank, Rating Agency Say
3.5.2023
Bank of Russia raised its forecast for the profits of Russian banks in 2023, expecting results that may break the 2021 record. This year’s high numbers are coming after 2022 became the worst annual period in seven years for the sanctioned Russian banking sector in terms of financial outcome. Banks...