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Report: Tanzania Closer to Launching a CBDC
12.5.2022
Tanzania is getting closer to launching a central bank digital currency (CBDC) which gives the country’s residents a “safe alternative,” the central bank governor has said. However, no date for the digital currency launch has been given. Growing Interest in Cryptocurrencies...
Report: Nigerian Crypto Restrictions and Twitter Ban Have ‘Crippled Foreign Direct Investment in the Fintech Industry’
10.5.2022
A new report has concluded that restrictions on cryptocurrency trading, as well as the banning of Twitter by Nigerian authorities, may have “crippled foreign direct investment in the fintech industry.” Foreign Direct Investment ‘Crippled’ A new report has found that...
Venezuela Bets on De-Dollarization After Foreign Currency and Crypto Tax Is Applied
9.5.2022
The government of Venezuela is now focusing its action on trying to establish the bolivar as the go-to currency for purchases in the country. According to several economists, this might be a risky bet in a country that has just exited hyperinflation and still suffers high levels of inflation....
Survey: Almost Three out of Four Argentinians Are Willing to Purchase Crypto for Investing or Saving Purposes
7.5.2022
A new survey, whose results were released earlier this week, has given more insight into how Argentinians view cryptocurrencies and how they might put them to use. The survey found out that eventually, almost three out of four citizens would purchase cryptocurrency to invest, or as a way...
Uganda Central Bank Tells Licensed Entities to Stop Facilitating Crypto Transactions
4.5.2022
The Ugandan central bank has warned licensed entities and the public against facilitating crypto-related transactions as well as the practice of converting cryptocurrency into mobile money and vice versa. The central bank warned it will not hesitate to act against entities found to be in breach...
Nigerian Agencies Told to Stop ‘Demonizing’ Crypto Industry Players
20.4.2022
Nigerian public and law enforcement agencies have been urged to “stop the demonization” of the blockchain and cryptocurrency industry. According to an association that advocates for the risk-based regulation of the crypto industry, financial institutions should not use a Nigerian...
Three African Countries Plan to Adopt Cryptocurrency and Blockchain Solutions
16.4.2022
Three African countries — namely Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and the Republic of Congo — are reportedly planning to adopt cryptocurrency and blockchain solutions powered by The Open Network (TON). Separately, Cameroon is considering issuing a national stablecoin...
Crypto and Blockchain Firms Constitute 16% of UAE Free Zone’s Record Q1 Company Registrations
16.4.2022
Crypto and blockchain firms constituted 16% of the 655 new company registrations that were recorded in Q1 of 2022, the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) has said. The surge in crypto-related registrations also coincided with a quarterly period in which the DMCC is reported to have recorded...
Study: 54% of UAE and Saudi Arabia Survey Respondents Said Crypto Should Be Used for Payments
12.4.2022
An average of 54% of survey respondents from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) said they believe cryptocurrency should be used as currency. Still, a significant proportion of the respective countries’ respondents believe certain obstacles are stopping cryptocurrencies from...
Study Finds 33.4 Million Nigerian Adults Hold or Have Traded Crypto in Last 6 Months
12.4.2022
According to a new report, approximately 33.4 million Nigerians, or 35% of the country’s adult population, are holders of cryptocurrencies or have traded them in the past six months. The report attributes the growing adoption of cryptocurrencies to rising inflation and the plunging value...
Ghana Central Bank Reiterates Warning Against Practice of Pricing Goods in Forex
12.4.2022
The Bank of Ghana has warned businesses and the public against the practice of demanding or making payments in foreign currency without its authorization. The central bank’s warning comes just over a month after Ghana’s currency was rated the worst performing among Africa’s...
Namibian Central Bank Announces Plan to Launch CBDC
9.4.2022
Johannes Gawaxab, the governor of the Bank of Namibia (BON), has said his organization is planning to launch a central bank digital currency (CBDC). The governor, however, warns the launch might have implications for financial stability. BON Researching CBDCs The BON governor, Johannes Gawaxab...
Kenya Central Bank Governor: Low Smartphone Penetration Working Against Plan to Launch CBDC
2.4.2022
According to Patrick Njoroge, the governor of the Kenyan central bank, the significant number of non-smartphones that are in use in Kenya means launching a central bank digital currency (CBDC) now may be premature and could lead to many citizens being financially excluded. Central Bank Mulls...
IMF: We Need a Lot More Work Done on Crypto Regulation
31.3.2022
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) says a lot more work needs to be done on crypto regulation. “We’ve certainly seen an increase in the use of cryptocurrencies before this war, and we’ve seen it happen more in emerging markets than in others,” said the deputy managing...
Dubai Café Accepts Cryptocurrency as Payment, Owner Hints at Paying Employee Salaries in Crypto
30.3.2022
Bake N More, a Dubai-based cafe, has become the latest company from the region to add cryptocurrency as a payment option. According to the company’s owner, Mohammad Al Hammadi, Bake N More hinted at possible plans to pay employee salaries in cryptocurrency as well. A Hub for Crypto Users...
Ghana CBDC Development: New Central Bank Document Outlines Key Motivations for Issuing the Digital Currency
28.3.2022
In a recently released document, the Bank of Ghana (BOG) outlines some of its key reasons for developing the central bank digital currency (CBDC). Also, in the document, the bank’s governor insists the institution is open to suggestions that will help it to successfully launch the digital...
UAE Venture Capital Firm Launches $100 Million Seed Fund for Blockchain and Crypto Projects
26.3.2022
Cypher Capital, a United Arab Emirates (UAE)-based venture capital (VC) firm, has announced the launch of a $100 million seed fund that will primarily avail funding to decentralized finance (defi), gamefi, and metaverse projects. Mentoring of Entrepreneurs A United Arab Emirates (UAE)-based venture...
Venezuela’s Sunacrip Launches Petro-Based Gift Card Market and Exchange
26.3.2022
Sunacrip, the Venezuelan cryptocurrency watchdog, has announced a set of improvements to its Petroapp wallet, allowing Venezuelans to use the petro (PTR) for new functions. The app now has an embedded cryptocurrency exchange that allows users to exchange petros for other currencies, and a series...
Report: Kenya Central Bank Governor Reiterates His Opposition to Cryptocurrencies
25.3.2022
The Kenyan central bank governor has once again told Kenyans to be wary of the risks that are associated with cryptocurrency transactions and trading. The governor also warned financial institutions supporting cryptocurrency transactions that they risk losing their licenses. Crypto Trading...
Salvadoran Bitcoin Bonds Might Be Issued by State Geothermal Company La Geo, Delays Possible
23.3.2022
The treasury minister of El Salvador, Alejandro Zelaya, has informed about the future of the issuance of the bitcoin bonds and the possibility of these being issued by La Geo, the national geothermal power company. Zelaya also referred to the day of issuance of these instruments, hinting at...