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Ugandan Fintech Asaak Acquires Mexican Asset Financing Startup Flexclub
8.9.2023
The Ugandan mobility fintech Asaak recently spread its tentacles to Latin America after it bought the Mexican asset financing business Flexclub. The fintech’s CEO suggested that his company’s successful and profitable microfinance business partly influenced the decision to acquire the Mexican...
China’s JD, ICBC to Launch Digital Yuan Supply Chain Financing Solution
30.8.2023
Chinese firms and commercial banks are working on new digital yuan supply chain financing solutions, with a new CBDC smart contract solution set to launch.
Per CICC (via Cnfol), the latest innovation has been developed by JD Technology, in conjunction with the Industrial and Commercial Bank...
Former FTX Co-CEO Ryan Salame to Plead the Fifth, Declares Himself ‘Unavailable as a Witness’
15.8.2023
U.S. federal prosecutors have unveiled court documents indicating that ex-FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried (SBF) is entangled in a web of allegations, with illegal political campaign financing being a significant charge. In light of these allegations against SBF, Ryan Salame, FTX Digital Markets’...
Miami Mayor Francis Suarez Announces Acceptance of Cryptocurrencies for 2024 Presidential Campaign
6.8.2023
On August 4, 2023, Miami Republican mayor Francis Suarez announced that he’s accepting cryptocurrencies for campaign donations. The 2024 presidential candidate revealed the decision to accept digital currencies during a Coindesk TV broadcast. 2024 Presidential Candidate Francis Suarez...
Namibia signs crypto exchange regulation bill into law
26.7.2023
The law will officially enter into force at a date determined by Namibia’s Ministry of Finance
Kuwait Capital Markets Authority Reaffirms Comprehensive Crypto Asset Ban
20.7.2023
In a circular released by the Capital Markets Authority of Kuwait, the regulator reaffirmed its position that Kuwait strictly prohibits the use of virtual currencies and bans mining activities within the Gulf state. The authority also emphasized the importance for businesses to inform customers...
Israel Confiscates Cryptocurrency Allegedly Used for Funding Hezbollah and Iran's Revolutionary Guard
28.6.2023
Israel has seized millions of dollars worth of cryptocurrency allegedly used to finance the Iran-backed militant groups.
In a Tuesday announcement, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said he has spearheaded the operation and ordered the confiscation of cryptocurrency wallets involved in these...
Crypto travel rule implementation ‘remains relatively poor,’ says FATF
26.6.2023
The United Nations body called on all member states to implement the Travel Rule “without delay” to close “loopholes” not currently protected by regulation
Qatar Needs To Make Some ‘Major Improvements’: Money Laundering Watchdog Says
1.6.2023
Qatar needs to make some “major improvements,” on how it responds to terrorist financing, according to a global money laundering and terrorist financing watchdog.
The Financial Action Task Force accused Qatar of not having enough controls and needs to better understand “more complex forms of money...
Brazil Sees BRICS Bank as Alternative Financial Institution, President Lula Says
27.5.2023
The government of Brazil views the development bank established by the BRICS bloc as an alternative to traditional financial institutions, the country’s head of state told African diplomats. President Lula da Silva also vowed that the bank will improve cooperation with its African counterpart....
African Fintech M-Kopa Secures $200M in Debt Financing Plus $55M in Equity Funding
24.5.2023
Kenya-headquartered African fintech M-Kopa is reported to have secured $200 million in debt financing and an additional $55 million in equity funding. Financial services group Standard Bank Group led the debt financing round while the investment company Sumitomo Corporation led the equity round...
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...
Binance Addresses Compliance Concerns, Claims Robust Measures in Place to Prevent Terrorism Financing
5.5.2023
Leading cryptocurrency exchange Binance has responded to a Reuters report that raised questions about its compliance policies for preventing and tackling cryptocurrency-based financing of terrorism.
The exchange said it takes the issue very seriously and is not aware of any exchange, or other...
China and Singapore team up to scale green and transition financing
23.4.2023
China and Singapore will collaborate “on concrete initiatives that will catalyze capital flows to support a credible and inclusive transition to a low carbon future for our countries and the region.”
BRICS Bank ‘Re-taps Into USD Bond Market’ With $1.25 Billion ‘Green’ Bonds
22.4.2023
The development bank established by the BRICS group of nations has issued its first “green” bonds in U.S. dollars (USD). Proceeds from the placement will be used to fund “green” projects supported under the banking institution’s sustainable financing policy. BRICS Development Bank Launches 3-year...
Chia Network Files for IPO With the SEC, Eyes Public Listing
15.4.2023
On Friday, Chia Network Inc. announced that it had submitted a draft registration statement on Form S-1 to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), requesting an initial public offering (IPO). The blockchain network company, founded by Bittorrent creator Bram Cohen, will initiate the...
IMF Blog: Interest Rates to Fall to Pre-Pandemic Levels Once Inflation Is Tamed
13.4.2023
When inflation in advanced economies is tamed, real interest rates are likely to drop to pre-pandemic levels, the latest International Monetary Fund (IMF) blog post has said. According to the authors of the blog post, the transition to a “cleaner economy in a budget-neutral way” could...
US Treasury Report Warns of Defi’s Threat to National Security, Authors Conclude Fiat Is Used in Illicit Finance More Than Crypto
6.4.2023
The U.S. Treasury has released a 42-page report assessing the risks of decentralized finance (defi). The report states that specific nation-state adversaries, cybercriminals, ransomware attackers, thieves, and scammers are using defi to “transfer and launder their illicit proceeds.”...
UBS Considers Acquiring Credit Suisse, Requests Government Backstop in Deal
18.3.2023
After Credit Suisse Group AG announced it would borrow 50 billion Swiss francs from the Swiss National Bank, UBS Group AG is reportedly considering acquiring the banking giant. However, UBS is requesting that the government issue a backstop to protect against any losses if it purchases Credit...
Russia Unveils Mutual Fund for Financing Crypto Mining Operations
3.3.2023
A Russian company has unveiled a new fund intended to finance crypto mining operations in the country.
The new mutual investment fund will be available to qualified investors who can invest a minimum of 300,000 rubles (approx. $4,000), and the money will be used to acquire crypto mining equipment...