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South Africa Regulators to Unveil Document Categorizing Stablecoins as a ‘Particular Type of Crypto Asset’
26.2.2024
In 2024, the Intergovernmental Fintech Working Group, a consortium of South African regulators that unveiled a position paper on crypto assets in 2021, is expected to “publish additions to include stablecoins as a particular type of crypto asset.” The consortium is also considering...
Coinbase CEO Says No Access Block in Nigeria, Platform Operating Normally
24.2.2024
Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong has dismissed reports of his cryptocurrency exchange being blocked by Nigerian authorities. He emphasized that Coinbase products are fully operational in Nigeria without any interruptions. “We have not received any outreach or communication from officials...
South Africa to Start Work on Stablecoin Regime, Will Start by Considering Use Cases
22.2.2024
The Intergovernmental Fintech Working Group is also considering the impact of tokenization on domestic markets
Former NFL Star Russell Okung’s Crypto Adoption Comments Ignite Bitcoin vs. Stablecoins Debate
21.2.2024
Comments on Lightning Network adoption, made by Russell Okung, a former NFL star who is among the first to receive part of his salary in crypto, sparked a discussion that highlighted the opposing opinions of the crypto community about the usage of bitcoin and stablecoins in emerging markets....
Licenced Stablecoin on/off Ramp Yellow Card to Introduce USDC on Stellar Network
16.2.2024
The African stablecoin on/off ramp, Yellow Card, is set to introduce the stablecoin USDC on the Stellar network. This partnership has the potential to transform global payments and accelerate the adoption of digital assets. Lightning Fast Transfer Speed Yellow Card, a major licensed stablecoin...
Expert Calls for Full Cryptocurrency Regulation in Nigeria to Mitigate Digital Asset-Related Financial Crimes
12.2.2024
Nigeria must fully regulate crypto activities if it wants to curb financial crimes associated with digital assets, a forensic expert has said. The co-founder of A&D Forensics also called on Nigeria to enact laws that would mandate banks to vet service providers before granting them account...
Kenya Advances Toward Digital Asset Hub Ambition With Virtual Assets Bill – Kenya Blockchain Association
9.2.2024
The Blockchain Association of Kenya (BAK) is reportedly on the verge of launching a community-led draft bill, a significant stride towards its objective of transforming Kenya into a hub for digital assets. BAK has expressed its intention to integrate feedback from stakeholders into a revised draft....
Crypto Fraud-Accused Denver Pastor Preaches Finance in Zambia Just Days After Skipping U.S. Court
4.2.2024
A Denver pastor, accused of crypto-fraud, has been spotted in the Zambian capital just days after he reportedly failed to appear in court. The pastor, Eligio Regalado, said about half of the misappropriated $1.3 million went to the IRS. Denver Pastor’s Assets Frozen The Denver pastor accused...
South African Regulator Expects to Determine Fate of 50 Crypto License Applications in ‘Coming Weeks’
26.1.2024
The head of enforcement at South Africa’s financial industry watchdog said on Jan. 24 that he expects the organization to decide the fate of 50 crypto firms’ license applicants in the coming weeks. The watchdog stated that from the more than 100 entities that applied for a license, 20 have since...
Nigerian Crypto Startup Reveals Closure of $2.3 Million Strategic Funding Round
17.1.2024
The Nigerian crypto startup revealed on Jan. 16 that the firm had closed a $2.3 million strategic fund to finance the acquisition of operating licenses from different African regulators. Canza Finance said it hopes the new licenses and the defi platform will help it achieve its goal of lowering...
Consortium of Nigerian Banks and Fintechs Cleared to Pilot Stablecoin
7.1.2024
The Nigerian central bank has given its go-ahead for the Africa Stablecoin Consortium (ASC) to pilot its cNGN stablecoin initiative in the financial regulator’s regulatory sandbox. The ASC asserts that the cNGN stablecoin can prove to be vital not only for the country’s payment rails but...
Prohibition of Cash Withdrawals From VASPs Operated Accounts May Contradict Central Bank’s Cashless Policy — Nigerian Lawyer
7.1.2024
Nigerian fintech lawyer Senator Ihenyen said the new central bank guidelines which bar the withdrawal of cash from accounts operated by virtual asset service providers (VASPs) seem “reasonable and understandable.” The lawyer however believes an “outright” prohibition of cash...
Bitcoin ETF Mania and Nigeria’s New Stance on Crypto to Drive the Industry’s Revival in Africa — Experts
30.12.2023
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s expected approval of bitcoin exchange-traded funds and Nigeria’s lifting of a directive which excluded the crypto industry from the banking ecosystem are expected to help revive African users’ interest in crypto. The Bitcoin halving...
Angolan National Assembly Approves Crypto Law to Safeguard ‘Monetary Sovereignty’
22.12.2023
The Angolan National Assembly recently approved legislation that seeks to address crypto mining’s impact on the environment as well as safeguarding the country’s “monetary sovereignty.” The objective of this legislation is to also curb illicit activities by preventing...
Ghana’s Securities Regulator Creates Taskforce to Build Capacity for Crypto Asset Oversight
20.12.2023
The Ghanaian securities regulator has established a task force which is expected to help it boost its capacity to regulate crypto assets. Ghanaian residents have continued to trade and invest in cryptocurrencies and this has forced the regulator to think of ways to protect crypto users. Gaining...
Nigerian Crypto Exchange Describes Deposit Suspension as ‘Industry-Standard Precautionary Measure’
19.12.2023
The Nigerian cryptocurrency exchange platform Bitmama recently said it has temporarily suspended deposits due to “ongoing third-party maintenance.” Bitmama said that while earlier media reports about its suspension of deposits are correct, they nevertheless “lack context,”...
Report: Worldcoin Set to Resume Kenyan Operations in Early 2024
18.12.2023
Worldcoin, the iris biometric crypto project, has reportedly reached an agreement with Kenyan authorities which allows it to resume operations in the African country. Worldcoin representatives are said to be “working directly with regulators to meet Kenya’s requirements.” Worldcoin...
Report: South African Financial Institutions Will Soon Offer Services Related to Cryptocurrencies
13.12.2023
About 73 applicants who are seeking a license to offer crypto products in South Africa are already registered as accountable institutions with the Financial Intelligence Centre, an executive at the crypto exchange Luno has said. According to the Luno executive, this may be an indication that...
Report: 47% of Nigerians Engaged in Crypto-Related Activities
10.12.2023
A new study has found that as much as 47% of Nigerians are actively engaged in crypto trading which is now increasingly incorporated in their financial lives. The analysis also showed that crypto ownership in the country grew by 15% between 2020 and 2023. Cryptocurrencies No Longer Seen...
The Bulk of Crypto Trading Volumes in Africa Are Generated by Institutional Traders — Farzam Ehsani
9.12.2023
Farzam Ehsani, the founder and CEO of the South African crypto exchange Valr, has stated that institutional traders account for the bulk of the African continent’s crypto trading volumes. To support this point, Ehsani referred to Valr’s largest volumes which he said “are...