Central Bank’s Targeting of P2P Crypto Transactions Forces Startup to Quit Nigeria

The Nigerian startup behind the social payment app for cryptocurrency and fiat, Kurepay, says the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)’s current crackdown on crypto entities has forced it to suspend operations in Nigeria. ‘Horrible’ Year for Crypto Adoption According to a report by the Cryptoassetbuyer, this suspension of operations is set to commence at the … Read more

Kenya Central Bank Governor on CBDC: It’s About Getting It Right Rather Than Being First

The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) governor, Patrick Njoroge, has said his institution is currently exploring the use of central bank digital currencies (CBDC) to settle cross-border payments. Njoroge however insists the bank’s priority is getting it right rather than being the first. CBK’s Approach According to a report by the Kenyan Wallstreet, Njoroge — … Read more

Nigerian Remittances Rebound as Country Tops Sub Sahara Africa — Sending Costs Still High

Nigeria is once again Sub Sahara Africa’s biggest recipient of remittances into the region where the money transfers went up by 6.2 percent to $45 billion, a new World Bank report has shown. The Impact of Nigerian Policies on Remittances According to the November 17, 2021 press release, this increase in the value of funds … Read more

IMF Says Nigerian CBDC Drawing Global Interest, Warns of Associated Risks

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has acknowledged that the recently launched Nigerian central bank digital currency (CBDC) is attracting interest from many institutions globally, including central banks. Still, the fund warns that the CBDC carries risks for monetary policy implementation, cyber security, operational resilience, and financial integrity and stability. CBDC Attracting Interest In its latest … Read more

Nigeria Central Bank Governor: Cryptocurrency Is a Product ‘Embedded in High Level of Illegality’

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Godwin Emefiele, has claimed that a majority of cryptocurrency transactions are embedded in illegality. He also asserts that there is no room for cryptocurrency in the Nigerian banking space. Pushback Against Endsars Protest Claims In his latest anti-cryptocurrency salvo that was published by the Punch, Emefiele however appeared … Read more

Analysts: Lack of Trust in Nigerian Government an Impediment to CBDC’s Success Prospects

While Nigerians have seemingly embraced the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)’s digital currency, skeptical analysts believe a lack of trust in the government will ultimately limit the e-naira’s prospects for success. Threat From Fintech Startups In addition, some analysts insist the digital currency’s already tenuous position is made worse by the fact that it has … Read more

Nigerian Experts Insist Africa’s First CBDC Is Presently Not for the Unbanked

While the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) continues to tout the e-naira’s credentials as a tool for fostering financial inclusion, some experts agree that this central bank digital currency (CBDC) is presently not doing this. The CBDC’s Chaotic Start This assertion as well as the e-naira app’s brief removal from Google Play Store appears to … Read more

CBDC Could Increase Nigeria’s GDP by $29 Billion in 10 Years: President Buhari

The Nigerian president, Muhammadu Buhari, suggested in a recent speech that the new e-naira central bank digital currency (CBDC) could lead to an increase in the value of his country’s GDP by $29 billion in ten years. Africa’s First CBDC President Buhari made bold remarks in his speech at Monday’s launch of the e-naira CBDC, … Read more

Nigerian Judge Rules in Favor of Accused Crypto Startup, Accounts to Be Reopened

A Nigerian Federal Court judge recently ruled that the two frozen bank accounts belonging to Rise Vest Technologies, which is accused of trading cryptocurrencies, must be reopened. CBN’s Bank Account Freeze Order Dismissed In a ruling that overturns the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)’s August 17 decision to freeze the bank accounts, Judge Taiwo Taiwo … Read more

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari to Unveil Country’s CBDC

The Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari, is expected to formally launch the country’s central bank digital currency (CBDC) on October 25, 2021. High-Level Endorsement of the CBDC According to a statement released by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the formal event marking the e-naira’s launch will be held at the Buhari’s official residence. After the … Read more