IMF Partly Blames Uncertainty in Nigeria’s Forex Market for Drop in Remittances

The uncertainty that prevails in Nigeria’s foreign exchange market is partly to blame for the plunge in cross-border remittances into the country, an official with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has said. Covid-19 Another Contributing Factor According to a report by local news outlet Punch, the official, Abebe Selassie, said this in response to a … Read more

IMF Head Says Central Bank Digital Currencies Are Reliable, Hard to Think of Bitcoin as Money

Digital currencies backed by central banks are the most reliable form of digital money, according to IMF managing director Kristalina Georgieva. At the same time, to think of cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin as money is difficult, believes the chief executive of the international financial institution. IMF Chief Georgieva Marks Top Issues for Policymakers Exploring CBDCs … Read more

Remittances to Africa Set to Drop by 5.4 % to $41 Billion — Covid-19 Pandemic and High Sending Costs Blamed

According to findings from the Continental Migration Report 2021, remittances to African countries are projected to decrease from the $44 billion recorded in 2020 to $41 billion. The Covid Effect As expected, the Covid-19 pandemic is identified as one of the main causes of the decline. However, despite this projected 5.4 per cent drop, a … Read more

More Zimbabwean Artists Pivot to NFTs as Bubble Concerns Grow

A Zimbabwean artist, Greatjoy Ndlovu, joined the growing list of African artists pivoting to the non-fungible tokens (NFT) market after his digital artwork was sold for 0.7 ethereum. The sale, which took place on the Async Art NFT marketplace, is Ndlovu’s first foray into the digital art space. NFTs an Opportunity for African Artists According … Read more

Bitcoin Miners May Face Major Semiconductor Shortage — Sub-16 Nanometer Chip Costs to Rise by 20%

Fears of a major semiconductor chip shortage have started to make headlines again as the chips power nearly everything from new cars, phones, computers, and a myriad of other items. Reports stemming from Malaysia show that semiconductor manufacturers are dealing with an uptick in Covid-19 cases and this is plaguing the supply chain. Moreover, the … Read more

Does Jack Dorsey Support Voluntaryism? Twitter CEO Shares Murray Rothbard’s Book ‘Anatomy of the State’

Ever since the CEO of Twitter and Square, Jack Dorsey, started appreciating the crypto asset bitcoin, crypto enthusiasts have been following his coattails. However, there are very mixed views about Dorsey because while some people adore him, others are skeptical of his goals as his firm has been accused of mass censorship. Then on August … Read more

Global Charity Organization Launches Crypto-Based Vouchers for Vulnerable Groups in Kenya, Ecuador

The global charity organization, CARE, has created crypto-based vouchers that will be distributed to women and select groups in Africa and Latin America. According to CARE, these vouchers will be redeemable for goods, services or cash and linked to the needs of recipients. However, in its statement announcing the launch of the pilot phase, the … Read more

Ghana Vice President Praises Central Bank’s CBDC Initiative, Says Digital Currencies Can Boost Intra-African Trade

The Ghanaian Vice President, Mahamudu Bawumia, has implored African governments to start exploring digital currencies as such alternatives have the potential to enhance intra-African trade. In addition, such digital currencies allow African countries to carry out all cross-border payments smoothly, the leader explained. Ghana Government Backing for CBDC According to a report, Bawumia made these … Read more

California Man Arrested for Using Government’s Covid-19 PPP Loan to Buy Cryptocurrency and Tesla

The U.S. has arrested a man on criminal charges after he allegedly defrauded the government’s Covid-19 loan programs and used the money to buy cryptocurrency and Tesla. Using PPP Loan to Buy Cryptocurrency and Tesla The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced Friday that Lebnitz Tran was arrested Thursday “on criminal charges related to his … Read more