Abu Dhabi Fintech Startup Raises $20 Million in Series B Funding Round

Abu Dhabi-based fintech, Pyypl, announced on Nov. 7 that it had raised $20 million in Series B funding and this brought the total of funds raised to nearly $40 million. Pyypl has said it plans to use the recently raised funds to develop and add new features to its proprietary technology. The company further wants … Read more

Egyptian Currency Plunges 15% After Cairo Accedes to Key IMF Exchange Rate Condition

After authorities in Egypt announced the adoption of a more flexible exchange rate regime, the pound exchange rate versus the U.S dollar plunged to 23.09:1, a new low for the currency. Cairo’s apparent devaluation of the Egyptian pound met a key condition set by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) before it eventually approved a $3 … Read more

Costa Rica Might Be the Next Country to Establish Bitcoin as Regulated Currency

Costa Rica could be one of the next countries to adopt bitcoin as a regulated payment method. This week, Congresswoman Johana Obando introduced a bill to allow bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies to serve as a form of payment. The bill also proposes that traditional banking institutions be able to serve as crypto exchanges, including custody … Read more

Nigerian CBDC Still Not Widely Used a Year After Launch

On October 25, Nigeria commemorated the first anniversary of the Central Bank of Nigeria’s e-naira, even as more residents continue to snub the digital currency. In a move aimed at boosting the use of the CBDC, the central bank is offering a 5% discount to motorized rickshaw drivers and passengers that use the e-naira. Kingsley … Read more

Recent Poll Shows Citizens of El Salvador Still Not Sold on Bitcoin

A recent poll completed by the Public Opinion University Institute, part of the Simeon Canas Centroamerican University, has found that El Salvador is still not attracted by the idea of bitcoin as legal tender. The poll results indicate that almost two-thirds of the population has a negative impression of bitcoin, with only a quarter of … Read more

Africa Focused Crypto Exchange Yellow Card Granted VASPs License in Botswana

Yellow Card, an Africa-focused cryptocurrency exchange platform, recently said it has received a virtual asset service provider (VASP) license to operate in Botswana. Granted by the country’s Non-Bank Financial Institutions Regulatory Authority, Yellow Card’s license allows the crypto exchange to bolster its operations on the continent. Working With Regulators The Africa-focused cryptocurrency exchange platform, Yellow … Read more

Chainalysis: Stablecoins Used to Fight Devaluation and Inflation in Latam

According to Chainalysis, a crypto auditing and blockchain tracking firm, the use of dollar-pegged stablecoins is growing in Latam, specifically in Argentina and Venezuela, due to the common economic problems that both countries are facing. 34% of the “small” transactions include stablecoins in Venezuela, and 31% of these in Argentina, as citizens seek to shield … Read more

Report: Turkey’s September Gold Imports up by 1,700% as Individuals Swap Falling Lira With the Precious Metal

Turkey’s gold imports of just over 39,000 kilograms in September 2022 are more than 16 times the quantity that was brought into the country in September 2021. The surge in Turkey’s gold imports is reportedly being spurred by the rise in demand for the precious metal by individuals and entities using it in foreign currency … Read more

Study: MENA Crypto Volumes Grew Fastest Between July 2021 and June 2022 — Turkey Cements Position as Region’s Largest Market

Of the $566 billion in cryptocurrency transaction volume for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region between July 2021 and June 2022, nearly 40% went to Turkey, which kept its place as the region’s biggest cryptocurrency market, according to the latest Chainalysis data. In Afghanistan, the Taliban’s takeover has seen the value of cryptocurrencies … Read more

Kenyan Central Bank Raises Key Rate by 75 Basis Points

The monetary policy committee of the Kenyan central bank recently revealed it increased the central bank rate by 75 basis points from 7.5% to 8.25%. Justifying its decision to act, the committee cites growing inflationary pressures and increased global risks, as well as their likely impact on the domestic economy. Growing Inflationary Pressures Following its … Read more