Binance Resumes Offering Futures Trading Products to South African Users

One of the world’s biggest cryptocurrency exchanges by volumes traded, Binance, has said its futures products are now available to eligible South African users. In a message to its users, Binance suggested it has rectified issues with the regional regulator and that its activities in South Africa are now above board. Products Offered Unchanged Almost … Read more

Report: Financial Services Giant Old Mutual Appointed Manager of South African Stablecoin Project’s Cash Reserves

One of South Africa’s largest financial services groups, Old Mutual, has reportedly been appointed manager of the ZARP stablecoin project’s cash reserves. Founders of the stablecoin are hopeful that the appointment of one of the country’s oldest financial services companies will help bolster confidence in the digital currency. Enhancing Credibility of the Stablecoin The South … Read more

Dubai Luxury Hotel Palazzo Versace Allows Guests to Pay in Crypto

Guests staying at Palazzo Versace Dubai have, since September 7, had an option to settle payment for services rendered via cryptocurrency. The hotel also plans to add the crypto payment option to its e-commerce platforms to enable guests to pay for gift vouchers using digital currencies. Cryptocurrency Infrastructure Provider A luxury hotel based in Dubai, … Read more

IMF Bailout Approval Helps Zambian Kwacha Take the Russian Ruble’s Position as World’s Best Performing Currency

After the International Money Fund revealed it had approved a bailout package for Zambia, the Southern African country’s currency, the kwacha, rallied by 3.1%. Following this gain, the kwacha took the Russian ruble’s position as the world’s best-performing currency in 2022. Zambia Still ‘Has a Long Way to Go’ The Zambian kwacha currency, which currently … Read more

Bitfinex CTO Paolo Ardoino States Salvadoran Bitcoin Bonds to Be Further Delayed

The launch of El Salvador’s bitcoin bonds, issued to finance part of the construction of the Bitcoin City in the country, will be delayed again. In a recent interview Paolo Ardoino, CTO at Bitfinex, the exchange in which these bonds will be offered, stated that the law framework needed for the issuance of these digital … Read more

Bitcoin Beach to Receive More Than $203 Million in Infrastructure Investments in El Salvador

El Zonte, a beach in El Salvador rebaptized as “Bitcoin Beach” due to its adoption of the cryptocurrency, will receive infrastructure investments as part of a strategic plan of the government of El Salvador. Surf City, another beach location in the La Libertad region, will also receive road improvements and other upgrades. ‘Bitcoin Beach’ to … Read more

Report: East African Single Currency Unlikely to Be Introduced by 2024

There are growing doubts about the regional economic bloc known as the East African Community’s ability to successfully launch a single currency by 2024, a report has said. One of the reasons for this is member states’ delays in meeting targets as set out in the roadmap. Attainment of Single Regional Currency a Top Priority … Read more

Nigerian BTC Peer-to-Peer Volumes Nearly $400M in H1 of 2022 — Significant Growth in Kenya and Ghana Volumes

Nigeria’s peer-to-peer bitcoin traded volumes of over $1.1 billion between January 2021 and June 2022 mean the West African nation is now Paxful’s largest market. Kenya, which saw traded volumes of over $325 million during the same period, now ranks as the crypto exchange’s second-largest African market, and fifth overall. Financial Exclusion Driving P2P Bitcoin … Read more

Report: Nigerian Central Bank Targets Tenfold Increase in Number of CBDC Users, Governor Says Use of Cash Will ‘Dissipate to Zero’

Despite the apparent slow embrace of the e-naira digital currency by Nigerians, the Central Bank of Nigeria governor has said his institution is targeting a tenfold increase in the number of users of the digital currency in the next twelve months. The governor predicted that the use of cash will “dissipate to zero” while the … Read more

Qatari National Blockchain Blueprint Spotlights Benefits of the Technology to Country’s Economy

Qatar’s recently released “National Blockchain Blueprint” has suggested that the technology, combined with a “solid regulatory framework,” can help the country build an innovative information technology (IT) sector. However, for this to happen, Qatar must implement recommendations laid out in the blueprint. Qatar Said to Be Well Placed to Become Blockchain Hub A blueprint jointly … Read more