Crypto Payment Infrastructure Firm Opennode to Test Bitcoin Payments in Bahrain

Opennode, a bitcoin payment infrastructure firm, recently said it will run trials of its bitcoin processing and payout solution through the Central Bank of Bahrain’s regulatory sandbox. According to Dalal Buhejji, an executive director with the Bahrain Economic Development Board, the central bank’s sandbox helps to ensure that fintechs will continue to innovate and adhere … Read more

Payments Firm Bolt Scraps Deal to Acquire Crypto Company Wyre

California-based online payments company Bolt is pulling out of an agreement to buy crypto provider Wyre. The news of the scrapped deal, which was agreed to earlier this year, comes amid plunging valuations in the crypto and fintech sectors. Bolt Gives Up Plan for $1.5 Billion Wyre Acquisition Bolt Financial, a U.S. technology company headquartered … Read more

Ghanaian Central Bank Allays Fears That a CBDC Will Disrupt Mobile Money Operations

The Bank of Ghana has said the expected implementation of the central bank digital currency will not disrupt or negatively impact the operations of mobile money operators. Rather, the central bank expects the digital currency to improve the efficiency of Ghana’s settlement systems as well as to “fast-track cross border trade.” CBDC to Complement Mobile … Read more

Fintech Unicorn Flutterwave Granted ‘Game Changing’ License by Nigerian Central Bank

The Nigerian fintech Flutterwave has said the switching and processing license it recently received from the Central Bank of Nigeria allows it to “deliver an improved experience to our customers.” The new license is said to allow Flutterwave to “connect every single store of value in Nigeria to global commerce.” New License Said to Be … Read more

Kenyan Fintech Pezesha Raises $11 Million in Pre-Series a Round Backed by Cardano Blockchain Builder

Pezesha, a Kenyan fintech focused on providing bridging finance to small and medium-sized enterprises, recently raised $11 million in pre-Series A debt-equity funding round. The Women’s World Banking Capital Partners II led the round in which the Cardano blockchain builder Input Output Global also participated. Pezesha Solving Working Capital Problems for MSMEs A Kenya-based fintech, … Read more

Georgia to Update Crypto Regulations to Incorporate EU Rules, Legalize Industry

The government of Georgia has approved amendments to the legal framework for the Caucasian nation’s financial sector, including additional regulations for crypto and fintech activities. The move aims to align Georgian law with relevant EU provisions. Parliament of Georgia to Vote on Crypto Legislation in Coming Months A legislative package expanding the regulatory framework for … Read more

Second Biggest Brazilian Bank Bradesco Not Interested in Crypto, Alleges It Is Still ‘Very Small’

Bradesco, one of the biggest banks in Brazil, has stated it does not have plans to enter the cryptocurrency market in the near future. In an interview, Bradesco CEO Octavio de Lazari Junior stated that the company was currently not interested in launching crypto services to its customers, considering the cryptocurrency market will be “very … Read more