Government Cannot Stand in the Way of Crypto Technologies, Iran Minister Says

New technologies, including blockchain and cryptocurrency mining, have helped Iran to increase budget receipts and withstand foreign sanctions, according to the country’s minister for economy and finance. The high-ranking official believes the government can’t interfere with their development for too long. Government Official Cautions Against Impeding Crypto Development Over the past few years, Tehran has … Read more

Study Shows 36% of Nigerian Adults Are Financially Excluded — Digital Financial Services Bolsters Inclusion

Nearly 36% of Nigeria’s 106 million adults lack access to both regulated and unregulated financial services, according to the findings of the Enhancing Financial Innovations and Access (EFIA) study. In addition, while the findings do suggest a marginal drop in the percentage of financially excluded adults in the past few years, overall “the actual number … Read more

Restrictions on Crypto Trading to Deprive Nation of Opportunities, Iranian Fintechs Warn

Startups have spoken out against government attempts to curb the operations of crypto exchanges in Iran. Cryptocurrency trading is not illegal, Iranian fintechs insist, calling on lawmakers and regulators to develop rules that would allow the sanctioned country to continue to take advantage of decentralized money transfers. Iranian Fintechs Insist There Is No Ban on … Read more

Mastercard Payment Index: More Consumers in Three African Countries Plan to Use Crypto Based Payment Methods

According to a recent Mastercard payment index report, the Covid-19 related lockdowns helped spread the use of cryptocurrency in three African countries, namely Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa. The report also reveals that a greater number of consumers from these countries are “likely to use one emerging payment method in the coming year.” More Respondents … Read more