Zimbabwe’s Biggest Bank Looks at Methods to ‘Leverage Cryptocurrencies’

One of Zimbabwe’s biggest financial institutions, CBZ Holdings says it is looking at ways it could “leverage cryptocurrencies and other emerging digital innovations.” According to the financial institution’s chairperson, Marc Holtzman, CBZ “is open-minded about new innovations, as these could open up new opportunities going forward.” Innovations Opening up New Markets Speaking in an interview … Read more

Nigeria Stopping the Rejection of Old or Torn USD Notes Underlines Why Crypto Is a Better Reserve Currency

In early April 2021, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) issued a circular warning Nigerian institutions to stop the practice of rejecting old or lower denomination USD notes. The CBN issued the warning after it became “inundated with complaints from members of the public on the rejection of such notes by banks and other authorized … Read more

Zimbabwe’s Stock Exchange Open to Crypto Listing Subject to ‘Regulatory Approval’

Zimbabwe Stock Exchange (ZSE) CEO Justin Bgoni says its recently licensed subsidiary, the Victoria Falls Stock Exchange is open to listing bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. However, according to local media reports, any such listings are still dependent on the digital asset issuers getting “regulatory approval.” The report does not provide any details of requirements that … Read more

Zimbabwe’s Mobile Money on Life Support as Central Bank Tightens Screws: Restrictions to Affect P2P Bitcoin Trading

Zimbabwe’s Mobile Money Operators (MMO) say they will comply with the latest directive by the central bank to shutdown mobile money agents. In addition, the MMOs will also limit mobile money transactions to $50 (Zwl $5,000) per day while users are now restricted to one mobile money account per person. The directive went into effect … Read more

Zimbabwe’s Battle To Control Currency Inadvertently Boosts Bitcoin Profile

Zimbabwe’s deteriorating economic situation is forcing authorities to sign off on some desperate and controversial decisions. Some of such decisions include the abrupt suspension mobile money as well as the recent designation of Zimswitch as a national payment switch. Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Suspends Mobile Money Service Owned by banks, Zimswitch is the current payments … Read more

Zimbabwe Bans Popular Mobile Money Services From Paying out Fiat Cash

Zimbabwe is once again showing the need to take away from politicians the power to control normal people’s money. The government there is now trying to cope with the results of mismanaging the economy by preventing citizens from using their fiat currency as they see fit. Also Read: Bittrex, Coinbase and Kraken Set up Crypto … Read more

‘Zimdollar’ Reboot: Bitcoin Fills Liquidity Gaps as New Zimbabwe Currency Flounders

P2P bitcoin trade is surging in Zimbabwe via mobile exchange platforms like Ecocash, despite recent government efforts to curb the use of competing currencies locally. As of June 24, the reinstated Zimbabwe dollar (formerly RTGS dollar) is now the only recognized currency in the economically embattled southern African country. Finance minister Mthuli Ncube sees the … Read more

Bitcoin Trading Flourishes on Whatsapp Following African Exchange Closures

Governments in Africa simply cannot stop an idea whose time has come. In Zimbabwe, financial regulators banned cryptocurrency trading, and shut down two exchanges, thinking to have killed the ecosystem, only for Bitcoin to find a new life on Whatsapp. Kenyan authorities have sounded tough on virtual currency, warning banks and individuals against trading such, … Read more

Wave of Mobile Tax Hikes Squeezes Africa’s Poor to Indulge Governments

A smart robber fleeces you with a pen and a handshake. From Zimbabwe to Kenya, Uganda to Benin, African governments are on a tax-raising spree, looking for easy money, ostensibly to help fund successive revenue shortfalls and budget deficits. Often, the money ends up being misappropriated by corrupt public officials. The best weapon in government … Read more

Faced With Cash And Forex Shortages, Zimbabweans Turn To Bitcoin – Even When It’s Banned

Cryptocurrency may be banned in Zimbabwe, but bitcoin is helping ordinary folk make payments bank-free. It makes for a great fit for the more than 10 million Zimbabweans who lack access to basic banking services. And it’s even more beneficial to the banked few, a distrusting lot, keen to protect their savings against bank failure, … Read more