Tag: Cryptocurrency

  • Two Africans now serve on Binance’s Global Advisory Board

    Two Africans now serve on Binance’s Global Advisory Board

    Binance, one of the biggest cryptocurrency exchanges in the world has put together a Global Advisory Board made up of well-known experts in public policy, government, finance, economics, and corporate governance.

    The goal of the GAB is to help Binance deal with some of the toughest regulatory, political, and social problems that the cryptocurrency industry as a whole is facing as it grows and changes quickly.

    Ibukun Awosika, who was the former Chairman of First Bank Nigeria, and Leslie Maasdorp of South Africa, who was the former Managing Director and President for Southern Africa at Bank of America Merrill Lynch, are the only two Africans on the 11-member board.

    Max Baucus, who used to be a U.S. senator and an ambassador to China, is now in charge of the GAB.

    Read also: Nigeria Binance And Talent City Meets On Crypto

    What is Binance doing?

    In March 2021, Binance hired Baucus to be their Policy and Government Relations Advisor. The former US Senator was going to be an important part of working with US regulators and authorities on long-term improvements for Binance and the cryptocurrency ecosystem as a whole.

    The cryptocurrency exchange has set up a global organization to deal with regulatory issues on a global scale.

    Through the GAB, we’re supercharging the ability to manage regulatory complexity by tapping into the finest level of expertise accessible anywhere in the globe,” said Changpeng Zhao, the CEO of Binance.

    Members of the GAB hail from Africa.

    Ibukun Awosika, a former chairman of First Bank in Nigeria, and Leslie Maasdorp, a former managing director and president for Southern Africa at Bank of America Merrill Lynch, are two of the eleven people on Binance’s Global Advisory Board (GAB). The GAB is comprised entirely of individuals from Africa.

    In a statement, Awosika is said to have said, “Binance must continue to innovate and build solutions in real-time.” She also stated that she is pleased to be a part of the organization’s global advisory board and to contribute to the process of really altering the Web3 economy.

    In the meantime, Maasdorp suggested that the cryptocurrency and blockchain industries might serve as a driving force behind the expansion of economic prospects all over the world. He anticipates that he will be able to facilitate some investments in the field and is looking forward to collaborating with industry professionals.

    The regulatory challenges faced by Binance

    Binance, like most other cryptocurrency startups in most parts of the world, has gotten a lot of attention from government regulators. In June of 2021, the United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) issued a warning to customers about the platform and ordered the company to cease all regulated activities immediately.

    Once again in February 2022, the Financial Conduct Authority in the UK voiced its reservations about the July 2021. Italy was another country that prevented Binance from providing its services. Italy was another country that stopped Binance from doing business there in July 2021. Binance has stated that it will cooperate with regulators using a “collaborative approach” and that the company will take its compliance commitments very seriously.

    The company has been taking a number of different steps to improve its efficiency in all of the countries where it is currently doing business. According to recent news reports, Nigeria and the corporation are thinking about working together to make a Virtual Free Zone.

    It’s possible that as Binance keeps working to make sure that cryptocurrencies have a stable and welcoming regulatory framework, it will spur the creation of laws that work for cryptocurrencies all over the world.

  • Bitcoin vs Monero: What’s The Difference?

    Bitcoin vs Monero: What’s The Difference?

    The use of cryptocurrencies is becoming increasingly widespread. These are decentralized digital or virtual currencies that may be spent or traded utilizing blockchain technology. They are sometimes referred to as altcoins. The degree to which they accomplish their goals of enhancing privacy and anonymity is an open question for many. Some of these currencies allow the public to view all transactions, while others give users the option to maintain their privacy. Others choose to keep the privacy feature wholly hidden from view.

    What is Monero?

    Monero is a cryptocurrency that focuses on privacy and was introduced in 2014. Monero stands out as a cryptocurrency due to its privacy protections and untraceability. The requirement for anonymous transactions inspired the creation of Monero, an open-source cryptocurrency. In addition, the problem of scalability, which is experienced by many other cryptocurrencies, was designed to be solved through the development of Monero.

    The concept is the foundation upon which it is constructed and runs. Blockchains are public ledgers that record all transactions on the network and form the basis for digital currencies.

    By design, Monero’s blockchain cannot be tracked. By masking sender and recipient addresses, it protects the privacy of all transaction data, including gender identity, recipient identity, and transaction amounts.

    Besides being anonymous, the Monero mining process is founded on equality. The idea is that everyone should be treated fairly and given a fair shot at success. Although the Monero team did not retain any ownership of the virtual currency after its introduction, they did count on user donations and feedback to fuel the project’s growth.

    What is Bitcoin?

    Bitcoin is a cryptocurrency, a digital currency created to function as a medium of exchange and payment that is untraceable and unaffected by the government or central banks. As a cryptocurrency, it may be bought and sold on various exchanges and provides the incentive for miners on the blockchain to validate transactions.

    It’s no secret that Bitcoin is a pioneer in the cryptocurrency industry and a top choice for many investors. And it’s the place where crypto newbies can test the waters with a small investment. Now, it’s the most widely recognised digital currency worldwide.

    As a result of its success, many similar digital currencies have emerged. These alternate payment systems either aim to replace it or use it as a utility or security token in other blockchains and new forms of finance.

    Back in 2009, Bitcoin (often abbreviated as BTC) was the first cryptocurrency ever created. Bitcoin has a predetermined maximum quantity of 21 million tokens, and miners are responsible for the steady distribution of these currencies over time. Bitcoin (BTC) is the undisputed overall market value and trading volume champion.

    Read also: Cybercrime Ravages Cryptocurrencies

    Pros of using Monero

    Its blockchain is opaque, so users’ transaction amounts and identities remain hidden even if the amounts and senders’ addresses are compromised, and transactions cannot be traced back to their users. Investors don’t need to purchase expensive mining hardware to mine Monero using their computers.

    Because of its anonymity properties, Monero is frequently used in illegal transactions and on the dark web, and It’s impossible to track down because there is no way to link or trace the trades.

    For individuals who pose a security risk or proprietors of websites, the primary advantage of It enables transactions to take place more quickly (especially when they are small).

    Mining can be done efficiently on “normal” PCs thanks to it. Monero is a highly respectable and esteemed cryptocurrency,

    ASICs cannot break Monero’s encryption, meaning mining the MXR cryptocurrency does not require a considerable amount of processing power. Transactions require numerous keys, further strengthening the system’s already high level of security.

    Monero does not have a maximum number of blocks. Even if there is no more MXR to distribute, miners will still be rewarded with 0.3 MXR per block regardless of the situation.

    Monero has accomplished tremendous growth in terms of finances and possesses a capable and powerful development staff.

    Cons of using Monero

    Monero’s rapid growth can be attributed mainly to its reputation for anonymity; however, this feature also presents several difficulties.

    Their anonymity and decentralisation make them ideal for dark web markets where people can buy and sell illegal goods like narcotics or gamble anonymously. One reason famous dark web marketplaces like AlphaBay and Oasis saw increased usage of Monero just before they were taken down is because of this.

    There are several wallets on the market that are not suitable for use with Monero.

    Because of the more significant amount of encryption needed, Monero trades are more expensive than those of other cryptocurrencies. Monero is not beginner-friendly

    Some complications arise with storing Monero.

    Pros of Bitcoin

    Despite Bitcoin’s existence since 2009, many people still hold false beliefs about this kind of payment. Investigating Bitcoin’s merits can help you determine whether or not to put your money into the cryptocurrency.

    Bitcoin, like many other cryptocurrencies, can be used to make transactions quickly and easily, and it is not limited by where it is used. Bitcoin’s many uses and ease of use are also significant advantages. Bitcoins can be sent to another user in a matter of minutes, so they can be used right away at the growing number of stores that accept the currency. It’s easy to avoid or cut costs when exchanging money or buying things abroad. Bitcoins can be bought and sold instantly and without any hassle.

    Transparency and privacy for users: Bitcoin users are not entirely anonymous, but numerical codes represent their identities, and they can have multiple public keys. This way, the user’s transactions are protected from public view and cannot be linked to them. Like many other financial decisions, deciding whether or not to invest in Bitcoin requires getting as much information as possible. Like many other financial decisions, deciding whether or not to invest in Bitcoin requires getting as much information as possible.

    Some people think Bitcoin is extremely rare because Satoshi Nakamoto, the creator of Bitcoin, imposing a cap of 21 million on the total number of Bitcoins that might ever exist. Bitcoin is very valuable because there aren’t many of them, but its fluctuating price is the only thing that controls how much people want it.

    There are no rules from a governing body. The fact that Bitcoin is decentralized is often seen as a benefit, but the lack of rules for Bitcoin investments is also a downside. Bitcoin transactions aren’t backed by the law and often can’t be undone, unlike transactions with currencies that are controlled by a central bank. This leaves users open to fraud.

    Another problem is that Bitcoin transactions are not safe because they are anonymous and not regulated. Since Bitcoin transactions are permanent and can’t be undone, there’s nothing you can do if you send money to the wrong person or for the wrong amount.

    There is also the possibility of losing some money. Many people who use Bitcoin keep their money in a cryptocurrency wallet, which risks their wealth if they lose their private key.

    Although more and more businesses are beginning to accept Bitcoin, including Microsoft and some subway locations, the cryptocurrency is still not generally recognized. In contrast to using a debit or credit card, this restricts where the funds can be spent.

    What is the difference between Monero and Bitcoin?

    The way that Monero and Bitcoin use cryptography to make transactions is what makes them different from each other. This leads to the creation of fake payments, making it harder for outsiders to determine where the money is coming from.

    The basic idea behind ring signatures is much simpler than you might think at first. The person who is responsible for authorizing a transaction is part of a group of people that also includes people who have authorized transactions in the past. This leads to the creation of fake payments, making it harder for outsiders to determine where the money is coming from.

    Over the past few years, the number of ring signatures that Monero uses has grown, which means that users can expect a much higher level of privacy.

    Each digital asset has pros and cons, and the right to privacy is an old problem that hasn’t gone away. Despite the fact that this is still much slower than more common options such as

    Because transactions on the MXR blockchain take an average of 20 minutes, this alternative cryptocurrency can’t be used as a payment method. The block time on the Bitcoin network is around 10 minutes on average. Despite the fact that this is still much slower than more common options such as These payments are completely traceable on the public blockchain; in fact, as we’ve seen in the aftermath of a number of high-profile breaches in recent years, it’s even possible to track stolen BTC.

    When comparing Bitcoin and Monero mining, anonymity is the main distinction. When you hear that Bitcoins are anonymous, keep in mind that this was not the intention. You can look up every block, transaction, and address on a service like BlockExplorer. This means you can view all Bitcoin transactions for a specific address if you have transferred or received Bitcoin to or from that address.

    Thus, Bitcoin is referred to as a “pseudonymous” currency. This means that even if you don’t know the person’s name, you can still trace all payments made to and from his address. The methods, However, hiding your traffic is complex, time-consuming, and resource-intensive.

    However, Monero’s transaction privacy protections are always active. It is impossible to trace the origin of funds sent through Monero. Also, the recipient of your monero will have no idea who sent it unless you tell them. And since you can’t figure out how “rich” they are because you use a different currency, there will be periods when Bitcoin transactions take longer than usual, especially if the transaction fees are low.

    Should I use Monero or Bitcoin?

    Monero and Bitcoin have pros and cons, so the answer to whether you should use one or the other depends greatly on your situation.

    You might like MXR because it gives you the same kind of anonymity that cash does when you use it to pay for things. This doesn’t necessarily mean that you are buying something illegal. Instead, it could just mean that you are worried about being seen doing something wrong.

    But when it comes to laws, it’s safe to say that the existence of Monero poses some very complicated problems for the industry. Nations all over the world are worried that MXR could be used for illegal things like funding terrorism, laundering money, or avoiding taxes. Because Monero is a decentralized cryptocurrency, it can be hard to find out who is using it to do something wrong.

    In 2020, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) of the United States said in public that anyone who could figure out MXR’s code would get $625,000. Chainalysis and Integra FEC have been given the contracts because they are experts in analyzing forensic data for bitcoin.

  • SafeSenda allows Cryptocurrency owners perform Naira exchange

    SafeSenda allows Cryptocurrency owners perform Naira exchange

    A Nigerian company, SafeSenda, has made an app that makes it easier to manage, exchange, convert, spend, and settle cryptocurrency into naira bank accounts. Nkechi Iyke-Ukaegbu and Ikechukwu Ukaegbu started the company earlier this year. It was made with an easy-to-use design to make it easier to keep track of and move crypto assets.

    According to Ukaegbu, the company was started because there wasn’t a safe and easy way to turn digital assets into local currency and send payments to Nigerian bank accounts. Due to the unfavourable regulatory climate, most transactions in Nigeria’s successful crypto trading and exchange business are carried out through P2P networks. He also said that P2P is mostly for people with a lot of experience, takes a lot of time, and can take anywhere from a few minutes to 72 hours to finish. There are also a lot of risks and difficult procedures involved. 

    However, SafeSenda claims that it streamlines the procedure and enables users to transmit cryptocurrency to their bank accounts in just minutes. Although SafeSenda is currently bootstrapped, its MVP is functional on Android and iOS, and the company plans to obtain equity capital to expand domestically and internationally, boost its liquidity pool, and ramp up marketing activities.

    The startup gives people an alternative to the peer-to-peer (P2P) system, which is the most common way to convert crypto assets to local currency. By taking this step, SafeSenda is getting into the cryptocurrency market, which is full of regulatory problems and is being watched by the government. 

    Read also: Nigeria, Binance, and Talent City Partner for Crypto City

    Nigerians find it harder to trade in cryptocurrencies now that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has told all financial institutions in the country to stop dealing in cryptocurrencies.  According to the CBN, financial institutions are prohibited from dealing in digital currency until crypto trading is regulated. This new order has set off panic in the digital money market in Nigeria as people are not sure of how to deal with the situation and are curious about what will happen next.

    SafeSenda Backstory

    In Nigeria right now, if you own cryptocurrencies, you will discover that your bank accounts are blocked and that the money you have is being withheld from you. The Central Bank of Nigeria issued a countrywide directive prohibiting the use of cryptocurrencies in February 2021. Trading in cryptocurrencies became illegal because of the decree. This put the lives of millions of Nigerians in danger. Nigeria has been a leader in the usage of Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies on the continent over the last 10 years, thanks to its rapid growth in adoption.

    The increasing usage of cryptocurrencies in Nigeria excites cryptocurrency specialists and advocates. All banks were nevertheless instructed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to “avoid doing business with businesses that deal in bitcoin.” The most interesting part of the CBN’s plan may be the idea that by 2022, Nigeria will have 13 million crypto holders, up from 10 million the year before.

     In its place, they use the peer-to-peer (P2P) model, in which one person sends coins to another, and the second person starts a normal bank transfer to the first person. Despite appearing simple, the P2P paradigm is fraught with danger. A few people can stop using the site after receiving bitcoin from another user. Bank transfers may sometimes be difficult and reliant on a third party. Since P2P relies on other platform users, most people believe it to be a sluggish and dangerous method.

    Read also: The Explosive Growth of Blockchain Funding and Cryptocurrency in Africa

    Safesenda pose as a failsafe way to convert cryptocurrencies to Nigerian Naira

    SafeSenda is making an effort to solve these concerns by pitching itself as a failsafe way to convert cryptocurrencies to Nigerian Naira. SafeSenda and other crypto businesses lack the licenses to work with Nigerian banks. The SafeSenda team has created an internal approach that goes beyond the regulatory barrier put up by the CBN to provide its customers with a frictionless experience while exchanging cryptocurrencies for Naira.

    One of the company’s co-founders, Ukaegbu, said that the idea for SafeSend sprang from the need to address several issues with P2P trade in Nigeria. Nigeria’s rapidly growing crypto trading and exchange industry is almost entirely done through peer-to-peer (P2P) platforms. This is because the country’s laws aren’t very friendly. P2P is often only used by those with outstanding expertise since it takes a long time to complete—up to 72 hours in some instances. The founders focus on the minimum viable product (MVP) when a business is still in the bootstrapping phase.

  • Bitmama Secures $1.65 Million in New Funding

    Bitmama Secures $1.65 Million in New Funding

    A blockchain payments startup called Bitmama Inc. has raised an extra $1.65 million in pre-seed capital. This came into reality after raising $350,000 in October 2021, and this new fund will put the company’s total fundraising for this round to $2 million. But earlier this year, the startup also came up with a physical crypto card that can be used to pay for things in stores.

    According to the startup, the new pre-seed funding will be used to scale up new cryptocurrency use cases across the continent quickly. It will also increase operational presence, team strength across markets, consolidation of product offerings, and market penetration in Africa.

    The previous round was led by Unicorn Growth Capital and Launch Africa Ventures. Adaverse and Flori Ventures, which led the company’s previous pre-seed round, also invested in that round. Tekedia Capital, GreenHouse Capital, ODBA, Five35 Ventures, Chrysalis Capital, Enrich Africa, Thrive Africa, Angellist Ventures, and angel investors like CELO founders Rene Reinsberg, Marek Olszewski, and Honey Ogundeyi are among the new investors participating in this round.

    Read also: Binance Partners with Utiva to Host Blockchain Education Bootcamp For African Women

    Bitmama Products

    At the moment, the company’s main products are the Bitmama exchange, which gives users access to virtual assets and lets them try out different ways to use cryptocurrencies; and Changera, a social payment solution that lets people who don’t know much about cryptocurrencies use their money from anywhere in the world without limits.

    Bitmama now works in three African markets: Nigeria, Ghana, and Kenya. Its customers can trade a variety of cryptocurrencies, pay for utilities, and stake as a way to protect themselves from currency depreciation.

    Bitmama: Who are they?

    The U.S. and Nigeria-based company has built a distributed remote team in Nigeria, Ghana, and Kenya. It says it uses blockchain-based solutions to make Africa’s payment system more accountable to the people.

    Ruth Iselema, the CEO, started the blockchain payments company for Africa in 2019. 

    “Aside from buying and selling crypto, we built stuff that could also let them buy local and international airtime and data. Then, due to local bank card limitations of $20 per month, we provided virtual dollar cards for Nigerians to make international purchases.”

    What the company says

    Ruth Iselema, founder and CEO of Bitmama Inc
    Ruth Iselema, founder and CEO of Bitmama Inc

    Ruth Iselema, founder and CEO of Bitmama Inc., made the following statement in response to the round: “Bitmama has made several strides in the past year. We’ve rolled out two products, which are fast closing in on 100,000 users across the African market and are recording impressive daily active users across our range of product offerings despite the market dynamics. We are building Africa’s most user-friendly, innovative blockchain company, and we are glad to have the backing of seasoned investors and partners who have walked similar turf. We are privileged to learn from their blended experiences across corporate and blockchain business verticals. We are confident of our results, and we’re set to build the next big solution that the market deserves.”

    The Growth So Far

    The company says that its Changera virtual crypto debit cards, which are paid for with stablecoins, have monthly spending limits of more than $10,000 and “can work anywhere in the world for online transactions.” According to Bitmama’s CEO, Changera was created at the intersection of blockchain payments and lifestyle. It was mostly made for people who don’t know much about cryptocurrency and are more comfortable using platforms with simple user interfaces and less crypto jargon.

    Bitmama had fewer than 20,000 users on both platforms at the beginning of this year. Iselema pointed out that the number has increased to over 70,000 and that both platforms, Bitmama exchange and Changera, have had tremendous growth with little promotion. The margin on the transactions that users do on the platform generates revenue.

    The Explosive Growth of Blockchain Funding and Cryptocurrency in Africa

    Words from the Investors

    Janade Du Plessis, Managing General Partner of Launch Africa, also commented on the round: 

    “As a prominent Pan-African VC fund, we see our partnership with Bitmama as a way to truly allow all Africans with the ability to trade and manage cryptocurrencies and digital assets conveniently and universally, creating a significant impact on allowing more people to trade and transact across Africa. This is something that we specifically value in our fund and what Bitmama in particular delivers.”

    Hema Vallabh, Founding Partner of Five35 Ventures, said, “As a leading female-focused VC fund, we at Five35 Ventures look forward to helping Ruth and her dynamic team scale Bitmama, especially with the growth of Changera, the remittance platform that lets all Africans do international transactions at much cheaper rates than established remittance companies on the market.”

    Observations

    The use of cryptocurrencies in Africa has increased by more than 1,200% over the course of the last two years, making Africa the third fastest-growing cryptocurrency market in the world. People in developing countries like Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa are trying to build wealth and protect themselves from their currency falling in value. This is a big reason why adoption rates are going up.

    Even though African governments have different views on cryptocurrencies, most crypto and blockchain startups are in these countries.

  • DeFi Summit Hosts 400 Fintech And Crypto Leaders In Ghana

    DeFi Summit Hosts 400 Fintech And Crypto Leaders In Ghana

    Leading fintechs, investors, crypto platforms, ventures, and digital finance stakeholders will connect at the Africa Money & DeFi Summit West Africa edition on September 27-28 in Accra, Ghana.

    The leading business Summit would connect over 400 delegates, over 150 companies, and more than 50 speakers who would cover topics via panel sessions, keynotes, and fireside chats, plus multiple networking events, masterclass sessions, and a sold-out exhibition.

    Two days of sessions and networking events will share insights on payments, crypto, DeFi, neo banking, mobile money, investing, BNPL, and mobile money while connecting corporates, investors, start-ups, regulators, media, and industry stakeholders.

    Andrew Fassnidge, Founder of Africa Tech Summit, said: “We are delighted to be hosting the West African edition of Africa Money and DeFi Summit in Accra, showcasing fintech leaders, crypto innovators, new rising ventures, and investment opportunities across the region.”

    “The growth of crypto across Africa continues and a new wave of DeFi is growing, so it’s exciting times in the digital finance space to drive business and investment forward.”

    Following the sold-out Money and DeFi Summit in Nairobi earlier this year, the Africa Money & DeFi Summit – West Africa, produced by Africa Tech Summit, will again connect and showcase industry leaders including Polygon, Paystack, VerifyMe, Celo, Flutterwave, BitPowr, Visa, YouVerify, Workpay, and many more.

    The statement by Andrew says further The Africa Money and DeFi Summit will feature African fintech companies such as Polygon, QoreID, Deimos, Zeepay, Celo Foundation, The HBAR Foundation, VeendHQ, Workpay, AWS, WiPay, Cellulant, Binance, YellowCard, Autochek, YouVerify, Fonbnk, Seamfix, Jelurida Africa, Niji Oni & Co, Affinity, Aza Finance, Flutterwave, International Trade Centre

    It stated that after the sold-out Money and DeFi Summit in Nairobi earlier this year, this business summit, produced by Africa Tech Summit, is expected to sell out, with final passes now on sale here. Admission is strictly by pre-registration only.

    The “Pitch Live” session at the event, which strives to showcase leading ventures in fintech, crypto, and Web3 from across the continent and connect them with leading investors, corporates, and business opportunities, attracted over 200 submissions.

    While more than 200 start-ups applied, only ten have cut to pitch live on stage during the upcoming Africa Money & DeFi Summit in Accra, Ghana.

    Kotani Pay, which connects blockchain protocols to local payment channels, and The Realest Token, which combines real estate and NFTs to create the first “rNFTs,” are just two of the ventures that were chosen. KORIX is a DeFi app built to allow Africans to purchase the KRX token with CFA fiat money; Tokpay Finance, a DeFi neobank for microfinance and social protection programmes; and Revio, an all-in-one platform for recurring payments and collections infrastructure in emerging markets, starting with Africa.

    The list of pitching startups is completed by Zanifu, which enables MSME retailers to access credit to purchase inventory; Crunch Network, a tokenised decentralised lending platform; Bitpowr, which provides a modular ecosystem of web3 and blockchain infrastructure to help businesses build blockchain powered solutions; Mazzuma, a mobile money payment system; and Jamborow, a SaaS platform digitising KYC and providing access to financial services to the unbanked and underbanked population across Africa.

    “We are excited by the response to our latest edition of Pitch Live and are really looking forward to showcasing these new Web3 and fintech ventures.” “Following this year’s success stories from the Africa Tech Summit Nairobi edition, where several Pitch Live ventures closed rounds after pitching, we aim to continue to drive investment and connect ventures, investors and partners,” said Andrew Fassnidge.

    The selected startups are:

    Kotani Pay provides a technology stack that connects Blockchain protocols to local payment channels, enabling crypto-enabled apps to onboard mainstream African users.

    The Realest Token aims to ensure equality of opportunity in investment. It innovates by combining real estate and NFTs to create pioneering rNFTs.

    KORIX is a DEFI app that allows Africans to purchase the KRX token with CFA fiat money. NFT badges unlock real-life advantages and promotions on selected partners’ products and services.

    Tokpay Finance: a DeFi Neobank for microfinance and social protection programmes in Sub-Saharan Africa.

    Revio helps businesses collect more revenue through better customer interactions. It creates infrastructure for recurring payments and collections in emerging markets, starting with Africa.

    Zanifu helps MSME retailers in Sub-Saharan Africa access credit to purchase inventory.

    Crunch Network is the first tokenised Afro-global decentralised lending platform. Its mission is to provide capital protection and yield enhancement products to retail investors.

    Bitpowr provides a modular ecosystem of Web3 and blockchain infrastructure to help businesses build blockchain-powered solutions. It builds modern, critical infrastructure to help build the next financial services on the blockchain.

    Mazzuma is a mobile money payment system that utilises a distributed secure infrastructure and cryptocurrency to enable seamless payments.

    Jamborow is a SaaS platform that digitises KYC and provides access to financial services to Africa’s unbanked and underbanked population.

    About Africa’s Money And DeFi Summit West Africa

    The Africa Money and DeFi Summit West Africa is a leading African fintech, decentralised finance, mobile money, and crypto event that provides insight and networking within the pan-African fintech ecosystem.

    The gathering brings together fintech leaders, MNOs, banks, international investors, entrepreneurs, governments, trade bodies, media, and leading ventures to drive investment and business in the African fintech environment.

    Selected startups, according to the organisers, will be showcased to investors, enjoy full access to the summit and take part in the wide variety of workshops, discussions and networking sessions taking place.

  • Trading in derivatives will gradually end at Huobi Global in New Zealand

    Trading in derivatives will gradually end at Huobi Global in New Zealand

    Swap of digital assets For its users in New Zealand, Huobi Global has announced that it will be limiting the trading of derivatives. All coin-marginated futures and swaps, Tether (USDT)-marginated contracts, options, and exchange-traded products fall under this category (ETPs).

    Huobi provided a timeline for the phase-out of the offerings in a notice, designating August 23 as the date it updates its user policy to add New Zealand as a restricted jurisdiction. New Zealanders won’t be able to open new derivatives positions after that date, and it will stop accepting users with New Zealand KYC and IP addresses.

    After the date, closing open trades is the only derivative action permitted. According to the exchange, this will be done in a systematic manner while guaranteeing the security of customer assets. According to Huobi, the action is being taken in accordance with local laws.

    “Unfortunately, Huobi Global is no longer able to offer derivatives trading services to users in New Zealand. We truly regret any inconvenience this may have caused and appreciate your help,” the note read.

    Read: Cybercrime Ravages Cryptocurrencies

    Huobi Continues to Improve its Regulatory Compliance

    The ban was put in place immediately following the Seychelles-based exchange’s June market expansion into New Zealand. Apart from New Zealand, Huobi’s user agreement limits derivatives trading in a total of 13 nations. These include, among others, Israel, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Spain, and the United Kingdom.

    In a similar vein, users from the United States, Canada, Japan, North Korea, Singapore, and six other nations are not permitted to utilize any of the exchange’s services. The exchange is also in the process of ceasing all of its operations in Thailand after failing to comply with the Thai Securities and Exchange Commission’s new registration criteria (SEC).

    Huobi Worldwide is making progress with its goal of global expansion by entering new markets. In July, it received authorization to conduct business in Australia from the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC). Additionally, it acquired licenses from Dubai’s VARA, and Hong Kong’s Securities and Futures Commission accepted one of its few license applications (SFC).

    According to a previous Bloomberg article, the exchange’s founder Leon Li intends to sell the majority of his stock in the business for up to $3 billion. Justin Sun, the creator of the Tron blockchain, and Sam Bankman-Fried, the creator of the FTX exchange, are two potential buyers.

    Crypto is Essential for Financial Inclusion Says CAR President

    About Houbi Global

    Leading cryptocurrency exchange Huobi Global is well-known in Asian markets. Huobi, founded in 2013, offers a digital asset ecosystem that includes spot trading, trading in derivatives, staking, crypto loans, crypto yield products, and more.

    Huobi Global offers a comprehensive ecosystem for seasoned cryptocurrency traders and investors by enabling users to buy, sell, stake, and borrow various cryptocurrencies. The exchange hasn’t been able to ensure regulatory compliance in significant areas, and new users might find the platform’s abundance of tools and features confusing.

  • Yellow Pay Introduces New Payment Option

    Yellow Pay Introduces New Payment Option

    Yellow Pay, a new payment option from Yellow Card Financial, has been introduced. Customers will find it simpler with this new feature solution to transfer and receive money using the Yellow Card cryptocurrency exchange platform, free of additional fees, immediately and from the convenience of their homes.
    The complexity of money transfers is one of the main problems in Africa, according to Oparinde Babatunde, director of operations for Yellow Card.
    They claim that sending money from Nigeria to the US is simpler than sending it to Ghana or Zambia. And when it is possible, it is typically done using USD.
    “Yellow Pay simplifies money transfers between African countries by building a solution that understands the way Africans already interact with financial products.” We’ve managed to simplify it further by reducing costs and waiting time of remittances across the continent drastically compared to traditional money transfer rails. “With Yellow Pay, Africans can send money across borders using their phones,” he says.
    For consumer transactions in USDT, Yellow Pay makes use of the cryptocurrency exchange platform provided by Yellow Card.
    It’s crucial to understand that Yellow Pay is not a service for sending money abroad or for exchanging currencies. Yellow Pay is actually a cutting-edge cryptocurrency exchange solution.
    Blockchain technology powers the Yellow Pay function, making it less expensive. Second, there is no waiting time because transactions are instant. Finally, sending money is totally free.
    Oparinde adds, “The people that will benefit the most from Yellow Pay are the unbanked and underserved people living in peri-urban areas and rural parts of the continent.” They usually do not meet the necessary requirements to open a dollar account with banks and, as such, are cut off completely. “Yellow Pay will service this market”.

    Updates on Yellow Card New Identity

    This development came after the launch of the new corporate branding for Yellow Card Financial. The adjustments reflected the company’s transition and its strong posture on the African continent when it accomplished important milestones, including a $15 million Series A financing.
    Through its software and educational programs, Yellow Card has been working to achieve financial freedom for all people since 2018. While the company’s previous branding helped it get through these recent years, the new branding represents a more significant goal, a vital positioning, and signifies the brand’s progression into the strongest, most reliable brand in the industry.
    Despite the brand makeover Yellow Card has undergone, clients are reminded that the company’s mission and dedication to its present and prospective clients will always come first.
    Yellow Card is dedicated to providing Africa easy access to cryptocurrency and global financial independence.
    Chris Maurice, co-founder and CEO of Yellow Card, said:
    “We want to be synonymous with crypto on the continent, so we needed a more cohesive brand identity.” We put this together entirely in-house with creatives from across Africa, and I know the team is even more excited than I am to get this rolled out after all their hard work”.
    “This rebrand allowed us to improve the onboarding process and some other product flows significantly. Now, the app isn’t just prettier, it is also easier to use, “he added.
    The updated brand’s aesthetic is rooted in the continent and more accurately captures the variety of Yellow Card’s clients. The organisation must also come across as approachable and professional in every engagement.
    The company’s logo has been streamlined, with the “Y” and “C” resembling leaves representing growth and financial advantages. The dominant brand colour continues to be yellow, representing a youthful, flirtatious, yet refined clientele.
    The colour purple alludes to regal aspirations while representing the consumers’ depth, richness, and diversity. Additionally, the teal adds warmth and freshness while mellowing and complementing the yellow and purple.

    Read Also: CBN Must Collaborate with Stakeholders to Govern Blockchain Technology

    About Yellow Cards

    Yellow Card is a cryptocurrency exchange used to transmit, receive, and store your money, making it the safest place to purchase and trade bitcoin.
    The most popular cryptocurrency in the world is bitcoin. It is a rapid and inexpensive way to transfer and receive money and counts as a digital asset. Get to know Bitcoin better.
    Chris Maurice and Justin Poiroux made over $40,000 in 2013 by selling bitcoin on eBay and marking up the price by 100%. They were having a good time until they started receiving credit card chargebacks.
    To avoid directly accepting credit cards, they modified their business strategy, thereby completely removing the possibility of chargebacks. The route that led to Yellow Card, where Maurice is now the CEO and Poiroux is the chief technology officer, was started by that choice.
    Yellow Card is a promising cryptocurrency exchange that has tried to make transactions easier. The advent of yellow pay has only come to prove this. It’s quite enterprising that it’s free of additional fees.

  • CBN Must Collaborate with Stakeholders to Govern Blockchain Technology

    CBN Must Collaborate with Stakeholders to Govern Blockchain Technology

    Senator Ihenyen, the president of the Stakeholders in Blockchain Technology Association of Nigeria (SiBAN), has urged the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and other important players in the nation’s financial sector to chart a course for the future regulation of the blockchain and cryptocurrency industries.
    Ihenyen stated that a point of convergence is required due to the exceptional growth of the blockchain business in Nigeria during the opening peer-to-peer conference hosted by SiBAN over the weekend at the Civic Event Centre in Lagos.

    “What we represent is a self-regulatory body in Nigeria’s blockchain industry. With the P2P conference, we want to have a platform where innovators, as well as policymakers and other stakeholders within and outside the industry, can have conversations around blockchain adoption, policy and regulation.
    “We will need a re-engagement of stakeholders, lawmakers, and policymakers so that we can have a proper regulatory framework for Blockchain adoption in the country. In this way, we will be able to converge and not have this current divergence. In this way, the CBN will be able to understand that decentralised applications or finance or cryptocurrencies are financial technologies, its fintech. It is not about banning or restricting. It is about understanding the pros and cons and working with all industry stakeholders, including banks and law enforcement agencies to ensure that we have transparency in the space,” he said.Blockchain SiBAN

    Jude Ozinegbe, the P2P Conference Planning Committee chairman, stated that the massive attendance by financial sector stakeholders, particularly those who participate in the alternative finance segment, is strong evidence of the immense power SiBAN wields.
    He also expressed gratitude to the businesses that had contributed significantly to the conference’s success through sponsorship and partnership.
    He mentioned several of these organizations, including Alpha Ltd., ABCC, BEI, thinkcrypto, Blockchain Vibes, Everest, Crypto Hills, Cryptopreacher Blockchain Academy, Sinso Technologies, Market Advance, Near Finance Protocol, Bitget, Empowered CryptoHub, Smart Investors Hub, Super Woman, GIDA, LUPPON, Finsmart, CryptoMart, and MoEX Consult.
    The conference’s theme, “CeFi, DeFi & TradFi: is there a need for Convergence in the Current Divergence? “, was addressed by specialists from several sectors of the alternative finance ecosystem. The first keynote address was given by Olutoyin Oloniteru, founder and chairman of the Crypto Economy Institute of Africa (CEIAfrica), on the subject of “Emergence of CeFi, DeFi, & TradFi: Securing the Future in the Current Divergence.”
    Speaking on the topic of “The Emergence of CeFi, DeFi, and TradFi: a Concordium Perspective,” Lars Seier Christensen, Chairman of Concordium and a pioneer in FX and derivative trading as well as the co-founder and former co-CEO of Saxo Bank, gave the audience a global perspective on the discussion’s theme.
    More speakers also spoke at the conference’s panel sessions, which explored the conference’s theme in greater detail. ‘Navigating the Opportunities and Risks in CeFi and DeFi, and Exploring Possible Opportunities in TradFi,’ is the first chapter.
    AbikureTega, Team Lead, Kumon Wallet; Chuta Chimezie, Founder, BNUG & Vice-President, BiCCoN; Eric Anan, Founder/CEO, Global DCA; and Rume Ophi, Founder, Cryptopreacher Blockchain Academy were in their element during the lively discussion, imparting expertise on the topic. Chioma Onyekelu, CCI, A&D Forensics, acted as the moderator for the discussion.
    SiBAN is a self-regulatory organization (SRO), a 2018 association of participants in the blockchain and cryptocurrency industries.

    What You Should Know About SiBAN

    Stakeholders in Blockchain Technology Association of Nigeria (SiBAN), is an association of blockchain and cryptocurrency industry participants founded in 2018 to act as a self-regulatory body in the direction of a friendlier, safer, and more significant blockchain and cryptocurrency industry in Nigeria.
    By promoting blockchain & crypto education, encouraging the adoption of model self-regulatory policies in line with international best practices, and working with relevant bodies to ensure that innovation is not stifled by regulation, consumer protection and investor safety are safeguarded, they work with their registered members to promote a free market for blockchain & crypto players.
    SiBAN is an association with a decentralized structure based on the right to free speech and association guaranteed by Section 40 of the Nigerian Constitution. Consensus is reached by all registered nodes (members) within the SiBAN community.
    SiBAN was honoured as “The Best Blockchain Association in Africa” during the Nigeria Fintech Week 2021. We continue to support an innovative and inclusive regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies and blockchain in Nigeria.

    Benefits of Being A SiBAN Member

    As a member of SiBAN, you will receive a variety of advantages, such as access to community resources on blockchain technology, the chance to support the development and adoption of blockchain technology in Nigeria by participating in the association’s activities, free or discounted access to conferences and workshops hosted by the SiBAN community, exclusive access to SiBAN’s registered-member-only platform, and access to SiBAN’s network of experts, virtual asset traders, blockchain developers, and other professionals.
    Other advantages include the chance to converse with regulators and policymakers; the chance to speak as a keynote, guest, or panel session speaker at blockchain conferences and workshops organised by the SiBAN community; the chance to display your blockchain or cryptocurrency products or services to the audience or boost your brand or corporate image at conferences or programmes organised by the SiBAN community for free or at a discounted rate; the chance to take part in meetups, training, and other activities; and finally, the chance to exhibit your products or services at SiBAN conferences or programs.

    SiBAN Contact

    You can contact them via: contact@siban.org.ng
    They are located @Buffalo Building, 2 Allen Avenue, Ikeja, Lagos. Gabriel Akinmade Plaza, Lagos.
    Their phone number is +2348171552905

    The financial sector of Nigeria, including the CBN should make ventures in blockchain technology easier. This would make things easier for the citizens and boost the economy. Any interested in blockchain technology need to be acquainted with SIBAN. A partnership with SiBAN will be profitable.

  • Colombia plans to introduce digital currency to combat tax evasion

    Colombia plans to introduce digital currency to combat tax evasion

    Director of Colombia’s National Directorate of Taxes and Customs, Luis Carlos Reyes (also known as Dirección de Impuestos y Aduanas Nacionales de Colombia or DIAN), has disclosed that the South American nation may launch its own digital currency backed by the central bank (CBDC).

    Reyes spoke on Gustavo Petro, the incoming president of Colombia, and his objectives for monetary policy, including implementing the CBDC to facilitate consumer transactions and combat tax evasion, in an interview with regional news source Semana magazine.

    “This is crucial to enhancing the economy’s ability to track payments made… “People who must pay VAT or income tax on those transactions might evade them when cash transactions are not documented anywhere since it is simpler to create sales that are not recorded,” he said.

    Read: The Explosive Growth of Blockchain Funding and Cryptocurrency in Africa

    According to Semana, no official in the President Petro-led administration, which entered office this month, has previously spoken out in favour of the CBDC. Petro promised that if elected, Colombia would mine bitcoin using renewable energy. He made this promise during his campaigns last year.

    Colombia will join other Latin American nations, such as Brazil, Mexico, and Venezuela, already researching CBDCs. These nations want to begin operating their CBDCs within the following few years, according to the Bank for International Settlements (BIS).

    Colombia’s adoption of digital assets

    Despite the absence of a defined legal framework for the market, the tax office has been harshly prosecuting those who attempt to cheat taxes on digital assets. Investors in digital assets who failed to report their income and complementary taxes on time or filed them incorrectly have been the target of enforcement actions by the DIAN since the beginning of the year.

    Colombia is a pioneer in adopting digital assets in the region and internationally. The Financial Superintendence of Colombia (also known as Superintendencia Financiera de Colombia or SFC), the nation’s financial watchdog, has proposed new rules to regulate the interaction between banks and service providers of virtual assets in response to the asset class’ increasing popularity.

    In accordance with the proposal, banks may only offer banking services to Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs) who have registered with the Online Reporting System, and implemented KYC/AML/CFT (Know Your Customer/Anti-Money Laundering/Combating the Financing of Terrorism) measures, and possess the necessary operational and technical capabilities to monitor and report transactions to the central bank.

  • Cybercrime Ravages Cryptocurrencies

    Cybercrime Ravages Cryptocurrencies

    While cryptocurrencies gained popularity over the years, hackers have specifically targeted it to exploit weaknesses in crypto-transactions. Chainalysis, a company that analyzes blockchains, has published research that shows that about $2 billion worth of cryptocurrency was stolen in 13 separate hacks on cross-chain bridges.

    The company said that most of the $2 billion had been stolen this year, with 69 percent of the cash stolen in 2022 so far coming from attacks on bridges. It was also said that the theft could make people less likely to trust blockchain technology.

    Cryptocurrency allows users to take back control of their finances by letting them act as their own bank while using third-party wallet providers. However, cybercriminals have taken advantage of this third party over the last few years. 

    The research said, “As more value flows through cross-chain bridges, they become more attractive targets for hackers.” Even more troubling is that bridges are now a top target for North Korean-linked hackers, who — according to our estimates — have stolen approximately $1 billion worth of cryptocurrency so far this year, entirely from bridges and other DeFi protocols.

    For perspective, South Korea’s government-run statistical agency estimates the country earned $89m from official exports in 2020. The good news is that these services can take steps to protect themselves. And in the event of a hack, they can leverage the transparency of blockchain technology to investigate the flow of funds and ideally prevent attackers from cashing out their ill-gotten gains.

    Bridge Hacking Could Lead to a Loss

    Cross-chain bridges were made because it was hard for different blockchains to work together, a problem that needed to be fixed. In the white paper, a “cross-chain bridge” describes how a user moves digital assets from one blockchain to another. It was said that these bridges are attractive targets because they often have a central location where the funds that back the assets that are “bridged” on the receiving blockchain are kept.

    This year has devastated crypto investors as hacks and scams struck record highs. Because hackers have found a very effective way to contact people, specifically through bridges.

    Blockchain bridges are becoming increasingly popular as a means of transaction for cryptocurrency users. These bridges flimsily connect networks to allow for quick token swaps. But by using them, people who like cryptocurrencies avoid a centralized exchange and use a system that is insecure.

    In an interview, Tom Robinson, co-founder and chief scientist at blockchain analytics firm Elliptic, said, “Blockchain bridges have become the low-hanging fruit for cyber-criminals, with billions of dollars’ worth of crypto assets locked within them.” “These bridges have been breached by hackers in various ways, suggesting that their level of security has not kept pace with the value of assets they hold.

    Considering how recent this problem is, the frequency with which bridges are being exploited is terrifying.

    Toncoin Cryptocurrency Payments are Now Available on Telegram 

    How The Bridge Works in Crytocurrency Transactions

    A piece of software called a bridge enables users to send tokens from one blockchain network and receive them on another. The distributed ledger technologies that support different cryptocurrencies are known as blockchains.

    When an investor wants to move tokens from one blockchain to another, for example, by sending ether from Ethereum to the Solana network, they must first deposit the tokens into a smart contract. A smart contract is a piece of code stored on a blockchain, making it possible for agreements to be carried out automatically without human intervention.

    After that, the cryptocurrency is “minted” on a new blockchain in the form of a wrapped token, representing a claim on the original ether coins. This claim may then be used to purchase further ether coins. After that, the token will be able to be traded on the new network. Investors who use Ethereum, which is renowned for unexpected jumps in transaction fees and higher wait times when the network is congested.

    Read Also: The Explosive Growth of Blockchain Funding and Cryptocurrency in Africa

    The Bridge Hack

    CNBC explained that “the vulnerability of bridges can be traced in part to sloppy engineering.”

    It also says that the attack on Harmony’s Horizon bridge was possible because the minimum number of validators needed to approve a transaction was low. Hackers only had to get into two of the five accounts for them to be able to take funds out of the compromised accounts.

    Ronin was involved in a circumstance that was very similar. Hackers only needed to convince five of the nine validators on the network to give up their private keys to access the encrypted data that was locked up in the system.

    In the case of Nomad, the bridge made it much easier for hackers to change the system. Attackers could put any amount of money into the system and then take money out, even if there weren’t enough assets in the bridge to cover the amount of money they put in. They didn’t need to know how to code, and others copied them. This led to the eighth-largest crypto heist in the industry’s history, according to Elliptic.