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Monero Developer Arrested in US on Fraud Charges at Request of South African Government
4.8.2021
Former lead maintainer of Monero Riccardo Spagni, aka Fluffypony, has been arrested in the U.S. and is now waiting for his extradition to South Africa where he will stand trial for fraud. Spagni described the case as “an old matter, which I have continuously been trying to resolve since...
South Africa Bitcoin Heist: Court Grants Liquidators Authority to Track Missing Africrypt Investor Funds
3.8.2021
A South African court has granted liquidators of the collapsed bitcoin investment firm Africrypt the powers to track down missing investor funds. Also, as part of the court decision, Africrypt liquidators will now have the authority to sell assets and property belonging to the company....
Kenyan Insurance Executive Calls Cryptocurrencies Ponzi Schemes, Warns Users This Will ‘End in Tears’
2.8.2021
A Kenyan insurance executive, Julius Kipng’etich has compared cryptocurrencies like bitcoin to Ponzi schemes and has urged his countrymen not “touch this.” In addition, Kipng’etich warned those already involved in crypto trading to be prepared for the consequences as this...
Central Bank Governor: South Africa’s Digital Currency Study Ongoing
31.7.2021
South African Reserve Bank (SARB) governor, Lesetja Kganyago, has once again confirmed that the central bank is presently studying the feasibility of issuing a digital currency. In his remarks at the SARB’s annual general meeting, governor Kganyago suggested his organization has embarked...
Ghana Vice President Praises Central Bank’s CBDC Initiative, Says Digital Currencies Can Boost Intra-African Trade
30.7.2021
The Ghanaian Vice President, Mahamudu Bawumia, has implored African governments to start exploring digital currencies as such alternatives have the potential to enhance intra-African trade. In addition, such digital currencies allow African countries to carry out all cross-border payments smoothly...
Namibia Central Bank to Complete Crypto Study By April 2022 — Governor Says Current Laws Do not Permit Use of Digital Assets
25.7.2021
The Bank of Namibia (BON) is on course to complete its study into cryptocurrencies by April 2022, the central bank governor, Johannes Gawaxab recently confirmed. The governor however reiterated that cryptocurrencies are not legal tender as there is currently no provision for digital currency use...
South African Central Bank Warns Citizens Against Accepting Tainted Banknotes
20.7.2021
A week after more than 1,400 ATMs in South Africa were attacked during a looting spree, the country’s central bank is now asking citizens to reject banknotes that are stained with traces of blue and green ink. Increasing Circulation of Stained Banknotes According to an EWN report, the South...
Report: Tweaks to South African Tax Filing System to Result in Decreased Crypto Arbitrage
17.7.2021
Reports from South Africa suggest that tax authorities have plugged a loophole on the online tax filing system that enabled crypto arbitrage traders to make several purchases on overseas cryptocurrency platforms using just one approval. As a consequence of these tweaks, crypto arbitrage traders...
Swiss State Secretariat Helps Blockchain Incubator Firm Set Up Base in South Africa
16.7.2021
Switzerland’s State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) is reportedly helping Crypto Valley Venture Capital (CVVC), a blockchain business incubator, set up an office in South Africa. According to SECO, this move fits with Switzerland’s policy of supporting private firms that seek...
SDF & DFS Lab’s Blockchain Bootcamp for African Startups
14.7.2021
DFS Lab, a leading investor in digital e-commerce, has partnered with the non-profit organization, SDF (Stellar Development Foundation), to launch a blockchain Bootcamp directed towards African startups. SDF supports the Stellar network, a decentralized and open-source blockchain network...
Africa Will ‘One Day Have a Common Currency’ Says Secretary General of African Continental Free Trade Area
13.7.2021
The secretary-general of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AFCFTA) secretariat, Wamkele Mene, says Africa will “one day have a common currency” via a proposed “Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS).” He adds that such a currency will help “ease...
Parliament of West Africa Economic Block Cautions Against Use of Cryptocurrencies
11.7.2021
The parliament of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has joined the list of African organizations that have cautioned against the use of cryptocurrencies. In its warning to West Africa crypto users, the legislative body insists these digital assets are too volatile and as such...
Africa Fintech Start-up Growth: Nigeria Dominates in ‘Big Three’ Markets
10.7.2021
According to the findings of the latest study by Disrupt Africa, the number of fintech start-ups based on the African continent grew to 576 in 2021. This figure represents a 17.3% jump from the 491 start-ups that were operating on the continent in 2019. Overall, the number of fintech start-ups...
South Africa Regulator Wants Mirror Trading International to Pay Millions as Penalty For Contravening Financial Sector Law
8.7.2021
A South African regulator, the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA), has informed key figures behind Mirror Trading International (MTI) that it intends to impose a fine of $7 million against the now-defunct crypto investment company. Contravention of Financial Sector Law According to a July...
IOTA's African Pilot Moves From Flowers to Tea, Fish, and Textile
6.7.2021
After a pilot project, Trademark East Africa (TMEA) said it has extended its contract with the IOTA Foundation and aims to expand testing of IOTA (MIOTA)'s technology into more trade lanes, such as tea export to the UK, fish to Belgium, and textiles to the US.
TMEA, which is building...
South African Court Grants Final Liquidation Order Against the ‘Biggest Cryptocurrency Scam in 2020’
3.7.2021
A South African judge, Justice Alma de Wet, has ruled in favor of granting a final liquidation order against Mirror Trading International (MTI), the country’s biggest bitcoin scam in the past year. Nevertheless, the judge postponed a ruling on an application by MTI liquidators to have...
South African Regulators Reportedly Fast-Tracking Crypto Regulatory Framework
1.7.2021
With South Africa receiving more than its fair share of cryptocurrency-related scams, a report suggests that regulators are responding to this challenge by fast-tracking the process of creating a new regulatory framework. As a result, regulators now expect this process, which was preceded “by...
South African asset manager denies stealing billions from users, claims $5M was lost in hack
29.6.2021
AfriCrypt’s founders deny running off with billions in customers funds, asserting they went into hiding after receiving death threats from “dangerous people.”
Africrypt Ponzi Scheme Collapse: South Africa Regulator Says Its ‘Not in a Position to Take Any Regulatory Action’
25.6.2021
Following Africrypt’s collapse, South African regulator, the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA), released a statement asserting its lack of jurisdiction over cryptocurrencies. Although the regulator says it is “continuing to investigate complaints” against the crypto...
South African ‘Exit Scam’ Sees Brothers Vanish with USD 3.6B in Bitcoin
24.6.2021
An apparent exit scam in South Africa could have left investors out of pocket to the tune of USD 3.6bn after the two brothers who operate the Africrypt project “vanished” following reports of a hushed-up “hack.”
Per Bloomberg, Hanekom Attorneys, a legal firm in Cape Town was hired by investors,...