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Bank of Russia backs cross-border crypto payments vs. domestic trade
16.6.2022
Cryptocurrencies can be used in cross-border or international payments only if they don’t get into Russia’s domestic financial system, the Bank of Russia governor said
Russia Developing Sandbox for Cross-border Crypto Payments
15.6.2022
An institute facilitating Russian exports is now working on the establishment of a sandbox for international crypto payments, local media reported. The goal is to identify potential regulatory and technological challenges for settlements with digital assets. Russia Prepares to Test Crypto Payments...
Co-Founder of Africa Focused Fintech: Traditional Banks Not Optimized to Serve the Unbanked
2.6.2022
For years, traditional financial institutions in different parts of the world have been attempting to narrow the financial exclusion gap by extending their services to the unbanked population. Yet for many reasons, these institutions still cannot avail their products and services to everyone that...
Provision Allowing Cryptocurrency Payments in Foreign Trade Added to Russian Bill
29.5.2022
A proposal to permit companies to use cryptocurrency in cross-border settlements has made its way to a draft law designed to regulate Russia’s crypto space this year. According to a press report, the finance ministry has introduced a number of revisions to the legislation it has been working...
SWIFT Is Experimenting With Decentralized Technologies to Allow CBDC Interconnection
22.5.2022
SWIFT, the interbank payments protocol and messaging system, has announced it is working to connect the different central bank digital currency (CBDC) protocols in development today. The company has partnered with Capgemini, a digital services provider, making a series of experiments to ensure that...
Report: Saudi Arabia Exploring Possibility of Implementing Blockchain in Government
23.4.2022
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is looking into the possibility of implementing blockchain technology across its government as well as allowing the use of cryptocurrencies. However, an official said the kingdom can only successfully build blockchain-based solutions if it hires people that...
National Bank of Ukraine Temporarily Bans Cross-Border Crypto Purchases With Hryvnia
22.4.2022
The central bank of Ukraine has introduced additional restrictions on international transactions that will prevent Ukrainians from buying crypto assets abroad with the national fiat. The measures are intended to reduce capital outflow amid an ongoing military conflict with Russia. Ukraine Citizens...
Russian Chamber of Commerce Suggests Using Cryptocurrencies in Settlements With Africa
14.4.2022
Employing crypto in cross-border payments is one of the proposals put forward by the Russian Chamber Of Commerce lobbying for more cooperation with African countries. Amid unprecedented sanctions limiting Russia’s ability to trade internationally, the head of the board has urged...
Study: 54% of UAE and Saudi Arabia Survey Respondents Said Crypto Should Be Used for Payments
12.4.2022
An average of 54% of survey respondents from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) said they believe cryptocurrency should be used as currency. Still, a significant proportion of the respective countries’ respondents believe certain obstacles are stopping cryptocurrencies from...
Report: Number of African Cryptocurrency Users up by Nearly 2,500%
22.3.2022
The number of cryptocurrency users in Africa grew by almost 2,500% between January 2021 and January 2022, while the average number of monthly transactions went up by 1,400%, a new report by Kucoin has said. Widespread Adoption of Cryptocurrencies According to a new report by crypto exchange Kucoin...
Cross-Border CBDC Payments Are 'Viable,' Says Report From Central Banks of Australia, Malaysia, Singapore and South Africa
22.3.2022
The tool to enable paying using different assets, tested by Australia, South Africa, Singapore and Malaysia, is the latest foray into trialling the applications of central bank digital currencies
BIS joint pilot: Institutions can use CBDCs for international settlements
22.3.2022
The experimental CBDC platform proved that the design approaches used to address three major issues: access, jurisdictional boundaries, and governance were effective
Western Union Suspends Operations in Russia, Belarus Over Ukraine War
12.3.2022
Remittance giant Western Union has joined other financial services companies supporting sanctions in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The decision will affect customers in the Russian Federation as well as those in Belarus, an ally of Moscow, backing its military operation. Western...
EU Commission to remove Russian banks from SWIFT cross-border network
27.2.2022
While condemning the Russian president Vladimir Putin’s move to lay siege across Ukraine, the EU Commission committed to undertake a series of measures to isolate Russia from the international financial system
Bahrain Central Bank Completes Cross-Border Transfer Test Using JPMorgan Blockchain
14.2.2022
The Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB), working in partnership with Bank ABC, recently announced it had successfully tested the transfer of funds across borders using JPMorgan’s JPM Coin. The test fulfills the central bank’s goal of creating safe and efficient settlement solutions...
Kenyan Central Bank Document Discusses Benefits and Risks Posed by CBDC — Public Asked to Comment
12.2.2022
Kenya’s central bank has acknowledged in a recently released document that a central bank digital currency could potentially benefit the country’s financial system. The bank, however, warned that rolling out a CBDC could also pose risks to the same. CBDC’s Impact on Financial...
Global Regulators ‘Going Full Steam’ on Crypto — Official Says ‘Current Structure Is No Longer Fit for the Purpose’
11.2.2022
Global regulators are “going full steam” on cryptocurrency regulation. “The current structure is no longer fit for the purpose with the development of cross-border digital market activities,” said the chairman of France’s markets watchdog AMF. Global Regulators...
North America to lead growth in blockchain market, new report says
3.2.2022
Blockchain market size is expected to reach $104.19 billion by 2028, exhibiting at a CAGR of 55.8% across the forecast period as per the report
China Designates 15 National Pilot Zones and 164 Entities for Blockchain Projects
3.2.2022
The Chinese government has established 15 pilot zones and 164 entities for blockchain projects. “Projects will be carried out in various fields such as manufacturing, energy, government and tax services, law, education, health, trade and finance, and cross border finance.” China...
UAE Based Money Transfer Firm Announces Partnership With Ripplenet
28.1.2022
Al Fardan Exchange, a money transfer firm, has joined up with Ripplenet in a deal that will see the company use the Ripplenet blockchain when sending funds across national borders. Al Fardan’s Reasons for Joining Ripple A United Arab Emirates (UAE)-based money transfer platform, Al Fardan...