El Salvador Plans to Offer Crypto Loans to Small-Scale Entrepreneurs

The government of El Salvador will offer cryptocurrency-based loans to small companies. Conamype, the National Commission for Micro and Small Enterprises, will be the link between the investors and a decentralized finance protocol called Acumen, that will be able to provide funding in stablecoins. The aim being to help small investors that have no credit … Read more

Russian Banks Begin Testing Digital Ruble Payments

Banks in Russia are preparing to dive into the pilot phase of the digital ruble project and some are already testing transactions with the currency. Trials have started with customer-to-customer (C2C) payments and Bank of Russia plans to expand the types of operations in the future. Digital Ruble Pilot Launches With 12 Participating Banks The … Read more

Bank of Russia to Monitor Banks’ Dealings With Crypto Exchangers

The Central Bank of Russia has started to examine the operations of Russian banks with cryptocurrency exchangers, according to local media. Transactions between individuals through these platforms are of particular interest as the regulator believes these carry risks of financial losses and fraud. Central Bank Asks Russian Banks for Details on Crypto-Related Transactions In late … Read more

Report: Walmart Trademark Filings Hint at Retailer’s Intent to Produce Metaverse and NFT Concepts

According to a recent report, the American multinational retail corporation that operates a chain of department stores, Walmart Inc., is seemingly prepping to enter the industry of non-fungible token (NFT) technology and metaverse concepts. Walmart USPTO Trademark Filings Are Littered With Descriptions of NFTs, Blockchain Tech, Digital Collectibles, Metaverse, and Virtual Department Store Games On … Read more

NYCB and Group of Banks Join to Launch USDF Stablecoin

A group of U.S.-based banks is launching their own stablecoin, USDF. The stablecoin will be issued by the USDF Consortium, which will allow its members (financial and banking institutions) to issue USDF. The proposed stablecoin will be the first currency of its kind to be minted by FDIC-insured institutions and compliant with the recommendations on … Read more

Kazakhstan Shuts Down Banks, Internet Amid Unrest That Threatens Bitcoin Mining, Hashrate

Measures imposed by authorities to quell mass protests in mining hotspot Kazakhstan are affecting cryptocurrency markets and the Bitcoin network hashrate. To deal with the civil unrest caused by rising fuel prices and a worsening economy, the government restricted access to the internet and closed down local banks. Fears are rising that the turmoil may … Read more

Spain Reduces ATM Numbers to 2002 Levels as Country Moves to Digital Payments

The number of ATMs in Spain has been progressively shrinking to levels the country saw in the year 2002. Reports from local media suggest these actions have been taken to reduce costs and to push payment and operation digitalization in the sector. The highest number of ATMs was registered in 2008 when there were 61,714 … Read more