Report: Russia Remains a ‘Key Market for Crypto,’ Commands the 3rd Largest Bitcoin Hashrate in the World

The fervor for cryptocurrency assets in Russia has grown wild over the last few years. This week Xangle Research published a comprehensive report about digital currencies and the Russian environment in 2020. The study’s findings show that Russia is one of the world’s key players when it comes to the crypto economy, but finding reliable … Read more

P2P Cryptocurrency Exchanges in Africa Pivot: Nigeria and Kenya the Target Markets

Leading cryptocurrency exchanges are bullish about Africa’s growth prospects as evidenced by their ongoing forays into the continent. During the month of August, Kucoin crypto exchange announced the addition of Nigeria’s naira currency as a payment option on its peer-to-peer platform. Similarly, Binance added Kenya’s popular mobile money service Mpesa to its peer-to-peer platform in … Read more

Nigeria’s Foreign Currency Crisis Boon for Bitcoin: Country Tops Wallet Downloads Ahead of the US

Nigeria’s weakening naira currency, as well as the shortage of U.S. dollars, are forcing businesses to switch to bitcoin as the means of settling payments for international transactions. Nigerian businesses need the American currency to buy new supplies, as well as to order essential equipment from abroad. However, formal sources of foreign currency like banks … Read more

High Fees Make BTC Less Appealing for Remittances in Africa: ‘Pray Blocks Happen Quickly’

Bitcoin trading volumes are on the rise on the African continent despite the ongoing concerns about the high network fees. Data shows peer to peer bitcoin trading platforms recorded spiked growth in volumes starting in April. This was the same time as many countries implemented lockdown measures. Anecdotal evidence seems to suggest that Covid-19 related … Read more

Emerging Markets Drive Paxful First Half 2020 Bitcoin Volume to $1.1 Billion

Peer-to-peer (P2P) crypto exchange Paxful reported Tuesday that its bitcoin trading volumes climbed 35% to $1.1 billion during the first six months of 2020 compared to $817 million a year ago. More than $182 million worth of bitcoin (BTC), on average, was traded on the platform every month between January and June this year, it … Read more

Cryptocurrencies Spread 4X Faster in Undeveloped Countries: Blockchain Analysis Report

During the month of April, the blockchain project Onfo initiated an experiment to see how fast crypto assets can gain popularity in four different countries. The team’s findings discovered that cryptocurrencies spread four times faster in developing nations as opposed to developed countries. Crypto Asset Network Effect Grows Stronger in Undeveloped Countries Last month, the … Read more

South Africa Leads Crypto Revolution in Africa – Challenges Spur and Slow Adoption

Africans rank atop global cryptocurrency ownership rates, according to a new report by Arcade Research. South Africa ranks third globally with 13% of its internet users owning or using cryptocurrencies, while 11% of connected Nigerians own cryptocurrencies in the fifth-placed populous West African country. Uganda, Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, and Ghana are listed in the … Read more

Darknet Vendors Work Overtime as Police Halt Drug Arrests

The coronavirus is having a strange effect on the war on drugs. Narcotics activities that were deemed serious crimes only a week ago have been dropped by U.S. law enforcement, who have greater concerns now that cities are under effective lockdown. Meanwhile, darknet vendors are doing their best to match increased demand for mail order … Read more

Relm Launches Insurance Coverage for Cryptocurrency and Cannabis Groups in Tough Regulatory Climate

Bermuda-based insurance company Relm has announced an official launch of operations, issuing a press statement March 3, stating the group will “focus on digital asset (cryptocurrency) enterprises and cannabis and hemp related businesses.” The business, owned by Deltec International Group, a Nassau private financial services provider founded in 1959, currently offers five basic products for … Read more

Eastern Europe Sees More Fiat Options for Trading Crypto

The countries of Central and Eastern Europe, a diverse region sometimes referred to as the ‘Second World,’ are at different stages of their economic development and political integration with the EU or other supranational organizations. Having less established traditional sectors, looser regulations and weaker associations creates better conditions for new industries to develop there. Along … Read more