Defi Lending Startup Aave Launches Permissioned Platform to Entice Financial Institutions

On January 5, the open-source non-custodial decentralized finance (defi) lending platform Aave launched a permissioned version of the protocol aimed at institutions. The platform dubbed Aave Arc will leverage Fireblocks as the first whitelister as the platform aims to help bridge traditional financial institutions with defi. KYC-Centric Defi Liquidity: Aave Launches Aave Arc Permissioned Protocol … Read more

Over 80% of African Users on Mineplex Reportedly Interested in Buying Goods With Staked Crypto

A report says over 80% of African users on the Mineplex marketplace have shown an interest in the platform’s commodity staking program since launch. Zero Fee Alternative According to a recent study, over 80% of African users have taken part in the commodity staking program since its launch as a new product on the Mineplex … Read more

Report: Traditional Banks in Africa Hold Trust Advantage Over Fintechs

A recent report by CR2 on Africa’s fintech transformation suggests traditional financial institutions can still be a part of the fintech financial revolution if they leverage one of their most significant assets: client trust. Partnerships Between Banks and Fintechs The report urges financial institutions that wish to accelerate their advance to success in the fintech … Read more

Digital Euro Should Be Attractive But Not ‘Too Successful,’ ECB’s Panetta Says

The digital euro should be an attractive means of payment but its design should prevent it from becoming so successful as a store of value that it threatens banks and private money, according to Fabio Panetta, a high-ranking executive at the European Central Bank. Panetta stressed that both this paradox as well as the need … Read more

Colombian Government Might Take Unused Funds From Bank Accounts Inactive for a Year

The budget law for the next year, which was recently approved by the Colombian representative’s chamber, includes a controversial article that allows the state to confiscate a bank customer’s funds to be used for budgetary purposes. Under certain circumstances defined by the law, these could funds may be retrieved if the account holders’ prove their … Read more

Nigeria CBDC Countdown: Central Bank Delays E-Naira Rollout

A spokesperson for the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Osita Nwanisobi, has said the launch of the much-hyped e-naira central bank digital currency (CBDC) has now been postponed to a later date. Nwanisobi’s announcement came less than 24 hours before the CBN was scheduled to launch the digital currency. Launch Date Clashes With Nigeria’s Day … Read more

IRS Agent Poses as Bitcoin Trader Called ‘Mr. Coins,’ Biden’s IRS Wants ‘Outflow and Inflow’ Data From Banks

Over the last few weeks, Americans have read about the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) upping its tax enforcement to catch cryptocurrency users who have not paid taxes. According to one report, the IRS may get access to bank inflows and outflows via Joe Biden’s American Families Plan. On top of this, another story explains … Read more

UK’s Standard Chartered to Offer Crypto Brokerage Services in Ireland

British bank Standard Chartered will offer cryptocurrency broker services in Ireland through its Zodia Custody subsidiary. The digital asset custodian will focus on signing up institutional investors in the Republic which has become a European base for many financial institutions and crypto companies. Standard Chartered to Provide Crypto Custody to Institutions in Ireland Zodia Custody, … Read more

Irish Banks Hail EU’s ‘Radical’ Anti-Money Laundering Push

Banks in Ireland have welcomed an upcoming reform of the European Union’s anti-money laundering regulations that will affect the crypto space. The Irish banking industry organization voiced support for the changes aimed at disrupting illicit transactions at the union level while calling them “radical.” New AML Body to Weed Out Suspicious Transactions in the EU, … Read more

Forex Shortages Force Nigerian Corporates to Turn to Parallel Market

Nigeria’s ongoing shortage of foreign exchange is forcing corporates and businesses to source this resource on the parallel market, a former official with the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has said. According to Muda Yusuf, who is the previous director-general at LCCI, these shortages stem from the foreign exchange market liquidity constraints that … Read more