Japanese Fintech Firm Kyash Raises $41 Million, Jack Dorsey’s Block Participates in Funding

A Tokyo-based financial technology company called Kyash has raised $41.2 million in a Series D funding round which saw participation from the Block (formerly known as Square). The investment into the Japanese mobile financial app firm is the Block’s first investment in the Asia Pacific region, according to the announcement. Fintech Firm Kyash Gets a … Read more

Report: Africa Fintech Startups Raised $2 Billion in 2021

Africa’s fintech startups are reported to have raised $2 billion in the past year alone. This amount dwarfs the $231 million that was raised in the year 2020. Nigerian startups continue to account for the biggest share of funds raised by the continent’s fintechs in 2021. 2021 Has Highest Number of Reported Deals The capital … Read more

Bank of Uganda Reportedly Commences CBDC Study

The Bank of Uganda (BOU) has commenced a study that explores the feasibility of issuing a digital currency. However, an executive with the institution warned that the central bank needed to be clear why it must have this in the first place. Faster Movement of Money The Ugandan central bank is reported to have commenced … Read more

Paypal Joins Other Payment and Remittance Providers Suspending Services in Russia

A number of payment and remittance platforms, now including Paypal, have restricted access to their services in Russia as western sanctions over Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine continue to expand. Fintech companies have been limiting operations in the Russian Federation also in response to Kyiv’s call for help. Payments Giant Paypal Halts Services in Russia, Maintains … Read more

Bank of Israel: Adoption of CBDC Will Not Materially Affect the Banking System

Israel’s central bank says the public’s adoption of the digital shekel is not expected “to materially affect the banking system.” The bank, however, warns that any issuance of such digital currency will likely result in a decline of the volume of the public’s deposits. Increase in the Banking System’s Interest Expenses Israel’s central bank, the … Read more