Report: Fintech Firms Received 62% of the $4.9 Billion Raised by African Tech Companies in 2021

Fintechs account for nearly two-thirds of the $4.9 billion that was raised by African technology firms during the past year. Fintech groups also dominate in terms of funding that exceeds $50 million, with a 40% share of the total number of tech firms. The Covid-19 Factor Out of the $4.9 billion in funding that was … Read more

Argentina-Based Mobile Wallet App Belo Adds Lightning Network Support via Opennode

On Monday, January 10, the Argentina-based mobile wallet company Belo announced that the platform has added support for the Lightning Network by partnering with the bitcoin payment processor and infrastructure provider Opennode. The mobile application allows users to trade and transact in pesos and now users can transact with bitcoin payments going forward. Belo Partners … Read more

Social Media Giant Wechat to Support China’s CBDC, Platform Expected to Boost Adoption Rate

China’s social media giant, Wechat has said it will support the digital yuan in a move that is expected to increase the of Chinese residents that use the central bank’s digital currency (CBDC). Wechat’s support of the digital yuan potentially avails the digital currency to the social media’s 800 million active users. New App Provides … Read more

Jamaican Central Bank Says It Has ‘Successfully Completed CBDC Pilot’

The Jamaican central bank successfully completed the pilot testing of its central bank digital currency, a statement from the bank has said. The statement however reveals that only one payment service provider participated in the pilot. Only One Payment Provider Participated in the Pilot The Bank of Jamaica (BOJ) recently revealed that it had successfully … Read more

SWIFT Aims to Test Tokenization in 2022, Clearstream, Northern Trust, SETL to Participate

SWIFT, the Belgian-based cooperative that serves as an intermediary and settlement executor of financial transactions between banks worldwide is planning to experiment with asset tokenization in 2022. In a blog post about the subject, SWIFT notes that it will be working with firms like Clearstream, Northern Trust, and SETL to explore “the feasibility and benefits” … Read more

Kraken Ventures Raises $65 Million to Invest in Web3, Defi, Blockchain Startups and Protocols

The independent investment fund led by Kraken alumni that’s focused on early-stage companies and protocols, Kraken Ventures, announced the successful closing of its first fund at $65 million. Presently, the fund holds positions in platforms like Hashflow, Pstake, Acala, Blockdaemon, Anchorage, and Messari. Kraken Ventures Reveals $65 Million Fund I LP There’s been an enormous … Read more

South Africa’s Digital Bank Tyme Completes Series B Round With Additional $70M Capital Raise

Tymebank, a South Africa-based digital bank, recently completed its Series B funding round with $70 million invested in the firm by Tencent and U.K. development financier, CDC Group. Funds to Support Tyme’s Expansion Into New Markets Tymebank, a digital bank from South Africa, recently raised an additional $70 million from its latest funding round, led … Read more

Ukrainians Offered New Crypto Services, Bitcoin Cards

Along with the growing popularity of cryptocurrencies, Ukrainians are enjoying an expanding range of related services and products. Besides new options to buy and trade coins, crypto users in the country will be offered two cards that will allow them to spend their digital currencies in stores and online. Wirex Gives Ukrainians Access to Over … Read more