Zambian Central Bank Declares Bitcoin Is Not Legal Tender

The Zambian central bank said on Oct. 12 that cryptocurrencies like bitcoin core and bitcoin cash aren’t legal tender, cautioning that those transacting in such will have no one to blame in the event of market failure. It appears that the bank issued the decree because, as a traditional issuer of the depreciating local fiat … Read more

Nigerian Startup Kubitx Launches Bitcoin Exchange in Beta

Kubitx, a Pan-African financial technology startup registered in Malta, announced the beta launch of its new cryptocurrency exchange on Thursday. The platform, which supports six digital coins, including BCH and BTC, will initially be available to users in Nigeria, before the company expands it to other African countries in the coming months. Also read: Billion-Dollar Startups … Read more

Irresponsible Borrowing Leaves Africa on Brink of Debt Crisis – Again

Irresponsible government borrowing has caused debt in many African countries to reach crisis level. Over the past 10 years, more than $80 billion in bonds have been issued to thirsty European investors by governments in Africa south of the Sahara, with public debt now making up about half of GDP. Bilateral loans, especially from China, add … Read more

Bitcoin Trading Flourishes on Whatsapp Following African Exchange Closures

Governments in Africa simply cannot stop an idea whose time has come. In Zimbabwe, financial regulators banned cryptocurrency trading, and shut down two exchanges, thinking to have killed the ecosystem, only for Bitcoin to find a new life on Whatsapp. Kenyan authorities have sounded tough on virtual currency, warning banks and individuals against trading such, … Read more

Wave of Mobile Tax Hikes Squeezes Africa’s Poor to Indulge Governments

A smart robber fleeces you with a pen and a handshake. From Zimbabwe to Kenya, Uganda to Benin, African governments are on a tax-raising spree, looking for easy money, ostensibly to help fund successive revenue shortfalls and budget deficits. Often, the money ends up being misappropriated by corrupt public officials. The best weapon in government … Read more

Pushing the Boundaries of Economic Change: Bitcoin as a Medium of Exchange in Africa

Bitcoin is pushing the boundaries of economic change in Africa. In East Africa, a new deal between digital currency exchange Bitpesa and a Japanese firm shows Kenyans are using bitcoin to pay for used Japanese cars, cosmetics and electrical gadgets. In Nigeria, Sure Remit is helping make cash transfers cheaper and in Zimbabwe, TV subscriptions, … Read more

Steve Hanke: Central Banks Fuel Wealth Loss and Inflation – The World Needs Less of Them

Respected economist Professor Steve Hanke has chanted down central banks. While Hanke doesn’t tout cryptocurrency as an alternative, he does say that the world needs fewer central banks because these government-controlled entities are messing up economies and abusing monetary policy, while fueling inflation and loss of wealth. Also read: Ex-Liberia Central Bank Chief Under Probe For … Read more

The Daily: Iran to Allow Mining Hardware Imports, Cyprus Creates Fintech Hub

Following a decision to recognize mining as an industry, the Islamic Republic of Iran is about to legalize the import of mining equipment. Also in The Daily, an executive at a leading Spanish bank insists cryptocurrencies are “perfect” and must be understood; trying to better understand the crypto space, Cyprus has set up a fintech … Read more

Poor Internet Access Could Slow Down Cryptocurrency Growth In Africa

Africa is often lauded as the next big thing for cryptocurrency adoption and development. But could poor internet access and connectivity slow down progress? A new report by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) shows that it will cost $450 billion to connect 1.5 billion people – most of them in Africa – to the internet. … Read more