Virtual assets, commonly referred to as crypto assets or digital currencies, are reshaping the global financial landscape. In Africa, where financial inclusion remains a pressing challenge, the rise of virtual assets presents both opportunities and regulatory dilemmas. This article provides a comparative overview of the regulatory frameworks governing virtual assets across East, West and Southern…
Cryptocurrencies are moving beyond being seen as an investment asset as users find real-world uses in everyday contexts. It appears crypto is becoming more like cash – with users prepared to use it more at the point of sale. Crypto payments specialist MoneyBadger is hoping to profit from this trend, recently signing a deal with…
Bitcoin is attracting investor interest, even as it comes off a record high. VALR, a Johannesburg-based crypto-currency exchange, has been approved for two additional financial licences, in what is seen as a positive development in South Africa’s regulatory framework for digital assets. The approvals enable VALR to offer a mix of investments that extends beyond…
Binance Pay hosted a treasure hunt event at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town. Through its integration with Zapper, Binance Pay says it is opening new avenues for South Africans to use crypto-currencies to shop and pay. It showcased the possibilities during a treasure hunt hosted at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town recently. The…
SARS expects crypto-assets to be treated with the same level of diligence as traditional financial instruments. The South African Revenue Service (SARS) this week published draft regulations for the Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework (CARF) and is inviting the public to comment. This marks an important step in bringing South Africa in line with global standards on…
Tyler Winklevoss and Cameron Winklevoss (L-R), creators of crypto exchange Gemini Trust Co., on stage at the Bitcoin 2021 Convention, a cryptocurrency conference held at the Mana Convention Center in Wynwood in Miami, Florida, on June 4, 2021. Joe Raedle | Getty Images Gemini Space Station, the crypto company founded by Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss, priced its…
Rapid changes in the payments landscape across Africa are challenging traditional banks, which are being forced to adapt quickly to new modes of facilitating transactions such as mobile money and cryptocurrencies. This is according to the Standard Bank Corporate and Investment Banking (CIB) Payments in Africa white paper released last week, which found that increased…
North Korean hackers are saturating the cryptocurrency industry with credible-sounding job offers as part of their campaign to steal digital cash, according to new research, raw data and interviews. The problem is becoming so common that job applicants now regularly screen recruiters for signs they might be acting on Pyongyang’s behalf. Twenty-five experts, victims and…
Christo de Wit, country manager for SA, Luno. New data from Luno, SA’s crypto-currency platform, reveals that while crypto-related scams affect less than 1% of its 14 million customers, scams and fraudulent misrepresentation remain the most prevalent forms of fraud in digital currency. A recent case involving a South African man who lost R4 million…
MoneyBadger’s partnership with Peach Payments has gone live, with the intention to broaden Bitcoin adoption and use in retail. African payment services provider Peach Payments has partnered with South African Bitcoin and crypto payments solution provider MoneyBadger to enable its merchants to accept payment in Bitcoin and other crypto assets. The companies cite research by…
