global macro

Ethereum

The NFT Craze Is Helping Nigerian Artists Go Global

Nigerian artists are minting NFTs, but they are cautious about the hype around them.

Markets  ·  13 April 2021
Japan

Japan’s BitFlyer Has a New President – Again

BitFlyer replaced its company president and introduced its first non-Japanese director in its latest management reorganization.

News  ·  6 April 2021
Japan

Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank to Issue Japan’s First Security Tokens

The bank worked with Securitize to test security token issuances.

News  ·  30 March 2021
CBDC

CBDCs Will Reduce Demand for Bitcoin, Says South Korea Central Bank Chief

Bank of Korea Governor Lee Ju-yeol says once central bank digital currencies (CBDC) are introduced, the demand for cryptocurrencies like bitcoin fall.

News  ·  26 March 2021
Regulation

Crypto Is Not Regulated in Turkey, and It’s Thriving

Central bank instability tends to attract people to cryptocurrency. As the lira dropped on Monday, internet searches about cryptocurrencies spiked.

Policy & regulation  ·  24 March 2021
Cryptocurrency

Crypto Is Banned in Morocco, but Bitcoin Purchases Are Soaring

Peer-to-peer bitcoin trading volumes steadily increased in the country during the last three years.

Markets  ·  22 March 2021
Nigeria

Stellar Development Foundation Invests $750K in Nigeria Remittance Platform

The investment, made through SDF's Enterprise Fund, will provide Cowrie with resources to continue expanding its operations in emerging markets, including Africa.

News  ·  17 March 2021
Stablecoins

Nigerians Turn to Stablecoins for Protection Against Inflation

Traditional savings groups in Nigeria are looking at dollar-pegged stablecoins as a tool to protect their savings from local inflation.

Markets  ·  15 March 2021
Regulation

Jamaica to Pilot CBDC Later This Year

The Caribbean nation's finance minister announced plans to officially launch a CBDC during the annual national budget debate.

News  ·  11 March 2021
Regulation

Egyptians Are Buying Bitcoin Despite Prohibitive New Banking Laws

Egyptian crypto trading volume and exchange sign-ups increased dramatically this past January, capping off an already high-volume 2020.

Business  ·  5 March 2021
sandbox

Ghana to Prioritize Blockchain Projects in New Regulatory Sandbox

The sandbox will target a wide range of financial service innovations and hopes to improve financial inclusion.

News  ·  26 February 2021
Nigeria

Bitcoin Is Trading at a 46% Premium on Luno Nigeria After Central Bank Ban

The premium rose after the Central Bank of Nigeria reminded banks they could not provide crypto exchanges with financial services.

News  ·  26 February 2021
CBDC

Bank of Korea Chief on CBDC: Better Right Than Fast

Bank of Korea Governor Lee Ju-yeol isn’t bullish on bitcoin, but he sees potential in a central bank digital currency (CBDC), if it’s done right.  Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Lee said that when it comes to a CBDC, it’s better to do it right than do it fast, citing the cautious approach […]

News  ·  25 February 2021
LocalBitcoins

In Nigeria, One Bitcoin Can Cost $68,000. Here’s Why.

Bitcoin has already passed the $68,000 mark in Nigeria, but that’s if you use the official exchange rate. Awosika Ayodeji, a Nigerian blockchain project designer, isn’t complaining. He is happy to wake up and see bitcoin prices quoted using unofficial U.S. dollar exchange rates because it means he’d be getting more naira per dollar when […]

Markets  ·  23 February 2021
Digital Dollar

Bermuda to Pilot Digital Dollar for Rum Sales

In Bermuda, you may soon be able to use digital dollars to buy rum. Canadian fintech firm Bidali announced Thursday that, with the support of the Bermuda government, it has launched a pilot to test a digital Bermuda dollar. Under the pilot program, popular local rum company Gosling’s Limited will be accepting digital Bermuda dollars […]

News  ·  18 February 2021