Author: Ese Williams

Africa’s crypto ecosystem is showing signs of progress, but the risks are far from over. A newly released 2026 report by Sumsub reveals that the African crypto fraud rate dropped by 28% year-on-year in 2025, marking a significant improvement in how fraud is being detected and prevented across the continent. But while the numbers point to progress, the nature of crypto fraud is evolving fast and becoming harder to detect. Africa Crypto Fraud Rate Declines in 2025 The Africa crypto fraud rate saw a sharp 28% decline in 2025, according to SumSub’s latest industry report. This drop reflects growing adoption…

A new iPhone exploit known as DarkSword is putting cryptocurrency wallets at risk around the world, and Africa is not immune. Security researchers warn that this malware can silently steal sensitive information from iPhones, including crypto wallets, passwords, messages, and even location data. For African crypto users, many of whom rely on mobile devices as their main gateway to finance, the threat is serious, but there are ways to protect yourself. What African Crypto Users Need to Know About DarkSword DarkSword isn’t a single bug—it’s a chain of exploits targeting iPhones running iOS 18.4 to 18.7. Once it gains access,…

Bitcoin mining just became easier, but the reason behind it reveals a deeper shift in the network. On March 20, the Bitcoin network reduced its mining difficulty by about 7.7%, bringing it down to roughly 133 trillion, compared to the 145–148 trillion range seen earlier this year. At face value, this is good news for miners. Lower difficulty means less computational effort is required to mine new blocks, improving short-term profitability. But zoom out, and a more important shift comes into focus. A Network Slowing Down Bitcoin is engineered to produce a block every 10 minutes. When that rhythm breaks,…

The Crypto Conference Johannesburg 2026 will take place on March 18–19 at the Indaba Hotel in Fourways, Johannesburg. The event brings together regulators, institutional investors, fintech leaders, and digital asset experts to explore the latest developments in CARF, risk management, and compliance across Africa’s growing crypto market. This conference represents a critical moment for the institutionalisation of digital assets on the continent, offering practical insights and networking opportunities for anyone involved in the African crypto ecosystem. About the Crypto Conference Johannesburg 2026 Hosted by Trade Conferences International, the Crypto Conference Johannesburg 2026 is a premier event for professionals navigating the…

Key Highlights Africa Bitcoin Conference 2026 Moves to Malawi The Africa Bitcoin Conference 2026 is reaching a new milestone. For its fifth edition, the event will be held in Blantyre, marking the first time the conference takes place in Malawi. Scheduled for December 2–5, 2026, the conference is expected to bring together developers, investors, builders, and everyday users shaping how Bitcoin is used across Africa. This is more than a change in venue; it reflects a broader shift in Bitcoin adoption across the continent, moving beyond established tech capitals into emerging regions. Why Blantyre Matters for Bitcoin Adoption Choosing Blantyre…

Africa’s cryptocurrency sector is entering a new phase defined not just by rapid adoption but by formal regulation and institutional oversight. On March 10, 2026, the Ghana Securities and Exchange Commission, working in collaboration with the Bank of Ghana, launched a regulatory sandbox designed to allow selected companies to test digital asset services under supervised conditions. The initiative is part of the country’s broader implementation of the Virtual Asset Service Providers Act 2025, a legislative framework aimed at regulating cryptocurrency businesses while fostering innovation in financial technology. Among the 11 firms admitted into the programme is WhiteBIT, one of Europe’s…

South Africa’s national electricity utility is exploring an unconventional way to monetise excess power: selling it to Bitcoin miners. Speaking at the BizNews Conference 2026 in Hermanus, Eskom Chairman Mteto Nyati revealed that the company is considering supplying surplus electricity to Bitcoin mining companies operating in South Africa. The proposal comes at a surprising moment for the country’s energy sector. After more than a decade defined by power shortages and rolling blackouts, Eskom is now dealing with a new challenge — periods of excess electricity during the daytime. Nyati said the utility wants to sell this unused capacity at discounted…

A new stablecoin card in Africa is about to enter the market as fintech company Lipaworld prepares to launch a payment card that allows users to spend digital dollars in everyday transactions. The company recently announced that the stablecoin-powered card is currently being tested by a small group of users. According to Lipaworld, early feedback has been positive. A wider public rollout is scheduled for 30 April 2026, when the card will become available to more users across selected African markets. Once fully launched, the card will allow customers to spend stablecoins such as USD Coin (USDC) just like a…

Millions of Africans are excluded from digital finance due to a lack of smartphones or internet access. Bitcoin for feature phones in Africa is now possible thanks to Machankura, a startup founded by Kgothatso Ngako. By using simple USSD codes, Machankura lets people send, receive, and spend Bitcoin directly from their basic phones. How Machankura Turns Feature Phones Into Bitcoin Wallets in Africa Machankura uses USSD technology, the same system people use to check airtime or mobile money balances by dialing codes like *123#. Using the Bitcoin Lightning Network on Feature Phones Machankura integrates with the Bitcoin Lightning Network, allowing…

The ZAP Africa AI layoffs are a reminder that the conversation about artificial intelligence replacing jobs is no longer limited to Silicon Valley or advanced economies. Across Africa’s growing tech ecosystem, automation is beginning to reshape how companies operate and the types of roles they require. A recent restructuring at Nigerian crypto company ZAP Africa provides a glimpse into how artificial intelligence and blockchain are transforming the continent’s digital workforce. The layoffs themselves were relatively small in absolute numbers. But they point to a much larger shift: technology companies are increasingly relying on automation to streamline operations, reduce costs, and…