Author: Opeloyeru Batly

When Luno unveiled plans to bring tokenised U.S. stocks (xstocks) to South African investors in July 2025, the company was making a bold prediction about the future of investing. At the time, traditional access to global markets remained out of reach for many retail investors. Offshore accounts, foreign exchange requirements, minimum investment thresholds, and limited trading hours continued to create barriers for everyday South Africans seeking exposure to international equities. Luno believed blockchain technology could remove many of those obstacles. “Until now, access to global financial markets has been locked behind red tape and legacy systems,” said Christo de Wit,…

South Africans are spending crypto in the real world. According to Binance, the total figure stands at R29.8 million on their Pay product. This was confirmed by Hannes Wessels, South Africa General Manager at Binance, in data shared with MyBroadband. Wessels noted that Binance’s focus is on expanding the real-world utility of digital assets in South Africa. A Deliberate Expansion This milestone did not happen by chance. Instead, it is the result of a steady merchant expansion strategy. In July 2025, Binance Pay integrated with Peach Payments and MoneyBadger. This allowed South Africans to pay with over 100 cryptocurrencies at online…

Economist Dawie Roodt has warned that tighter crypto regulations in South Africa could weaken confidence in the rand over time. He believes stricter rules around digital assets may push more people toward alternative financial systems. Many users already rely on crypto for savings, payments, and cross-border transfers. The comments come as regulators worldwide introduce new frameworks for digital assets. Most policymakers aim to balance innovation with financial stability. Rising Regulation Raises Concerns Over Currency Trust Roodt says financial behaviour can change when regulation becomes too restrictive. Governments usually create regulations to protect investors and reduce risk. However, excessive controls can…

Liquidity for XRP on Binance has reportedly dropped to its lowest level in five years, raising fresh discussions around market activity, trading depth, and investor sentiment in the crypto sector. The development comes as Uganda launches a new genomic pilot initiative tied to digital infrastructure and innovation efforts, adding another layer to conversations around emerging technologies across Africa. While the two developments are unrelated in function, both highlight how digital ecosystems across finance and technology continue evolving rapidly in global and African market. XRP Liquidity Decline Draws Market Attention Liquidity refers to how easily an asset can be bought or…

Digital payment companies and crypto industry stakeholders raised concerns over proposed financial levies during discussions at a recent Africa Day crypto forum in Nairobi, highlighting growing tension between regulation and innovation across Africa’s digital finance sector. Participants at the event argued that additional taxes and transaction charges could slow financial inclusion, increase operational costs, and weaken the growth of digital payment systems across the continent. The discussions come at a time when African governments are exploring new ways to regulate and tax fast-growing fintech and crypto markets. Industry Players Push Back Against Additional Charges Stakeholders at the forum warned that…

Rwanda is preparing for possible changes in crypto regulation as financial authorities and market stakeholders increase discussions around digital asset oversight and investor protection. The latest move comes through a crypto safety workshop organized within Rwanda’s capital market ecosystem. The initiative reflects growing efforts to educate institutions and market participants about the risks and opportunities tied to digital assets. As crypto adoption continues to rise across Africa, regulators are placing a stronger focus on compliance, financial safety, and consumer awareness. Rwanda Expands Discussions Around Crypto Regulation Rwanda has gradually positioned itself as one of Africa’s emerging technology and innovation hubs.…

Chiliz Group is expanding its presence in sports blockchain infrastructure after bringing the national football teams of South Africa and Scotland onchain through new digital fan engagement initiatives. The move shows how blockchain is becoming part of global sports. Teams now use digital tools to improve fan engagement, loyalty programs, and online interaction. Chiliz Continues Expanding Sports Blockchain Infrastructure Chiliz Group has become one of the most recognized blockchain firms operating in the sports and entertainment sector. The company is widely known for powering blockchain-based fan engagement products that allow supporters to interact more directly with teams through digital platforms.…

Tether has partnered with LemFi to strengthen USDT-powered cross-border payments across Africa and Asia, signaling continued growth in stablecoin-based financial services. The partnership reflects rising demand for faster and more affordable international transactions, especially in emerging markets where traditional remittance systems remain expensive or inefficient. By combining LemFi’s remittance infrastructure with Tether’s stablecoin ecosystem, the companies aim to improve how users move money across borders using digital dollar-based settlement systems. The Partnership Focuses on Cross-Border Payment Efficiency The collaboration between Tether and LemFi centers on improving international money transfers through the use of USDT, Tether’s dollar-pegged stablecoin. Stablecoins have become…

African stablecoin infrastructure startup Checker has secured $8 million in fresh funding as investor interest in blockchain-based payment infrastructure continues to grow across emerging markets. The funding round attracted backing from AI Mada Ventures, Nigerian tech investor Iyinoluwa Aboyeji, and several other investors focused on digital finance and cross-border payment innovation. The investment highlights growing confidence in stablecoin-powered financial infrastructure, especially in regions where businesses and consumers continue to seek faster and more efficient payment systems. Checker Focuses on Stablecoin Infrastructure Checker is building infrastructure designed to support stablecoin transactions and digital payment settlements across global markets. Stablecoins are cryptocurrencies…

South African financial authorities have responded to growing public interest in cryptocurrency ownership, offering further clarity on how digital assets fit into the country’s financial and regulatory framework. The comments from the South African Reserve Bank and the National Treasury South Africa come as crypto adoption continues to expand across the country, particularly among younger investors, fintech users, and businesses exploring blockchain-based payments. While authorities acknowledged the increasing role of digital assets in the economy, they also emphasized the importance of regulatory oversight, consumer protection, and compliance with financial laws. South Africa Continues to Monitor Crypto Ownership South Africa has…