Author: Opeloyeru Batly

Luno is cutting about 20% of its global workforce as it restructures its business. The exchange wants to reduce costs and strengthen its focus on enterprise services. The changes will also affect operations in South Africa, one of its biggest markets. The restructuring comes as crypto firms continue to adapt to changing market conditions, increasing regulatory demands, and a growing emphasis on sustainable profitability. Luno says the changes are designed to position the business for long-term growth rather than signal a retreat from its core markets. Why Luno Is Restructuring Its Business According to Luno CEO James Lanigan, the company…

Kenya is tightening its approach to crypto regulation by introducing a three-year validity period for virtual asset service provider (VASP) licences, a move designed to discourage speculative permit applications and ensure only serious market participants remain in the country’s digital asset sector. The proposal forms part of Kenya’s ongoing efforts to establish a comprehensive regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies and virtual asset businesses. Rather than issuing licences that remain valid indefinitely, regulators want firms to renew their authorisation every three years while demonstrating continued compliance with licensing requirements. The measure reflects Kenya’s broader strategy of balancing innovation with stronger oversight as…

Sam Altman’s biometric identity startup, World, has secured $52.5 million through a strategic sale of its native WLD token as it accelerates the global expansion of its digital identity network. The funding round, announced by the World Foundation on 24 July 2026, was led by Pantera Capital and attracted several institutional investors, including Bain Capital Crypto, Eightco Holdings, Selini Capital, and Susquehanna Crypto. All participating investors agreed to a one-year lock-up period for the purchased tokens, signalling a long-term commitment to the project. World Raises Fresh Capital to Expand Digital Identity Infrastructure The new funding will support the expansion of…

Samsung is preparing to add stablecoin support to Samsung Wallet. The update marks another step toward bringing blockchain-based payments into everyday consumer technology. Compatible users will be able to store and use regulated stablecoins, including USD Coin (USDC), directly from their smartphones. The move also shows that major technology companies increasingly view stablecoins as practical payment tools rather than trading assets. Samsung Wallet Expands Into Stablecoin Payments Samsung Wallet already stores payment cards, digital keys, identification documents, boarding passes, and loyalty cards in one app. Now, Samsung plans to add stablecoins. Users will be able to access blockchain-based digital dollars…

East Africa crypto crime is becoming a bigger focus for prosecutors as digital asset adoption grows across the region. To strengthen investigations, prosecutors and law enforcement officials have completed specialised training on cryptocurrency investigations, digital evidence, and cross-border financial crime. The programme was organised under the Eastern Africa Association of Prosecutors (EAAP) in partnership with the Eastern Africa Police Chiefs Cooperation Organisation (EAPCCO) as part of the European Union-supported Follow-up Programme on Cryptocurrencies, Financial Crime and Joint Investigation Teams. Eastern Africa Expands Crypto Crime Enforcement Skills The workshops focused on helping prosecutors investigate and prosecute crimes involving cryptocurrencies more effectively.…

BitMEX, the cryptocurrency exchange widely credited with introducing perpetual futures to the digital asset market, is shutting down after more than a decade in operation. The Seychelles-based exchange announced on 23 July 2026 that it will permanently cease operations on 23 September 2026 following what it described as a strategic review of both the business and the broader crypto industry. Users have been instructed to close all open positions and withdraw their assets before the deadline. The decision marks the end of one of crypto’s most influential trading platforms. BitMEX transformed derivatives trading in 2016 by launching perpetual futures, a…

South Africa’s iGaming crypto payments are moving from an alternative payment option to a strategic business solution. As payment fraud becomes more sophisticated, online gaming operators are increasingly exploring stablecoins and blockchain-based settlement to reduce chargebacks, speed up transactions, and strengthen payment security. The shift reflects a broader transformation in how Africa’s digital gaming industry manages financial risk. Payment Fraud Continues to Challenge South Africa’s iGaming Sector South Africa’s online betting market has grown rapidly over the past few years. More consumers now place bets through mobile apps and digital platforms than ever before. That growth, however, has also attracted…

FATF crypto oversight is no longer a background concern. It is now the defining compliance challenge for the global digital asset industry.On 17 July 2026, the Financial Action Task Force published its seventh annual review of how countries regulate virtual assets. The findings are uncomfortable. Criminal networks are exploiting gaps in national regulations to move billions of dollars in illicit funds through stablecoins. And some of them are no longer relying on mainstream tokens. They are building their own. The Numbers Behind the Warning The scale of the problem is significant. According to Chainalysis data cited in the FATF report,…

UN Says Terrorists in Nigeria Are Using Drones and Crypto to Boost Operations. The Nigeria crypto and drone threat by terrorists has caught the attention of the highest levels of global security governance. On 20 July 2026, the United Nations Security Council received a stark briefing from Leonardo Simão, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for West Africa and the Sahel. His message was direct. Terrorist groups operating in northern Nigeria and across the wider West African and Sahel region are becoming more sophisticated, and cryptocurrency is now part of their operational toolkit. “Armed groups are increasingly using drones, sophisticated…

Tanzania regulatory framework for crypto is no longer a question of if. It is a question of when. On 13 July 2026, Bank of Tanzania Governor Emmanuel Tutuba announced that the central bank has completed a comprehensive study on digital assets and is now finalising regulations for cryptocurrencies, stablecoins, and virtual assets. He made the announcement at the 50th Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair which is one of East Africa’s most prominent economic forums.The announcement marks a dramatic shift. In 2019, the Bank of Tanzania explicitly warned citizens against trading crypto, citing unregulated risks and violations of foreign exchange…