-
Social-good innovators bet on blockchains to solve big problems
Undaunted by humanity’s past failures to resolve some of history’s thorniest problems, numerous blockchain and cryptocurrency projects — some led by large international agencies, others by tiny startups – hope to tackle issues like poverty and environmental degradation and spread democracy.
- Categories
- Technology
-
Steep fees call into question bitcoin’s promise for the underbanked
Abra set out in 2014 to make mobile money movement cheap and fast worldwide, using the bitcoin network as rails. But lately the fees for transferring value on that network have risen, creating a predicament for the startup: charge more for sending funds with its mobile app, or eat the fees.
- Categories
- Financial Inclusion, Technology
-
Bitcoin – an opportunity for African trade?
Bitcoin continues to be the subject of much debate and controversy, but for many African companies the choice is simple. For them, the cryptocurrency is not at all related to anonymous black market business – it’s about enabling them to flourish. Sanne Wass speaks with Elizabeth Rossiello of BitPesa to find out more.
- Categories
- Financial Inclusion, Technology
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
-
On Bitcoin, India’s Government And Tech Companies Find Common Ground
Clearly, despite some initial reservations, the Indian government is keen on understanding how Bitcoin works and is willing to deploy resources to build frameworks.
- Categories
- Technology
- Region
- South Asia
-
Naspers pours $5M into Coins, a fintech startup for Southeast Asia’s unbanked population
Coins is focused on offering financial services for the unbanked in the Philippines and Thailand. It uses the blockchain as its underlying technology to facilitate transfers and remittances. It announced the new funding — which comes via the Naspers Ventures division — as an extension to the $5 million Series A round that it closed last October.
- Categories
- Financial Inclusion, Technology
- Region
- Asia Pacific
-
This Is How Cryptocurrencies & Blockchain Could Solve Asia’s Financial Inclusion Issue
In 2016, staff members within the International Monetary Fund (IMF) suggested that virtual currencies could promote financial inclusion. The IMF issued the standard cautions about how virtual currencies (VCs) might be used for money laundering, terrorism and other nefarious purposes. But it also wrote that, “VCs offer many potential benefits, including greater speed and efficiency in making payments and transfer--particularly across borders--and ultimately promoting financial inclusion.”
- Categories
- Financial Inclusion, Technology
- Region
- South Asia
-
Bitcoin Startups BitPesa and Bitbond Deliver P2P Loans for African Businesses
Bitcoin startups BitPesa and Bitbond, based in Africa and Germany respectively, have announced a new initiative to bring financing options to businesses in Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania and Uganda.
- Categories
- Financial Inclusion, Technology
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
-
Nigeria: Central Bank Bars Banks From Virtual Currency Transactions
The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Tuesday, banned banks from all transactions in bitcoin and other virtual currencies. A circular signed by the apex bank's director, financial policy and regulation department, Kelvin Amugo, stated that the move was necessitated by money laundering and terrorism financing risks inherent in operations of virtual currencies.
- Categories
- Financial Inclusion, Technology
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
Parent Organization
