BitKE

In a conversation with a local South African outlet, Connie Bloem, the Managing Director of Mesh.Trade, a South African tokenized assets exchange, explained what advisers need to understand about integrating stablecoins into portfolios.
Stablecoins now make up 43% of all cryptocurrency

TymeBank achieved profitability in December 2023, becoming the first digital bank in South Africa to break even within five years of its launch. With 8.5 million customers, strategic partnerships, and innovative services, TymeBank plans to become one of the top three retail banks in the country.

The Venom Foundation will create a blockchain innovation hub in Nairobi, Kenya, in collaboration with the government. This hub aims to enhance digital transformation in Africa by providing resources for sectors like supply chain and finance, promoting transparency and efficiency.

Avalanche is a blockchain platform that supports smart contracts, offering scalability and lower transaction fees. Launched in 2020 by Ava Labs, it uses three interconnected blockchains for asset management, smart contracts, and validation. Its native token, AVAX, is used for transactions and staking, enhancing network security.

Unstoppable Domains has teamed up with Polygon Labs to launch .polygon Web3 domains, allowing users to create custom digital identities for seamless access to dApps, crypto transactions, and decentralized websites. A 25% discount is available for early adopters.

PayPal has launched a stablecoin, PayPal USD, fully backed by U.S. dollar deposits and short-term Treasuries. This milestone enables transactions and fund transfers in digital currencies, enhancing payment experiences in virtual environments.

Watu Holdings, a Kenyan buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) startup, reported a steep 84% decline in profit to $1.2 million (KES 157 million) for the year 2024, according to filings by Car & General, which owns a 29% stake in the company. The drop from $7.6 million (KES 985 million) in 2023 highlights

The UK has sanctioned Xinbi, a major crypto-linked black market, targeting individuals and operations related to global scams. This crackdown aims to disrupt illicit activities, freezing assets and isolating the platform from legitimate financial systems.

PayStack, a company solving payments problems for ambitious businesses in Africa, today announces the launch of The Stack Group (TSG), a parent holding company that will aggregate the tech-focused family of brands connected with Paystack. TSG

MetaMask partners with MasterCard to launch a debit card linking to self-custody wallets, enabling crypto payments globally. The card, issued by Baanx, will facilitate immediate crypto-to-fiat conversions, enhancing financial access for users, especially the unbanked.

WeChat has integrated the digital yuan into its payment options, enhancing the appeal and adoption of China's central bank digital currency (CBDC). This allows users to pay through WeChat for various services, boosting efficiency for merchants without needing separate integrations.

DIVA Technologies, in partnership with Mercy Corps Ventures, Fortune Credit, and Shamba Network, has launched a donation campaign to support pastoralist communities in Kenya affected by climate change and severe drought. The initiative aims to provide cash transfers to beneficiaries based on pasture conditions, helping them sustain their livestock during adversity.

Kenya's Office of the Data Protection Commissioner warns citizens to be cautious when registering for the WorldCoin program, as it involves sensitive personal data. With 350,000 Kenyans already signed up for free tokens, the initiative aims to provide digital identification amidst AI advancements.