Blockchain
Binance: Nigeria orders cryptocurrency firm to pay $10bn
The Nigerian government says it has demanded almost $10bn (£8bn) in compensation from the cryptocurrency firm, Binance.
It says Binance manipulated foreign exchange rates through currency speculation and rate-fixing, which have seen the naira lose nearly 70% of its value in recent months.
Two Binance executives were arrested in Nigeria earlier in the week.
Binance has not responded to the BBC’s requests for comment.
Nigeria is Africa’s biggest economy and also one of the world’s biggest cryptocurrency markets.
On Tuesday, Nigeria’s central bank governor Olayemi Cardoso said Binance Nigeria had moved $26bn worth of untraceable funds.
“These allegations are weighty,” Tilewa Adebajo CFG Advisory tells the BBC. “That’s a huge sum – even more than the annual Nigeria diaspora remittances of $24bn”.
“The government must have done their homework, hence the allegations.”
Cryptocurrency transactions equivalent to about 12% of Nigeria’s total income, or GDP, took place in the year to June 2023, according to Reuters news agency.
Cryptocurrencies are not illegal in Nigeria but firms must register in order to operate there, the government says. A special adviser to Nigeria’s president told the BBC that Binance had failed to do this.
After he came into office last year, President Bola Tinubu scrapped the policy of pegging the naira to the dollar, allowing traders to buy and sell the currency at rates determined by the market. But special advisor Bayo Onanuga said the recent collapse was not the result of normal activity.
“All of a sudden the exchange rate went through the roof… and it was being caused by the people on Binance platform,” he told the BBC Newsday programme.
“The government could not just fold its hands and allow this thing to continue.”
Binance is understood to be one of the most popular cryptocurrency platforms in the country.
To the frustration of Nigerian users, Binance and several other cryptocurrency firms have been suspended in the country in recent weeks including Coinbase, Kraken, Forextime, OctaFX, Crypto and FXTM in an attempt to halt the slide of the naira.
As well as the collapse of the naira, the government also says cryptocurrency is used for money-laundering and funding terror.
The “anonymity and privacy inherent in the cryptocurrency system are what draw individuals, particularly those with illicit intentions, towards its use,” said a recent report by the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit.
Central bank governor Mr Cardoso said on Tuesday that “illicit flows” had been spotted on some cryptocurrency platforms in Nigeria. No specific firms were named as culprits.
In another measure intended to curb foreign-currency trading, Nigeria has closed thousands of bureaux de change.
Nigeria’s central bank has been under pressure to stabilise the national currency, the naira, which currently exchanges at 1,595 naira to US$1, compared to about 460 a year ago.
The collapse of the naira has worsened the cost-of-living crisis. High food and commodity prices – including fuel and transport – have led to protests in recent weeks.
Source: BBC
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Blockchain
WadzPay Plans to Expand Portfolio into Stablecoin Business
WadzPay, a leading fintech company specialising in blockchain based technology for virtual asset payment solutions, is proud to announce its plan to enter the Stablecoin business, marking a significant expansion of its offerings. With a steadfast commitment to innovation and addressing evolving market demands, the company has strategically positioned itself to capitalise on the growing opportunities within the virtual asset financial services space.
Blockchain
RevoluGROUP Announces CEO and Director Stepping Down
Blockchain
ZettaBlock announces the addition of blockchain data
ZettaBlock, a leading provider of blockchain solutions, has recently announced a significant enhancement to its offerings with the addition of blockchain data services. This development marks a strategic move aimed at bolstering ZettaBlock’s capabilities and further solidifying its position in the blockchain industry.
By integrating blockchain data services into its portfolio, ZettaBlock seeks to address the growing demand for comprehensive and reliable data solutions within the blockchain ecosystem. The new offering will enable clients to access a wealth of blockchain data, empowering them to make informed decisions and derive valuable insights from the vast amount of information available on various blockchain networks.
ZettaBlock’s decision to expand its services comes at a time when the importance of blockchain data analytics is increasingly recognized across industries. With blockchain technology continuing to gain traction and adoption worldwide, the ability to effectively harness and analyze blockchain data has become crucial for businesses and organizations seeking to unlock new opportunities and drive innovation.
Through its blockchain data services, ZettaBlock aims to cater to the diverse needs of its clients, providing them with access to real-time and historical data from a wide range of blockchain networks. This includes transaction data, smart contract metrics, network activity, and more, allowing users to gain deeper insights into blockchain transactions and activities.
The addition of blockchain data services represents a significant milestone for ZettaBlock, underscoring the company’s commitment to delivering cutting-edge solutions that meet the evolving needs of the blockchain industry. As businesses increasingly recognize the value of blockchain data in driving decision-making and enhancing operations, ZettaBlock’s comprehensive data services are poised to play a key role in shaping the future of blockchain analytics.
Source: cryptonewsz.com
The post ZettaBlock announces the addition of blockchain data appeared first on HIPTHER Alerts.
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