Blockchain
Zone and NIBSS want to reduce the failed POS transaction rate in Nigeria with this blockchain solution
Why Does This Partnership and New Solution Matter?
This partnership between Zone and the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) is crucial because it addresses the longstanding inefficiencies and reliability issues plaguing Nigeria’s traditional payment systems, particularly in the POS sector. The traditional payment architecture relied heavily on centralized systems, which created significant points of failure. These single points of failure meant that if the central hub or Payment Terminal Service Aggregator (PTSA) went down, the entire network could be disrupted, leading to transaction failures and poor customer experiences.
By leveraging blockchain technology, Zone’s new solution distributes transaction processing across a decentralized network, eliminating these single points of failure. This ensures that even if one part of the network fails, the rest can continue operating smoothly. This partnership represents a significant step forward in creating a more resilient, efficient, and secure payment infrastructure for Nigeria’s rapidly growing digital economy.
How Is Your Solution Better? How Many Failure Points Does It Have?
Zone’s solution is superior because it effectively eliminates failure points that were previously inherent in the centralized payment architecture. Traditionally, the payment process involved multiple intermediaries, such as the PTSA and central switch, which could each act as bottlenecks. If any of these components failed, it could lead to widespread network outages.
Zone’s innovative approach integrates the functionalities of the PTSA and the switch directly into a blockchain node or gateway that is distributed across the network. This means that every participant, including banks and fintechs, has a copy of the node, ensuring that no single entity is responsible for the entire network’s operation. The distributed nature of this system means that even if one node fails, others continue processing transactions without interruption. Thus, there are essentially no single points of failure in this system.
Additionally, this architecture enhances scalability and performance, particularly during high-demand periods, by distributing the processing load across multiple nodes. This decentralized approach ensures faster transaction processing and greater overall system reliability.
What Will Happen to the Existing Centralized POS Payment Architecture?
The existing centralized POS payment architecture will continue to coexist with this new decentralized solution. NIBSS, which has historically served as the central PTSA for the industry, has developed this decentralized alternative in collaboration with Zone. This new approach provides POS operators with a choice: they can either stick with the traditional centralized system or switch to the new decentralized architecture.
The dual-option strategy by NIBSS expands the flexibility available to POS operators, allowing them to choose the model that best suits their operational needs while remaining compliant with PTSA regulations. This means businesses can opt for the decentralized solution, which offers improved performance and reliability, without incurring additional costs.
How Does Blockchain Fit Into All This and What Type of Blockchain Is This?
Blockchain technology is integral to this solution because it provides a robust framework for decentralizing transaction processing while ensuring data integrity and security. The blockchain used here is a regulated blockchain, which combines the decentralized efficiency of traditional public blockchains with the regulatory oversight typically associated with centralized financial systems.
In a regulated blockchain, compliance with regulations is embedded directly into the blockchain’s infrastructure. This means that all activities on the blockchain automatically adhere to predefined regulatory standards, reducing the burden of compliance on individual users and businesses. Moreover, the transparency of blockchain allows for real-time monitoring by regulators, enhancing oversight and minimizing risks.
The regulated blockchain model adopted by Zone is designed to provide a trustworthy and secure platform for financial services, addressing the common concerns associated with public blockchains, such as complexity and potential misuse. By integrating regulatory requirements into the blockchain, this approach ensures that the system remains both innovative and compliant, facilitating broader adoption of blockchain technology in the financial sector.
This regulated blockchain not only ensures compliance but also restricts access to information based on user roles—merchants, regulators, and banks see only the data relevant to them. This tiered access enhances security and trust, making it a viable solution for mainstream financial applications.
Overall, the introduction of this regulated blockchain by Zone represents a significant advancement in the integration of blockchain technology into Nigeria’s payment infrastructure, offering a secure, reliable, and efficient alternative to existing systems.
Source: benjamindada.com
The post Zone and NIBSS want to reduce the failed POS transaction rate in Nigeria with this blockchain solution appeared first on HIPTHER Alerts.
Blockchain
U.S. Factoring Services Market Analysis by Product, Technology, Grade, Application and End-user (2019-2032) – Next-Gen Technologies Drive Surge in Alternative Financing Access for SMEs
Blockchain
Blocks & Headlines: Today in Blockchain – May 12, 2025 | Rootstock, Zimbabwe Carbon Registry, Fastex, 21Shares, The Blockchain Group
Welcome to Blocks & Headlines, your daily op-ed style deep dive into the most pivotal blockchain and crypto stories shaping today’s market. In this edition—May 12, 2025—we cover:
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Bitcoin DeFi Security Strengthens as Rootstock garners 81% of Bitcoin’s hashrate
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Zimbabwe’s Blockchain Carbon Credit Registry aims to restore investor trust
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Token2049 Dubai Highlights spotlight Fastex’s Web3 innovations
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21Shares’ New ETP for Cronos (CRO) bridges traditional finance and DeFi
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The Blockchain Group’s €9.9 M Capital Raise fuels its Bitcoin treasury strategy
Below, each story is summarized with key takeaways and opinion-driven context.
Introduction
Today’s blockchain landscape is defined by two contrasting forces: institutional maturation—as legacy players and governments adopt tokenized assets and infrastructure—and startup-driven innovation—where Web3 pioneers push boundaries in DeFi, NFTs, and on-chain governance. Major trends include:
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Security & Scalability: Layer-2 solutions and cross-chain bridges are gaining traction to secure and scale Bitcoin and Ethereum ecosystems.
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Transparency & Trust: From carbon credits to capital markets, blockchain is repeatedly chosen to enhance auditability and investor confidence.
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Mainstream Access: Crypto ETPs and regulated token offerings are lowering barriers for retail and institutional investors.
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Treasury Management: Public companies are increasingly using Bitcoin and token holdings as strategic assets to hedge against macro volatility.
Let’s unpack today’s five developments and their broader implications.
1. Bitcoin DeFi Security Strengthens with Rootstock’s Hashrate Share
What happened: A new Messari report finds that Rootstock (RSK), Bitcoin’s oldest layer-2 smart-contract platform, now commands 81% of Bitcoin’s total hashrate, up from 56% before major mining pools Foundry and SpiderPool onboarded in February. Transactions on Rootstock are 95% cheaper than on-chain Bitcoin and 55% cheaper than Ethereum, positioning RSK for sustained DeFi growth in 2025.
Source: CoinDesk
Analysis & commentary:
Rootstock’s dominant hashrate share underscores two key shifts:
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Security by Convergence: By leveraging Bitcoin’s massive mining network, RSK mitigates the common 51% risk faced by smaller chains.
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Cost-Efficiency for DeFi: Lower fees make RSK an attractive alternative to Ethereum for yield protocols, lending markets, and decentralized exchanges.
However, challenges remain. Smart-contract developers must integrate robust cross-chain bridges—Rootstock’s partnership with LayerZero is a start—to attract liquidity. Moreover, regulatory scrutiny of DeFi is rising; RSK’s governance will need transparent on-chain dispute resolution and compliance tooling to win institutional adoption.
2. Zimbabwe’s Blockchain Carbon Credit Registry to Revive Investor Confidence
What happened: In Harare on May 9, the Zimbabwean government launched the world’s first blockchain-enabled carbon credit registry, developed by Dubai’s A6 Labs. The immutable ledger will record issuance, trading, and retirement of credits, addressing the fallout from 2023’s abrupt project cancellations and a 50% revenue levy that spooked developers. The new Zimbabwe Carbon Markets Authority (ZCMA) will oversee licensing via the zicma.org.zw portal.
Source: Bloomberg
Analysis & commentary:
Zimbabwe’s registry is an instructive case study in how blockchain can restore transparency and rebuild market trust:
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Immutable Audits: Every credit’s provenance is verifiable on-chain, deterring double-counting and fraud.
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Regulatory Framework: A dedicated authority streamlines approvals, balancing market access with environmental integrity.
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Investor Reassurance: By codifying rules in smart contracts, Zimbabwe signals that future policy shifts will be governed by code, not sudden ministerial edict.
Nonetheless, blockchain is not a panacea. Effective enforcement still depends on reliable on-the-ground measurement and reporting. The real test will be whether smaller African producers—Kenya, Zambia—adopt interoperable registries, creating a pan-continental carbon marketplace.
3. Web3 Innovation Takes Center Stage at Token2049 Dubai
What happened: Between April 30 and May 1, Token2049 Dubai convened industry leaders in the Emirates. Fastex, a platinum sponsor, showcased its Bahamut blockchain (PoSA consensus), the YoWallet custodial solution, and a wave of new apps—YoHealth, YoPhone/YoSIM, YoBlog—all designed to expand Web3 use cases beyond finance. Fastex also co-hosted regulatory forums with Solidus Labs and launched the Bahamut Grants program to seed developer innovation.
Source: Cointelegraph
Analysis & commentary:
Token2049’s Dubai edition highlights an ecosystem maturation where:
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Compliance & Growth Coexist: Legal breakfasts signaled that self-regulation and layered oversight can lower entry barriers without stifling ingenuity.
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Beyond Finance: By unveiling telecom and health apps, Fastex challenges the notion that blockchain is niche—real-world use cases can drive mainstream adoption.
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Brand Ambassadors: Football legend Patrice Evra’s presence at YoHealth’s booth illustrates how cultural icons can amplify blockchain’s reach.
Moving forward, projects must demonstrate measurable end-user utility and scalable infrastructure to avoid the “pilot-only” trap. Dubai’s supportive regulatory sandbox remains an ideal proving ground.
4. 21Shares Launches ETP for Cronos (CRO) – Bridging TradFi and DeFi
What happened: Swiss issuer 21Shares listed a new ETP (CRON) on May 12, offering direct exposure to CRO, the native token of Cronos—a Layer 1 chain built for DeFi, NFTs, and cross-chain interoperability with Ethereum and Cosmos. Investors can now trade CRO through regular brokerages without managing private keys or wallets.
Source: The Paypers
Analysis & commentary:
Tokenizing blockchain assets into regulated ETPs remains one of the most powerful drivers of institutional capital inflows:
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Familiar Interfaces: By packaging CRO as a ticker, 21Shares lowers the learning curve for asset managers and pension funds.
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Regulatory Alignment: ETPs fall under securities law, offering clear governance compared to unregulated spot tokens.
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Ecosystem Growth: Cronos stands to benefit from increased liquidity and brand recognition, which in turn fuels DeFi activity on its network.
ETPs also invite scrutiny: fees, redemption mechanics, and underlying custodial risks must be transparent to preserve investor trust. As competition heats up—with products for BTC, ETH, SOL, and more—issuers will vie on pricing, ease of access, and institutional credibility.
5. The Blockchain Group’s €9.9 M Capital Raise Advances Bitcoin Treasury Strategy
What happened: Europe’s first Bitcoin Treasury Company, The Blockchain Group (ALTBG), completed a €9.888 million capital increase at €1.0932 per share on May 7, 2025. Proceeds will bolster its strategy to accumulate Bitcoin per fully diluted share while expanding consulting and AI-driven blockchain services.
Source: ActusNews via MarketScreener
Analysis & commentary:
The Blockchain Group’s financing round underscores a new corporate paradigm where holding BTC is core to the business model:
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Shareholder Alignment: By tethering equity value to Bitcoin accumulation, management and investors share upside in crypto markets.
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Operational Synergies: Subsidiaries in data intelligence and decentralized consulting can monetize both service fees and on-balance-sheet Bitcoin appreciation.
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Regulatory Compliance: As a publicly listed entity on Euronext Growth Paris, ALTBG navigates EU financial rules, offering a transparent vehicle for crypto exposure.
Yet this approach carries volatility risk: sudden BTC price swings can compress earnings per share and spur shareholder activism. Mitigation strategies—such as hedged derivatives and staggered BTC purchases—will be critical to sustain growth without alarming investors.
Conclusion
Today’s highlights reveal a blockchain industry at once foundational and frontier:
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Security & Scale: Rootstock’s hashrate gains fortify Bitcoin DeFi’s underpinnings.
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Transparent Markets: Zimbabwe’s carbon registry sets a template for blockchain-backed commodity markets.
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Web3 Diversification: Token2049 Dubai shows that true mass adoption demands real-world applications in health, telecom, and beyond.
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Institutional Access: ETPs like CRON democratize token ownership for mainstream investors.
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On-Balance-Sheet Crypto: The Blockchain Group exemplifies the rising class of publicly traded crypto-native firms.
As blockchain extends into supply chains, tokenized securities, and identity, the winners will be those who blend innovative protocol design with pragmatic regulatory alignment. Keep tuning into Blocks & Headlines for tomorrow’s top stories.
The post Blocks & Headlines: Today in Blockchain – May 12, 2025 | Rootstock, Zimbabwe Carbon Registry, Fastex, 21Shares, The Blockchain Group appeared first on News, Events, Advertising Options.
Blockchain
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