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Payment processing provider, Ozow, has announced the official integration of cryptocurrency as a primary payment solution on its platform. This move allows merchants to tap into the growing digital economy by enabling customers to pay for goods and services directly from their crypto wallets.

Ozow has officially launched Crypto Payments!

Merchants can now accept payments from crypto wallets, including Bitcoin Lightning and exchanges like Luno, VALR, and Binance via a single Ozow integration.

Powered by @MoneyBadgerPay

Find out more: https://t.co/Sm2OF4MiLV pic.twitter.com/pe1gtyhF23

— Ozow (@OzowPay) January 28, 2026

Powered by MoneyBadger, South Africa’s Bitcoin-centric payments technology provider, this new offering allows customers to pay directly from their crypto wallets, including Bitcoin Lightning and major exchange wallets such as Luno, VALR and Binance, with instant settlement in South African Rand.

FUNDING | South African Bitcoin & Crypto Payments Solutions Provider, MoneyBadger, Raises $400,000 in Pre-Seed Funding

By adding crypto to its existing suite of

Pay by Bank, Card

Vouchers

Payouts and Refunds, and

PayShap solutions,

Ozow provides a single, unified integration for merchants to access every major way to pay in South Africa.

The shift toward crypto as a transactional currency is accelerating in South Africa.

Recent market data highlights a significant appetite for real-world crypto utility:

There are currently over 6 million registered crypto exchange users in South Africa looking for avenues to spend their digital assets.

A recent co-marketing case study between Luno and Pick n Pay, which integrated with MoneyBadger in 2022, demonstrated a threefold increase in customers using crypto for everyday purchases when presented with clear value and a frictionless experience.

Crypto payments are no longer restricted to niche tech circles; they are being driven by diverse segments, including global travellers avoiding high exchange fees, remote workers receiving salaries in digital assets, and a future-forward generation of Gen Z and Millennial consumers.

EXPERT ANALYSIS | ‘Online Retail Will Reach 10% of All Retail in 2026,’ Say Payment and Logistics Experts in South Africa

“Our mission has always been to simplify the way South Africans pay and get paid, and the introduction of crypto is a natural extension of that commitment to financial enablement. It is also just the start of our journey into digital assets,” said Rachel Cowan, interim CEO of Ozow.

“By bridging the gap between digital assets and everyday utility, we are providing consumers with greater choice and flexibility in how they interact with the digital economy. For our merchants, this is about more than just a new payment method; it is about providing them with a frictionless gateway to a global, tech-forward market, ensuring that they remain at the forefront of the evolving financial landscape while maintaining the simplicity and security they expect from our ecosystem,” said Cowan.

 

For merchants, the integration offers a high-value customer segment without the traditional hurdles of digital asset management. 

Ozow and MoneyBadger handle the complexity of the transaction, ensuring zero volatility risk by instantly converting crypto to South African Rand. Ozow merchants can instantly enable crypto payments without any additional integration required.

Furthermore, crypto processing is often more cost-effective than traditional credit card fees, allowing businesses to preserve higher margins while offering a modern brand identity that aligns with global fintech trends.

MILESTONE | South African Retailer, Pick n Pay, Surpasses Over One Million Rand (~$55,000) a Month in Crypto Payments

“Like Ozow, digital token payments represent advantages to merchants like reduced fraud rates and access to a growing market of tech-savvy consumers that are already saving and spending digital currencies like Bitcoin,” according to MoneyBadger CEO, Carel van Wyk. 

“By working with Ozow, we are making it safe and simple for business owners to offer greater choice in payment options to their customers and stay ahead of the curve.”

 

For consumers, the process is as simple as scanning a QR code or selecting the Crypto option at an online checkout. Transactions are secured by biometric authentication and TLS encryption, providing a level of security that often surpasses traditional physical payment methods.

“This integration signals a major step toward the mainstream adoption of digital assets in the retail and e-commerce sectors,” said Cowan.

PRESS RELEASE | Scan to Pay Enables Direct Crypto Payments Through MoneyBadger Integration to Over 650,000 Merchants in South Africa

 

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About Ozow

Ozow is a leading South African fintech company transforming the way consumers and businesses transact through innovative, seamless, and secure payment solutions. Founded in 2014, Ozow specialises in real-time digital payments, offering a range of products including Pay by Bank, Card Payments, PayShap Request, Instant Refunds, Payouts, and Cash Vouchers.

Trusted by South Africa’s biggest brands, Ozow enables millions of South Africans to transact effortlessly, helping merchants unlock growth, reduce friction at checkout, and improve financial accessibility.

Ozow is a licensed System Operator and Third-Party Payment Provider with the Payments Association of South Africa (PASA) and is fully compliant with industry regulations. 

For more information, visit www.ozow.com 

South Africa’s Crypto-Friendly Payment Platform, Ozow, Raises $48 Million Led by China’s Tencent

 

 

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Mukuru, a leading next-generation financial services platform, has been certified as a Top Employer 2026 in both South Africa and Zimbabwe.

This achievement places Mukuru among Africa’s most progressive workplaces and demonstrates that local companies can meet global standards in employee practices while advancing financial inclusion in their markets. It also highlights how a strong culture and empowered teams are key to achieving sustainable growth led by technology.

This is Mukuru’s third consecutive Top Employer certification in South Africa and its second in Zimbabwe, making it the first financial services and technology company in Zimbabwe to receive this honour. The Top Employers Institute evaluates organisations based on their people strategy, culture, talent development, diversity, well-being, and leadership. The certification comes after a detailed assessment against international standards.

FINCLUSION | How South Africa’s Oldest Fintech, Mukuru, Leverages Data to Drive Financial Inclusion

Mukuru’s recognition reflects positive results within its workforce, such as lower turnover, quicker hiring, stronger performance, and improved well-being indicators. Its recruitment approach relies on structured data and behavioural insights, earning global recognition and featuring Mukuru’s practices on the Top Employers Institute’s knowledge hub.

 

“These accolades confirm the daily experience of our people,” said Andy Jury, CEO of Mukuru.

“In fast-changing markets, success relies on teams that feel supported and empowered. Culture is part of strategy; it drives impact at scale.”

 

“Being a Top Employer reflects how people experience leadership, growth, and belonging every day,” added Savina Harrilall, Chief People Officer.

“Our teams in South Africa and Zimbabwe have created a culture that is both high-performing and human, and this recognition reflects their contribution.”

 

The dual-country certification highlights Mukuru’s ability to use global standards in a relevant way for local markets. This is essential for organisations working across diverse African countries. It also strengthens Mukuru’s employer brand with employees, partners, and stakeholders, reinforcing its long-term commitment to building inclusive workplaces that promote growth and innovation.

Mukuru’s employer excellence comes at a time of expanding product and market innovation across its platforms. In November 2025, Mukuru announced a strategic partnership with VALR, Africa’s largest crypto exchange by trade volume, to introduce a USDC (USD-backed stablecoin) wallet to millions of users across the continent. Through this collaboration, accessible via Mukuru’s WhatsApp platform, customers can purchase, hold, and sell USDC, offering a regulated digital savings and value-preservation option in economies facing currency volatility — a move that complements the company’s mission to broaden financial access and inclusion.

PRESS RELEASE | VALR and Mukuru Partner to Advance USDC Stablecoin Savings in Africa

Andy Jury noted that the VALR partnership “is a clear step forward in our strategy to enable Africa’s emerging consumers to send, store, and spend value seamlessly,” reflecting Mukuru’s evolution beyond traditional remittances into broader financial services.

As Mukuru expands across the continent, investing in people and innovative financial solutions remains central to its strategy. This focus ensures resilience, performance, and significant impact for customers, employees, and the wider fintech ecosystem.

REGULATION | South African Remittance Fintech, Mukuru, Granted Deposit License in Zimbabwe, Targets Rural Population

 

 

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Po niemal dwóch dekadach ograniczonej obsługi, globalny gigant płatności, PayPal, ponownie wszedł do nigeryjskiej gospodarki cyfrowej, nie poprzez efektowne samodzielne uruchomienie, lecz poprzez strategiczne partnerstwo z lokalnym fintech, Paga, które w końcu odblokowuje przychodzące międzynarodowe płatności dla Nigeryjczyków.

Zgodnie z integracją ogłoszoną w styczniu 2026 roku, Nigeryjczycy mogą teraz bezpośrednio łączyć swoje konta PayPal z portfelami Paga, otrzymywać płatności z globalnej sieci PayPal w ponad 200 rynkach oraz wypłacać środki lokalnie w Nairze na wydatki, przelewy i inne codzienne potrzeby.

Rząd Nigerii znacznie zwiększył przychody z płatności cyfrowych, a organy regulacyjne rozszerzają ten reżim podatkowy na wypłaty kryptowalut, co jest wyraźnym sygnałem, że największy rynek kryptowalut w Afryce jest zdecydowanie na radarze fiskalnym.

Według oficjalnych danych, wpływy z Elektronicznego Podatku od Przelewów Pieniężnych (EMTL), opłaty stosowanej do kwalifikujących się transferów cyfrowych, wzrosły do około 276 milionów dolarów w pierwszych 11 miesiącach 2025 roku, w porównaniu do około 133 milionów dolarów w tym samym okresie w 2024 roku.

To oznacza wzrost o ponad 100% w skali roku.

The Capital Markets Authority of Kenya (CMA Kenya) is advancing plans to reduce risks tied to trading in virtual assets by creating a dedicated fund to compensate investors if a licensed virtual-asset dealer fails to fulfil its obligations, underscoring the Kenyan government’s efforts to build the country into a digital finance hub.

CMA Chief Executive Wycliffe Shamiah told The EastAfrican that talks are underway on a compensation mechanism for people who buy and sell virtual assets, separate from the current Investor Compensation Fund (ICF) used for equity investors.

 

Shamiah explained that the existing ICF covers investors when brokers or investment banks go under, but with the growing number of players acting like brokers, especially in the virtual-assets space, there is a need for broader protection.

“A number of discussions are ongoing,” he said, noting that support for virtual-asset companies in case of failure might need a different arrangement than the current ICF.

 

A virtual or digital asset refers to digitally stored content or resources that have value and can be owned, traded or managed, including cryptocurrencies and digital tokens secured on blockchain technology.

In 2025, President William Ruto signed the Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASP) Act 2025 into law establishing a legal framework for regulating cryptocurrencies.

EDITORIAL | Kenya Passes Landmark Crypto Law – Binance and Coinbase Expected to Lead Licensed Entrants

The CMA says compensation mechanisms for equity investors and virtual-asset investors will be separate, because the markets involve different players and products. Details on how the new compensation fund would work, including its funding sources, are still being discussed.

Shamiah noted that while both equity and virtual-asset markets fall under CMA regulation, the two are distinct, and mixing them under one fund may not be appropriate.

Currently, stock investors who lose money due to the failure of a licensed broker are compensated from the ICF, with a maximum payout of KES 200,000 (about $1,550) per investor.

The ICF is funded by interest earned on funds held between subscription closing dates and refunds, transaction levies on share and bond trading through the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE), and penalties on operators who break CMA rules.

Shamiah said the compensation limit for equity investors was increased to KES 200,000 from KES 50,000, although there have not been significant market shocks recently. Discussions are also underway on widening the ICF’s coverage.

In November 2025, the CMA revealed it is in talks with major virtual-asset firms, including those dealing in Bitcoin, about listing shares on the NSE as part of efforts to deepen the market.

About four to five virtual-asset companies, mainly from the U.S and UK, have shown strong interest in selling shares to Kenyan investors through the bourse.

Such listings would allow investors to gain exposure to virtual-asset companies in a model similar to exchange-traded funds (ETFs), which let investors trade assets like gold indirectly by owning shares in gold-dealing firms.

‘We Have Received About 5 Virtual Asset Companies Largely from the US and UK Looking to List,’ Says Kenya Capital Markets Regulator

 

 

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W ważnym kamieniu milowym dla płatności opartych na kryptowalutach w Afryce, Flutterwave, jedna z największych platform infrastruktury płatniczej na kontynencie, nawiązała współpracę z TurnKey, aby uruchomić bezpieczne i weryfikowalne salda stablecoinów dla sprzedawców i użytkowników.

Dzięki tej współpracy, Flutterwave integruje wbudowaną infrastrukturę portfela Turnkey, aby oferować salda stablecoinów USDC i USDT obok tradycyjnych sald fiat, umożliwiając szybsze, tańsze i zawsze aktywne płatności transgraniczne w całej swojej sieci.

Ghańskie organy finansowe ujawniły Krajową Inicjatywę Edukacji w Zakresie Wirtualnych Aktywów (NaVALI), program skoncentrowany na edukacji, zaprojektowany w celu uzupełnienia wschodzącej krajowej struktury regulacyjnej dotyczącej aktywów cyfrowych. Uruchomienie oznacza kluczowy kamień milowy w przejściu Ghany z nieformalnych rynków kryptowalut do uporządkowanego reżimu, który równoważy innowacje z ochroną konsumentów i integralnością finansową.

Ogłoszone na LinkedIn przez gubernatora Banku Ghany, dr. Johnsona Pandita Asiama, NaVALI ma na celu wyposażenie codziennych Ghańczyków, w tym nauczycieli, przedsiębiorstw i regulatorów, w praktyczne, wolne od żargonu zrozumienie wirtualnych aktywów, takich jak kryptowaluty, stablecoiny i inne narzędzia oparte na blockchainie.

Quidax, a provisionally-licenced Nigerian crypto startup, has shut down its peer-to-peer (P2P) trading feature just five months after launch, signaling the growing tension between crypto innovation and regulatory enforcement in Africa’s largest economy.

In an emailed notice to customers, Quidax said the decision to discontinue its P2P marketplace, including merchant ads, escrow services, and in-platform chats, was part of a strategic shift toward ‘higher-demand features’ like instant swaps and order-book trading.

Core services such as deposits, withdrawals, and spot trading will continue unaffected.

REPORT | Most Nigerian Crypto Investors Earn Below ~$200 Monthly, Says Nigerian Crypto Exchange, Quidax

Why P2P Was Controversial

P2P trading, where users buy and sell crypto directly with one another, has been a staple of Nigeria’s digital asset economy, often used to on-and off-ramp Naira outside traditional exchange rails. But regulators have increasingly flagged the model as a supervisory challenge.

The Securities and Exchange Commission of Nigeria (SEC Nigeria) has publicly raised concerns about:

Opaque transaction flows

Exchange-rate manipulation, and

The dominance of foreign P2P platforms operating in regulatory grey zones.

This has made formal oversight difficult and heightened investor-protection risks.

REGULATION | Nigeria Sues Binance for $81.5 Billion in Economic Losses and Unpaid Taxes

Quidax’s P2P feature was built to address those concerns by restricting merchant status to verified users subjected to strict KYC, enhanced authentication, and participation requirements. But even this controlled model appears to have sat uneasily within SEC Nigeria’s evolving enforcement posture.

REGULATION | Nigerian National Faces 20-Year Imprisonment for Laundering Stolen Funds via Crypto

Regulatory Backdrop: Sandbox Stalls, Rules Tighten

Quidax is part of SEC Nigeria’s Accelerated Regulatory Incubation Programme (ARIP), a sandbox designed to guide digital-asset firms toward full licencing. The programme was expected to transition participants like Quidax and rival Nigerian exchange, Busha, to full licences by August 2025, but that timeline has stalled as the regulator reassesses its supervisory capacity.

REGULATION | Nigerian Crypto Exchange, Quidax, Receives Provisional Operating License from SEC Nigeria

At the same time, SEC Nigeria has updated capital-requirement thresholds under the Investment and Securities Act, 2025, classifying digital assets as securities and subjecting service providers to the regulator’s capital markets framework. Although detailed rules for P2P platforms haven’t yet been published, standalone intermediaries and multi-service operators now face minimum capital requirements in the hundreds of millions of Naira.

REGULATION | SEC Nigeria Raises Minimum Capital Requirements, Sets Higher Bar for Crypto, Fintech, and Capital Market Operators

Quidax’s decision underscores a broader reality: even when exchanges build P2P systems with strong controls, regulatory uncertainty can outweigh product demand.

In this case, Quidax noted that most users preferred faster, more traditional trading methods, a trend that has likely influenced the product roadmap.

For the Nigerian market, this development may tighten liquidity in informal channels and accelerate migration toward regulated on-and off-ramping options. It also reinforces the SEC’s message that crypto services must fit within the capital markets ecosystem if they are to scale.

As the regulatory framework continues to take shape, operators and users alike will be watching closely to see how other P2P-dependent products evolve.

STATISTICS | ‘Statistics Don’t Lie. Over 33% of Our Population Are Engaged in Digital Assets,’ Confirms SEC Nigeria

 

 

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Stablecoiny są coraz częściej przyjmowane w Afryce jako szybsza i tańsza metoda przesyłania pieniędzy, a przekazy pieniężne są teraz postrzegane jako 'ważniejsze niż pomoc' dla wielu ludzi na kontynencie, według ekonomistki Very Songwe, byłej podsekretarz generalnej ONZ, która przemawiała na Światowym Forum Ekonomicznym w Davos w Szwajcarii.

MILESTONE | Przekazy pieniężne z Kenii osiągnęły historyczny poziom 1 biliona KES (~7,7 miliarda USD) do listopada 2025 roku, mówi premier minister.

Songwe podkreśliła, że tradycyjne usługi transferu pieniędzy w Afryce mogą kosztować około 6 USD za każde wysłane 100 USD, co sprawia, że płatności transgraniczne są nie tylko drogie, ale i wolne. W przeciwieństwie do tego, stablecoiny znacząco obniżają opłaty i czasy rozliczeń, umożliwiając osobom fizycznym i małym firmom przenoszenie funduszy przez granice w ciągu minut zamiast czekać dni na zakończenie transferów.

Afrykański Bank Eksportowo-Importowy (AfreximBank) formalnie zakończył swoje długoletnie relacje w zakresie oceny kredytowej z Fitch Ratings, globalną agencją oceny kredytowej, po stwierdzeniu, że obecny system oceny nie jest już zgodny z tym, jak struktura prawna, misja i profil ryzyka Banku powinny być oceniane.

W oświadczeniu Afreximbank stwierdził, że kompleksowy przegląd jego współpracy z Fitch wykazał, że stosowane przez agencję metodyki oceny kredytowej nie odzwierciedlają w wystarczającym stopniu Umowy o Ustanowieniu Banku – międzynarodowego traktatu podpisanego i ratyfikowanego przez jego państwa członkowskie, który stanowi podstawę jego mandatu wspierania handlu wewnątrz- i pozaafrykańskiego. Zgodnie z AfreximBank, ten traktat tworzy ochrony i zobowiązania prawne, które różnicują jego działalność od działalności banków komercyjnych – różnice, które, jak uważa, zostały pominięte w ocenach Fitch.

Moneta Złota Herculis (XAUH) umożliwia inwestorom posiadanie szwajcarskiego złota LBMA począwszy od zaledwie 0,01 grama, eliminując tradycyjne przeszkody, które utrzymywały je poza zasięgiem większości nabywców.

Złoto przez tysiąclecia służyło jako magazyn wartości. Jednak przez większość nowożytnej historii posiadanie fizycznego złota pozostawało poza zasięgiem przeciętnego człowieka. Wysokie minimalne kwoty zakupu, premie dealerów, koszty przechowywania i obawy dotyczące bezpieczeństwa stworzyły przeszkody, które faworyzowały instytucjonalnych i zamożnych nabywców.

Ta kalkulacja się zmienia. Moneta Złota Herculis (XAUH) reprezentuje nowy model, w którym posiadanie ułamkowego złota staje się tak dostępne jak zakup filiżanki kawy. Każdy token XAUH reprezentuje jeden gram szwajcarskiego złota LBMA 999,9 i może być dzielony na jednostki tak małe jak 0,01 grama. Przy obecnych cenach złota, to przekłada się na koszt wejścia wynoszący około 1,35 USD do 1,40 USD.

Po długiej fazie szybkiej ekspansji globalny rynek stablecoinów przestał rosnąć i wszedł w fazę konsolidacji.

Źródła branżowe twierdzą, że ten płaskowyż (około ~310 miliardów) odzwierciedla wyższe koszty zgodności wynikające z zaostrzenia przepisów w USA i UE oraz fakt, że stopy zwrotu z obligacji skarbowych USA są bardziej atrakcyjne niż posiadanie stablecoinów, które nie przynoszą zysku.

Kluczowe punkty

• Emisja spowalnia: Instytucjonalni emitenci stablecoinów teraz stają przed trudniejszymi wymaganiami regulacyjnymi, takimi jak surowsze standardy rezerw w ramach Ustawy GENIUS w USA oraz reżimu Rynków w Krypto-Asetach w UE, co zwiększyło koszty zgodności i zniechęciło do agresywnego mintingu.

Rząd Etiopii oficjalnie ogłosił, że szuka partnerów inwestycyjnych, którzy pomogą w budowie i eksploatacji infrastruktury do wydobywania Bitcoinów, będącej częścią szerszej strategii transformacji gospodarczej i cyfrowej.

Mówiąc na konferencji Finance Forward Ethiopia 2026, premier Abiy Ahmed powiedział, że państwowa Etiopska Holding Inwestycyjny (EIH) aktywnie poszukuje doświadczonych partnerów, którzy mogą wnieść kapitał, technologię wydobywczą i doświadczenie operacyjne do krajowej inicjatywy wydobywania Bitcoinów. Celem jest generowanie bezpośrednich dochodów dla kraju z wydobywania Bitcoinów, zamiast polegać wyłącznie na prywatnych operatorach.

Biuro Komisarza ds. Ochrony Danych Osobowych (ODPC) oficjalnie potwierdziło, że firma macierzysta WorldCoin, Tools for Humanity, usunęła wszystkie dane biometryczne wcześniej zebrane od obywateli Kenii.

Regulator powiedział, że to nastąpiło po audycie zgodności, aby upewnić się, że usunięcie jest zgodne z ustawą o ochronie danych osobowych z 2019 roku, zwracając uwagę na egzekwowanie prywatności danych w Kenii.

Zbieranie danych biometrycznych przez WorldCoin w Kenii, gdzie tysiące osób miało zarejestrowane skany tęczówki i twarzy za pomocą „Orbs” w zamian za nagrody kryptograficzne, szybko przyciągnęło uwagę regulatorów.

Crypto payments in Kenya are quietly crossing a major threshold. What was once an underground peer-to-peer workaround is now surfacing as a functional, mainstream payment flow linking Binance, M-PESA TILLs and PAYBILLs, and direct settlement into Kenyan bank accounts, including KCB.

The shift was highlighted by Nick Mwendwa, CEO of Riverbank Solutions, who confirmed that users can now move value from crypto holdings such as USDT, USDC and Bitcoin into everyday merchant payments that ultimately settle into bank accounts and mobile wallets.

The feature was first noticed in 2025 by a crypto trader online who shared the experience at the time.

Binance now allowing the selling and buying of crypto through mobile money in Kenya.

•Minimum deposits set at 1,200 •USDT/KES at around 134.20 for buying pic.twitter.com/jeopGtv6qN

— Theo (@Theo_mwangi) September 29, 2025

For years, Binance P2P has been the de facto on-ramp and off-ramp for Kenyan crypto users. The system operated at scale but largely out of public view, sustained by informal trust networks and quiet execution.

 

That era, industry insiders say, is ending.

“What we used to do quietly in P2P has gone mainstream,” Mwendwa said, noting that crypto can now be used to pay merchants through standard M-PESA channels without the need for opaque workarounds.

P2P | Binance P2P to Shut Down the Cash Zone Option from April 2025

From Workarounds to Infrastructure

The ability to pay via TILL and PAYBILL numbers, rails already embedded across Kenyan commerce, marks a structural shift. Crypto is no longer just an asset class or trading instrument; it is increasingly functioning as a settlement layer that plugs into the country’s dominant payments infrastructure.

This evolution has important implications for builders and fintech firms. Many payment providers have long had crypto-adjacent capabilities but avoided public promotion due to regulatory uncertainty. With these flows now visible and functional, companies can begin to design products more openly around crypto-to-fiat settlement, according to Nick.

Regulation Is Catching Up

The development comes as Kenya moves closer to formal virtual asset regulation, following proposals by the Capital Markets Authority and broader policy discussions around licensing, custody, and consumer protection.

What this moment reveals, however, is that usage has consistently preceded regulation. Crypto payments have already embedded themselves into everyday financial behaviour. Regulation is now arriving to organise, supervise and legitimise an ecosystem that is already operating at scale.

Industry observers note that this mirrors earlier phases of Kenya’s fintech growth, where innovation often ran ahead of formal rule-making.

EDITORIAL | Kenya Passes Landmark Crypto Law – Binance and Coinbase Expected to Lead Licensed Entrants

Why Banks Have a Strategic Edge

The quiet emergence of bank-settled crypto payments also highlights why Kenyan banks may be better positioned than expected in the next phase of digital assets.

Banks already control:

Settlement accounts

Compliance and KYC infrastructure

Liquidity management

Trusted links to mobile money systems like M-PESA

As crypto transactions increasingly terminate in bank accounts, traditional lenders are becoming critical endpoints, not bystanders. Rather than being disrupted, banks can embed crypto flows into existing products – treasury services, merchant acquiring, cross-border payments and settlement.

EXPERT OPINION | The Stablecoin Opportunity Banks Are Missing

This creates a significant advantage over standalone crypto firms that still need access to banking rails to complete transactions.

The integration of Binance, M-PESA and bank settlement signals a broader transition: crypto in Kenya is moving from informal utility to recognised financial infrastructure.

As regulation takes shape, the market is likely to see clearer roles emerge with banks, payment processors and crypto platforms converging rather than competing outright.

What was once whispered about in P2P circles is now happening in plain sight. And in Kenya’s fast-moving financial landscape, that visibility may be the clearest sign yet that crypto payments are here to stay.

How USDT Donations Via the Binance P2P Platform Supported the June 2025 Kenya Gen Z Protests

 

 

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Strategia (wcześniej MicroStrategy), firma skarbcowa bitcoinów kierowana przez Michaela Saylora, zwiększyła swoje korporacyjne posiadania Bitcoinów do ponad 709 000 BTC dzięki ogromnemu zakupowi wartości 2,13 miliarda dolarów za 22 305 BTC, według dokumentu złożonego w U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Ten ostatni zakup, sfinansowany poprzez oferty akcji i akcji uprzywilejowanych, stanowi największy zakup firmy od ponad roku i podkreśla jej główną misję: nieustannie akumulować Bitcoin i trzymać go jako strategiczny aktyw skarbcowy.

Na dzień ujawnienia w styczniu 2026 roku, Strategia posiada 709 715 BTC, co stanowi około 3,37% całkowitej podaży 21 milionów bitcoinów. Firma wydała około 53,9 miliarda dolarów na zakup tych monet po średnim koszcie około 75 979 dolarów za BTC. Pomimo krótkoterminowych niezrealizowanych strat odzwierciedlonych w jej finansach za Q4, co jest przedmiotem analizy wśród analityków, kierownictwo Strategii podkreśliło narrację, że długoterminowy wzrost w bitcoin na akcję jest najważniejszym wskaźnikiem firmy.

At the World Economic Forum in Davos, the Nairobi International Financial Centre Authority (NIFC) made a strong case for Nairobi as Africa’s premier destination for finance, innovation, and regulated digital assets – signaling a strategic push that could transform Kenya’s crypto ecosystem.

NIFC’s CEO, Daniel Mainda, told global investors that Nairobi has shifted from “momentum to architecture,” focusing on regulatory clarity, strong institutions, and real economic outcomes rather than provisional experiments. The engagement in Davos showcased plans to support blockchain infrastructure and scalable digital platforms.

 

“Kenya has made a deliberate shift from momentum to architecture. Through the Nairobi International Financial Centre, we are building markets – not experiments – anchored in regulatory clarity, strong institutions, and real economic outcomes.

Nairobi is positioning itself as Africa’s trusted platform for capital, innovation, and regulated digital assets, offering active facilitation, sandbox support, and targeted incentives for regional headquarters, holding companies, venture capital and private equity funds, and high-growth startups.

We will compete on regulatory quality, not regulatory arbitrage – and we are open for serious business.”

REGULATION | Kenya’s Crypto Regulatory Capture is Actually Regional – Here’s Why It Matters for East Africa

Crypto Regulation: From Law to Market

A key pillar of Kenya’s strategy is the country’s new legal framework for virtual assets, which has begun to take shape:

In October 2025, Kenya’s Parliament passed the Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASP) Act, formalizing rules for crypto and digital asset firms and providing legal recognition for virtual assets.

Under the Act, the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) and the Capital Markets Authority (CMA) are designated to license and supervise digital-asset activities, from exchanges and wallets to trading services.

Detailed operational regulations – the rules that explain exactly how licensing and compliance will work in practice — are now being developed by the National Treasury, CBK, and CMA to activate the licensing regime.

REGULATION | ‘We Have Not Licensed Any VASPs Under the [VASP] Act to Operate In or From Kenya,’ Says Central Bank and Capital Markets Regulator

Once implemented, this regulatory structure will give digital-asset businesses confidence that compliance, investor protection, and risk-management standards are in place, addressing concerns that have previously slowed institutional and retail participation in the Kenyan market.

REGULATION | The Kenya Crypto Regulation is Unique and We’ll See It Adopted Across East Africa, Says Yellow Card Senior Legal Counsel

A Competitive Advantage for Finance and Crypto

NIFC’s message in Davos, that Nairobi is open for serious business, was backed by commitments from global players like ChainBLX SPC and SCC Fund SP to establish operations in Kenya with NIFC support.

For the crypto sector specifically, the regulatory momentum positions Kenya to attract exchanges, fintechs, and digital platforms seeking a clear, regulated base for African expansion. Industry observers expect that once formal licensing begins, global players will be more willing to enter the Kenyan market, much like in other jurisdictions where legal certainty opened the door for licensed operations.

EDITORIAL | Kenya Passes Landmark Crypto Law – Binance and Coinbase Expected to Lead Licensed Entrants

For the Kenyan crypto community and the broader Web3 ecosystem, the NIFC’s positioning and the completion of crypto regulations represent a critical turning point:

Clarity and oversight from CBK and CMA could reduce risks such as fraud and unregulated activity.

A regulated environment helps legitimate exchanges and service providers establish operations locally, potentially boosting job creation and innovation.

With clear rules, Kenya can better compete with South Africa and other African markets advancing crypto frameworks.

2025 RECAP | South Africa Had Approved 300 Crypto Firms Out of 512 Applications as of December 2025

As NIFC continues to roll out incentives for regional headquarters, venture capital, and financial services firms, the combination of regulatory progress and strategic positioning could make Kenya a magnet for digital-asset investment – turning Nairobi into one of Africa’s next big crypto hubs.

REGULATION | Bank of Uganda Governor Lists 6 Foundational Pillars for Crypto Regulation in the Country

 

 

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As PayStack marks its 10th anniversary, the company isn’t just celebrating a decade of powering payments across Africa, it’s staking a bold claim in the future of digital money.

PayStack operates in key African markets, handling growth that has accelerated since its acquisition by global payments leader Stripe in 2020. That partnership has helped scale PayStack’s payment volume more than twelvefold and now ties the business into some of the most exciting innovations shaping global finance.

[WATCH] Nigerian Payment Startup, PayStack, Gets Acquired by Online Payment Firm, Stripe, for Over $200 Million

The Stack Group and a Stablecoin Vision

To reflect broader ambitions, PayStack announced the creation of The Stack Group (TSG), a new parent company that will house payments, banking, consumer finance, and a new tech arm called TSG Labs.

PRESS RELEASE | Stripe-Owned Nigerian Fintech, PayStack, Launches Holding Company, The Stack Group, as it Celebrates 10-Year Anniversary

This arm is explicitly charged with pushing into emerging technologies, including stablecoins and other blockchain-linked financial infrastructure.

Crucially, PayStack says it is finalizing a stablecoin license in a key market, indicating its intent to build or issue digital cash that can move at internet speed and with lower friction than traditional money.

Stablecoins, digital assets pegged to stable assets like the U.S. dollar, are rapidly becoming core rails for fast, low-cost global payments.

Yellow Card, Flutterwave, Onafriq: Why Africa’s Fintech Sector is Turning to Stablecoins

Stripe itself has been one of the biggest builders in this space:

Stripe and crypto partner, Paradigm, developed Tempo, a new blockchain optimized for stablecoin payments, remittances, and micropayments at high speed.

INTRODUCING | Global Fintech Giant, Stripe, Launches Tempo, a Payments-Focussed Blockchain for Stablecoins

Stripe’s acquisition of stablecoin platform, Bridge, has enabled it to launch Open Issuance, letting businesses create and manage their own stablecoins.

MILESTONE | Stripe Makes Headlines with $1.1 Billion Acquisition of Bridge, the Largest Deal in Crypto History

Major fintechs like Klarna have already launched USD-pegged stablecoins on Stripe’s blockchain infrastructure, with broader adoption expected in 2026.

Introducing KlarnaUSD, our first @Stablecoin.

We’re the first bank to launch on @tempo, the payments blockchain by @stripe and @paradigm.

With stablecoin transactions already at $27T a year, we’re bringing faster, cheaper cross-border payments to our 114M customers.

Crypto is…

— Klarna (@Klarna) November 25, 2025

Through its new group structure and ambitions to secure stablecoin licensing, PayStack is positioning itself to ride this wave of digital money innovation – potentially offering merchants and customers in Africa access to programmable, blockchain-enabled money that moves as fast as the internet.

A Second Decade, Redefined

What began as a mission to simplify online payments in Africa is now expanding toward end-to-end money movement solutions that tap into cutting-edge global payment technologies.

With Stripe’s deepening investment in stablecoins and blockchain infrastructure, PayStack’s next decade could see it become a bridge between traditional African finance and the emerging world of digital dollars.

STABLECOINS | Leading African Fintech, NALA, Partners with Noah to Launch a Stablecoin Settlement Network on Regulated Rails

 

 

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Post Senator Ihenyen, głównego partnera w Infusion Lawyers, który obecnie pełni funkcję przewodniczącego Komitetu Sterującego Stowarzyszenia Dostawców Usług Wirtualnych Aktywów (VASPA).



Gdy początkowy kurz opada po Okrągłym Stanie Komisji Papierów Wartościowych i Giełd (SEC) Nigerii nr 26-1 – który określa nowe minimalne wymagania kapitałowe dla operatorów rynku kapitałowego (CMOs) – zaczyna się rysować niepokojący obraz.

Dostawcy usług wirtualnych aktywów (VASP), klasyfikowani teraz jako CMOs, w porównaniu z globalnymi reżimami regulacyjnymi dla aktywów cyfrowych pokazują, że nowy wymóg minimalnego kapitału w wysokości 2 miliardów ₦ (około 1,4 miliona dolarów) dla Giełd Aktywów Cyfrowych (DAX) w Nigerii nie tylko jest stromy, ale plasuje się wśród najbardziej restrykcyjnych na świecie. To budzi obawy, że polityka ta może ograniczyć lokalne możliwości i odporność, które rząd powinien wspierać, aby utrzymać Nigerię konkurencyjną w tym szybko rozwijającym się sektorze.