Category: Digital Assets

  • Sweat Economy to Usher 140M Users to Web3; Launches in USA

    Sweat Economy to Usher 140M Users to Web3; Launches in USA

    Sweat Economy, the Web3 ecosystem on a mission to help the world be more physically active by incentivizing activity, has expanded into the United States and eight new countries including the Bahamas, Barbados, Botswana, Ghana, Jamaica, Pakistan, Zimbabwe, and Uganda.

    The move paves the way for millions of users to officially begin tokenizing their physical activity within the Sweat Economy ecosystem, adding momentum to the burgeoning global movement economy.

    Sweat Economy enters these new markets with the overwhelming support of its community, who participated in a historic vote, with over 380K users deciding to burn and reallocate idle tokens to support the current launch effort. Sweat Economy builds on the success of the massively popular Sweatcoin app that launched in 2015.

    As one of the pioneers of the move-to-earn phenomenon, Sweatcoin quickly amassed more than 140 million registered users and became the most downloaded health app in over 60 countries.

    Sweat Economy represents the latest evolution of this story, to accelerate the mainstream adoption of Web3 technologies at the intersection of tokenization, health, and crypto.

    Sweat Economy revolutionizes movement using a unique passive reward system. By leveraging the Sweatcoin application in tandem, users can verify their movement–tokenizing their physical activity.

    As a reward, users can mint $SWEAT, a token on the NEAR Protocol positioning Sweat Economy as one of the largest Web3 on-ramps in history, with millions of existing Sweatcoin users being onboarded onto Sweat Wallet.

    By choosing to build on NEAR, Sweat Economy will be well placed to leverage the protocol’s incredibly secure and infinitely scalable sharding infrastructure–unlocking the opportunity to onboard millions of potential users into a burgeoning Web3 movement economy.

    Once onboarded into Sweat Wallet, users can mint $SWEAT by engaging in physical activities. Accrued $SWEAT can then be used in various ways, including deposited into “Growth Jars” to be saved and multiplied, and unlock exclusive rewards within the ecosystem.

    Users can also compete in the free-to-play Sweat Hero NFT game to win additional $SWEAT, while also having the option to purchase $SWEAT in-app using the MoonPay fiat on-ramp.

    In just a few months, $SWEAT has become the 9th most held1 and the 13th most actively used token2 in the world prior to this expansion–having also established a deflationary status following the community’s decision to burn 1.8 billion unclaimed $SWEAT.

    Oleg Fomenko, co-founder of Sweat Economy said:

    “We are thrilled to finally bring the Sweat Economy experience to the United States and 8 other markets. We are excited that residents of these countries will also be able to–literally–WALK INTO CRYPTO. Our global community of users has been instrumental in supporting this launch and we are thankful for their participation in the biggest ever governance vote that allocated nearly 700 million $SWEAT to the new community members in consideration for their verified physical activity. By expanding into these markets, we aim to inspire a new wave of physical activity and incentivize individuals to lead healthier lives, while paving the way for the next billion users looking to participate in the movement economy.

    Chris Donovan, CEO of the NEAR Foundation, said:

    “It’s incredible to see the progress of Sweat Economy as it enables us to achieve our mission to bring millions into the open web.  As an industry leader in tokenizing physical activity, Sweat Economy’s launch into the U.S. represents a major milestone not just for the project, but for the entire NEAR ecosystem. It also demonstrates the incredible scalability of the NEAR Protocol, which has been able to seamlessly support one of the largest consumer apps in Web3 operating at significant scale.”

    Communities are undergoing a significant transformation as individuals seek innovative ways to stay motivated and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

    Sweat Economy’s unique approach, combining fitness tracking with blockchain technology, brings an exciting and refreshing perspective to this space.

    By rewarding users for their physical activity, Sweat Economy not only encourages people to exercise more but also creates a vibrant and engaged group of like-minded people.

    Sweatcoin has 140M+ users, who are 20% more active after downloading the app. It has 800+ brand partners including the likes of Adidas, Paramount, Fabletics, Amazon, and Garmin who provide exclusive discounts, offers, and free products in exchange for sweatcoins plus over 100 charity partners who have benefited from Sweatcoin donations.

    Interested individuals can download the Sweatcoin app and Sweat Wallet from the App Store or Google Play Store and become part of a thriving ecosystem that values health, fitness, and progress.

    Loading

  • Yellow Card grants Web3Ladies $3,000 to Empower 500+ Nigerian Women in Web3 Skills

    Yellow Card grants Web3Ladies $3,000 to Empower 500+ Nigerian Women in Web3 Skills

    Pan-African cryptocurrency exchange and financial technology firm Yellow Card, through a $3,000 grant, has teamed up with the Web3Ladies mentorship program to empower over 500 Nigerian women with relevant tech and blockchain skills.

    This move by Yellow Card is part of its YC Social Good, the company’s flagship Corporate Social Responsibility Initiative, aimed at promoting financial freedom and enabling access to tech resources for everyone across the continent.

    The Web3Ladies mentorship program is a three-month intensive boot camp designed to train skilled designers, engineers, and managers for the blockchain industry while providing them with the necessary tools and tech resources needed for post-training success.

    For Yellow Card, the decision to partner with Web3Ladies, a women-centric organization, was driven by the need to provide greater access to training and tech resources for the burgeoning young population of the continent, particularly females, who face significant barriers.

    An estimated 230 million jobs in Sub-Saharan Africa will require digital skills by 2030, and UNESCO estimates that only 30% of women receive STEM training, with even fewer girls possessing essential digital skills for the modern workforce in the region.

    Yellow Card, through its YC Social Good Initiative, intends to close this gap, equipping and preparing young African talents with the necessary skills required to shape the future of the continent.

    “We are committed to helping people across the African continent improve their lives through various partnerships and programs that focus on financial inclusion, youth empowerment, education, and innovation,” said Jason Marshall, Chief Operating Officer of Yellow Card.

    Jason further explained that women and girls face significant barriers to technology and digital literacy education, making it an easy decision to grant Web3Ladies the $3,000 for the mentorship program.

    “This is just one of our several efforts under the YC Social Good, our CSR initiatives, which promote inclusion and financial freedom across the continent,” Jason added.

    Despite Nigeria’s strong entrepreneurial spirit, only 15% of tech startup co-founders in Nigeria are women.

    A study published by LongHash in 2018 shows that among 100 blockchain startups surveyed, female employees accounted for only 14.5% of the workforce.

    So, while the digital ecosystem is dynamic and exciting, gender inclusivity remains a growth inhibitor.

    Yellow Card, through this partnership, has gone beyond mere words and reiterations of the problem to contribute to the empowerment of more women, an investment they believe will yield overall positive results for the African economy in the near future.

    Nkechi Enebeli, Associate Program Manager for Web3Ladies, while commenting on Yellow Card’s $3,000 grant to power their mentorship program, said, “Yellow Card’s commitment to corporate social responsibility is nothing short of remarkable. Their partnership reaffirms the belief that empowering women in tech is not just a matter of equality but an investment in the future”.

    She further explained that “The partnership is more than just financial support; it’s a testament to the power of collaboration. We are immensely grateful to Yellow Card for recognizing our mission and offering their hand in our journey towards a more equitable tech ecosystem”.

    The Web3Ladies mentorship program runs in four different phases for a duration of three months. During the program, mentees attend live classes and weekly workshops under the guidance of on-site mentors.

    The workshops are in-depth sessions on specific blockchain topics delivered by industry experts and experienced professionals.

    There are over 500 registered mentees and an intake of over 200 accepted applicants in the current cohort. We are looking to provide work tools such as laptops, inverters, and MiFis to successfully graduated mentees after the cohort program.

    Since its launch in Nigeria in 2019, Yellow Card has contributed thousands of dollars to sponsor various projects and initiatives.

    This support extends beyond Nigeria and expands across the continent. Yellow Card has supported initiatives such as Generation Empower (GenEm) in support of their mission to educate and empower the youth in Tanzania, a $5,000 grant to the Purple Skills Klinic Foundation, which seeks to empower young people in Uganda, among other projects led by the company.

    Loading

  • FXTM’s Battle Royale Ignites Gender Trading Debate in Nigeria

    FXTM’s Battle Royale Ignites Gender Trading Debate in Nigeria

    FXTM (ForexTime), a leading Forex broker, shook up the trading world with its inaugural Battle Royale competition in Nigeria.

    Held in the vibrant heart of Africa, the event united traders and enthusiasts from diverse backgrounds in a quest for a coveted $2000 prize pot while highlighting FXTM Academy’s commitment to enhancing trading skills.

    The Battle Royale was strategically designed to answer the age-old question: Who makes more profitable traders, men or women? Two formidable teams, four talented men and women representing diverse regions of Nigeria, engaged in a spirited competition.

    Each participant received $2500 in their personal FXTM live trading account, with four weeks to demonstrate their trading prowess.

    Real-time coaching by FXTM trainers fostered insightful debates on trading strategies, empowering clients to identify and address their strengths and weaknesses.

    The event not only provided valuable learning experiences, but encouraged participants to recognize and address their trading weaknesses. FXTM trained and seasoned expert,  Matthew Anthony stated that “It was key to recognize one’s strengths and weaknesses; to keep a trading journal, learn from mistakes, and read daily articles on our website.”

    Ayokunle Faniku, the most profitable trader, credited his success to rule adherence, fundamental understanding, technical analysis, and risk management, while Onyekaonu Victoria, a member of the female Team, shared her profound insight, saying, “It has helped me to realize – we make mistakes, we can go back and look at our mistake – and we know how to move forward.”

    While showcasing FXTM’s commitment to enhancing trading knowledge, the Battle Royale spotlighted Nigeria’s ever-evolving financial landscape.

    As the Nigerian economy continues to grow, the finance sector witnesses significant changes, with the Nigerian Naira (NGN) remaining a focal point for investors. FXTM remains dedicated to providing insights for navigating Nigeria’s dynamic financial ecosystem effectively.

    FXTM continues its mission to foster informed and proficient traders with the Battle Royale event. Anticipating ‘Battle Royale 2.0’ in November, on a more inclusive and broad spectrum than just answering the age-old question, FXTM invites aspiring traders to compete for a $1000 prize (withdrawal fund).

    Think you have what it takes to be the next trading champion?

    Loading

  • Bybit Unveils AI-Enabled Futures Martingale Bot for Crypto Traders

    Bybit Unveils AI-Enabled Futures Martingale Bot for Crypto Traders

    Bybit, the world’s third most visited crypto exchange, has announced the addition of the Futures Martingale trading bot to its comprehensive range of bot trading solutions.

    The Futures Martingale trading bot is specifically designed to optimize trading strategies and aims to potentially lower average costs.

    Key features include: 

    1. Automated Position Scaling: Adjusts investment size automatically based on market conditions for bigger profits.
    2. Advanced Risk Management: Gives users control over risk exposure with specific ratios and automatic sell levels.
    3. AI Recommended Strategy: AI analyzes historical data for 14 days to recommend the best trading approach.
    4. High Accuracy: Recommendations are based on extensive data and advanced analysis.
    5. Ease of Use: Activate the AI-recommended strategy with a single click, no complex setups required.

    To celebrate the launch of the Futures Martingale bot, Bybit has prepared two exclusive events featuring a generous prize pool of 15,000 USDT.

    These events offer traders the opportunity to showcase their trading skills and win attractive rewards, further incentivizing engagement with the new bot.

    Bybit offers a variety of trading bots to accommodate different market conditions and preferences. In addition to the Futures Martingale bot, users can access the Spot Grid bot which facilitates buying low and selling high in sideways markets.

    The DCA bot allows for autopilot investing in bullish and bearish markets. The Futures Grid bot enables multiplying earnings across all market conditions.

    “We are constantly striving to innovate and provide powerful tools to help traders navigate the dynamic crypto markets effectively,” said Ben Zhou, co-founder and CEO of Bybit. “The addition of the Futures Martingale bot reflects our commitment to meeting traders’ evolving needs and reinforcing our position as a leading derivatives platform. Bybit remains dedicated to delivering cutting-edge solutions and fostering a supportive trading environment for its users.”

    [Featured Image Credit]

    Loading

  • How Yellow Pay is Unlocking New Opportunities for Africans using Crypto-Powered Payments Solution

    How Yellow Pay is Unlocking New Opportunities for Africans using Crypto-Powered Payments Solution

    Despite the shared cultural and socioeconomic similarities among various African countries, their proximity, and coexistence, the continent is starkly divided by a fragmented payment infrastructure.

    This division has made it exceedingly difficult for small business owners and everyday individuals to smoothly exchange value and receive payments across the continent. For instance, a small business owner in the bustling city of Lagos encounters payment challenges when providing services to customers in the welcoming city of Accra.

    Similarly, people in the lively cities of Johannesburg face hurdles when trying to send payments to business partners, friends, and family in Kigali or Nairobi, all due to the disjointed payment system.

    Even when payment solutions are found, the associated fees often discourage repeated transactions.

    Africa possesses immense potential for economic growth and development, but it grapples with significant obstacles in enabling trade and financial inclusion.

    The absence of efficient and cost-effective cross-border payment systems is constantly impeding the flow of goods, services, and capital throughout the continent.

    Each country operates with its distinct payment system and currency, leaving little room for integration with the broader African community.

    This situation gives the impression that African countries and their citizens are isolated in economic islands, stifling potential growth opportunities.

    According to a McKinsey report, only 5 to 7 percent of all payment transactions in Africa are conducted electronically or digitally, in stark contrast to more than 50 percent in Turkey.

    This means that a significant portion of cross-border payments still relies on cash or informal channels, which are costly, slow, risky, and often inaccessible to many segments of the population.

    However, the situation is rapidly evolving as Africa embraces innovation and technology to reshape its payment landscape.

    The same report notes that in 2020, Africa’s e-payments industry generated approximately $24 billion in revenue, with around $15 billion stemming from domestic electronic payments.

    The domestic e-payments market is projected to grow by approximately 20 percent annually, reaching about $40 billion by 2025.

    With this understanding, Yellow Card introduced a new product at the end of 2022, Yellow Pay, offering a seamless and secure means to send and receive money across African borders instantly using cryptocurrencies. Initially available in a few countries, by January it had gained traction and is currently accessible in 16 African countries, including Nigeria, Botswana, Zambia, South Africa, Cameroon, and Kenya.

    This product eliminates the complexities of currency conversion and hidden fees when making payments to loved ones in other African nations.

    With a few clicks, customers can smoothly convert their local currency into crypto and send it to recipients in a different country, who will instantly receive it converted into their local currency.

    “This is more than just a money transfer service – it’s a powerful tool that will unlock new opportunities for people across Africa,” said Chris Maurice, CEO and co-founder of Yellow Card.

    “By enabling instant, low-cost transactions across borders, we are helping to create a more connected and dynamic Africa.”

    Yellow Pay
    Yellow Pay agents

    Yellow Pay leverages Yellow Card’s crypto exchange platform to complete customer transactions using USDT on the blockchain.

    As mentioned in the McKinsey report, cryptocurrencies, stablecoins, and central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) are expected to have a significant impact on the outlook for e-payments in Africa, given their promising use cases and Africa’s historical propensity to embrace innovation on a large scale and leapfrog into the future.

    Peter Mureu, the Director of Marketing at Yellow Card, highlighted the product’s unique value proposition, emphasizing its affordability and speed as game-changers.

    The product holds the promise of bridging the payment divide within Africa, enabling Emeka to easily connect with Kwame for service exchange and Mhambi to establish stronger business partnerships with Nadia through this seamless payment solution.

    The significance and relevance of cross-border payments in Africa cannot be overstated. These payments facilitate international trade, stimulating economic growth, job creation, poverty reduction, and regional integration.

    They also play a pivotal role in promoting financial inclusion, enabling individuals and businesses to access financial services, save money, invest in opportunities, and enhance their livelihoods.

    As Africa continues to innovate and adopt new technologies to enhance its payment systems, it is poised to become a global leader in e-payments and a model for other regions to emulate.

    The future of payments in Africa shines brightly with promise.

    Loading

  • Crypto: Introducing Bybit’s Perp Protect

    Crypto: Introducing Bybit’s Perp Protect

    Bybit the world’s third most visited crypto exchange, has introduced an industry first for crypto exchanges: Perp Protect, an automated risk management tool.

    Bybit's Perp Protect
    Bybit’s Perp Protect

    Perp Protect acquires options contracts automatically to hedge long and short positions offering easy downside protection.

    Perp Protect has been developed by Bybit and is not available on any of the top crypto exchanges. It offers users peace of mind without compromising their investment strategy by suggesting options contracts that protect against price action going against them.

    Traders anticipating market volatility can stay ahead of the curve by leveraging Perp Protect to secure their positions in volatile markets.

    Its automatic options acquisition is based on intelligent recommendations to ensure that they are well-prepared to navigate market fluctuations.

    Inexperienced perpetual traders can also gain the confidence using Perp Protect’s reliable protection layer.

    It empowers them to explore the world of perpetual trading while minimizing potential losses.

    Using Perp Protect requires just two clicks. It’s designed for user convenience, ensuring that its benefits can be accessed effortlessly.

    Secondly, Perp Protect’s intelligent algorithm continuously evaluates market conditions to offer optimal downside protection and costs as low as 2% of a user’s initial margin.

    “As we witness the evolution of crypto, it is essential that traders have access to tools that not only enhance their experience but also mitigate the risks associated with this dynamic market,” said Ben Zhou, co-founder and CEO of Bybit.

    “With Perp Protect, we are proud to offer a solution that brings ease and security to traders of all levels.”

    Loading

  • How Does a Hash Help Secure Blockchain Technology?

    How Does a Hash Help Secure Blockchain Technology?

    As the world increasingly embraces blockchain technology for its numerous benefits, it’s crucial to understand the foundation upon which this technology is built. Hashing, an essential component of blockchain, forms the backbone of its data integrity and security.

    But how exactly does hashing work, and why is it so vital to blockchain technology? One might wonder, “how does a hash help secure blockchain technology?”

    Join us on this enlightening journey as we explore the world of hash functions, their role in securing blockchain technology, and real-world applications that leverage the power of hashing.

    By the end of this article, you’ll have a newfound appreciation for this seemingly complex yet foundational aspect of blockchain technology, and a clear understanding of how does a hash help secure blockchain technology.

    Key Takeaways

    • Hash functions are essential for secure and efficient blockchain networks, providing data integrity, immutability and transaction verification.
    • Cryptographic hash functions like SHA-256 protect private keys & digital signatures while preventing collusion & centralization.
    • Hash functions also play a key role in consensus mechanisms such as PoW/PoS to validate transactions and add new blocks to the chain.

    The Fundamentals of Hashing in Blockchain

    The cryptographic hashing algorithm, a potent tool transforming data into unique fixed-size strings or hash values, resides at the core of blockchain technology. This cryptographic hash algorithm ensures that even the slightest change in input data will result in a completely different hash value. This unique digital fingerprint, an indispensable element of blockchain technology, fortifies blockchain security and data integrity.

    Hashing functions play a vital role in many aspects of blockchain technology, including:

    • Guaranteeing data integrity
    • Rendering blocks immutable
    • Verifying transactions
    • Safeguarding private keys and digital signatures
    • Validating transactions in consensus protocols using block hash.

    Having understood this, we will now probe further into how hash functions contribute to the secure and efficient functioning of blockchain networks.

    Understanding Hash Functions

    Imagine a magical box that takes any input, no matter the size or content, and converts it into a fixed-length output. This box is, in essence, a hash function. In the context of blockchain, hash functions are one-way mathematical functions that take input data of any size and transform it into a fixed-length output, making it exceedingly difficult to determine the original input.

    Hash functions present a plethora of diverse advantages in the blockchain. They provide data integrity, immutability of blocks, and verification of transactions by generating a unique output hash for each transaction. Moreover, hash functions aid in safeguarding private keys and digital signatures, deterring collusion and centralization, and are employed in consensus mechanisms such as PoW and PoS algorithms.

    However, they are not without their challenges and limitations, such as collision attacks and scalability issues.

    Cryptographic Hash Functions in Blockchain

    Cryptographic hash functions, like the well-known SHA-256, are a type of cryptographic hash function widely used in blockchain technology due to their security properties and unique digital fingerprints. SHA-256, for example, takes an input and processes it through a series of complex algorithms to produce a fixed-length, 256-bit hash that is used to uniquely identify a block or transaction on the blockchain.

    Bitcoin, the most famous blockchain network, utilizes the SHA-256 hash algorithm to secure its transactions and maintain the integrity of the network.

    While cryptographic hash functions offer numerous benefits, they are not without their challenges and limitations, such as collision attacks and scalability concerns.

    Ensuring Data Integrity with Hashing

    One of the most critical aspects of any secure system is ensuring the integrity of the data stored within it. In the world of blockchain, hash functions play a pivotal role in achieving this goal. By making blocks immutable and verifying transactions, hash functions guarantee the security and integrity of the data stored in the blockchain. Here at bet999.io you can check how blockchain works and protects your transactions and winning numbers.

    The difficulty in determining the input of hash functions makes them an ideal choice for securing blockchain networks. The security of the hash function is paramount; without it, the entire system would be compromised.

    Next, we will explore how hashing ensures data integrity through its principles of immutability and transaction verification.

    Immutability of Blocks

    In the blockchain context, immutability refers to the concept that stored data remains untampered and unaltered. Hash functions play a crucial role in achieving this immutability by linking each block’s hash to the previous block’s hash. To put it simply, the hash of a block is like a digital fingerprint that contains not only the data of the current block but also the previous block’s hash.

    This interconnected chain of hashes creates a virtually impenetrable barrier that makes it next to impossible to alter data without changing all subsequent blocks, including the previous block. Any attempt to alter a block’s data would require altering the hashes of all subsequent blocks and performing the computationally intensive task of mining these new blocks. The sheer difficulty and resources required to perform such an attack make the blockchain secure and immutable.

    Verifying Transactions

    A major challenge in any digital system is ensuring that transactions are legitimate and have not been tampered with. In blockchain technology, hash functions play a vital role in verifying transactions by checking the digital signatures and ensuring the data has not been modified. Blockchain usage is growing in sports making it possible to mint NFTs and create fan tokens.

    By generating a unique hash for each transaction, hash functions can compare the output hash to the original hash, thereby confirming the transaction’s legitimacy and the integrity of the data. This process of transaction verification is essential to the smooth functioning of blockchain networks and plays a significant role in maintaining trust and security within the system.
    [Featured Image Credit: Gold bitcoins in the woman’s hands]

    Loading

  • Nigeria Ranks 7th in Africa in Digital Quality of Life, While Ranking 88th Globally

    Nigeria Ranks 7th in Africa in Digital Quality of Life, While Ranking 88th Globally

    The Digital Quality of Life Index is an annual study that ranks 121 countries by their digital well-being based on 5 core pillars.

    Surfshark’s 5th annual Digital Quality of Life Index (DQL) ranks Nigeria 88th in the world, dropping by two places from last year. Out of the Index’s 5 pillars, Nigeria performed best in internet quality, claiming 62nd place, while facing challenges in internet affordability, ranking 108th. The nation ranks 73rd in e-security, 88th in e-government, and 93rd in e-infrastructure. Nigeria falls behind South Africa (72nd) and Kenya (76th) in the overall Index. The country comes in at number seven in Africa, with South Africa dominating the continent.

    “In many nations, ‘digital quality of life’ has merged into the broader concept of overall ‘quality of life’. There’s no other way to look at it now that so many daily activities, including work, education, and leisure, are done online. That’s why it’s crucial to pinpoint the areas in which a nation’s digital quality of life thrives and where attention is needed, which is the precise purpose of the DQL Index”, says Gabriele Racaityte-Krasauske, Surfshark’s spokeswoman.

    Nigeria’s internet quality is just around the global average

    • Fixed internet averages 25 Mbps in Nigeria. To put that into perspective, the world’s fastest fixed internet — Singapore’s — is 300 Mbps. Meanwhile, the slowest fixed internet in the world — Yemen’s — is 11 Mbps.
    • Mobile internet averages 47 Mbps. The fastest mobile internet — the UAE’s — is 310 Mbps, while the world’s slowest mobile internet — Venezuela’s — is 10 Mbps.

    Compared to South Africa, Nigeria’s mobile internet is 31% slower, while fixed broadband is 64% slower. Since last year, mobile internet speed in Nigeria has improved by 87%, while fixed broadband speed has grown by 33%.

    The internet is highly unaffordable in Nigeria compared to other countries

    • Nigerians have to work 35 hours 25 minutes a month to afford fixed broadband internet. It is 119 times more than in Romania, which has the world’s most affordable fixed internet (Romanians have to work 18 minutes a month to afford it).
    • Nigerians have to work 2 hours 59 minutes 15 seconds a month to afford mobile internet. This is 11 times more than in Luxembourg, which has the world’s most affordable mobile internet (Luxembourgers have to work 16 minutes a month to afford it).

    Nigeria is 73rd in the world in e-security — 7 places lower than last year

    The e-security pillar measures how well a country is prepared to counter cybercrime, as well as how advanced a country’s data protection laws are. In this pillar, Nigeria lags behind South Africa (72nd) and Kenya (65th). Nigeria is unprepared to fight against cybercrime, and the country has very low data protection laws.

    Nigeria is 93rd in e-infrastructure and 88th in e-government

    Advanced e-infrastructure makes it easy for people to use the Internet for various daily activities, such as working, studying, shopping, etc. This pillar evaluates how high internet penetration is in a given country, as well as its network readiness (readiness to take advantage of Information and Communication Technologies). Nigeria’s internet penetration is moderate (73% — 86th in the world), and the country ranks 105th in network readiness.

    The e-government pillar shows how advanced a government’s digital services are and the level of Artificial Intelligence (AI) readiness a country demonstrates. Nigeria’s e-government is below the global average.

    Globally, the internet is more affordable than last year

    • Fixed internet is 11% more affordable than last year—on average, people have to work 42 minutes less a month to afford it.
    • Mobile internet is 26% more affordable than last year—people have to work 41 minutes less to afford it.

    Featured image credit

    Loading

  • Again, DCC Calls for regulation of Digital Currency in Nigeria

    Again, DCC Calls for regulation of Digital Currency in Nigeria

    The Digital Currency Coalition (DCC), Africa’s premier consortium of crypto asset practitioners, blockchain innovators, and founders, commends the Nigerian government’s notable participation in the 18th G20 summit recently held in New Delhi, India. 

    In a statement on Monday, Digital Currency Coalition, said;

    “We appreciate the regulatory discussions led by President Bola Tinubu and Dr. Bosun Tijani, the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, which aligns with DCC’s long-standing call for a structured digital currency ecosystem.

    “These discussions were further informed by a key document from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and Financial Stability Board (FSB) titled ‘IMF-FSB Synthesis Paper: Policies for Crypto-Assets.’

    The coalition affirmed its readiness to collaborate with the federal government to develop comprehensive policy and regulatory frameworks that address concerns like financial stability, market integrity, and investor protection, among other risks related to crypto assets.

    “Importantly, Digital Currency Coalition has proactively self-regulated and complies with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) standards for Anti-Money Laundering, including enforcing the travel rule among its members.

    “We are committed to identifying and implementing effective anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing measures that apply to virtual assets and service providers.

    “We believe that a well-regulated digital currencyspace is vital for the economic future of Nigeria and are ready and willing to be part of the journey to regulation, supporting the government under President Tinubu’s leadership.

    “We also extend our warmest wishes to the Nigerian Government and delegates participating at the UN General Assembly in New York. We wish the Nigerian delegation fruitful deliberation that benefits the nation and the digital currency ecosystem”, the statement reads.

    Loading

  • OneCoin’s Co-founder Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison

    OneCoin’s Co-founder Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison

    With far-reaching implications for the cryptocurrency world, a federal judge in New York has handed down a 20-year prison sentence to Karl Sebastian Greenwood, Co-founder of the alleged cryptocurrency OneCoin. 

    The sentencing, presided over by U.S. District Judge Edgardo Ramos, marks a decisive moment in the battle against cryptocurrency fraud and money laundering.

    This reiterates the urgent need for rigorous regulatory oversight and enforcement measures within the cryptocurrency world to safeguard investors and maintain the credibility of the digital financial landscape.

    With the dynamism of the digital financial ecosystem, Greenwood’s case highlights the critical importance of upholding the highest standards of transparency and legality within the cryptocurrency sphere. 

    Greenwood, a dual citizen of Sweden and the United Kingdom, had previously pleaded guilty to fraud and money laundering charges in December 2022. The judge also ordered Greenwood to forfeit a staggering $300 million.

    His journey through the U.S. legal system began with his arrest in Thailand in 2018 and subsequent extradition to the United States. He stood accused of playing a pivotal role in promoting OneCoin, which prosecutors assert was a fraudulent scheme responsible for defrauding no less than 3.5 million individuals, ultimately amassing an illicit sum of $4 billion.

    Prosecutors vehemently argued for a sentence of at least 30 years for Greenwood, labeling him as OneCoin’s “primary promoter” who had touted the cryptocurrency as the next Bitcoin. In stark contrast to his claims, OneCoin was revealed to be nothing more than a pyramid scheme, causing substantial financial losses for countless victims.

    Greenwood’s legal team countered these claims by requesting a sentence equivalent to the time served, citing the harsh conditions he had endured during his detention.

    The origins of OneCoin trace back to 2014 when Greenwood co-founded the cryptocurrency with Ruja Ignatova in Sofia, Bulgaria. Ignatova, a German citizen known as the ‘Cryptoqueen,’ was recently placed on the FBI’s top ten most-wanted list. To date, she remains at large, adding intrigue and mystery to this high-profile case.

    Responding to these developments, an attorney representing Greenwood chose not to comment.

    This sentencing occurs at a landmark moment for cryptocurrency-related legal proceedings in Manhattan. It coincides with the upcoming trial of Sam Bankman-Fried, the founder of FTX, who faces charges of fraud and conspiracy linked to the November 2022 collapse of his cryptocurrency exchange, which has since declared bankruptcy.

    This necessitates the need for robust regulatory oversight and enforcement to protect investors and ensure the integrity of the digital financial landscape.

    Loading

  • Yellow Card, MoonPay Partner to Revolutionize Cryptocurrency Accessibility in Nigeria

    Yellow Card, MoonPay Partner to Revolutionize Cryptocurrency Accessibility in Nigeria

    Aimed at advancing cryptocurrency accessibility in Nigeria, Yellow Card, an African fintech company, has forged a strategic alliance with MoonPay, a global leader in the cryptocurrency ecosystem. 

    This partnership seeks to streamline and enrich the cryptocurrency purchasing experience for Nigerians by harnessing the power of local bank transfers.

    Nigeria has recently emerged as a cryptocurrency powerhouse within the African landscape, with a growing number of individuals turning to digital assets as a hedge against inflation and economic uncertainty. The cryptocurrency market in Nigeria has been marked by volatility, exemplified by recent challenges faced by various crypto companies, highlighting the urgent need for a stable and dependable means of accessing cryptocurrencies.

    Yellow Card, recognized as the largest and fastest-growing cryptocurrency company across the continent, has a proven track record spanning 17 markets, with a particular stronghold in Nigeria. The collaboration with MoonPay signifies a pivotal moment in the accessibility and utility of cryptocurrencies within the region.

    At the heart of our company’s mission lies the conviction that everyone should have access to the potential of cryptocurrencies. By joining forces with MoonPay, we aim to dismantle the barriers preventing Nigerians from participating in the crypto economy. Together, we can simplify crypto trading, making it accessible and intuitive for all,” stated Uzoma James, West Africa Regional Manager at Yellow Card.

    MoonPay, a leader in the cryptocurrency industry, offers a comprehensive suite of solutions that simplify the onboarding process for newcomers to the crypto world. With this partnership, MoonPay is poised to extend its reach into the Nigerian market, catering to the unique needs and challenges faced by the local population.

    Supporting local bank transfers unlocks immense opportunities for crypto users, and we’re eager to introduce this experience to Yellow Card’s fast-growing ecosystem. Offering a simple, inclusive transaction method for users across Africa is an exciting step forward in our vision to onboard the world to Web3,” affirmed Ivan Soto-Wright, Co-Founder and CEO at MoonPay.

    The integration between Yellow Card and MoonPay will empower Nigerians to engage in peer-to-peer crypto transactions with unprecedented ease. By leveraging local bank transfers, users can overcome many of the obstacles that have historically hindered the crypto purchasing process. This integration promises to redefine the landscape of cryptocurrency accessibility in Nigeria, making it more inclusive and user-friendly.

    Both Yellow Card and MoonPay seek to promote financial inclusion and innovation. This partnership marks a significant stride towards realizing these objectives in the Nigerian market. 

    As Nigeria continues to lead the crypto movement in Africa, collaborations of this nature are essential in ensuring that the advantages of digital assets are within reach of all segments of the population.

    Loading

  • VTrader Academy to Reward Crypto Enthusiasts with up to $500 Monthly for Teaching Crypto

    VTrader Academy to Reward Crypto Enthusiasts with up to $500 Monthly for Teaching Crypto

    The largest barrier to entry for cryptocurrency in emerging countries like Nigeria, and rest-of-Africa, is education and vTrader Africa says it’s about to change that.

    vTrader is a P2P Crypto wallet app that was created to ease the process of buying and selling bitcoin and other cryptos.

    VTrader teaches beginner-friendly cryptocurrency lessons through blog posts, social media, AMA sessions, and the telegram crypto community and is taking the next step to encourage communal learning by empowering enthusiasts interested in becoming our tutor affiliates.

    We have provided a $30,000 pool to incentivize qualified tutors for delivering sound crypto knowledge. In this program, qualified tutors will only be required to hold two virtual classes in a month and can earn up to $250 per class, or $500 in a month.

    Become a Tutor Today

    Are you a natural educator who has significant knowledge of blockchain and cryptocurrency? Do you enjoy sharing this knowledge? With #MyvTraderClass, we are calling all cryptocurrency enthusiasts and community leaders to become a tutor, organize your event, and earn up to $250 per meetup.

    This pilot #MyVTraderClass campaign launches and closes within a 60-day period. To get started, all interested tutors should complete this Application Test.

    Below, we show the details regarding our evaluation of events, as well as the corresponding bonuses that we can give depending on the scores of these events.

    VTrader Academy to Reward Crypto Enthusiasts with up to $500 Monthly for Teaching Crypto
    VTrader Academy to Reward Crypto Enthusiasts with up to $500 Monthly for Teaching Crypto

    Terms and Conditions:

    • All tutors must have an active vTrader account complete with KYC.
    • All aspiring tutors are required to ace the tutor assessment test with an overall score of at least 85% (17/20) to qualify as tutors.
    • Tutors are required to go through the Tutor manual thoroughly to gain clarity on vTrader’s grading system.
    • Tutors are expected to prepare themselves adequately before their class and are to only use materials provided by vTrader for their training sessions.
    • All Tutors are to be part of the vTrader Africa Community for announcements, updates, and live meet-ups.
    • Tutors will be graded on a weekly basis and rewarded five working days post-class evaluation and conclusion.
    • vTrader reserves the right to the final interpretation of this activity.
    • vTrader reserves the ability to disqualify any participants showing signs of fraudulent behavior immediately.
    • vTrader reserves the right to cancel or amend any Activity or Activity Rules at our sole discretion.

    Stay up to date with vTrader – join the conversation on X/Twitter or  vTrader Africa Telegram community.

    [Promoted Content]

    Loading

  • Nestcoin Announces Launch of Onboard After $1.9 Million Raise

    Nestcoin Announces Launch of Onboard After $1.9 Million Raise

    Following the FTX crash last year and a dip in capital value, Nigerian crypto and Web3 startup, Nestcoin has announced that it has pivoted to Onboard, a non-custodial crypto wallet with the benefits of a custodial wallet, after raising $1.9 million.

    The round was led by Hashed Emergent, with participation from a global consortium of investors including Adaverse, Base Ecosystem Fund, Alter Global, CMT Digital, Magic Fund, 4DX Ventures, and some angels.

    Nestcoin had previously invested in around 13 African crypto and Web3 startups. Additionally, it developed the crypto gaming guild Metaverse Magna (MVM) and the crypto education platform Breach (now called Compass by Onboard). Yele Bademosi, co-founder and CEO of Nestcoin, claims that MVM is now a standalone business.

    “We want our members to be involved in creating the product they want, so they can create the future they envision. We consider what we have built to be the foundation and invite our users to join our community to build the ideal financial product. Essentially, we are giving you the power to ‘Be Your Own Bank.

    “We firmly believe that access to high-quality financial services should be universally available, regardless of one’s geographical location. We are committed to achieving this goal by creating a delightful and simple-to-use self-custody digital wallet,” says Bademosi.

    Onboard was referred to as a safe self-custody wallet for handling digital assets directly without the use of middlemen. In a statement from Nestcoin, it noted that Onboard Wallet offers a seamless user experience, a seedless wallet, and a simple method of transferring money directly to a bank account without going through a centralized exchange.”

    As a self-custody digital wallet, Onboard allows users to securely store their cryptocurrencies, digital assets, and tokens while keeping them private. Unlike centralized exchanges, where users give custody of their assets to a third-party platform, a self-custody wallet lets them control their assets because they manage them themselves.

    Vincent Li, the founding partner of Adaverse, claims that Nestcoin “represents the vanguard of a financial revolution in Africa, where borders have converted from barriers into bridges of opportunity. Li asserts that the goal of sustainable development is ideally aligned with Onboard, a remarkable next-generation idea positioned to contribute to sustainable economic models.

    Nestcoin announced that it will introduce Onboard Virtual Cards in the next weeks. With this service, Onboard customers will be able to use their cryptocurrency as easily as cash and make purchases in more than 160 countries both online and offline.

    Loading

  • Jay-Z and Jack Dorsey-funded ₿trust Acquires Africa’s Qala

    Jay-Z and Jack Dorsey-funded ₿trust Acquires Africa’s Qala

    • Jay-Z and Jack Dorsey-funded Bitcoin Non-profit Acquires Qala to Build Next Generation of Open-Source Bitcoin Developers

    ₿trusta non-profit organisation which exists to decentralise development of Bitcoin software, has acquired Qala, the leading organisation training the next generation of African Bitcoin and Lightning engineers.

    The deal, which was completed on 1st September 2023, will see Qala rebrand as the ₿trust Builders Programme, to strengthen ₿Trust’s mission to drive the development and education of Bitcoin open-source engineers from across the Global South. 

    Launched in 2021, ₿trust focuses on fostering developer talent and supporting the free and open source Bitcoin ecosystem by locating, educating, and remunerating Bitcoin open source engineers from the Global South. Originally funded by Jack Dorsey and Jay-Z, ₿trust is currently headed up by a board of directors – Abubakar Nur Khalil, Carla Kirk-Cohen, Obi Nwosu and Ojoma Ochai. Under the quartet’s leadership, the organisation has launched the Africa Open Source Cohort, which offers support to its pioneer member, Vladimir Fomene, working on the Bitcoin Development Kit, and proudly sponsors the Africa Bitcoin Conference, an annual gathering for Bitcoin stakeholders from all around Africa and beyond. 

    Qala, founded in 2021, sources, trains and matches African software developers with leading Bitcoin companies from across the world, equipping its engineers with the most sought-after skills in the global Bitcoin talent market.

    To date, Qala has built Africa’s largest online community of Bitcoin developers spanning over 42 countries including Nigeria, Kenya and Uganda. With an impressive fellowship placement rate, the programmes’ alumni have secured roles at the likes of GaloySphinxChat and Bitnob, as well as open-source grants from ₿trust and Superlunar

    Speaking on the acquisition, Bernard Parah, Co-Founder & Director of Qala, says “When we launched our programme in 2021, our goal was clear – to build a critical mass of African engineers with a deep understanding of Bitcoin’s capabilities to transform the continent. Today’s announcement significantly accelerates this mission, strengthening our capacity to not only expand our existing community, but effectively resource them to play a major role in influencing Bitcoin’s open-source development as a vital solution to Africa’s unique socio-economic challenges.”  

    “With this in mind, we strongly believe our new transition should not only be viewed as a massive boost for the Bitcoin ecosystem, but a crucial foundation in leveraging Bitcoin as the gateway and catalyst to financial freedom in Africa and the Global South.” 

    As part of the deal, Femi Longe, CEO of Qala, and Stephanie Titcombe, Programmes Manager at Qala, will officially join ₿trust as Programme Leads at ₿trust Builders. To kickstart the next phase of its growth journey, ₿trust Builders’ programme will pivot to focus on open-source training and has launched a call for its next cohort of senior African software developers seeking to transition into building for Bitcoin and Lightning. 

    Ojoma Ochai, Board Member at ₿trust, outlines “We’re incredibly proud to welcome Femi and his excellent team to ₿trust. With Qala’s extensive outreach and world-class programmes, the organisation has made rapid progress in driving open-source development in the Global South through the advancement of education within the region, which is heavily aligned with our core mission at ₿trust.”

    “As we move forward, we’re fully focussed on not only building on Qala’s impressive work in Africa, but empowering more developers throughout the Global South with the support they need to build truly innovative open source solutions through the power of Bitcoin.”

    In September 2023, ₿trust Builders will launch the ‘Build for Africa’ Hackathon, which seeks to encourage makers to build solutions that solve African challenges and increase bitcoin adoption in Africa. This will serve as a platform for open innovation and collaborative problem-solving, where makers will converge to generate novel ideas through an idea hack focused on tackling Africa-specific challenges, and accelerate their bitcoin projects through mentorship in design, development, and lightning integration. The hackathon is a key pre-event for the Africa Bitcoin Conference on 1 – 3 December in Accra, Ghana, which ₿trust is proud to support for the second year running.

    Loading

  • Bitcoin ETFs May Hold the Future of Crypto Trading Following Court Ruling Against SEC

    Bitcoin ETFs May Hold the Future of Crypto Trading Following Court Ruling Against SEC

    Bitcoin Exchange-Traded Funds (Bitcoin ETFs) are “an inevitability”, that will send the price of the cryptocurrency soaring, predicts the CEO of one of the world’s largest independent financial advisory, asset management, and fintech organizations.

    The bullish assessment from Nigel Green–deVere Group CEO, and long-time crypto advocate, comes as the US Court of Appeals sided with Grayscale in a lawsuit against the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) which had rejected the company’s application to convert the Grayscale Bitcoin Trust to an ETF. 

    Spot ETFs invest directly in underlying assets, typically stocks or bonds, at the current market price (spot price). They aim to replicate the performance of a specific index or asset class by holding a portfolio of the actual securities that make up the index.

    Mr Green says: “This is a landmark legal win for crypto against the US regulator.

    “The court’s decision destroys the SEC’s central argument for rejecting every spot Bitcoin ETF over the last few years. This win paves the way for Bitcoin ETFs. Following the monumental ruling, there’s very little chance now the SEC will block the launch of ETFs.

    “A swathe of big-name asset managers, among others, have filed ETF applications for Bitcoin ETFs and we expect that the SEC will organize a block approval of applications that meet requirements, as it will not want to be seen as a kingmaker.

    “We believe that Bitcoin ETFs are now an inevitability. And they could come to market sooner than many anticipate.”

    The deVere chief executive believes that the price of crypto will jump if/when Bitcoin ETFs are launched for three reasons.

    “First, if Bitcoin ETFs are approved, it would open up the cryptocurrency market to a broader range of investors who might have been hesitant to directly invest in digital assets. This influx of new capital from institutional and retail investors could drive up demand for Bitcoin, leading to an increase in its price.

    “Second, ETFs typically involve the purchase of the underlying asset by the fund managers. If Bitcoin ETFs follow this structure, it could create a substantial demand for actual Bitcoins to back the ETF shares. This increased demand, coupled with the limited supply of Bitcoin (capped at 21 million coins), could lead to a supply-demand imbalance, resulting in a price surge.

    “And third, the launch of Bitcoin ETFs might improve the overall perception of cryptocurrencies in the eyes of regulators and traditional financial institutions. This increased legitimacy could attract more conservative investors who were previously wary of the regulatory uncertainties surrounding cryptocurrencies. As more institutional money flows into the market through ETFs, the price of Bitcoin would experience upward pressure.”

    deVere expects that the first Bitcoin ETFs will be available in Quarter 1 of 2024, “if not before.”

    Nigel Green concludes: “In-the-know investors are unlikely to wait until the potential launch of the ETFs to increase their holdings of Bitcoin.”

    Loading

Translate »