Moonpay has successfully registered with the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC) to provide digital currency exchange services in Australia. This registration will enable Moonpay to establish local payment processing relationships and offer Australian users alternative payment methods such as Osko and Pay ID. As a registered entity, Moonpay will comply with Australia’s AML/CTF […]
North Carolina Rejects Federal Digital Currency, Overrides Governor’s Veto
The North Carolina General Assembly has overridden Governor Roy Cooper’s veto to enact a bill prohibiting a central bank digital currency (CBDC) in the state. The Senate voted 27-17, securing the required supermajority. The bill bars payments using CBDC and state participation in Federal Reserve testing. This bill reflects strong opposition to CBDCs and emphasizes […]
United Texas Bank Faces Regulatory Action for AML Failures Linked to ‘Virtual Currency Customers’
United Texas Bank has been issued a cease and desist order by the U.S. Federal Reserve and the Texas Department of Banking due to significant compliance deficiencies. The bank must take immediate action to rectify issues related to its anti-money laundering (AML) program and corporate governance oversight. Cease and Desist Order for United Texas Bank […]
Indonesia and South Korea Sign New Local Currency Agreement to Boost Trade
Bank Indonesia, the Bank of Korea, and South Korea’s Ministry of Economy and Finance have introduced a local currency transaction framework to boost bilateral trade using the rupiah and won. This initiative aims to reduce exchange rate risk and improve transaction efficiency by facilitating direct currency transactions between the two nations, bypassing the need for […]
Former Russian PM: BRICS Not Ready for Common Currency
Sergey Stepashin, Russia’s former prime minister, explained that it’s premature to discuss a common BRICS currency, emphasizing the importance of increasing payments in national currencies instead. He cited challenges in creating a common currency, particularly between large economies like India and China. While some BRICS members support a single currency, Stepashin advocates for enhancing financial […]
China and Russia Push for Increased Local Currency Use in Trade, Deepen BRICS Cooperation
China and Russia solidified their cooperation in currency, finance, and within the BRICS framework following a meeting between Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin. They committed to local currency use, payment infrastructure, and mutual investments, while also advancing collaboration in artificial intelligence, sustainable development, and global governance. China and Russia Strengthen […]
Experts Question Ghana VP’s Gold-Backed Currency Pledge
A Ghanaian banking consultant, Richmond Atuahene, has expressed concerns about Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia’s pledge to back the cedi with gold. Atuahene believes Ghana needs a stable economic environment before implementing this policy. John Gatsi, a dean at the University of Cape Coast School of Business, warns that backing the cedi with gold alone will […]
Zimbabwe’s Gold-Backed Currency Sees Gains, but US Dollar Remains Dominant
Zimbabwe’s gold-backed currency, the ZIG, has seen a significant increase in usage since its introduction in April. While the U.S. dollar remains the dominant currency for most citizens, the ZIG is used for 40% of payments and 80% of government transactions. The government aims to eventually replace the U.S. dollar with the ZIG as the […]
RBI Report Highlights India’s Central Bank Digital Currency Development
India’s central bank, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), published its August bulletin on Monday. The report discusses several aspects of central bank digital currency (CBDC) and its implications. The RBI is actively involved in developing CBDC initiatives to enhance cross-border payments, improve financial inclusion, and mitigate risks posed by private digital instruments. The RBI’s […]
Pierre Poilievre Backs Bill to Ban Central Bank Digital Currency in Canada
Pierre Poilievre, leader of Canada’s Conservative Party, backs a bill that seeks to ban central bank digital currency (CBDC) in Canada. He argues that a CBDC would give the government excessive control over finances, threatening privacy and economic freedom. “It’s time to put an end to creating a central bank digital currency in Canada,” he […]
Economist Art Laffer Slams US Economic Policies, Warns of Dollar’s Decline as Global Reserve Currency
Economist Art Laffer, known for his work on supply-side economics, has expressed concerns over the future of the U.S. dollar in a recent interview. Laffer argues that current U.S. economic policies are leading to the dollar’s decline, making it less attractive as a global reserve currency. Laffer Warns of U.S. Dollar Decline Amid Economic Policy […]
Nigeria Acts to Stabilize Currency with Forex Auction
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) will reintroduce a foreign exchange auction system as part of efforts to ease pressure on the local currency. The CBN has called on authorized dealer banks to share their respective lists of outstanding forex demand by end users. Auction System Aims to Mitigate Impact of Dollar Shortage on Exchange […]
Ethiopian Premier Defends Currency Float Decision, Rejects Devaluation Claims
The Ethiopian Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed, has defended the decision to float the birr and insisted that this move does not amount to the devaluation of the currency. Ahmed stated that the intention is to unify the official and parallel market exchange rates. Reports suggest that Ethiopia’s decision to float the birr was promptly rewarded […]
Iran Backs Russia on BRICS Single Currency Initiative
Iran plans to support Russia’s initiatives on creating a BRICS single currency and expanding national currency payments within the bloc, according to Iran’s Ambassador to Moscow, Kazem Jalali. The BRICS nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) are exploring the creation of a new currency to reduce reliance on the U.S. dollar and mitigate […]
Nigerian CBDC Adoption Lags, Makes Up Less Than 1% of Currency in Use
Nigeria’s central bank digital currency, known as the eNaira, was the first of its kind in Africa. However, it currently represents only about 0.36% of the total currency in circulation. Nigerian experts attribute the slow adoption of the e-naira to its perceived lack of significant benefits compared to the traditional naira. E-Naira Adoption Lags Despite […]