Crypto
Latest articles about crypto in African payments and fintech
Ripple Makes Strategic Investment in Flutterwave's Series E Round
Ripple has invested in Flutterwave's Series E funding round to jointly accelerate stablecoin-based payment solutions across Africa. The partnership aims to leverage blockchain technology to create more efficient alternatives to traditional cross-border banking rails, tapping into growing demand in markets like Nigeria.
Ripple Invests in African Fintech Giant Flutterwave, Tying XRP to Payments
Ripple has made a strategic investment in Flutterwave to integrate its stablecoin, RLUSD, and the XRP Ledger into the African payments giant's network. The move aligns with growing stablecoin adoption in the region, exemplified by Nigeria's dominant share of inflows, and follows other African fintechs exploring similar digital currency initiatives.
Tether Invests in LemFi to Drive Stablecoin Remittances
Tether has invested in cross-border payments fintech LemFi to integrate its USDT stablecoin into remittance flows targeting diaspora communities in Africa and other regions. The move coincides with broader African efforts to improve payment interoperability, though adoption will hinge on regulatory acceptance and tangible user benefits.
Bybit Pay Enters South Africa via MoneyBadger Partnership for Crypto QR Payments
Bybit Pay has launched in South Africa through a partnership with local fintech MoneyBadger, allowing consumers to pay for goods at physical stores using cryptocurrency via QR codes. The move places the crypto exchange's payment service into a competitive market where traditional banks are also rolling out new digital payment solutions.
Tether Launches Visa-Backed Gold Digital Currency Card with Fasset
Tether has partnered with UAE-based Fasset to launch a Visa payment card linked to its gold-backed digital token, XAU₮. The card, set for release in several regions, aims to provide a spendable instrument for a commodity-pegged digital asset.
NectarFi Secures $170,000 Pre-Seed Funding for Nigerian On-Chain Platform
Nigerian fintech startup NectarFi has raised $170,000 in pre-seed funding to build a platform that aggregates decentralized finance services for local investors. The round was led by Founders Factory Africa as the company seeks to simplify on-chain finance in a complex regulatory and competitive landscape.
South Africa's NectarFi secures $170,000 pre-seed funding
South African fintech NectarFi has raised $170,000 in pre-seed funding to build a platform that aggregates cryptocurrency holdings from multiple wallets and exchanges. The non-custodial solution aims to simplify portfolio management for users in a market where digital asset adoption is growing alongside regulatory development.
VALR partners with Onafriq to enable crypto purchases via mobile money
South African crypto exchange VALR has integrated with the Onafriq payments network to allow users in 40 African countries to buy cryptocurrencies using mobile money. The partnership aims to lower barriers to entry for the continent's large unbanked population by connecting directly to over 500 million mobile wallets.
Lipaworld Launches Stablecoin-Powered Card Targeting Africa's Unbanked
Lipaworld, a South African fintech firm, has introduced a payment card linked to the USDC stablecoin, designed for use by unbanked Africans. The card aims to facilitate both offline and online transactions without a traditional bank account.
South Africa's 2026 Budget Introduces Sweeping Crypto and Payments Reforms
South Africa's 2026 Budget introduces a licensing regime for crypto-asset providers and endorses stablecoins for cross-border trade settlements. The reforms aim to reduce transaction costs and position the country as a leader in formalizing digital finance within Africa.
Nigeria, South Africa Drive African Stablecoin Demand Amid Regulatory Scrutiny
Nigeria and South Africa are leading African demand for stablecoins, digital tokens pegged to currencies like the US dollar, according to a new study. This growth in major economies coincides with tighter regulatory measures in other jurisdictions, such as Ghana, highlighting the continent's fragmented approach to governing digital assets.
Nigeria and South Africa Lead Africa's Stablecoin Adoption
Nigeria and South Africa are driving stablecoin adoption in Africa, with the highest transaction volumes on the continent. This growth coincides with regulatory efforts to modernize digital payment systems as Africa seeks to lower the cost and increase the speed of cross-border remittances.
Cryptocurrency adoption among African merchants seen reaching tipping point in 2026
Industry analysis indicates that cryptocurrency adoption by African merchants is set to accelerate significantly in 2026, driven by regulatory progress and the need for efficient cross-border payments. The entry of global payment networks and local fintech solutions is building the necessary infrastructure for businesses to accept digital assets.
Regulatory Uncertainty Threatens Kenya's Crypto Progress
Regulatory uncertainty in Kenya is posing challenges to the cryptocurrency sector, with industry players warning that lack of clear rules could impede growth and innovation. The situation highlights the tension between fostering digital asset adoption and ensuring consumer protection in a market with high mobile money penetration.
Payd and Noah partner to offer USDC payments for African freelancers
South African fintech Payd and stablecoin platform Noah have launched a service allowing freelancers in South Africa and Nigeria to receive payments in USDC. The partnership aims to reduce the cost and time of cross-border settlements for freelance work, tapping into a growing digital payments market on the continent.
SARB Governor Highlights Stablecoin Risks Amid ZARU Launch
South African Reserve Bank Governor Lesetja Kganyago has warned that stablecoins could threaten financial stability and monetary policy. His statement coincides with the launch of ZARU, a new rand-backed stablecoin created by a consortium of four major South African financial institutions.
Conduit and Onafriq Partner for Stablecoin Settlements Across Africa
Conduit and Onafriq have partnered to enable stablecoin settlements for cross-border transactions in Africa, aiming to reduce costs and increase speed. The move aligns with broader industry efforts to improve payment efficiency on the continent but faces a complex regulatory landscape.
Flutterwave Integrates Stablecoin Infrastructure for Cross-Border Merchant Payments
Flutterwave has partnered with US infrastructure provider Turnkey to allow African merchants in Nigeria, Kenya, and Ghana to receive international payments in the USDC stablecoin. The service aims to offer an alternative settlement rail that the companies say could be faster and less costly than traditional cross-border payment methods.
Nigeria Doubles Digital Tax Revenue to $276m, Eyes Crypto Withdrawals
Nigeria has doubled its digital tax revenue to $276 million in 2025 and is now targeting cryptocurrency withdrawals for taxation. The move coincides with PayPal ending its ban on local withdrawals in Nigeria through a partnership with Paga.
African Stablecoin Adoption Surges as Remittances Overtake Aid Flows
Stablecoin adoption is rising across Africa as users seek protection from inflation and lower remittance costs. The trend coincides with remittance flows surpassing traditional aid as a source of external financing for African economies.
Stablecoins Emerge as Key African Remittance Tool, Says Former UN Official
Stablecoins are becoming increasingly important for cross-border remittances in Africa, according to discussions at the World Economic Forum in Davos. The trend is driven by high traditional transfer costs and inflation, with remittance flows now exceeding traditional aid channels in significance.