News

Africa Crypto Week in Review: TD Markets Secures License, US Wants Binance Employee Released In Nigeria

In this week's crypto Africa week in review, dive into South Africa crypto development, Nigeria's Binance beef with US, and crisis at SiBAN.

By Dalmas Ngetich

Last Updated: Sep 14, 2024

Fact checked

By Sam Cooling

In this week's crypto Africa week in review, dive into South Africa crypto development, Nigeria's Binance beef with US, and crisis at SiBAN.

In this week’s Crypto Africa Week in Review, Nigeria takes center stage from its sustained executive tussle with the biggest CEX to leadership turbulence in a top blockchain association; however, hot on the heels, take a glance at the latest South Africa crypto regulatory update.

TD Markets Obtains Approval For Crypto License 

South African brokerage firm TD Markets has obtained a Crypto Asset Service Provider from the country’s Financial Sector Conduct Authority. TD Markets obtained this license to provide a secure and regulated platform for trading cryptocurrencies within South Africa. 

The South African regulator is ahead of most similar government agencies across Africa. Such a licensing regime is necessary for establishing standards for brokerage firms and protecting consumers. 

Leadership Crisis At Nigeria’s SiBAN

In Nigeria, there is leadership turbulence at SiBAN, a blockchain association.  

According to the latest reports, the Board of Trustees (BoT) is pointing an accusing finger at former President Obinna Iwuno, alleging misconduct. 

They have since expelled him. Even so, the former president denies any wrongdoing, saying the expulsion was a move to seize control of the association’s leadership illegally. 

All the same, an independent panel found Iwuno guilty, and there is now a caretaker committee to oversee SiBAN. Iwuon is not going down without a fight and is now threatening legal action. 

CryptoFest 2024 Preparations Ramp Up

Preparations for CryptoFest 2024 are in the home stretch. The event organizers bill it as a celebration of Web3 innovation on the continent. CryptoFest is in its sixth year of running and looks to become a notable global crypto forum.

It will take place in the iconic DHL stadium in Cape Town.

The festival kicks off in just under a month. It features crypto speakers on stablecoins, crypto payments, regulatory approach, cultural integration, etc. 

Plenty of work must be done to boost adoption in South Africa and continent-wide. CryptoFest 2024 looks to be the hub that fosters networking and concerted action from the various stakeholders. 

DISCOVER: The Next 1,000 Cryptocurrency in September 2024

Will Nigeria Release This Binance Executive? Mansa and Bitmama Join Hands

Other trending Africa Crypto news include:

  • Tigran Gambaryan, a Binance executive, has been in a Nigerian prison since February 2024. It is emerging that the United States government is urging Nigeria to release Gambaryan on humanitarian grounds. The Binance employee is reportedly ill, and his health has deteriorated in recent weeks. Several diplomats, including Secretary of State Antony Blinken, are intervening. Nigerian authorities accuse the employee and Binance, the crypto exchange, of, among other charges, tax evasion, money laundering, and manipulating the Naira.
  • Bitmama, a blockchain platform from Nigeria, is joining hands with the DeFi platform Mansa. According to a press release, the objective will be to improve cross-border payment in more than 18 African countries. In this arrangement, Mansa will provide liquidity to all pre-fund accounts. The decision will align with their mission of, most crucially, narrowing down liquidity gaps in emerging markets in which they have a presence. On the other hand, Bitmama will issue virtual crypto cards and fas-tracking cross-border payments. 

EXPLORE: Buying Bitcoin with PayPal (Beginner’s Guide)

Disclaimer: Crypto is a high-risk asset class. This article is provided for informational purposes and does not constitute investment advice. You could lose all of your capital.

Disclaimer Icon
Disclaimer
Crypto is a high-risk asset class. This article is provided for informational purposes and does not constitute investment advice. You could lose all of your capital.
99Bitcoins may receive advertising commissions for visits to a suggested operator through our affiliate links, at no added cost to you. All our recommendations follow a thorough review process.

Free Bitcoin Crash Course

  • Enjoyed by over 100,000 students.
  • One email a day, 7 days in a row.
  • Short and educational, guaranteed!

Why you can trust 99Bitcoins

10+ Years

Established in 2013, 99Bitcoin’s team members have been crypto experts since Bitcoin’s Early days.

90hr+

Weekly Research

100k+

Monthly readers

50+

Expert contributors

2000+

Crypto Projects Reviewed

Google News Icon
Follow 99Bitcoins on your Google News Feed
Get the latest updates, trends, and insights delivered straight to your fingertips. Subscribe now!
Subscribe now
Dalmas Ngetich
Dalmas Ngetich
Crypto Journalist

Dalmas is an experienced journalist with over a decade in crypto, technology, and blockchain. His work and that of his partners have been featured in top news outlets, including Forbes, investing.com, and Entrepreneur, among others. He is passionate about crypto... Read More

Back to top