Fintech startups face significant challenges when expanding to Kenya, primarily due to the lengthy and complex process of obtaining an operating license. Obtaining a payment service provider (PSP) license can take up to two years, forcing startups to rely on workarounds such as partnerships with established players like telcos and banks. High market entry barriers…
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The Central Bank of Kenya is amending the country’s payment systems law, which will allow it to issue operating licenses to fintech startups. Governor Kamau Thugge said he expects the bank to complete the process of amending the law soon. Central Bank Aims to Support Fintech Startups The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) will soon…
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Lesaka Technologies, a fintech startup based in South Africa, recently signed a deal to acquire Adumo, a payment solutions provider, for nearly $86 million. Under the terms of the agreement, Lesaka Technologies will pay Adumo $12.5 million in cash. The funds will be sourced both internally and from external financiers. Lesaka Technologies to Issue Shares…
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South African fintech startup Ukheshe recently announced that it has acquired a 100% stake in EFT Corporation, an Africa-focused payment services provider. According to the startup, the acquisition takes Ukheshe closer to its stated goal of attaining a larger footprint in Africa and beyond. Access to New Technologies and Markets The South African fintech startup,…
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The Singapore-based payment gateway Alchemy Pay has been granted the money services license by the U.S. state of Iowa. Both this license and the money transmitter license obtained from Arkansas nearly two months earlier underline Alchemy’s “dedication to compliance.” Alchemy Now in the Same League as Established Payment Providers Alchemy Pay, a crypto on-ramp and…
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Twitter made an announcement on July 5, revealing that it has been granted money transmitter licenses by three states: Missouri, Michigan, and New Hampshire. These licenses are a part of Twitter’s endeavor to secure money transmitter licenses in all 50 U.S. states. With these recent approvals, Twitter can now function as a payment provider within…
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Customers of Binance Australia were trading bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies at lower prices than those on other platforms on Tuesday. The discount is apparently due to a popular Australian payment service preparing to cut off the crypto exchange from withdrawals in local currency. Bitcoin Trading at Lower Rates on Binance Australia Australians traded bitcoin (BTC)…
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The Nigerian payments startup, Nomba, is reported to have raised $30 million via a pre-Series B that was led by Base10 Partners. The new solution is expected to help the startup operate more efficiently and deliver “excellent customer experiences.” Plugging Gaps in Payment Processes Nomba, a Nigerian payments startup, has raised a US$30 million pre-Series…
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Bitcoin and crypto payment services provider Bitpay has announced that the company now supports the Polygon (MATIC) network. According to the firm, Bitpay app users will be able to store, trade, and spend MATIC later this week, and the collectibles company Panini America will be Bitpay’s first merchant to accept MATIC payments. Bitpay Reveals Polygon…
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A hacking group linked to the Anonymous collective has allegedly hit the popular Russian payment processor Qiwi. Network Battalion 65 announced on social media it had managed to gain access to the platform’s databases — a claim the company has denied.
Anonymous Affiliate Hacks Russian Payment System Qiwi
Hackers from Network Battalion 65 (NB65),…
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