VALR Partners with Checkout.com to Simplify Global Crypto Purchases

VALR, Africa’s largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, has announced a strategic partnership with global payment giant Checkout.com, marking a significant leap in simplifying international access to digital assets. The integration enables users worldwide to purchase cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and Solana (SOL) instantly using over 150 local currencies and familiar payment methods, including credit cards and digital wallets. This move directly addresses one of the largest barriers to crypto adoption—complex fiat on-ramps—and positions VALR for accelerated global expansion.

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Global Regulators Target Crypto, Social Media in New Crackdown

Financial and technology regulators worldwide are intensifying scrutiny across two distinct but significant frontiers: digital assets and online platforms. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and South Africa’s central bank have reiterated their concerns about the risks posed by stablecoins, even as U.S. markets adapt by allowing spot crypto products on futures exchanges. In a parallel regulatory push, European authorities have levied a substantial €120 million fine against social media platform X for violating the EU’s Digital Services Act, citing failures in content moderation and deceptive verification practices.

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South Africa Flags Crypto as Financial Stability Risk

The South African Reserve Bank has sounded the alarm on digital assets, formally identifying crypto assets and stablecoins as emerging threats to financial stability in its latest report. With 7.8 million users across the country’s three largest exchanges and approximately $1.5 billion held in custody, the central bank warns that rapid growth combined with regulatory gaps creates significant systemic risks that demand immediate attention.

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Dorsey-Backed Yellow Card: Dollar Barriers Fuel Stablecoin Adoption

African nations are emerging as global leaders in stablecoin adoption as businesses and consumers seek alternatives to traditional dollar-based systems. According to Yellow Card’s CEO Chris Maurice, the cumbersome user experience of the US dollar is driving this shift. The Dorsey-backed company revealed these insights at the Bloomberg Africa Business Summit in Johannesburg, highlighting a fundamental transformation in how African markets participate in global commerce.

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Ecobank CEO: Africa Needs More Savings for Growth, Jobs

Africa must mobilize greater domestic savings to fuel economic expansion and address the continent’s pressing employment challenges, according to Ecobank CEO Jeremy Awori. Speaking at the Bloomberg Africa Business Summit in Johannesburg, he emphasized that local investment must precede external funding, warning that failure to create sufficient jobs for Africa’s youthful population could lead to social instability and missed economic opportunities.

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Pepkor to Launch Zero-Fee Banking with Investec in South Africa

Africa’s largest clothing and mobile phone retailer Pepkor Holdings is poised to revolutionize South Africa’s banking landscape with plans to launch zero-fee banking services through its extensive retail network. The company is reportedly in advanced discussions with Investec to create ‘Pep Bank,’ a venture that would leverage Pepkor’s 6,000 stores to reach millions of underserved lower-income customers, marking a significant departure from Investec’s traditional high-net-worth clientele.

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G20 Pushes Financial Reform Despite Trump Absence

Global financial architecture reform remains a top priority for G20 nations as they convene for their annual summit, with South African Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola asserting that the world can progress with or without United States participation. The declaration comes despite the notable absence of US President Donald Trump, signaling a determined push for international cooperation on economic governance. Lamola’s comments, delivered at the inaugural Bloomberg Africa Business Summit in Johannesburg, underscore the collective resolve among member nations to address systemic financial challenges through coordinated action.

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VALR & Mukuru Launch USDC Wallet for African Savings

VALR, Africa’s largest crypto exchange by trade volume, has partnered with financial services platform Mukuru to introduce USD Coin wallets accessible via WhatsApp, marking a significant advancement in stablecoin infrastructure across the continent. This collaboration, announced in November 2025, leverages South Africa’s progressive regulatory environment to provide millions of users with access to dollar-denominated savings options, addressing currency volatility while expanding financial inclusion through regulated crypto solutions.

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South Africa Adopts 3% Inflation Target to Boost Growth

South Africa’s finance minister has officially adopted a 3% inflation target, providing political backing for the central bank’s long-sought policy change. The move aims to reduce living costs and borrowing expenses while supporting long-term economic expansion. However, the government cautioned that national debt will now peak at a slightly higher level than previously projected.

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XRP Rebounds to $2.40 as Institutional Adoption Accelerates

XRP has surged back above $2.40 as fresh institutional developments and growing regulatory clarity fuel renewed investor confidence. Ripple’s strategic acquisitions and expanding banking partnerships signal deepening corporate integration for the digital asset, while technical indicators suggest potential for further gains if key resistance levels are breached. The combination of institutional adoption, regulatory progress, and improving market liquidity creates a compelling backdrop for XRP’s continued recovery.

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VALR Secures South Africa’s First Crypto Derivatives License

VALR, South Africa’s largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, has achieved a significant regulatory breakthrough by securing both an Over-The-Counter Derivatives Provider license and an additional Financial Services Provider license from the Financial Sector Conduct Authority. This landmark approval positions VALR as one of the first entities in South Africa authorized to offer crypto-based derivatives products, marking a crucial step in bridging digital assets with traditional financial markets and establishing the nation as a pioneer in African crypto regulation.

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XRP Faces Key Resistance at $2.8 as Technicals Turn Bearish

XRP is trading under significant pressure as it struggles below crucial resistance levels, with technical indicators showing growing bearish momentum and analysts warning of potential further declines if bulls fail to break through key barriers. The cryptocurrency has dropped over 19% in the past week amid deteriorating market structure, with the $2.8 level emerging as a critical make-or-break threshold.

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