News & Events

Pakistan has passed the Virtual Assets Act 2026, with the Senate approving it on February 27, the National Assembly on March 3, and President Asif Ali Zardari signing it into immediate effect. This creates the Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (PVARA) with full power to license, regulate, and supervise exchanges, custodians, brokers, and token issuers nationwide, enforcing compliance and market conduct standards.

Binance and HTX received No Objection Certificates to begin AML registration (local subsidiaries needed for full licenses); unlicensed activity risks 5 years in jail or Rs. 50M fines, plus bans on manipulation/insider trading and FATF-aligned AML/CTF rules.

It includes a Shariah Advisory Committee for Islamic compliance. The government is also pursuing a Bitcoin reserve, allocating 2,000 MW surplus power for mining/AI data centers, and inked an MOU with Trump-linked World Liberty Financial for stablecoin cross-border payments.

Read the original article here: https://blockonomi.com/pakistan-enacts-virtual-assets-act-2026-sets-crypto-rules/

Kenya and Rwanda are developing a shared regulatory framework that would allow fintech firms to operate in both countries under a single licence, potentially removing one of the biggest obstacles to regional expansion for African digital payments companies.

Under the proposed system, regulators in Nairobi and Kigali would recognise each other’s approvals, while retaining joint oversight and cooperating on supervision. At present, startups must secure separate licences in each country, a duplication that pushes up compliance costs and slows the rollout of cross‑border payment services.

By moving towards mutual recognition, the two central banks hope to support the responsible growth of fintechs and deepen regulatory collaboration. If adopted, the framework could speed up the expansion of East Africa’s digital payments market by making it easier for companies to scale across borders.

Read the original article here: https://businessday.ng/technology/article/kenya-rwanda-move-toward-single-licence-for-cross-border-fintech-expansion/#google_vignette

Afriland First Bank and Visa have signed a three-year strategic deal to speed up digital payments and expand financial inclusion across Cameroon. This agreement is Visa’s first standalone partnership with a local Cameroonian bank.

The collaboration, called a “Growth Agreement,” aims to modernise payment systems, make banking more accessible, and reduce the country’s heavy reliance on cash transactions. Only about 20 per cent of Cameroonians currently use formal banking services, though the rate rises to around 45 per cent when mobile money and microfinance are included.

Read the full article here: https://www.businessincameroon.com/finance/1203-15882-afriland-first-bank-visa-sign-growth-agreement-to-expand-digital-payments-in-cameroon