News & Events

South Africa will make history by hosting the first-ever Global Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SME) Ministerial Meeting in Johannesburg from July 22 to 24, Small Business Development Minister Stella Ndabeni announced recently.

The landmark gathering aims to strengthen the voice of SMEs within the G20 framework, with South Africa pushing for a dedicated MSME Working Group. The meeting will bring together ministers and officials to address critical challenges facing small businesses globally, including access to capital and trade barriers amid growing protectionism. Ndabeni emphasised the crucial role of small businesses in the global economy, noting they constitute 90 per cent of all enterprises and provide two-thirds of worldwide employment. The meeting will focus on developing practical solutions to support the SME ecosystem and enhance their participation in global value chains.

The initiative represents a significant step toward elevating small business concerns on the international stage and fostering collaborative policy solutions for the sector’s growth.

Read the original article here: https://www.ena.et/web/eng/w/eng_6683082

Pakistan has taken a significant step in its digital transformation by awarding its first Blockchain-based High Performance Computing (HPC) license to Higgs Computing Limited’s data centre.

The Special Technology Zones Authority (STZA) issued the license with support from the Ministry of IT and Telecom and the State Bank of Pakistan. The facility, which combines Blockchain, AI, and Big Data capabilities, is projected to generate up to $2 million in annual foreign exchange earnings.

Operating with an initial 7-megawatt power capacity, the data centre aims to utilise Pakistan’s surplus electricity while advancing the country’s digital infrastructure. The project emphasises enhanced security and transparency through Blockchain technology. Government officials have hailed the initiative as revolutionary, viewing it as a crucial step toward Pakistan’s economic diversification and technological advancement.

Read the original article here: https://propakistani.pk/2025/05/29/govt-issues-pakistans-first-blockchain-based-computing-license-to-data-center/

The Blockchain Group has announced a €63 million convertible bond issuance to expand its Bitcoin holdings, joining the growing ranks of institutional investors betting on the cryptocurrency.

The French technology company’s bonds, denominated in Bitcoin and convertible to company shares, will see 95% of the raised funds directed toward Bitcoin purchases. The remaining 5% will cover operational expenses and treasury management fees. Major participants in the bond issuance include Moonlight Capital, Fulgur Ventures, and UTXO Management. The company has already acquired 590 Bitcoin at €100,000 per coin, bringing its total holdings to 1,437 BTC.

The announcement comes amid surging institutional interest in Bitcoin, which currently trades at $109,256, just 2.31% below its record high of $111,970. Recent market activity includes Strategy’s purchase of 4,020 BTC, BlackRock’s expanding ETF holdings, and Japan’s Metaplanet’s continued accumulation. The Blockchain Group’s move mirrors similar strategies employed by other institutional investors, as Bitcoin’s realised market capitalisation reaches $900 billion. Market speculation has intensified with rumours of Trump Media planning a $3 billion Bitcoin investment, while cryptocurrency trader James Wynn predicts significant price movements.

Read the original article here: https://coingape.com/blockchain-group-expands-bitcoin-strategy-with-e63m-bond-issuance/