Fintech

Fintech CEO: CBI Governor’s CBDC Views in Line with Tech Trajectory

Published

3 years ago

September 1, 2021

Recently, Governor of the Central Bank of Ireland Gabriel Makhlouf wrote extensively on the topic of central bank digital currencies, cryptocurrencies, and the digitalization of finance. He noted that a digital euro would need to “[remain] fit for purpose as a public good,” but that they must also prepare for a “change in view of the decrease in cash usage and increased digitalization.”

“One of the things that’s interesting about Governor Makhlouf’s blog post is how extensively he introduces the topic, covering both the opportunities and threats of CBDCs and digital currencies more generally. If you look at the writings coming out of major central banks, I think we can view Makhlouf as the gold standard in terms of being able to clearly articulate the issue in a way that the average citizen can understand,” Richard Gardner, CEO of Modulus, a US-based developer of ultra-high-performance trading and surveillance technology that powers global equities, derivatives, and digital asset exchanges

“[A]lthough we haven’t decided whether a digital euro will be introduced, I think it’s very likely to happen. In my view, it’s not a question of ‘if’ but rather ‘how and when’. To be clear, cash won’t disappear; a digital euro will complement it,” Makhlouf wrote.

“Not only did Makhlouf write that, in essence, he believes that CBDCs are inevitable, but he really laid out the differences between a digital currency and digital financial systems which are currently used, such as online bill pay and mobile banking technologies, while simultaneously explaining the how ‘a digital euro would represent a fundamental shift in the financial architecture…’ I think this is something that gets lost on a lot of commentators, as well as many who hold positions of power in government. So many don’t understand how blockchain technology is truly transformative,” opined Gardner.

Modulus is known throughout the financial technology segment as a leader in the development of ultra-high frequency trading systems and blockchain technologies. Over the past twenty years, the company has built technology for the world’s most notable exchanges, with a client list which includes NASA, NASDAQ, Goldman Sachs, Merrill Lynch, JP Morgan Chase, Bank of America, Barclays, Siemens, Shell, Yahoo!, Microsoft, Cornell University, and the University of Chicago.

“Like many in central banks, the governors aimed to dispel the theory that cryptocurrencies could be a viable currency, but, interestingly, seemed to suggest that they could more accurately be called ‘crypto assets.’ He discussed the drawbacks of crypto assets, including significant energy consumption, but then spent a sizable chunk of his column writing about the benefits of the underlying blockchain technology. I’ve always said that cryptocurrencies are only the tip of the blockchain iceberg. Blockchain technologies are going to be the 21st century equivalent of consumer credit,” opined Gardner.

On the topic of Distributed Ledger Technology, Makhlouf wrote that “[i]t has the potential to reduce transmission costs in the financial system as it could eliminate the need for intermediaries in some transactions. It could also have applications for ‘smart’ contracts, speeding up the specified actions in a contract once the agreed criteria are met. The use of DLT has increased in recent years – it certainly has potential – although it remains to be seen how widespread that will be.”

“In a thoughtful conclusion, the governor made note that the landscape is, indeed, changing and that there must be continued developments in the regulatory framework. Those things are unequivocally true, regardless of the immediate future of a digital euro. Now more than ever, we need leadership from our central banks. We need to bring the industry to the table and create a commonsense way to regulate all digital assets in a way which breeds innovation while offering protections to the citizenry,” opined Gardner.

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Temitayo Olukoya

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Fintech

Flutterwave Celebrates Inclusion in CNBC’s Top 250 Global Fintechs

Published

1 week ago

July 18, 2024

Samed Olukoya

Flutterwave has been recognized as one of the Top 250 Fintech companies globally by CNBC and Statista.

Joining the ranks of industry giants like Ali Pay, Klarna, Piggyvest, and Mastercard, this accolade underscores Flutterwave’s impact on the financial technology sector.

This honor follows Flutterwave’s recent inclusion in Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies list, highlighting the company’s pivotal role in transforming Africa’s payment landscape.

The recognition is a testament to Flutterwave’s dedication to innovation and excellence in providing seamless payment solutions across the continent.

Expressing gratitude, Flutterwave acknowledged its talented team, supportive board, reliable partners, and loyal customers for contributing to this success.

The company continues to drive progress in the fintech industry, reinforcing its commitment to enhancing financial accessibility and inclusion in Africa and beyond.

Flutterwave’s recognition on these prestigious lists marks a proud moment and a significant milestone in its journey, reflecting the company’s growing influence and leadership in the global fintech arena.

Fintech

Nigeria Sees 31% Increase in POS Fraud Amid Rising Terminal Adoption

Published

2 weeks ago

July 12, 2024

Samed Olukoya

The prevalence of fraud and forgery in Nigeria’s payment system has shown a significant shift in the first quarter of 2024, with Point-of-Sale (POS) transactions experiencing the highest increase in fraudulent activities.

According to the “Fraud and Forgeries Report in Nigerian Banks” for Q1 2024 by the Financial Institutions Training Centre (FITC), POS fraud cases surged by 31.12%.

In Q4 2023, there were 2,683 reported cases of fraud associated with POS terminals. However, this number escalated to 3,518 cases by Q1 2024.

POS fraud cases made up 30.67% of the total fraud cases (11,472) recorded in the quarter under review.

Financial Impact of POS Fraud

While there was a rise in fraud cases, the amount of money involved in POS fraud declined. In Q4 2023, the total amount involved in POS fraud was NGN604.91 million.

This amount decreased by 37.74% to NGN376.59 million by Q1 2024.

Also, the amount of money lost to POS fraud saw a significant decline, falling from NGN14.62 million by 68.34% to NGN4.63 million on a quarterly basis.

The decrease in financial losses may indicate improved detection and prevention measures, but the overall rise in fraud cases highlights the need for continued vigilance.

Adoption of POS Terminals

The rise in POS fraud cases is attributed to the widespread adoption of these terminals by merchants and consumers alike.

As a cash-driven Nigerian economy, the convenience and efficiency of POS transactions have made them a popular choice.

However, this widespread adoption has also made them a target for fraudsters seeking to exploit vulnerabilities in the system.

In Q1 2023, the number of registered POS terminals increased by 218,475, from 2,318,947 in January 2023 to 2,537,422 by March 2023.

By the same quarter in 2024, the number of registered POS terminals had increased by 289,154, from 3,441,287 in January 2024 to 3,730,441 by March 2024.

Overall, between the end of Q1 2023 and Q1 2024, Nigeria witnessed an additional 1,193,019 POS terminals, marking a 47.02% increase.

Despite this increase in the number of registered POS terminals, the first quarter of 2024 saw POS transaction volumes reach 314 million, which is a significant drop of 73.81 million, or 19.03%, from the 387.81 million transactions recorded in the first quarter of 2023.

Regulatory Measures and Industry Response

The Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) recently stated that POS agents of major fintechs in Nigeria, including OPay, Palmpay, and Moniepoint, among others, must have registered their businesses by July 7, 2024.

However, it extended the deadline by 60 days, giving operators until September 5, 2024. The CAC said the registration is aimed at safeguarding the businesses of fintechs and customers, as well as strengthening the economy.

Meanwhile, the Association of Mobile Money and Bank Agents in Nigeria (AMMBAN) condemned the mandated registration, describing it as an attempt to tax more Nigerians to generate revenue for the government.

Fintech

PalmPay Issues July 7 Deadline for POS Operators to Submit CAC Certificates

Published

3 weeks ago

July 5, 2024

Samed Olukoya

PalmPay has announced a firm deadline of July 7, 2024, for all Point of Sale (POS) operators using its platform to register with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) or submit their CAC certificates.

This mandate aims to ensure compliance with Section 863 (1) of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 2020 and the 2013 Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) guidelines on Agent Banking.

In a statement released on Thursday, PalmPay emphasized the importance of adhering to these legal requirements.

“Following CAC’s directive for POS operators to register and submit their CAC details on or before July 7, 2024, PalmPay is encouraging its business users who have not yet complied with the directive to do so promptly,” the statement read.

This initiative comes in the wake of a two-month registration deadline issued by the Federal Government through the CAC, mandating POS companies to register their agents, merchants, and individuals.

The directive is part of broader efforts to bring regulatory compliance and transparency to Nigeria’s burgeoning fintech sector.

To facilitate the registration process, PalmPay has integrated the CAC registration portal into its Business App.

This integration allows operators to seamlessly register their businesses and submit the required documents, ensuring a smoother compliance process.

Umuteme Enakeno, Head of Marketing and Communication at PalmPay, reiterated the company’s support for the CAC directive.

“PalmPay fully supports the CAC’s directive. We provide 24/7 customer support and conduct weekly meetings to guide operators through the process,” Enakeno stated.

He also highlighted that operators can seek assistance through PalmPay’s customer support channels, including phone, email, or in-person visits to any of the 36 state offices across Nigeria.

PalmPay has urged all its business customers to submit or register their CAC details before the deadline.

“Register your business via the PalmPay Business App: Ensure that all necessary documents and information are provided accurately before submitting your application. Update your PalmPay account once you get the certificate to reflect your new corporate status,” Enakeno advised.

Failure to comply with the CAC registration requirement will result in the freezing of PalmPay accounts, the company warned.

This stringent measure underscores PalmPay’s commitment to aligning with national regulatory standards and fostering a compliant fintech ecosystem.

Meanwhile, the Association of Mobile Money and Bank Agents in Nigeria, representing POS operators, has indicated plans to challenge the mandatory CAC registration in court, questioning its legality and potential impact on their operations.