{"id":35289,"date":"2022-11-16T11:12:28","date_gmt":"2022-11-16T11:12:28","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/egrowonline.com\/?p=35289"},"modified":"2022-11-16T11:12:28","modified_gmt":"2022-11-16T11:12:28","slug":"african-crypto-industry-leaders-perspective-and-advice-to-regulators-bitcoin-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/egrowonline.com\/?p=35289","title":{"rendered":"African Crypto Industry Leaders’ Perspective and Advice to Regulators \u2013 Bitcoin News"},"content":{"rendered":"


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The collapse of FTX and subsequent calls for tougher regulation by the likes of U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren have increased the likelihood of regulators adopting even stricter crypto laws. In Africa, crypto industry participants warn of the unintended consequences arising from rushed and over-restrictive regulations.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Game-Changing Role of Crypto in Africa<\/h2>\n

As the crypto industry continues to grapple with the ramifications of FTX\u2019s collapse and the resulting loss of trust, regulators have been quick to use this incident to support their call for more stringent regulations. Opponents of bitcoin and decentralized digital assets like U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren have blasted regulators for allowing entities such as FTX to operate outside regulation.<\/p>\n

Compounding matters for crypto enthusiasts who may want to lobby against damaging legislation is the impression that crypto entrepreneurs are not bound or guided by any known code of conduct. Critics of the industry believe this lack of rules or ethics is what motivates scammers, and those with an insatiable desire for high-risk trades, to experiment with customer funds.<\/p>\n

Yet, when these experiments and gambles fail to pay off, the investors often lose everything while the culprits like Sam Bankman-Fried \u2014 founder and CEO of FTX \u2014 play the video game<\/a> Storybook Brawl which he says helps him to \u201cunwind a bit.\u201d<\/p>\n

Many in the crypto industry now fear the collapse of FTX will see regulators around the world use this as a pretext for installing tougher regulatory regimes which may stifle innovation.<\/p>\n

In Africa, where FTX had a minimal footprint, commenters believe regulators there are likely to use the crypto exchange\u2019s collapse as justification for refusing to regulate or for banning crypto entities altogether. This will be despite crypto assets\u2019 game-changing role in Africa\u2019s remittances and cross-border payments arena.<\/p>\n

To understand the African crypto and blockchain industry\u2019s perspective, Bitcoin.com News spoke to several industry participants from the continent including Senator Ihenyen, the president of the Nigerian lobby group Stakeholders in Blockchain Technology Association of Nigeria (SIBAN). Ihenyen said it is correct to believe that the global crypto industry is headed for an era that is characterized by even tougher regulation, and more skeptical governments.<\/p>\n

Tougher Regulation Leads to Reduced VC Funding<\/h2>\n

However, Ihenyen said while it is understandable that politicians like Warren may want tougher regulation, he reckons that this may not be the best approach. He explained:<\/p>\n

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Rather, as I have continued to advocate, regulators need to reimagine the role of regulation in today\u2019s increasingly decentralized economy.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Instead of introducing tougher laws, the SIBAN boss said it would be best if the U.S. Congress, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and other regulators were to consider regulatory \u201cframeworks that encourage and require accountability, security, and transparency in the crypto market.\u201d<\/p>\n

Concerning how any tougher regulation of the crypto industry by the U.S. authorities will affect industry players in Africa, Ihenyen said there are likely to be two outcomes. The first outcome is the drying up of venture capital funding \u201cfor crypto projects, particularly exchanges and token-based platforms.\u201d The second likely outcome would be that of U.S. and European Union-based investors \u201cbecoming more interested in exploring opportunities in Africa\u2019s fast-growing retail crypto market.\u201d<\/p>\n

BTC<\/a> \u2018a Financial Lifeline\u2019<\/h2>\n

Rume Ophi, a crypto enthusiast and educator, told Bitcoin.com News that the collapse of FTX had hit very close to home and that his own education efforts have been affected. While he said he sympathizes with affected users, Ophi notes regulators should not use this to justify imposing stricter regulation as this can create other problems.<\/p>\n

\u201cStricter regulation will only promote money laundering,\u201d Ophi argued.<\/p>\n

Another industry voice from Africa, Nathaniel Luz, a Nigeria-based crypto advocate and author of the book titled \u201cBitcoin is Cash,\u201d concurred that the U.S. regulators are now under increased pressure to respond. However, just as he has argued in his book, Luz told Bitccoin.com News that since Africans see cryptocurrencies like BTC<\/a> differently from Westerners, any regulatory response must be cognizant of this fact. He explained:<\/p>\n

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While bitcoin is a luxury for the West, it is a lifeline for Africans. For them, it is just another asset or stock but for us, it is a financial lifeline.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Meanwhile, in their joint response to questions sent by Bitcoin.com News, Daniel Mulondo and Killian Mugenyi, the co-founders of the crypto academy Nileone, advised regulators to take advantage of the situation to engage with all stakeholders including educators. To crypto critics using the FTX collapse as fodder, Mulondo and Mugenyi said:<\/p>\n

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Has anything fundamentally changed regarding the technology? The answer is no. This is a failure of a centralized entity, an exchange. It has sadly tarnished the industry and no doubt delayed adoption.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Register your email here to get a weekly update on African news sent to your inbox:<\/em><\/p>\n

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\nTags in this story
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Cross Border Payment<\/a>, Daniel Mulondo<\/a>, Elizabeth Warren<\/a>, ftx<\/a>, Killian Mugenyi<\/a>, Nathaniel Luz<\/a>, remittances<\/a>, Rume Ophi<\/a>, Sam Bankman-Fried (SBF)<\/a>, Senator Ihenyen<\/a>, Stakeholders in Blockchain Technology Association of Nigeria (SIBAN)<\/a>, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

What are your thoughts on this story? Let us know what you think in the comments section below. <\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

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\nTerence Zimwara <\/h6>\n

\nTerence Zimwara is a Zimbabwe award-winning journalist, author and writer. He has written extensively about the economic troubles of some African countries as well as how digital currencies can provide Africans with an escape route.

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Image Credits<\/b>: Shutterstock, Pixabay, Wiki Commons<\/em><\/p>\n

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Disclaimer<\/strong>: This article is for informational purposes only. It is not a direct offer or solicitation of an offer to buy or sell, or a recommendation or endorsement of any products, services, or companies. Bitcoin.com<\/a> does not provide investment, tax, legal, or accounting advice. Neither the company nor the author is responsible, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on any content, goods or services mentioned in this article.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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