Barbados
From eNaira to eHryvnia, a Caribbean fintech develops CBDCs around the world
Barbados, a paradise island in the West Indies, is known for its azure beaches, tidal waves, shipwrecks, homegrown grown Barbadian hospitality and, more recently, an influx of remote workers. Now, one can add cryptocurrency innovations to that list as well. Bitt, a Barbadian fintech firm developing blockchain technology, has successfully created the eNaira central bank digital currency (CBDC) for Nigeria and is on the path to creating an electronic hryvnia for Ukraine. In an exclusive interview with Cointelegraph, Brian Popelka, CEO of Bitt, discussed the technology behind the eNaira and the roadmap for the firm going forward. Cointelegraph: Would you please describe the technology behind the eNaira digital currency that you created? Brian Popelka: It’s really a stablecoin...
In Plenty And In Time Of Need: Rihanna Hailed As National Hero In Barbados
HipHopWired Featured Video CLOSE Source: Pool / Getty Rihanna has been in the spotlight since the mid-2000s and is now one of the leading businesswomen of her era by way of both her hit sings and the popular Savage X Fenty fashion line. On Monday (Nov. 29), Rihanna was bestowed with the honor of national hero in her native Barbados, adding to the revelry of the island nation becoming the world’s newest republic. Prime Minister Mia Mottley offered glowing words to the 33-year-old artist born Robyn Rihanna Fenty, honoring her for providing continued service and philanthropy to her homeland. “Ambassador Robyn Rihanna Fenty has given service to Barbados which has been exemplified by visionary and pioneering leadership,” Prime Minister Mottley said. “May you continue to shine like a diamond and...
Nigerian government tenders foreign currency in ‘money laundering’ trial of ex-NAF chief
The Federal Government, on Thursday, tendered before the Federal High Court, Abuja, different currencies of dollars stashed in three bags as evidence in the money laundering charge against Air Commodore Umar Mohammed (rtd.) Counsel to the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Magaji Labaran, tendered the bags of money before Justice Inyang Ekwo while leading the only witness in the case, Stephen Olatubosun, in evidence. Newsmen report that Mohammed (1st defendant) and his company, Easy Jet Integrated Service Ltd (2nd defendant), are being charged with three counts bordering on money laundering, illegal possession of firearms and possession of classified documents without lawful authority. The retired air officer and his company are alleged to have received the sum of one million, thirt...
CONCACAF postpones start of World Cup qualifying until 2021 due to pandemic
CONCACAF has confirmed that the body’s member nations will have to wait until 2021 in order to begin qualifying for the 2022 Qatar World Cup. The federatin announced in August that the competition’s first group stage would commence with four rounds of fixtures to be played in the October and November international windows. Six qualifiers would then advance to the second round, from which a further five teams are planned to advance to the final stage alongside top-seeded CONCACAF nations Mexico, United States, Costa Rica, Honduras and Jamaica to determined the region’s 3.5 spots for Qatar. Now, though, the tournament faces further rescheduling as it was deemed that the planned 2020 fixtures will not take place due to the lingering danger of the coronavirus pandemic. “CONCACAF has held recen...
