🇨🇫 CAR follows El Salvador to become only the second country to make #bitcoin legal tender.
President Touadera said it was to “improve the conditions" of its citizens and make it “one of the world’s boldest" countries.
But a former PM said the law was a rushed “proclamation”.
🇨🇫 CAR is not ready for crypto, argues @PeterJHowson.
✈️ It doesn't have overseas workers who turn to #cryptocurrencies to send money home - and is unlikely to attract crypto investors.
💻 It also has very poor internet access.
⚡️ Only 14% of its population has electricity.
🚩 Logistical issues aren’t the only red flags for experts.
🚨 CAR’s government relies on foreign military assistance to keep control.
🇷🇺 This includes the Wagner Group, a private military security contractor with links to the Russian government, says @PeterJHowson.
🇷🇺 How does Russia come into play?
⚡️ @PeterJHowson explains #Bitcoin has enabled the country to fund covert operations across Africa despite sanctions.
💰 He also argues that it has helped funnel more money to lobbyists to expand Russia’s influence in the region.
It isn't just crypto’s role in CAR that should concern us, but elsewhere in Africa too, says @PeterJHowson.
🇪🇹 In Ethiopia, developers of #Cardano crypto are working with authorities to build surveillance systems, despite reported crimes against humanity by paramilitaries there.
📊 If you work in crypto, tell us: are you concerned about how it could be used across Africa? tmsnrt.rs/3L1HO3G
💎 Research by @PeterJHowson’s team shows that across the world’s troubled spots, resource wars and economic crises are the ideal conditions for global trading in a new kind of high-tech ‘blood diamond’ - #cryptocurrency.
✈️ More countries are now issuing digital nomad visas which allow people to stay and work for up to two years. tmsnrt.rs/3Q8k2FH
⭕️ Tourist hot-spots have been quick to embrace digital nomads.
🌏 Places like Aruba, Barbados, Cape Verde, Croatia, Estonia, Indonesia, Malta and Norway have created visas which allow people to stay put and work for up to two years. tmsnrt.rs/3Q8k2FH
🇺🇦 "A new nation appeared in the world on Feb. 24... It was not born, but reborn,” said @ZelenskyyUa in a speech to celebrate Ukraine's 31st independence day.
Today marks six months since the invasion by Russia. Here's how the crisis affected the lives of ordinary Ukrainians. 🧵
🇺🇦 The war triggered Europe's worst refugee crisis since the end of WWII, @UNmigration reported.
🇪🇺 Most refugees have crossed to the EU.
In May, nearly 400 of them found a haven in France under a community project.
⭕️ More than 1.5 million children have fled the war in Ukraine by March.
📚 From Ireland to Poland, countries expanded classes and fast-tracked the registration of Ukrainian teachers to ensure children do not lose out on education.
🇲🇽 Many Mexicans can't afford to buy basic food...
🇧🇷 Meat is becoming a luxury in Brazil...
🇻🇪 And some Venezuelans can't even pay to bury their dead.
The cost-of-living crisis is wreaking havoc in countries worldwide.
Here’s how three nations in the Americas are coping. 🧵
🇲🇽 In Mexico, the #UkraineCrisis has pushed the price of corn to a nine-year high.
Vegetable oil prices are also up by 23% over the last year. Inflation is at a 21-year high of nearly 8%.
🌮 Families are cutting back on staples like tacos and empanadas.