Coinbase Expands USDC Services in Africa in Latest Push

Coinbase Expands USDC Stablecoin Access in 20 African Countries With Focus on Remittance Efficiency

Written & Edited by
Kyle Baird

12 January 2024 09:30 UTC

Coinbase expands with Yellow Card, introducing USDC in 20 African countries for economic growth.
In high-inflation African countries, Coinbase's USDC enhances savings and remittance efficiency.
African nations embrace CBDCs, offering stability and digital accessibility to the unbanked populace.

Coinbase is expanding its services across 20 African nations in partnership with Yellow Card. This initiative promises to introduce USDC, a stablecoin, across emerging economies, revolutionizing remittance and savings practices in regions plagued by economic volatility.

The Coinbase team noted, “In regions where instability and inflation are prevalent, Coinbase’s introduction of USDC provides a stable alternative to traditional banking systems.”

Coinbase Goes ‘Broad and Deep’ Into Africa

This sentiment reflects the profound need for innovative financial solutions in these economies. The collaboration aims to mitigate the challenges in accessing and transferring funds, particularly in high-inflation and remittance-dependent countries.

Coinbase Wallet users will soon experience the benefits of this expansion. Starting in February, they can purchase USDC directly within the app.

Moreover, the partnership with Yellow Card ensures easy access to one of the main US dollar stablecoin offerings, enhancing transactional efficiency.

The significance of this venture is best encapsulated in Coinbase’s “Go Broad, Go Deep” strategy, which focuses on compliant international expansion.

This strategic approach aims to build a foundation of clear rules and partnerships, facilitating innovation and integrating a substantial portion of the global population into the cryp t o economy.

CBDC Wave and the Obstacles It Presents

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Concurrently, many African nations are at the forefront of embracing Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs). This shift underscores the continent’s commitment to modernizing its financial systems.

African countries that are exploring or piloting CBDC programs. Source: IMF / CBDCtracker

However, the path to widespread adoption of digital currencies like USDC and CBDCs is laden with challenges. Infrastructure requirements, digital literacy, and trust in centralized systems are significant obstacles.

Africa Blockchain Association member Daniel Arok reiterated this point, stating:

“A lot of scams have been done in the name of crypto in Africa – people have therefore been sceptical of crypto in Africa, and this was heightened by the controversies.”

Additionally, these digital ventures could disrupt existing monetary frameworks, necessitating responsive and adaptive regulatory measures.

Overall, Coinbase’s expansion into Africa, alongside the continent’s exploration of CBDCs, heralds a new era of financial inclusion and economic empowerment. This move is both an expansion of services and a commitment to reshaping economic landscapes.

As these digital financial systems evolve, they promise potential economic opportunities for improved financial access and autonomy across Africa.

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