Categories: Business

Central African Republic adopts Bitcoin as currency

The Central African Republic follows El Salvador in making crypto legal tender #bitcoin

The world’s most popular cryptocurrency – Bitcoin – has become legal tender in the Central African Republic.

Lawmakers unanimously voted to adopt Bitcoin alongside the country’s traditional currency, the CFA franc, and the country’s President signed the measure into law on Wednesday, the president’s office said in a statement. The law also legalizes the use of digital currencies and makes cryptocurrency exchanges exempt from tax.

The move “places the Central African Republic on the map of the world’s boldest and most visionary countries”, the presidency said. The opposition, however, disagreed, saying that the law is aimed at undermining the regional currency that’s backed by France and pegged to the euro. The CFA franc is shared by the Central African Republic, Cameroon, Chad, the Republic of Congo, Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.

El Salvador became the first country in the world to adopt Bitcoin as legal currency last September. The International Monetary Fund criticized the move, citing “large risks for financial stability” stemming from price volatility of the digital coin. A recent survey carried out by the US-based National Bureau of Economic Research found that the usage of Bitcoin for everyday transactions in El Salvador remains low and that it is mostly used by the educated, young, and male population.

Whisper Eye

Recent Posts

Four children  bitten by marauding dogs in Zombo

By Mike Rwothomio Four minors below the age of 10, are nursing serious injuries inflicted…

21 hours ago

Ministry of works announces  full closure of Karuma bridge

The ministry of works and transport has announced the full  closure of  Karuma bridge effective…

2 days ago

Four Suspects  on the run over  murder of  90-year-old Woman

By Alex Pithua The police in Lira City are investigating and searching for four suspects…

4 days ago

Herds of  Elephant Attack motorcyclist in Buliisa

BY Alex Pithua A Boda-Boda cyclist narrowly escaped death after he was attacked by stray…

4 days ago

Museveni Accused Kyagulanyi again  Of Rigging 2021 Presidential Election

By Alex Pithua and Mike Rwothomio President Museveni has accused National Unity Platform (NUP) twice…

4 days ago

Munamasaka Nsereko Emma releases Museveni’s birthday song, “Obuzaale Bwakaguta”

Renowned Ugandan singer Munamasaka Emma Nsereko, famous for his hit song Museveni Awoma, has once…

7 days ago