Unchained

How This Stablecoin Business in Africa Is Taking on SWIFT and Big Banks - Ep. 722

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Africa is quickly becoming one of the most dynamic regions for crypto adoption, but the story unfolding there is very different from what many in the West might imagine. 

Chris Maurice, co-founder and CEO of Yellow Card, joins the show to share how stablecoins are already transforming businesses across the continent, solving real-world problems, and taking on SWIFT. Plus, he explains why USDT is the stablecoin of choice there. 

He also dives into the long-term economic impact of crypto adoption and explains why anyone serious about business should be paying close attention to Africa. 

Show highlights:
  • What Yellow Card is and the focus on U.S. Dollar stablecoins
  • The complexities of doing business in Africa
  • Which African countries have the highest rate of adoption
  • Chris’s background and his fun story of how he got into working in Africa
  • How operating a company in Africa is different from other places
  • Why Yellow Card is currently operating with three stablecoins, and the dominance of USDT
  • Why Yellow Card only offers centralized stablecoins
  • Why everyone should pay more attention to the continent, according to Chris


    • Visit our website for breaking news, analysis, op-eds, articles to learn about crypto, and much more: unchainedcrypto.com

    Thank you to our sponsors!
    • Polkadot
    • Mantle
    • Robinhood & Arbitrum
      • Guest:
      Chris Maurice, cofounder and CEO of Yellow Card


      Links
      • Previous coverage of Unchained on stablecoins and emerging markets: 
      • Anita Posch on Why ‘Bitcoin Is a Tool for Freedom’ – Especially in Africa
      • 6 Stablecoins That Are Driving the Sector’s Two-Year High in Market Capitalization
      • Castle Island Ventures’ report: Stablecoins: The Emerging Market Story


        • Timestamps: 

        • 00:00 Intro
        • 02:03 What Yellow Card is and why it focuses on U.S. dollar-denominated stablecoins
        • 04:31 The complexities of doing business in Africa
        • 10:42 Which African countries have the highest crypto adoption
        • 19:17 How Chris got into working in Africa
        • 25:11 How operating in Africa differs from other regions
        • 32:42 Why USDT dominates Yellow Card’s stablecoin business
        • 38:31 Why Yellow Card only uses centralized stablecoins
        • 39:22 Does Africa deserve more attention?

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          UnchainedBy Laura Shin