🌐 Global & African Crypto News Roundup

November 24, 2025

In partnership with

Introducing the first AI-native CRM

Connect your email, and you’ll instantly get a CRM with enriched customer insights and a platform that grows with your business.

With AI at the core, Attio lets you:

  • Prospect and route leads with research agents

  • Get real-time insights during customer calls

  • Build powerful automations for your complex workflows

Join industry leaders like Granola, Taskrabbit, Flatfile and more.

In today’s issue, we unpack a turbulent moment in crypto markets — from Bitcoin’s sharp pullback and shifting macro sentiment to Africa’s rapidly expanding digital-asset economy and major regulatory moves shaping the future of Web3.

🌍 GLOBAL CRYPTO ROUND-UP

📉 Market Overview: Bitcoin & Altcoins Retreat

Bitcoin has been on a roller coaster. After plunging to the $80,000 zone last week, BTC has bounced back above $87,000, though still down roughly 20–31% from recent highs. Analysts attribute the volatility to weakening risk appetite, institutional outflows, and broader macro pressure.

Ethereum is struggling to reclaim momentum, hovering around $2,800–$2,900 after finding support near $2,749.
XRP has staged a modest rebound, trading at $2.08–$2.09, up from lows near $1.82.

Meanwhile, last week saw $1.94 billion in crypto outflows — the third-largest weekly outflow since 2018. Bitcoin accounted for $1.27 billion, and Ethereum saw $589 million leave institutional products.

🎭 ‘Tinkerbell Effect’ & Market Sentiment

Deutsche Bank issued a warning that Bitcoin’s valuation is increasingly influenced by what it described as the “Tinkerbell effect” — where prices depend heavily on collective belief rather than fundamentals. This sentiment reflects the growing caution among institutions as BTC pulls back from its peak of $126,272 in October.

🏛️ Regulatory & Institutional Moves

  • ClearToken, an institution-backed crypto clearing firm supported by Nasdaq, XTX, and Nomura, secured FCA approval in the UK — signaling stronger regulatory integration of digital-asset infrastructure.

  • In the US, the GENIUS Act officially became law, introducing the country’s first comprehensive regulatory framework for USD-backed payment stablecoins.

    • Stablecoins must now maintain 1:1 reserves.

    • Issuers must provide monthly reserve disclosures.

🛡️ Rising Security Threats

Crypto theft surged past $2.17 billion in the first half of 2025 — already exceeding 2024’s total. Notable incidents include:

  • A major breach involving ByBit

  • A security incident at India’s CoinDCX

The trend highlights the urgent need for stronger custody and security protocols globally.

🌏 Mining & Central Bank Responses

  • China has quietly regained its place as the third-largest Bitcoin mining hub, now holding 14% of global hash rate thanks to underground operations and cheaper power access.

  • The European Central Bank (ECB) doubled down on concerns about stablecoins, warning they could pose systemic financial risks due to their dependence on eurozone banking systems.

🌍 AFRICAN CRYPTO ROUND-UP

📈 Adoption & On-Chain Growth

Africa continues to strengthen its position as one of the world’s fastest-growing crypto regions.

Sub-Saharan Africa in Numbers

  • Recorded $205 billion in on-chain value between July 2024–June 2025 (+52% YoY).

  • Dominated by smaller-value transfers (<$10,000) — showing strong grassroots usage.

  • Nigeria alone processed $92.1 billion, nearly 3× South Africa’s volume.

Crypto Ownership

Africa remains a global leader in user adoption:

  • Nigeria: 73% of adults own or have owned crypto — highest globally.

  • South Africa: 68%

  • Ethiopia, Kenya, and South Africa all fall within the top global ranks on the Chainalysis Adoption Index.

Between July 2023–June 2024:

  • Nigeria received $59 billion in cryptocurrency value.

  • Sub-Saharan Africa received $125 billion, up $7.5 billion from the previous year.

⚖️ Regulation: Major Shifts Across the Continent

Nigeria

The SEC is pushing tougher 2025 rules:

  • Mandatory registration of all VASPs.

  • Strict KYC compliance for both local and cross-border crypto activities.
    Nigeria also granted Approval in Principle to local exchanges Quidax and Busha, signaling a shift toward structured oversight.

South Africa

  • Became the first African country to license crypto exchanges, issuing 248 licenses in 2024.

  • FSCA plans to tighten supervision further, including exchange-control measures.

  • Received $26 billion in crypto flows last year, driven by growing institutional involvement.

Countries where crypto enjoys clear legal recognition include:

  • Mauritius

  • South Africa

  • Central African Republic (Bitcoin legal tender alongside the CFA franc)

🏦 Major Players Expanding in Africa

Big global firms are positioning themselves aggressively on the continent:

  • Blockchain.com is expanding into Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, and South Africa, calling Nigeria its fastest-growing African market.

  • They are actively pursuing a local exchange license.

📱 Banking Integration

In a landmark move, Discovery Bank (South Africa) will integrate crypto trading directly in its banking app in partnership with Luno, starting December 2025 — a major step toward mainstream adoption.

💡 Why Africa’s Momentum Matters

African users strongly believe in crypto’s real-world benefits:

  • 58% of Nigerians and 47% of South Africans say crypto is “the future of money”.

  • Digital assets are widely used for:

    • Inflation hedging

    • Business payments

    • Cross-border remittances

    • Savings protection

Unlike many Western markets, Africa’s adoption is driven by utility, not speculation.

🔍 FINAL TAKE

  • Global markets are correcting, yet institutional involvement and regulatory clarity are improving.

  • Africa stands out as the most utility-driven crypto market in the world, where adoption is fueled by real needs rather than hype.

  • With banks entering the space, exchanges gaining licenses, and billions flowing annually, the continent is positioning itself as a critical frontier for the next wave of crypto innovation.