🤓 Revolut started offering crypto services in Brazil

Digital bank Revolut has started offering crypto services in Brazil.

“Our mission is to open up the borderless economy with affordable and easy-to-use financial products that enable our clients to use their money efficiently. We will start with a global account and cryptocurrency investments, but this is just the beginning,” said CEO Nick Stronsky.

🤔 Lack of regulatory clarity in payment solutions could undermine US sanctions

If the United States fails to maintain its dominance in financial innovation and payments, it could affect its national security policy, especially with regard to sanctions, according to former State Department official Anya Manuel.

"While we're fiddling around here and don't have a sound regulatory framework in the US, China is moving forward and many others are moving forward," Manuel said. “If, for example, Chinese payment solutions become dominant in the developing world, the sanctions will become much tougher.”

🤓 Azure Marketplace from Microsoft has integrated blockchain services

Microsoft and crypto company Space and Time have entered into a partnership.

As part of the partnership, developers on the Microsoft Azure Marketplace will have accelerated access to indexed blockchain data, allowing them to quickly connect large amounts of corporate data to smart contracts.

Through integration, enterprises will also be able to access decentralized data without overhauling existing infrastructure.

Earlier, Microsoft's venture arm, M12, led a $20 million strategic funding round for Space and Time.

😂 El Salvador Attracts Former IMF Official Amid Bitcoin Trouble

The El Salvador government enlisted the help of Alejandro Werner, a former International Monetary Fund official, as an advisor in its efforts to broker a deal with a multilateral lender as El Salvador ran into bitcoin risk and bond issues.

Despite the growth of its economy, El Salvador is currently excluded from global bond markets and credit default swaps point to a 79 percent chance of default over the next 5 years.

📊 Cryptocurrency transfers to El Salvador fell by 18% in early 2023

Remittances in bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies sent to El Salvador fell by 17.8% during the first two months of 2023 compared to 2022, according to the latest data released by the country's Central Reserve Bank (BCR).

According to BCR, remittances received through cryptocurrencies accounted for only 1.34% of the total received by the country, which amounted to nearly null.2 milion