Crypto in Africa: SA Crypto Fest 2019 and crypto-themed socks

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As a leading crypto and blockchain country, South Africa is taking things to the next level. Leaders are showing their support for blockchain and cryptocurrency. Seemingly, support by leaders for digital assets has helped raise adoption levels in the country. South Africa also plans to hold a big digital currency event, Crypto Fest 2019, that is expected to influence crypto numbers to new levels.

South Africa to host its first ever crypto Fest

The organizers of the Blockchain Africa Conferences announced that they will be hosting the first ever cryptocurrency and blockchain festival in South Africa. The conference will be held in Cape Town on September 7, 2019.

According to their website, the organizers stated that the conference is expected to attract more than 200 delegates covering over 30 countries. The meeting is a one-day festival comprising of a variety of financial markets, including trading companies, payment systems, investment firms, mining operations, initial coin offerings (ICOs) and initial exchange offerings (IEOs), crypto enthusiasts, thought leaders, industry innovators, and legal practitioners. Everything crypto-related under one roof.

While planning is still underway, the organizers already have more than 15 speakers scheduled for the festival. Lorien Gamaroff, founder and CEO of Bankymoon, is among those who will be speaking at the event. He is also the co-founder and CEO of Centbee. As South Africa’s blockchain expert, Gamaroff takes center stage to speak on cryptocurrencies and distributed ledgers and how emerging economies stand to benefit. He has addressed major implementation processes with the World Bank, FBI and Commonwealth Secretariat, IMF, and the South African Reserve Bank. He guides business executives and advises governments on blockchain technologies alongside their implications.

Other speakers include Connie Gallippi, founder and Executive Director at BitGive Foundation, James Preston, Managing Editor at SA Crypto, Rocelo Lopes, founder of CoinBR, CEO of Stratum, and CoinPY, and JuegenKuhnel, co-founder and CEO of Xago.

With an outstanding combination of experts, innovators, traders, regulators, and investors, the festival opens up networking channels for all present parties. It will provide the avenue to discussing the future of cryptocurrencies and its impact on the world part of the objectives during the festival. Crypto Fest 2019 is no doubt a landmark for the crypto and blockchain technologies not only for the crypto community in South Africa but also for the entire continent as a whole.

SA president’s son wears Bitcoin-themed socks during inauguration

The year started with a lot of crypto and blockchain promises from political leaders in their quest for power. Some are yet to deliver while others are taking the bull by its horns. Recently, the son to the sixth president of South Africa showed his support for cryptocurrencies by wearing Bitcoin themed socks to his father’s inauguration.

Tumelo Ramaphosa, sporting Bitcoin-themed socks, displayed his great determination and support for digital currencies. Ramaphosa has been a strong advocate for implementing blockchain technology in Africa. In 2018, he was part of the team responsible for Organizing and Unlocking the Blockchain Africa Conference that took place in Johannesburg. The conference was aimed at helping the unbanked communities get banking services.

Reportedly, Ramaphosa began his crypto journey back in 2010. He has taken up different projects around blockchain and cryptocurrencies. One of Ramaphosa’s projects is the StudEx startup. This project came about with his desire to solve problems for the raring livestock industry. His projects seek to digitize ownership of cattle and relating assets (wildlife) for the locals. It also solves pricing when it comes to selling livestock.

Ramaphosa is expected to lead the launch of the first blockchain-focused university this year. The blockchain-focused university will boost efforts from young entrepreneurs in South Africa by educating them on the technology. Ramaphosa believes that an educated nation improves the chances of successfully venturing into the blockchain industry.  

Ramaphosa’s decision to wear crypto-theme related socks to his father’s swearing-in ceremony shows his commitment to spreading crypto adoption in South Africa.