Earlier this month, many blockchain media outlets, including Cointelegraph itself as well as Decrypt, Beincrypto and LedgerInsight, reported that Tunisia had become the first country to digitize its national currency on a blockchain platform. But that news was incorrect. The story was originally was broken on Nov. 7 by two Russian state-owned news agencies, Tass and Iz.ru, which also highlighted that the Russian blockchain platform Universa was assisting the Central Bank of Tunisia, or BCT, in the task. By Nov. 11, the BCT denied all claims regarding the development of a central bank digital currency. Specifically, the bank declared that …

The Central Bank of Tunisia (BCT) has denied reports stating that the bank is developing a central bank digital currency (CBDC). An official announcement from the BCT follows apparently false reports that Tunisia was the first country to start moving its national currency to a blockchain platform and was preparing to launch its “e-dinar.” Central Bank of Tunisia is focused on the digitization of finance In the statement, the BCT refuted all claims regarding the development of a digital money solution. The central bank clarified that it is now exploring various methods of digital payment alternatives, including a possible CBDC, …

Disclaimer: As of Nov. 12, Tunisia’s central bank has denied reports that it is developing a digital currency. Please read the below article with appropriate skepticism. Tunisia has become the first country to start moving its national currency to a blockchain platform. Russian ICO startup Universa will help issue and manage Tunisia’s Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC), reported Russian news agency Tass on Nov. 7. E-dinar expected to be more transparent, cheaper to issue The Central Bank of Tunisia announced that the digitization of the Tunisian dinar has started and that the paper-backed CBDC will be issued on the Universa …

Afghanistan and Tunisia’s central banks are looking to issue a bitcoin (BTC) bond, Hong Kong-based news outlet Asia Times reports on April 17. Per the report, the governors of the two country’s central banks spoke at the annual Spring Meetings of the Boards of Governors of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund in Washington between April 8 and 14. Afghanistan’s central bank governor Khalil Sediq allegedly told Asia Times that the institution is considering issuing a sovereign crypto bond to raise $5.8 billion. The funds would be used for private-sector investment in mining, energy and agriculture. Alongside …

The Tunisian Internet Agency (ATI) is going provide hosting services for the Russian blockchain platform Universa, according to a press release shared with Cointelegraph on Dec. 19. Founded in 1996, the ATI is a governmental body run by the Ministry of Communications with the objective to promote Internet usage in the country. Per the release, the ATI has signed a 10-year renewable strategic partnership with the blockchain platform Universa to provide hosting services for the platform and facilitate its further development. The agreement sets up a range of objectives, wherein the ATI will develop value-added services in the blockchain field, …

Saudi Arabian developmental institution the Islamic Development Bank Group (IsDB) has partnered with a Tunisian startup to develop interbank blockchain tools, a press release confirmed Nov. 29. IsDB, which will conduct the project through its private sector subsidiary, the Islamic Corporation for the Development of Private Sector (ICD), wants to improve Islamic financial institutions’ liquidity management and increase overall efficiency. The institution signed an agreement with Tunis-based iFinTech Solutions, a dedicated outfit which describes itself as an “Investment Advisory Firm focused on alternative financial solutions based on Islamic principles.” The impetus behind using blockchain for the initiative lies in the …