How your investments fared in a volatile first quarter
A sharp market sell-off triggered by the Middle East conflict dented first-quarter returns, but local shares, bonds and property still posted strong 12-month gains.
SARB
Gambling figures mislead: SARB clarifies household spending trends
The Reserve Bank distinguishes between betting activity and losses, highlighting strong growth in online gambling but limited impact on overall household consumption.
Energy shock shifts rate outlook and raises stagflation risk
A Middle East-driven energy surge is reshaping inflation, interest rate expectations, and portfolio positioning, with direct implications for South Africa.
Rising oil prices complicate South Africa’s inflation outlook
After attacks disrupted traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, crude prices spiked sharply – raising the prospect of higher fuel costs and renewed inflation pressure locally.
SARB releases draft exchange control circulars implementing Budget reforms
The proposed changes include higher discretionary allowances, adjustments to cross-border payment limits, and administrative reforms affecting authorised dealers.
Former Steinhoff executive Stéhan Grobler fined R358.75m
The FSCA says Grobler contravened the Financial Markets Act by publishing false or misleading financial statements between 2014 and 2017.
SARB proposes ARP regime to formalise alternative remittance channels
The draft ARP Manual introduces licensing, capital, and AML/CFT obligations for informal remittance providers.
SARB moves to scrap prime rate as loan reference benchmark
The central bank’s consultation paper outlines a structured transition to policy-rate-based lending, with fallback protections for legacy contracts.
Ruling leaves key exchange control questions unresolved in crypto arbitrage dispute
The case focuses attention on how the exchange control framework applies to crypto platforms that facilitate offshore trading through loans.
Key fintech policy developments to watch in 2026
Regulatory initiatives across payments, digital assets, open finance and embedded finance are expected to progress this year.
What phasing out the prime lending rate means for consumers
The shift from prime to a repo-plus model won’t cut your debt overnight, but it promises more transparent lending.
SARB softens exchange control rules, but barriers for non-residents remain
The Reserve Bank has partially reversed its exchange control changes, removing tax-clearance requirements for some non-resident income flows. However, restrictions on rental income and directors’ fees remain in place.
NPC report recommends reducing retirement funds’ offshore limit
The National Planning Commission recommends revising Regulation 28 to redirect at least 20% of retirement fund assets towards infrastructure and productive fixed assets.
Countdown to JIBAR cessation: SARB urges market to step up transition to ZARONIA
South Africa’s financial markets brace for the end of Jibar as SARB signals a major shift toward the more transparent, transaction-based ZARONIA benchmark.
SARB adds crypto and stablecoins to new financial-stability risk category
Top domestic Bitcoin wallets moved nearly R63bn offshore since 2019, spurring the SARB and Treasury to develop a cross-border crypto transaction framework.
SARB clarifies 3% inflation target as policy shifts draw mixed reactions
The MPC’s first rate cut in months underscores the SARB’s view that a lower target can support a gradual easing cycle.
Treasury: 3% inflation target will improve competitiveness but squeeze short-term revenues
Godongwana announces a shift from the 3%-to-6% range to a 3% target with a 1-percentage-point tolerance band, to be implemented over two years.
