Building South Africa’s digital financial rails
The emergence of tokenised assets raises the question whether SA can develop trusted local infrastructure rather than rely on systems built elsewhere.
SARB
JIBAR transition enters legislative phase
A Bill before Parliament would give the SARB a statutory mechanism to address legacy contracts that still reference JIBAR when the benchmark ceases at the end of 2026.
Fintech Kastelo weighs walking away from appealing blocking order
The FSP has paused its crypto-arbitrage service after the High Court upheld the SARB’s order, finding reasonable grounds to suspect exchange control contraventions.
Draft manual sets out proposed cross-border crypto regime
Early industry reaction focuses the implications for stablecoin payments and self-custody wallets, and the compliance burden.
Kganyago: Stop betting on sports and start betting on growth
The SARB’s governor argues the country knows how to revive the economy; the real test is whether it has the resolve to implement the necessary reforms.
Why the second half of 2026 demands a different investment playbook
After an unpredictable first half, Morningstar outlines the risks, opportunities, and investment themes it believes will shape markets for the rest of 2026.
SARB fines Southeast Exchange R600 000 for FICA failures
An inspection by the South African Reserve Bank uncovered shortcomings in a foreign exchange dealer’s anti-money laundering compliance framework.
COFI at the heart of FSCA’s 2026 regulation plan
The Authority’s three-year roadmap also outlines upcoming reforms affecting financial markets, retirement funds, payment services, and cross-sector regulation.
SARB forfeits nearly R11m in assets from former Steinhoff executive
The Reserve Bank orders the forfeiture of Chris Grové’s cash, property, and vehicles following a long-running exchange-control dispute.
Ithala enters next phase as repayment administrator’s role comes under review
As the National Treasury-backed repayment programme for Ithala depositors nears completion, KZN Treasury says the Prudential Authority will review the repayment administrator’s role.
Could your Uber ride be processed as an international payment?
The SARB is proposing new rules to address situations where local services are paid for through offshore payment networks.
Consumers fear they are running out of financial breathing room
A Debt Rescue survey suggests many households have little capacity left to absorb higher borrowing costs, adding to concerns about rising food, fuel, and electricity expenses.
How close is South Africa to a digital rand?
While research into a retail CBDC continues, the SARB believes modernising the payment infrastructure will deliver greater near-term benefits.
Fuel pushed May inflation higher, but the policy-rate outlook has shifted
The SARB still faces risks, although lower oil prices and improving supply expectations point to a less threatening inflation path than three weeks ago.
Green shoots emerge, but can South Africa build on them?
Signs of recovery are emerging across the economy, yet questions remain about whether the momentum can survive global uncertainty.
Judgment adds to uncertainty over crypto’s exchange control status
The High Court backs the SARB’s position that moving Bitcoin to foreign exchanges can amount to an unlawful export of capital.
Crypto payment-type activity may fall under FAIS, say regulators
Crypto assets fall outside the NPS Act, but intermediary-led payment-type activity involving crypto may still trigger a licensing requirement.
