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FNB unilaterally closes accounts of all cryptocurrency trading platforms in SA (capetalk.co.za)
FNB ("most innovative bank in SA") is unbanking one of the most innovative industries of our time, says Farzam Ehsani (VALR.com).

FNB is shutting down the bank accounts of cryptocurrency trading platforms in South Africa.The bank identified risks associated with cryptocurrency platforms and the lack of appropriate regulations as reasons for its ā€œprudent course of actionā€.


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The Money Showā€™sĀ Bruce WhitfieldĀ interviewed Farzam Ehsani, cofounder and CEO at VALR.com, one of the exchanges affected by FNBā€™s decision.


They havenā€™t given any indication of what risks theyā€™re worried aboutā€¦ a unilateral decisionā€¦ will take effect in 2020ā€¦ but we donā€™t know the exact dateā€¦Farzam Ehsani, cofounder - VALR.com


Itā€™s a very big disappointment, especially for someone like myself who used to be the blockchain lead at the group [First Rand, owner of FNB] ā€¦Farzam Ehsani, cofounder - VALR.com


The regulatory environment has become much more accommodativeā€¦ It came as a very big surprise to us, particularly for the ā€˜most innovative bank in South Africa and the worldā€™ to unbank whatā€™s arguably the most innovative industry in the last couple of decades.


Farzam Ehsani, cofounder - VALR.com

To Listen to the short interview click through to Cape Talk here:
http://www.capetalk.co.za/articles/367614/fnb-unilaterally-closes-accounts-of-all-cryptocurrency-trading-platforms-in-south-africaĀ 
    • 1
    Francisco Gimeno - BC Analyst A real disappointment. The risks in crypto are well known. Volatility, new tech, and of course, like in any other financial sector, the usual number of scammers. Any bank involved in this has to have clear regulations both in KYC and AML, and prepared officers. Lets expect this is just a halt to rethink how to integrate crypto in the banking system. However, anyone involved in this business is witnessing right now a very active opposition to even opening a bank account for a blockchain company (even in only fiat money and no crypto involved).