Author: Dr Wiehann Olivier

Financial markets are on the verge of their most significant infrastructure transformation since the shift from paper-based trading to electronic systems. Yet, despite the growing momentum, many people still associate blockchain solely with cryptocurrencies. Bitcoin introduced blockchain to the world, and the crypto market has since attracted enormous attention. However, one of the biggest misconceptions is that blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies are the same thing. They are not. Blockchain: The enabling infrastructure Cryptocurrencies are simply one application of blockchain technology. A blockchain is digital infrastructure that enables information and value to be recorded, validated and transferred securely and efficiently. While…

For years, one question in South Africa’s crypto debate has been deceptively simple: if bitcoin is bought in South Africa and moved to a wallet linked to an offshore custodian, has capital left the country? The latest High Court ruling brings that question into focus — not as a debate about what bitcoin is, but about what it can be used to do. The ruling, issued by Judge SDJ Wilson on 1 June 2026, dealt with whether bitcoin constitutes “money” or “capital” for purposes related to the existing exchange control regime. The court concluded that it is both, at least…

Imagine walking into your local store and paying with a cryptocurrency that always equals one rand — no wild swings, no speculation, just self‑sovereign certainty. A digital token that settles faster than today’s banking rails and at a fraction of the cost. That’s the promise of stablecoins — digital assets built for stability in a market known for chaos. They’re already reshaping how money moves by combining the reliability of traditional currency with the speed and efficiency of modern blockchain technology, powering everything from payments and remittances to protection against currency volatility. They also act as the on‑ramp to bring…